The One of a Kind Show and Sale Returns to THE MART December 1 through December 4, 2022

  Chicago’s Iconic Holiday Shopping Event Will Make its Return to THE MART, Celebrating 21 Years of Tradition with Handmade Works, Gourmet Foods, Live Entertainment, and Much More

Shop Til’ You Drop! The One of a Kind Show and Sale ®, Chicago’s not-to-miss annual shopping extravaganza, will return to THE MART, 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Thursday, December 1 through Sunday, December 4, 2022. Celebrating 21 years of pure magic, the One of a Kind Holiday Show will bring together 500 talented artists, artisans, and makers to offer the best in everything from fine art and handmade goods to gourmet cafes, bar areas, live entertainment and activities fun for all ages. Tickets to the holiday show ($15 for all four days) are now available online at www.oneofakindshowchicago.com. To make things even more cheery, a portion of all ticket sales will benefit the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to once again connect the show’s enormously gifted artists and makers with such a loyal community that values and supports hand-crafted work,” said Kathleen Hogan, Sales Director of the One of a Kind Show “Year after year, the show really defines the spirit of the holiday season.”

Unlike traditional shopping, the show provides the opportunity to shop directly from the makers of goods spanning a variety of categories including accessories, gourmet, painting, bath & body, holiday, paper, ceramics, home goods, pet products, fashion, jewelry, photography, fiber art, kids, sculpture, furniture, metal, wood, glass, mixed media, and more. An artist locator is live online so shoppers can browse the artists and sort by name, location, category, BIPOC-Owned, LGBTQ-Owned, Woman-Owned and new to One of Kind, allowing shoppers to plan their perfect experience beforehand. Exhibiting artists will be on-site throughout the run of the show to engage with attendees, sharing their inspiration behind-the-scenes insights along the way.

New this year is an expanded gourmet market section featuring over 50 vendors, including 10 from The Hatchery, the food business incubator in the East Garfield Park neighborhood. The Hatchery enables local entrepreneurs to build and grow successful food and beverage businesses by providing commercial kitchens with fridge and freezer storage, coworking and event spaces, and on the job training courses. In addition to this section, the holiday show will welcome over 200 new faces to create unmatched variety at the event.

The One of a Kind Holiday Show will be open on the 7th floor of THE MART, 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza from Thursday December 1 - Sunday, December 4. Show hours will be Thursday-Saturday 10am-7pm and Sunday 10 am-5pm. Tickets are available online and are $15 for all 4 days.  Children under 12 are free. For more information, please visit www.oneofakindshowchicago.com.

About The One of a Kind Holiday Show

The One of a Kind Holiday Show® Chicago takes place at THE MART, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, 7th Floor, December 1 – 4, 2022. For tickets or more information, visit:www.oneofakindshowchicago.com.

 

Hours are as follows:

Thursday, December 1: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Friday, December 2: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Saturday, December 3: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Sunday, December 4: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

For tickets or more information, visit www.oneofakindshowchicago.com. For the latest press releases, facts, photos and videos, visit the online pressroom. For news and real-time updates, follow the One of a Kind Show on Facebook and Instagram.

 

About THE MART

THE MART (formerly The Merchandise Mart), located in the center of the sought-after River North submarket, is interwoven into the fabric of Chicago as an innovator in business, technology, culture, art, media and more. It is one of the world’s leading commercial buildings, wholesale design centers and the preeminent international business location in Chicago. Encompassing 4.2 million gross square feet, THE MART spans two city blocks, rises twenty-five stories, and is visited by an average of 30,000 people each business day and nearly 10 million people annually. Offering continuous innovation and creativity from leading manufacturers and design-forward showrooms, THE MART serves as the home to Chicago's most creative and technologically innovative companies.

One of a Kind Spring Show At Merchandise Mart April 29–May 1

This Friday, we'll be ChiILin' in Chi, IL at the inaugural One of a Kind Spring Show! This year’s show features 300 juried artists along with special featured entertainment including a first ever partnership with Lillstreet Art Center (where I used to make pottery back in the day, BTW).

Check back soon for our photo filled review. And don't delay, get your tickets in advance. The show only lasts this Friday through Sunday. Shop early and often for the best selection! We've been covering the December holiday version of the One of a Kind Show for years now, and it's something to see. Check out our past OOAK 2015 photo feature right HERE. 

MORE THAN GREAT SHOPPING AT 

INAUGURAL ONE OF A KIND SPRING SHOW

Partnerships with Lillstreet, Old Town School of Folk Music and More

The first annual One of a Kind Spring Show at The Mart (222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza) April 29–May 1 will provide shoppers with a full three days of fun and creative activities.

In addition to 300 talented artists selling their work, the show will feature fashion shows, gourmet demonstrations, live performances by musicians from the Old Town School of Folk Music and an exciting, first-time collaboration with Chicago’s Lillstreet Art Center. 

The One of a Kind Spring Show will host the following entertainment programming and special

amenities:

Lillstreet Art Center

For the first time ever, the One of a Kind Show is partnering with the Lillstreet Art Center, a Chicago institution that has been supporting art in the Chicago community for 40 years. The art center will host complimentary demonstrations, workshops and hands-on experiences throughout each day of the show. Lillstreet will introduce shoppers to their unique class offerings including ceramics, metals, drawing and painting, textiles and printmaking that are perfect for the whole family including some classes specifically for children. 

Shoppers can return home notonly with wonderful work from the One of a Kind Spring Show artists but also their own artistic creations. For a full list of Lillstreet programming at the show CLICK HERE.

Music at the Patio Bar by Old Town School of Folk Music

Talented musicians from the Old Town School of Folk Music will perform live music throughout the show at the Patio Bar, located in the center of the show floor. For information on musiciansand the schedule featured at the show please CLICK HERE.

Fashion Shows

Shoppers can enjoy One of a Kind Spring fashions on the runway. Women’s wear, jewelry and accessories will be featured on the Fashion Stage on the east side of the show floor. The One of a Kind Spring Show will present three fashion shows, Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday and

Sunday at 1 p.m.

Gourmet Market Demonstrations

Shoppers can indulge their taste buds at the show’s Gourmet Market on the west side of the show floor. Guests can also watch cooking demonstrations by The Chopping Block as well as Gourmet artisans.

Fine Art Gallery

Shopper’s looking for museum ready pieces can visit the Fine Art Gallery in the center of the show floor. The gallery will feature a curated exhibition of painting and sculpture featured at the

show.

CLICK HERE for a list of artists exhibiting at the One of a Kind Spring Show.

Schedule and Ticket Information

The One of a Kind Spring Show will take place April 29 from 11 a.m. –8 p.m., April 30 from 10a.m. –7 p.m. and May 1 from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. at The Mart, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, 7th Floor, Chicago, IL. Tickets are $10 for adults, children 12 and under are free. Special ticket packages are also available. For tickets or more information, call (800) 677-MART (6278) or

visit http://oneofakindshowchicago.com. The 16th Annual One of a Kind Holiday Show will take place December 1-4, also at The Mart.  

About The Mart

The Mart is a division of Vornado Realty Trust, is a leading owner and operator of integrated showroom and office buildings, as well as trade show facilities, bringing buyers and sellers together through market events, trade and consumer shows, and conferences each year. Weare committed to creating sustainable environments in the properties we manage and the communities we serve. Vornado Realty Trust, based in New York City, is a fully integrated equity real-estate investment trust. Vornado’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.

One of a Kind Show and Sale at Chicago's Merchandise Mart is a One Stop Miracle Shop for Unique Gifts

CHICAGO'S HOLIDAY SHOPPING SHOW 

THIS WEEKEND ONLY THROUGH 5PM 12/6

**Giveaway through 12/13**

Here at ChiIL Mama it was our great pleasure to check out the OOAK show, shoot loads of stills, and meet a bunch of talented artist and artisans for the 2nd year in a row. Don't miss THIS! It's a great way to find unique gifts for everyone on your list and support the arts! This incredibly immense show ends Sunday the 6th at 5pm, so don't delay. 

Disclosure: We were given comp tickets from OOAK to cover the show and we're pleased to partner up with Whitney Howard Designs who donated a pewter bracelet for our giveaway. As always, all opinions are our own.

We also have a special giveaway for our readers from one of the vendors--an awesome lead free pewter "Quotable Cuff" ($25 value) Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken. from Whitney Howard Designs. ENTER HERE through midnight on 12/12 for your chance to win. 

Now through December 18th

The 15th annual One of a Kind Show runs December 3-6, 2015. It's truly the ideal place to find truly unique items for yourself, your home and everyone on your holiday gift list.  More than 600 talented artists from across the US set up shop right here in Chi, IL.

Check out ChiIL Mama's full photo recap in the slideshow below. More of our favorite shots are below.

Shoppers can speak with artists one-on-one, attend artist demonstrations, and create something yourself at a crafting workshop. Indulge in gourmet cafes and enjoy fashion shows and live music.

Save the dates:
NEW for 21016!

A Few of ChiIL Mama's Favorite Items & Artists: