First Friday Peterborough and The Neighbourhood Vintage are getting ready to deck the halls of downtown Peterborough with some holiday cheer and community pride for the fourth annual Holiday Night Market.
A festive celebration of some of the best artists and makers of Peterborough’s arts scene along with local live music and local food and drink, the market returns to the Bankers Commons Courtyard from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday (December 5). The courtyard can be accessed through the alley between Watson & Lou (383 Water St.) and Needles in the Hay (385 Water St.) south of Hunter Street.
“With the location being so central and with First Friday, the arts community, and that aspect of Peterborough’s culture, as well as it being outdoors during the holidays, it’s a really special mix,” says Jacquelyn Craft, owner of The Neighbourhood Vintage (391 Water St.).
“People really feel that special holiday spirit and the community is right there in front of you,” Craft adds. “You have local musicians, you have local restaurants, you have local artists and makers, so it’s the perfect example of all these different (types of) community members coming together to provide an experience for Peterborough.”
Born and raised in Peterborough, Craft says she has always been passionate about First Friday, a free self-guided monthly art crawl that showcases local artwork at downtown galleries, studios, shops, and cafés. When she opened The Neighbourhood Vintage in 2022, it was on a First Friday and the store has participated in the crawl every month since.
“I think it’s just such a wonderful part of the arts community in Peterborough and such an important opportunity, especially for new artists, to set up and show at different gallery spaces and different businesses downtown,” she says. “It provides such a really valuable space for the community to take part in art in a fun social way that is, of course, free. I’ve always found it to be an important part of the downtown and the local arts scene.”
Craft is now a committee member of the volunteer-run organization, but even before that partnered with First Friday to create the annual holiday market.
“We work really well together as a team and are really excited to continue to bring the holiday market to downtown because it’s getting bigger and better every year,” she says.
Also supported by the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) and the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough, this year’s Holiday Night Market will see 24 local arts vendors selling handmade goods perfect for gifting this holiday season.
Vendors at the market include Away Designs, Brooklin Stormie, Chrissy the Crafter, Emma K Moore Art, Emsbroideries, Fable Studio, Jillian Rumsey Art, Kari’s Glass Work, Keetarella, Kinglet Co., Knits by Mich, Leonine Crochet Designs, Olive Cedar Studio, Peterborough Museum & Archives, Sweet Fern Floral Studio, Taylormade Knitting, The Critter Co., The Doggery, The Little Creator, The Lovely Soap Co., Third Circle Ceramics, Vibrant Glass Studio, Victoria Scholes Art, and Whimsy & Wonder.
“A lot of people tell me they get most of their Christmas shopping done just in the one market because there are just so many different types of vendors to peruse,” Craft says.
“The type of people who are coming to our market are really excited and impressed to discover that all of this local talent is right here in one place — and really the market only represents a small percentage of that (local talent).”
To keep you warm and fed while you browse and shop the holiday market, downtown restaurants Love You, Mean It (135 Hunter St. W.), St Veronus and Bijoux Bar (129 Hunter St. W.), The Vanilla Room (386 Water St.), Bobo Tea (154 Charlotte St.), and The Vine (165 Sherbrooke St.) will be there serving sweet treats, spiced teas, mulled wine, pretzels, and other and goodies.
To add to the festive atmosphere, there is a lineup of local musical talent slated for the evening. Bonhomme Vielle a Roue will kick off the festivities at 5:30 p.m., before VanCamp takes to the stage at 6:30 p.m. and Cheyenne Buck and KStew close out the night at 7:30 p.m.
“It’s an important aspect of the market that while you’re all bundled up, walking around with your mulled cider in your hand and treats in your belly, and you’re checking out all of these beautiful handmade pieces, you’re also listening to this nice holiday music to get you into the spirit,” says Craft. “It’s important for us to support local artists and local music talent.”
Combined with the cozy intimate courtyard, Craft says, the market will be full of holiday spirit.
“It does add something to be tucked away in the courtyard,” she says. “It almost feels like you happened upon this secret special place and then you’ve got this beautiful Christmas market happening. It’s a really neat thing.”
For more information about the schedule for the December 5th First Friday art crawl, visit firstfridayptbo.com/art-crawl-schedule/.
