6 minute read
Festive Holiday Markets
Festive Holiday Markets & Local Shopping Events
by Morgan Cole
Whether you’re ready or not, ‘tis the season for holiday shopping. Luckily, the Pensacola area has no shortage of festive holiday markets packed with local small businesses and crafty vendors looking to spread holiday cheer. Local gift markets are a great way to cross some names off your shopping list, while also supporting our local artisans and vendors.
We have rounded up some local holiday markets to help you find the perfect gift that’s sure to delight even the most difficult-to-shop-for friend, family member or significant other. Enjoy!
Holiday Market at Seville Square
December 3
Get some of your holiday shopping done early at Seville Square’s Holiday Market. From 10 am to 5 pm on December 3, come out and browse unique products, home decor items, one-of-a-kind gifts and more from a variety of vendors from across the region. Guests will also enjoy live entertainment, raffles, prizes and ornament decorating stations. There will also be an assortment of tasty food and beverages available from one of the many food truck vendors participating in the event. In addition to multiple arts and crafts booths, there will be a bounce house to help keep the kiddos busy while you shop. The market will be hosted at 311 East Government Street in downtown Pensacola. This event is free and open to the public. Check out visitpensacola.com for complete details.
The City of Gulf Breeze Jolly
Holiday Market and Parade
December 3
This Jolly Holiday Market and Parade makes for a perfect day of holiday fun. The Gulf Breeze Chamber of Commerce and the City of Gulf Breeze Parks and Recreation have teamed up to host this festive event on December 3. The market will take place inside of the Gulf Breeze Parks and Recreation
Community Center located at 800 Shoreline Drive in Gulf Breeze. Visitors will have a chance to shop unique crafts and gift items from a variety of local vendors from 9 am to 2 pm. Following the holiday market at 4 pm will be the 1st annual strolling and rolling Jolly Holiday Parade featuring decked-out floats, cars and bikes. The parade route will begin at Gulf Breeze High School and make a 1-mile-long journey down Shoreline Drive to the Parks and Recreation
Community Center. Santa will follow in a firetruck greeting parade goers along the way. For more information, contact Tara Carlsrud at Parks and Recreation at (850)-934-5140.
Christmas Market at The Eatery
December 4
Kick off the holiday season with shopping, food and fun at the Eatery in Gulf Breeze. This festive holiday market will feature a variety of vendors that will help you find the perfect gift. You’ll be able to shop for everything from handmade jewelry and holiday decor to self-care products and more. The venue’s food trucks will also be dishing up tasty treats throughout the event that are sure to satisfy your appetite. There will also be a variety of fun yard games to add to the holiday fun. The Christmas Market will be held from 11 am to 4 pm on December 4.The Eatery is located at 1713 Woodlawn Way in Gulf Breeze. For complete event details and a list of current food truck vendors, check out @TheEateryGB on Facebook.
Craft & Vintage Holiday Market at Odd Colony
December 4
Head to Odd Colony Brewing Co. on December 4 from 12 pm to 5 pm for their Craft & Vintage Holiday Market. Hosted annually, this market is the place to get some of your holiday shopping done while also supporting local vendors and small businesses. The market will feature numerous local vendors selling vintage goods, art, self-care products, handcrafted jewelry, housewares, other unique gift items and more. In addition to shopping for one-of-a-kind gifts, guests can also enjoy tasty foods from local food truck vendors including MI SU Street Food, Craft Bakery, Maker’s Coffee Co. and Bluejay’s Bakery. The fun kicks off at 12 pm at Odd Colony Brewing Co. located at 260 North Palafox Street. Be sure to check out Odd Colony on Facebook at @oddcolony for updates and complete event details.
December 4
Emerald Republic Brewing will be hosting its 2nd Annual Krampus 5K and PreKrampusnacht Christmas Market December 4 from 12 pm to 2 pm. Guests are invited to arrive at the brewery at noon to shop from more than twenty vendors in the beer garden located at 1414 W Government Street in downtown Pensacola. While shopping, you can grab a bite to eat from A Rustyc Spoon food truck and enjoy a cold brew. Drink specials include $1-off saisons, $10 champagne buckets and a variety of other holiday drinks including mulled wine, coquito and special Krampusnacht cocktails. After filling up, you’re invited to run it all off while trying to outrun Krampus in the 5k race at 2 pm. For complete event details and information on participating in the race, visit emeraldrepublicbrewing.com.
December 7, 14 & 21
For this special holiday event, the market’s traditional three-block North Palafox site between Garden and Wright streets will be scaled down to just one block between Garden and Chase streets. Palafox Market Holiday Edition will feature more than 50 local and regional vendors during the special Wednesday holiday markets taking place throughout the month of December. The market will feature locally made art, beautifully handcrafted goods, jewelry, accessories, housewares, plants and more. Live music will add to the festivities, and the Grinch is also scheduled to make a special appearance during the shopping festivities. Streetlights, holiday lights decorating the trees and lighted vendors will illuminate the market site during the evening hours. Check out visitpensacola.com for complete event details.
Christmas Gift Market at Alyssa’s
December 10
Hosted at Alyssa’s in Pace on the Saturdays leading up to Christmas, this annual holiday market has become one of the most popular in town. Drop by and peruse the more than 35 vendors selling unique, one-of-a-kind gift items, accessories, home decor items, art, plants and more. New and returning vendors will be set up outside and lining the front porch of Alyssa’s located at 4586 Chumuckla Highway. With more than 50,000 square feet of vendor booths and merchandise space, you’re sure to snag the perfect gift for just about anyone on your holiday shopping list. This festive holiday shopping event will be held on both December 3 and December 10 from 8 am to 2 pm. For complete details on upcoming Christmas Gift Market shopping days at Alyssa’s, visit shopalyssas.com or @ShopAlyssas on Facebook.
Trader Bo’s Holiday Party
December 15
Trader Bo’s Holiday Party is the perfect time to shop for last minute gifts. Enjoy free wine and hor d’oeuvres while browsing the store’s plethora of unique items. From vintage clothing, housewares and one-of-a-kind trinkets to plants, handmade goods and more, Trader Bo’s is certain to have something for everyone on your list, no matter how niche their interests may be. This special after-hours shopping event will be held from 6 pm to 8 pm at Trader Bo’s located at 7201 N 9th Ave. in Pensacola. There is no cost to attend. Check out @TraderBosPensacola on Facebook for more event details.
ALL I WANT $1,000 GIVEAWAY
The “All I Want” giveaway is back in 2022 and it’s bigger than ever before, with daily prize giveaways from your favorite downtown merchants, as well as a $1,000 grand prize. Remember to upload pictures of your receipts for all purchases made at any downtown Pensacola restaurant, bar, shop or gallery now through midnight on December 18 for your chance to win! Be sure to check out the official rules at downtownpensacola.com/alliwant before entering, then start uploading!
