Riverdale Park Holiday Market and Festival of Lights Under Way

If you're looking for a way to avoid the big box stores this year, take the opportunity to shop for unique, handmade gifts from local artisans at the Riverdale Park Holiday Market and Festival of Lights.

The market — set for this Saturday, Dec. 10 from noon to 8 p.m. in the town center — creates a great opportunity for residents to buy one-of-a-kind presents and to support local businesses and artists while listening to live holiday music.

This year’s market will feature more than a dozen locally-based vendors selling handmade jewelery, artwork, wooden toys, and pottery plus Maryland-made wines from Elk Run Vineyards.

Among those selling their wares at this year’s Holiday Market are Farmers Market regulars Mystic Waters Soap, Profusions of Glass jewelery, and Karmalades eco-friendly cleaners.

Hungry shoppers will be in luck, as several local food vendors are setting up shop in the town center this Saturday as well. Stone Hearth Bakery and Cakes by Ruthann will be on hand selling baked goods, Zeke’s will be serving up their famous coffee, and Ruben’s Crepes will be making fresh crepes all day long.

If all that’s not enough to get residents in the holiday spirit, Christmas trees will be on sale at the market, Santa will be posing for free photos with kids from 1 to 4 p.m., and Patch . Enter your tastiest treat!

The Festival of Lights trolley will be running between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. from the town center. With the donation of a canned good or other non-perishable food item, residents can take a 45-minute tour of the town’s brightest and most festive homes and local points of interest. Canned goods will be donated to a local food pantry.

Although some version of the Holiday Market and Festival of Lights has been hosted in the town since 2003, this year marks the fifth anniversary of the event in its current format.