The following is a list of holiday bazaars, craft sales, and fairs you can visit to socialize and shop for holiday gifts.
Featherstone’s annual Holiday Gift Show began November 18 with a preview party, but is open daily through December 18, from 12 noon to 4 pm. The holiday show has expanded every season since its inception nine years ago. Last year, 63 artists participated, and this year a similar number are expected. Gifts range from $5 to $250.
If fiber and animals are your thing, visit Island Alpaca’s Thanksgiving Day and weekend open house, where you can meet and greet (and even buy!) the alpaca, take a walking tour of the farm, and shop in the gift store. The farm is open November 24–27, Dec. 3–4, 10–11, and 17–18, from 9 am to 5 pm. For more information, visit islandalpaca.com or call 508-693-5554.
On Black Friday, Nov. 25, and Nov. 26 is the Antique Show and Sale at the Grange Hall in West Tisbury. The same group that holds weekly sales in the summer offer a multi-dealer show of treasures from historical cottages and abroad. Admission and parking are free, and the shows are from 9 am to 3 pm. For more information, call 508-560-0136 or 508-696-7979.
PeaceCraft, the annual sale of gifts from around the world, starts Friday, Nov. 25 and runs through Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24. Its new location this year is at 13 Beach Rd. Extenstion in Vineyard Haven, across from the Black Dog Tavern. Open daily from 12 noon to 5 pm, proceeds from the handmade crafts from international self-help projects help Haiti and other disadvantaged areas worldwide. For more information, visit fishfarmhaiti.org. To volunteer, call 508-687-9709.
Every Saturday starting November 26 through December 17, the African Artists Community Development Project hosts Holiday Craft Sales. Located off New Lane in West Tisbury, find Tuareg silver, Zambia baskets, Zanzibar kikoy cloth, Mukuni wood carving, Ghanian patchwork, and Zambezi Dolls. For more information, call 508-693-4059.
The VFW Ladies’ Auxiliary are having their Holiday Bazaar and Flea Market from 9 am to 1 pm at the VFW in Oak Bluffs on November 26.
Grace Church’s annual Holly Day Fair, where shoppers peruse tables full of Island handmade crafts, ornaments, knitwear, an Attic Treasures table, children’s toys, and baked goods, also includes a Holly Day Luncheon. The fair Saturday, Dec. 3, at the church in Vineyard Haven, from 10 am to 2 pm. The luncheon is from 11 am to 1 pm. All proceeds benefit the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund, whose programs work to relieve poverty.
The M.V. NAACP’s annual Holiday Bazaar is also Saturday, Dec. 3, at the M.V. Regional High School in Oak Bluffs. From 10 am to 4 pm, shop a silent auction, White Elephant items, baked goods, and more. Vendors: tables are $25. To sign-up, call 508-696-5785.
Also December 3, and December 17, 10 am to 1 pm, is the West Tisbury Winter Farmers’ Market, and in addition to local produce and meat, find locally-produced items perfect for gifts and stocking stuffers. You’ll find soap from Flat Point Farm, chocolate from New Moon Magick, and much more.
A sale of donated jewelry on Saturday, Dec. 10, will benefit the M.V. Museum. The annual Jewelry Jingle is from 9 am to 3 pm at the museum’s library. Donations can either be dropped off or mailed to the museum. For more information, call 508-627-4441 or visit mvmuseum.org.
If you’re looking for a little bit of everything having to do with the holidays, plan on going to Christmas in Edgartown, December 9–11. In addition to most all stores open for business all weekend, there are tours, open houses, a wine tasting, cookie contest, Christmas tree lighting, trunk shows, and Breakfast with Santa. A full schedule of events can be found at edgartownboardoftrade.com.
Wreaths for sale
Balsam fir wreaths are for sale at Cronig’s Market in Vineyard Haven, Jim’s in Oak Bluffs, and Alley’s in West Tisbury, and proceeds benefit Coco the Clown’s MVTV show “Coco and the Kids,” which is designed to help children and families living with autism through education and the arts.
The annual Festival of Wreaths, a benefit for the 1820 Sara Mayhew Parsonage in Edgartown, is Thursday, Dec. 1, from 6 to 9 pm, at the Federated Church in Edgartown. Bids start at $45 for the silent wreath auction. Admission is $15 that includes beverages and hors d’oeuvres. For more information, call 508-627-4421.
