By Tara Mae
The holidays are a time to celebrate community, both big and small. Local holiday markets abound with opportunities for festive fun and merry memories in the making.
Whether singular excursions or weeks-long endeavors, these holiday affairs are designed to foster a jovial mood. More than just shopping sites, they enable attendees to forge new traditions as they support local craftspeople and discover one-of-a-kind items.
Upcoming celebrations include the Holiday Market Wonderland at the Reboli Center in Stony Brook, Winter Holiday Market at Setauket Neighborhood House, and Holiday Gift Bazaar at Gallery North in Setauket, Station Yards Ronkonkoma’s Holiday Market and Holiday Markets of the Huntington Holiday Spectacular.
Set up in a large heated tent behind the Reboli Center for Art and History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook and organized by Tracey Balaker of Freebird Events, the third annual Holiday Night Market Wonderland will be held on Saturday, November 30, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Reboli’s gallery and gift shop, which normally close at 5 p.m., will stay open for the duration of the occasion.
“I am excited to bring this event to the Reboli Center, right in the heart of magical Stony Brook Village; it is such a great location. I was trying to create a Bryant Park village, Christmas market feel — everyone comes dressed and adorns their spaces with lights,” said Balaker.
Approximately 55 vendors — both inside and outside the tent — will offer items such as baked goods, handmade crafts, unique gifts, and clothing. A food stand will provide sweet treats, including cider and hot chocolate, for visitors to enjoy as they are serenaded by carolers, the Celestial Singers. Frosty the Snowman, the Gingerbread Man, and other holiday characters will make cameo appearances, and a pony from Peaches Pony Parties will be decked out as a reindeer and pose for photo opportunities.
“Everyone who has come to it the past few years says it feels like a Hallmark Christmas movie,” said Balaker.
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From a film scene to a historic setting, Three Village Historical Society’s (TVHS) fourth annual Winter Holiday Market will take place at the Setauket Neighborhood House, 95 Main St., Setauket on Sunday, December 1, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Displaying an array of evergreen accent pieces, edible artistry, and artisanal craftsmanship, 32 vendors will be situated throughout the building and on the porch.
“We have stunning greenery displays and floral arrangements, New York cheese, balsamic glazes, local honey, decorated cookies, delicious baked goods, spices and seasonings and soups, farm fresh preserves, and a brand new distillery with a Culper Spy theme,” said TVHS Community Engagement Manager Kimberly Phyfe.
Other participants will be offering their artisanal products: jewelry, soaps, candles, pottery, knitwear, clothing, personalized drinkware, and artwork. TVHS will likewise have a pop-up gift shop with trinkets, books, and other selections from its inventory.
“We are so looking forward to giving our guests a place to shop small & support local,” Phyfe said.
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Located at 90 North Country Road in Setauket, Gallery’s North’s fourth annual Holiday Gift Bazaar is another celebration of communal appreciation as well as artistic expression. On Saturday, December 14, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., it will highlight the work of 12 artists displaying their jewelry, ceramics, wood craft, fiber art, candles, and printmaking.
“The Gallery North Holiday Gift Bazaar is a special indoor holiday gift market that provides an alternative to online and department store shopping. Artists will display their work on tables in both the Gallery and the Studio,” Gallery North Director of Development Erin Smith said.
Patrons will also be able to choose works from the gallery’s current exhibition, Deck the Halls, and choose from an array of handmade, local goods in its gift shop. Level Up Kitchen will be onsite, selling food and drinks.
“The Bazaar is an excellent opportunity to support local artists and businesses,” Smith said.
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The newly opened Station Yards at 3 Hawkins Avenue in Ronkonkoma and the Holiday Markets of the Huntington Holiday Spectacular will give audiences multiple chances to embrace the joyful camaraderie of the season.
On Saturdays, November 30 to December 21, from noon to 4 p.m., Station Yards will premiere its first Holiday Market around the Village Green. Shop from a curated selection of local vendors and artisans, offering unique gifts, handmade goods, and seasonal treats—perfect for holiday gifting.
Available every Friday and Sunday in December, from noon to 5 p.m., except Friday, December 6, when it turns into a night market from 5 to 9 p.m., the Holiday Markets along Wall Street in Huntington will be multi-sensory spectacles presenting a collection of shopping and social conveniences.
At the heart of these five holiday markets is the enticement of strengthening existing human connections and forging new ones while promoting common interests.
“When your holiday gifts come from small business owners and local vendors, the money stays within the neighborhood. It’s more than purchasing the perfect present, it’s building up our own community,” Phyfe said.
