Holiday season is around the corner, and with that brings the local holiday market circuit.
From a market in St. Catharines that features BIPOC vendors to a night market in Ohsweken, here’s a few to have on your radar this year.
Hello Winter, Hamilton, Nov. 26
Hello Winter is a family-friendly Handmade Market running at the Cotton Factory on Nov. 26, in the main Mill Building, featuring tenants from the space, alongside vendors from the community. For instance, SMITH & TAILOR offers designs in textiles, ties, bowties, pocket squares, home decor and jewelry. The event also features music and food. It’s also free to attend. Cash donations supporting the arts in Hamilton will be collected at the door.
Sat., Nov. 26, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
270 Sherman Ave N., Hamilton
Handmade Hamilton, Nov. 26-27
Handmade Hamilton was started by multidisciplinary artist Lisa Pijuan-Nomura. This year is the event’s 10th anniversary. It features 32 vendors and local artisans selling art, jewelry, ceramics, and textiles. The list of vendors includes Annya Marttinen — she has a unique line of stationery and art prints, with inspiration taken from “everyday moments,” nature and the comforts of home. Admission is $2.
Sat., Nov. 26. and Sun. Nov. 27, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Theatre Aquarius, 190 King William St., Hamilton
Chiefswood Park Holiday Festival, Nov. 26-27
This festival in Ohsweken includes a skating rink (weather permitting), free face painting and a photo booth but it’s also a “shopping wonderland,” according to organizers. The celebration transforms Chiefswood Park into an interactive holiday space for Indigenous artisans, food merchants, sweet treats, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Vendors include Bex Baked Goods, run by a local baker whose cookies are also beautiful works of art. She’ll be decorating cookies at the festival. Admission is free. Cash or food donations are welcome.
Nov. 26 and Nov. 27, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
1037 Brant County Hwy 54, Ohsweken, ON N0A 1M0.
Ancaster Christmas Craft Show, Nov. 26 – Nov. 27
Organizers of Ancaster’s Christmas Craft Show say it is going to be filled to the brim with more than 200 vendors featuring woodworking, crafts, candles, soaps, pottery, clothing, home decor and Christmas decor. Visit Brad The Blacksmith or The Tea Room and have a sip of coffee and a snack. Admission is $5 and cash only. Kids 10 under are free.
Nov. 26, 9-5 p.m., Nov. 27, 9 to 4 p.m.
Ancaster FairGrounds, 630 Trinity Rd S, Jerseyville
Winter Artfest at the Woodland Cultural Centre, Nov. 26
The Winter Artfest will be a day full of local Indigenous artisans, food and art installations including Three Sisters Beadwork. Cody Houle, artist-in-residence, will be doing live paintings throughout the day. (The centre is also running GivingTuesday on Nov. 29 to raise $10,000 for the Dwadwęnaga:da:t Language Department to help support their work to strengthen and revitalize Hodinohsho:ni languages and cultures.)
Nov. 26, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Woodland Cultural Centre, 184 Mohawk St., Brantford
Blk Owned markets, Nov. 27 and Dec. 10
Blk Owned Hamont, the organization that promotes Black-owned businesses in Hamilton, is partnering with a similar organization in St. Catharines, Black Owned 905, for a market on Nov. 27, at the Market Square in St. Catharines, with DJ Rennie, Santa and more than 40 vendors. Check out creative seasonal decor and support BIPOC businesses.
Then, on Dec. 10, Blk Owned Hamont partners with Fruit Salad, an LGBTQ event organizer, for a night market at the Art Gallery of Hamilton from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The market is expected to showcase 20 local BIPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+ vendors.
BIPOC Holiday Market, Nov. 27, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
91 King St, St. Catharines, Ont.
Holiday Night Market, Dec. 10, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Art Gallery of Hamilton, 123 King St W, Hamilton
Stuffed Hamilton Market, Dec 2-3
Stuffed Hamilton features over 50 vendors offering handmade gifts, stocking stuffers and much more — with fun for all, including food and drinks (Cartel Spice Co. and Sunny Corner Bar will be on hand, as well as Andrzejewski Perogies). The event features DJ Donna Lovejoy and pop-up guests. Tickets are $8, Kids 12 and under free.
Dec. 2, 6p.m. to 10 p.m., Dec. 3, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Westinghouse HQ, 286 Sanford Ave N., Hamilton
OSTTC Christmas Night Market, Dec. 8
This night market will showcase local vendors and business organizations from Six Nations. Expect to see a beading collective create unique pieces with different traditional materials and many more including crystal shop Stellar Gems Studio.
Dec. 8, 4 to 7 p.m.
Kayanase’s Greenhouse, 993 Highway 54, Ohsweken
Sapling and Flint 1st Annual Winter Market, Dec. 17-18
Sapling & Flint Designs is a jewellery company which specialize “in gold, authentic wampum, and sterling silver; materials of the trade of our wampum cutting and silversmithing ancestors in the colonial and pre-contact periods of our People.”
They are hosting a winter market in Six Nations for two days in December. Enjoy a curated group of authentic Indigenous artisans featuring holiday craft ideas, clothing, accessories, health and beauty items. Lunch will be by Six Nations’s very own Tawyn Brant, 2022 Top Chef contestant. Chef Tawnya Brant focuses on reviving Indigenous North American & Haudenosaunee food culture.
Dec. 17-18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Gathering Place by the Grand, 2593 Chiefswood Rd, Ohsweken
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