The much-anticipated holiday market returns through Dec. 29.
Each holiday season, Boston’s newest seaside neighborhood transforms into a true winter wonderland, welcoming more than 120 small businesses to the iconic open-air holiday market, where one can find handmade clothes, original art, novelty candles and irresistible chocolate truffles. What you might not notice amid all of the festive dazzle and endless gift ideas, is the market’s makeup—22% of the vendors are new, 65% are local and 83% identify as either Black, Indigenous or BIPOC owned and/or female-owned. The diversification of the market is partly thanks to this year’s partner, Constant Contact and the Snowport Scholarship Program they supported.
“We created a scholarship program on behalf of 12 vendors at the holiday market this year,” says Vella. “We pay for their booth, help them with their marketing and give them the capital they need to get started.”
Some of the businesses receiving the scholarship are returning vendors, while others, like Madhrasi Chai, are new. All 12 have chosen a special cause in their community to give back to.
Other new vendors this year include A Little Slice of Europe specialty European cheeses, Alyssa Bazaar ceramics, Boston Soap Co. artisan soaps, Curio Spice ethically made global goods and spices, Esthetic Living European home decor, Kona Brand winter apparel, Petrive Chocolates and Tiny Farmhouse accessories and prints.
In addition to the shopping, there will again be an expansive dining area with 17 food and beverage concepts, including newcomers Dumpling Daughter, Eloti, which serves street corn and churros, The Half Cookie and returning fan-favorite Cheese Louise, which is introducing a soup station alongside its famous grilled cheese. Other returning favorites include Pennypacker’s porchetta sandwiches, Bocadillo’s empanadas and Tuscan Kitchen’s Italian street food.
Expect to see imaginative activations as well like outdoor iceless curling at The Snowport Curling Lanes, freshly cut trees at The Tree Market and the Crafting Corner by The Makers Club where daily drop-in sessions will offer holiday-themed crafts for adults and kids. An exciting addition to this year’s programming is The Stage by Mohegan Sun which will host live performances by local musicians each Monday.
For the complete list of participating makers, visit bostonseaport.xyz/holidaymarket
Photography by: Boston Seaport by WS by Alexander Pickering
