Shoppers looking for local holiday gifts have a string of options in the Wisconsin Rapids area this season. Art, craft and vendor fairs and makers markets are planned from now through Christmas, featuring area artists, crafters, makers, vendors and small businesses.

The weekend opened with A Very Merry Makers Market on Friday, Nov. 13, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Ryder's Roadhouse and Grill, 9031 County Road WW in Wisconsin Rapids, with shopping, music, food and holiday drinks.

The Holiday Shopping Expo runs at Hotel Mead, 451 E. Grand Ave. in Wisconsin Rapids, on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with more than 70 vendors, and again Sunday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with 45 vendors. Both days include gift bags for shoppers and raffles.

On Saturday, Nov. 21, a Widow's Weekend Vendor Event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ryder's Roadhouse, supporting the Best Christmas Ever program, and a Widows Weekend Vendor and Craft Show runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ponderosa Pines in Bancroft.

The list closes Saturday, Dec. 5, with Nekoosa Christmas Holiday Crafts, Arts & More from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Nekoosa Community Center, and a Holiday Vendor Fair from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Renaissance by Rennes in Wisconsin Rapids, free and open to the public.