With the holiday shopping season in full swing, creative shoppers are flocking to flea markets for those special, one-of-a-kind gifts that might never be found at a mainstream mall. They're also finding that bargaining at a good flea or antique market is far more entertaining than online shopping or stalking the aisles of a run-of-the-mill retail outlet.

Among the nation's nearly 1,200 flea markets, a small number of well established, permanently located markets remain open year-round, and they're loaded up with bargains aimed at holiday shoppers. Here, in no particular order, are 10 of America's top all-season flea and antique markets.

1. Rose Bowl Flea Market, Pasadena, California

Going strong for more than 45 years, this celebrated event continues to attract as many as 25,000 visitors every second Sunday of the month. Some 2,500 vendor stalls cover parking lots surrounding the legendary Rose Bowl, beckoning buyers with promises of vintage fashions, high-end home décor items and estate-sale selections.

2. Daytona Flea & Farmers Market, Daytona Beach, Florida

Here's another huge market, with almost a thousand vendors selling practically everything to more than 2.5 million visitors annually. You'll find lots of Dollar Store stuff here but also some good vintage and antique shopping, plus fresh produce and a diverse selection of food from snacks to sit-down meals. Usually open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, extra days have been added before Christmas, on Dec. 21-24, and there's a big arts-and-crafts show set for Dec. 11-16.

3. Springfield Antique Show & Flea Market, Springfield, Ohio

Staged nine times a year at the Clark Country Fairgrounds, this renowned show has been around for 47 years and is especially known for its vast selection of antiques, vintage items and highly sought after mid-century pieces. CNN, along with Country Living and Martha Stewart Living magazines, have proclaimed the Springfield show one of America's best.

4. Alameda Point Antiques Faire, Alameda, California

Popularly known as "the Alameda Flea Market," this is Northern California's largest antique show and flea market with more than 800 vendor booths. Everything on display here must be at least 20 years old, making the event a popular source for vintage and antique home decorating items, furniture, clothing, jewelry, art, pottery, collectibles and books. The Faire is held on the first Sunday of every month at Navy Way and Main Street in Alameda.

5. Fremont Sunday Street Market, Seattle, Washington

Established in 1990, the Fremont Street Market has evolved into a thriving, diverse European-style street market that reflects the eclectic nature of its Seattle neighborhood. Every Sunday, year-round, as many as 200 vendors offer antiques, collectibles, retro, vintage, fashions, deluxe junk, arts and crafts, world imports and estate sale treasures in a laid-back, pet-friendly atmosphere. Dozens of street food vendors and a rotating cast of gourmet food trucks reinforce the market's popularity as the Sunday thing to do in Seattle.

6. First Monday Trade Day, Canton, Texas

The granddaddy of all flea markets was founded way back in 1850 as a market to trade horses and livestock. While the tradition lives on, the merchandise has changed with the times and nowadays the sprawling market — said to be the world's largest outdoor market — is home to a diverse selection of antiques, collectibles, home furnishings, arts and crafts, clothing, food products and much more. First Monday Trade Days, also known as the Canton Flea Market, opens on Thursday through Sunday before the first Monday of each month, and it's just an hour's drive east of Dallas.

7. Long Beach Outdoor Antique & Collectible Market, Long Beach, California

Now in its 34th year, this popular year-round outdoor market takes place on the third Sunday of each month at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach. Since every item offered by the market's more than 800 vendors must be a genuine antique or collectible, shoppers needn't waste their time pawing through piles of made-in-China tube socks and bras.

8. Golden Nugget Antique & Flea Market, Lambertville, New Jersey

A favorite flea among interior decorators, designers and savvy antique hunters for more than 40 years, the Golden Nugget is the premier market in the Northeast for just about anything and everything in the way of antiques and collectibles. Featuring a high-quality array of items such as furniture, home décor, vintage and retro clothing, sports memorabilia, toys and games, pottery, art glass, coins and stamps, the Nugget is definitely a cut above your everyday flea market. Open year-round on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

9. Mile High Flea Market, Denver, Colorado

This giant weekly market is the Rocky Mountain region's largest year-round, open-air flea market. Hosting more than 3,000 sellers spread over 80 acres, it's truly a one-stop shop for just about everything you could want — new or used. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Interstate 76 & 88th Avenue, the MHFM also features a farmers market piled high with fresh fruits, veggies, spices and flowers. Food is part of the fun as well, with dozens of eateries ranging from sit-down restaurants to snack bars. Holiday shoppers take note: Santa will be on hand Dec. 18.

10. Treasure Island Flea, San Francisco, California

As much a festival as it is a flea market, the Treasure Island Flea debuted in 2011 with a mission to support local artists and entrepreneurs. Five years later, the monthly event (staged every last full weekend) has become a Bay Area sensation, attracting hundreds of designers, crafters, collectors, artists and musicians — and an average weekend attendance of 15,000. A showcase for indie designers, this flea offers handmade, upcycled and one-of-a-kind merchandise alongside the traditional vintage furnishings and fashions you'd expect from a San Francisco area flea market. Live music, a full bar, and creative eats from 35 food trucks and tents add to the weekend fun.