Holiday shopping season arrives in Olympia and Tumwater with more than a dozen markets and bazaars scheduled between Nov. 6 and mid-December.

The season opens with Homemade for the Holidays, a 34-year-old tradition hosted by the South Sound Makers Market at the Thurston County Fairgrounds in Lacey, according to ThurstonTalk. The two-day event runs Friday, Nov. 6, from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.

That same weekend, the Schirm Loop Homestead Lavender Farm holds its Holiday Bazaar at Prosperity Grange Hall, 3701 Steamboat Loop Road NW in Olympia, on Nov. 7-8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Live music, warm soup and local craft booths fill the grange. Free admission.

Saturday, Nov. 14, is the busiest single day on the calendar, with at least five markets running at once.

The Fall Into Christmas Bazaar at Tumwater United Methodist Church, 1401 Lake Park Drive SW, runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with handcrafted items, baked goods and a raffle.

A Winter Wonderland Bazaar takes over The Salvation Army of Olympia at 1505 4th Avenue E from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Vendors interested in reserving a table can call Debbie at 360-485-5173. The South Bay Holiday Market at South Bay Grange, 3918 Sleater Kinney Road NE, runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a $1-$5 suggested donation.

And students at Lincoln Options Elementary School, 213 21st Avenue SE, run every booth at the Lincoln Student Makers Market from 1 to 4 p.m.

Arts Olympia, at 119 Washington Street, opens its Holiday Gift Gallery on Friday, Nov. 13, and keeps it running every Friday and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. through Saturday, Dec. 19.

That makes it the longest-running market of the season. The gallery features paintings, sculptures, ceramics and gifts under $50. Admission is free.

The biggest single event may be the Olympia High School Holiday Bearzaar on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1302 North Street.

The market draws more than 150 local vendors, a 100-plus-item raffle and a book fair with Browsers Books, ThurstonTalk reported.

New Market Culinary Arts students handle the concessions. Early admission at 8:15 a.m. costs $5. General admission after 9:30 a.m. is free. Proceeds benefit Olympia High School students.

Also on Nov. 21, the Craft Market Fundraiser at Arbutus Folk School, 705 4th Avenue E, fills 4,000 square feet with handmade ceramics, woodcraft, leather goods and more from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Purchases support the school's sliding-scale classes and scholarships.

The Olympia Downtown Alliance brings LoveOly Winterfest to 5th and Washington on Sunday, Nov. 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event includes a local artisan market, free kids' activities, live entertainment and free hot chocolate and coffee while supplies last.

The season closes with the Native Holiday Market at The Evergreen State College's House of Welcome, 2800 Dogtooth Lane NW, on Dec. 11-12 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

More than 50 Native artists sell handmade jewelry, carvings, weavings and pottery. The cultural arts center, built in collaboration with Northwest Tribes, opened in 1995 and was the first building of its kind on a public campus in the United States, according to the college.

Friday parking in Lot B costs $6; Saturday parking is free. Food vendors accept cash only.