MORE THAN SCULPTURE: At Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton, the holiday market is back this year on November 29 and 30, with more than 50 new and returning vendors and items for sale such as handcrafted jewelry, pottery, woodworking, original art, skincare, gourmet treats, and more.
By Wendy Greenberg
There is something about holiday markets that is a breath of fresh air — not only the markets that are outdoors, but because of the variety of curated goods for sale that one usually cannot find elsewhere.
Holiday markets proliferated in the 16th century in Europe and continue today. The Strasbourg, France, Christmas Market is one of the oldest in Europe, dating back to 1570.
Here in Central New Jersey, holiday markets offer a similar experience and lend a festive atmosphere to the spaces they inhabit.
“Purchasing a gift from a local maker not only invests in our creative community but offers your loved ones a truly unique item that’s made by hand, with heart,” said Melissa Kuscin, director of programming and events at the Arts Council of Princeton.
Here are a few to visit:
Princeton Farmers Market: The longstanding market, held on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Hinds Plaza, has a special holiday market scheduled for Thursday December 4, 11, and 18.
The sixth annual Art and Community Holiday Market will take place in Hopewell on Saturday, December 6 at the Hopewell Train Station and freight shed, 2 Railroad Avenue, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with local artists, community fundraising, music, and merriment. The market features a curated group of artists and artisans offering handcrafted, unique gifts, and local authors with their signed books. This year the market will be fundraising for Chubby’s Project, a local organization that works to end food scarcity. Nearby is Hopewell’s Holiday Open House at 13 East Broad Street. More information is on Facebook and Instagram.
The Fairgrown Farms Holiday Market is held on Friday, December 5, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 260 Wargo Road, Pennington. The open-air market on the farm features treats, crafts, gifts, and more.
INSIDE THE WINTER VILLAGE: The Arts Council of Princeton’s Artist Winter Village features different vendors in chalets Thursday to Sunday until December 21 on Hinds Plaza, with 10 additional, rotating vendors each weekend.
The Arts Council of Princeton Artist Winter Village runs until December 21 on Hinds Plaza, next to Princeton Public Library. Four chalets are open for business Thursday through Sunday, from 12 to 6 p.m. In addition to the chalets, 10 additional artists will join the village on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vendors change each week. These festive pop-up shops, run by regional creatives, offer fun and unique gifts, including cozy textiles, jewelry, hand-poured candles, charming children’s wear, pottery, wood,
and more.
“Our weekly rotating roster of artists ensures there’s something for everyone on your list — especially those hard-to-shop for friends and family,” said Kuscin. Visit artscouncilofprinceton.org for a list of vendors in the chalets and on the grounds each week.
The Grounds For Sculpture Holiday Artisan Market is planned for Saturday, November 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, November 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. indoors at at 80 Sculptors Way in Hamilton.
The market is back this year with a fresh, new curated shopping experience. Discover 50-plus talented artisans offering items such as handcrafted jewelry, pottery, woodworking, original art, skincare, gourmet treats, and more. And, as a bonus, there are 42 acres of art-filled gardens, and one can enjoy the galleries. Members are welcome to start their shopping early during the Members Only hours from 9 to 10 a.m.
“Grounds For Sculpture purposefully picks out a variety of artisans with different specialty items in a variety of categories,” said Lauren Shepard, director of events at Grounds For Sculpture. “We look at each vendor’s website and look for the diversity of work with good quality products. “
The Holiday Artisan Market is free to attend with purchase of a general admission ticket. Guests can explore the 42 acres of art and nature after they shop, and check out the GFS Museum Shop. For tickets, visit groundsforsculpture.org.
Vendors will be in the West Gallery, East Gallery, Welcome Center Lobby, and Auditorium. Food and beverages from Constellation Culinary Group will also be available for purchase in the Auditorium. Rats Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, but restaurant reservations are encouraged. The full vendor list is on the website.
The West Windsor Holiday Artisan Market Shop is open Saturday, December 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festive market offers handcrafted items made by artisans including jewelry, accessories, ceramics, and one-of-a-kind items for the home in a newly opened shop, located in the West Windsor Arts lobby at 952 Alexander Road, West Windsor Township. Each purchase supports local artisans and the mission to “cultivate the artist inside us all.” The Holiday Artisan Market shop started over 12 years ago and has bloomed into a year-round shop, with a changing inventory for each season. The artisan market is open every day the arts center is open with special shopping days for the holidays. Private appointments available upon request by sending an email to info@westwindsorarts.org. An online store is open 24/7 for shopping. Purchases can be picked up at your convenience, usually the next business day. At the same time, visitors can check out the Off the Wall Art Show from 2 to 4 p.m., through December 21. More information is at westwindsorarts.org.
The Sip and Shop Holiday Market at the Watershed Institute offers sipping light refreshments while shopping at the Watershed Institute’s third holiday market, on Friday, December 5 from 6 to 9 p.m., and on Saturday, December 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sip and Shop and celebrate the season while supporting local craftspeople and the Watershed’s mission to protect clean water. 31 Titusville Road, Pennington; thewatershed.org.
The Holly Jolly Holiday Market at MarketFair is December 13,14, 20, and 21 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Southend Corridor by Eddie V’s. Stroll a charming, curated collection of 35-plus local artisans with live music, cocoa, holiday films, and letter writing to Santa.
Winter Village at Red Mill Museum takes place Friday to Sunday, November 28-30; and Saturday and Sunday, December 6 and 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., 56 Main Street, Clinton. The market joins the 16th annual Festival of Trees to bring Winter Village to The Red Mill. The event includes five days of festive shopping in a heated outdoor market featuring 50-plus local craft artisans, food trucks, and activities each day.
There is a general admission fee of $10 for guests (12 and under are free) entering the festival and Winter Village. Current museum members are free. The Festival of Trees runs concurrently. Stroll through the museum grounds decorated with beautifully adorned holiday trees and vote for favorites.
Some of the village events include a blacksmithing demonstration, historical textile and crafts and leatherworking demonstrations, bayberry candle-making, traditional hand tool demonstrations, and performances by the Raritan Valley Trombone Quartet, ProKids Holiday Vocal Troupe, costumed carolers, and Gilbert Productions. The schedule and information on tickets are at theredmill.org/events.
Flounders Kringle Market is open Saturday and Sunday, December 13 and 14; and Saturday and Sunday, December 20 and 21, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Carriage Farm, 2 Clerico Lane, Hillsborough.
Presented in part by Visit Somerset, Carriage Farm transforms into a holiday market with 45-plus hand-picked crafters and food vendors, all surrounding the Central Jersey Nurseries Christmas tree lot. From the nostalgic sounds of a brass band to a group of carolers, the music will carry you through the market. Inside the Barn at Flounder Brewing, kids can enjoy free photos with Santa, and a Kids’ Craft Zone. Stop by the Christmas Tree Lot shed for some time with the Grinch (Saturdays only). In the late afternoon, local dance companies perform, as Steps Together offers wine, warm hard cider, and beer, with all proceeds benefiting their cause. Parking is $10 per car and proceeds from parking cover the expenses of the otherwise free market. The event is pet friendly.
Lambertville House presents its First Annual Holiday Market at the historic Lambertville House, 32 Bridge Street, Lambertville, on Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stroll the town known as “the antiques capital of New Jersey” while shopping at the market for food, handmade crafts, and one-of-a-kind gifts, along with live music. More information is on Facebook.