Missouri holiday markets bring comfort and joy to shopping season

Aarik Danielsen, Columbia Daily Tribune
·3 min read
Kim Martin, right, watches as Jake Allen sells a Canadian Balsam Fir Christmas tree to Kristina Bright, all of Fulton, last year at the inaugural Christmas Market at the Fulton Train Depot.
Kim Martin, right, watches as Jake Allen sells a Canadian Balsam Fir Christmas tree to Kristina Bright, all of Fulton, last year at the inaugural Christmas Market at the Fulton Train Depot.

Shopping during the holidays can be a drag.

An atmosphere — whether indoors or outdoors — that offers a few tidings of comfort, some joy for the senses, not only makes the process bearable but, dare it be said, even delightful.

Holiday markets in mid-Missouri, and around the state, offer just such an environment. Here are just a few of those popping up closer to home, and those worth a day trip to another part of Missouri.

Holiday markets close to home

With the Candy Cane Crib light display moving to Rose Park this year — its typical home at Logboat Brewing Co. is being renovated — the shift comes with a full slate of events. A lighting event and holiday market will take place at Rose Friday evening, Dec. 2, kicking off what the venue is calling 12 Days of Holiday Cheers; the series features a number of holiday-themed happy hours. Find market details and the full schedule at https://rosemusichall.com/event/12-days-of-holiday-cheers-market/.

While not a holiday market per se, Living Windows — held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2 — invites visitors into downtown stores with delightful window displays, often featuring Christmas themes, costumed characters and, occasionally, a cute animal or two. Find a list of participants at https://www.discoverthedistrict.com/events/living-windows.

Children and adults gather in artificial snow in front of American Shoe at 816 E. Broadway during last year's Living Windows.
Children and adults gather in artificial snow in front of American Shoe at 816 E. Broadway during last year's Living Windows.

Running through Sunday, Dec. 4, the Fulton Christmas Market celebrates its second year. Housed in the Fulton Train Depot, once called "an ornament to the town," according to an event description, the market features shopping opportunities, food trucks, Christmas baked goods, a place to buy Christmas trees and more. Learn more via its website at https://graestudiodesign.com/pages/fulton-christmas-market.

More:Historic Fulton Train Depot reopens as Christmas market: 'Ornament of the town'

Here are other holiday markets and festivals recommended by the Missouri Division of Tourism.

Kristkindl Market, Hermann

Distance from Columbia: Approximately 65 miles

Where: Stone Hill Winery

When: Dec. 3-4

What: Thirty years strong, this two-day affair takes the form of a "traditional German Christmas market," complete with crafts, carolers, a gingerbread house competition, food and ever-delicious mulled wine.

Learn more: https://stonehillwinery.com/events/kristkindl-markt/

Christkindlmarkt, Cole Camp

Distance from Columbia: Approximately 80 miles

Where: Downtown

When: Dec. 2

What: This one-night event promises "a German tradition of evening shopping and honoring the Christchild." Santa and Mrs. Claus will make their presence felt, according to the market's Facebook page; Christmas wagon rides, a variety of musical entertainment, live window displays and a live nativity also are planned.

Learn more: https://www.colecampmo.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/ColeCampChristkindlmarket/

Merry Market, Kansas City

Distance from Columbia: Approximately 130 miles

Where: City Market

When: Each weekend between Thanksgiving and Christmas

What: This open-air market features around 75 artists and artisans curated by The Strawberry Swing Indie Craft Fair, according to the event website. Creators in mediums from ceramics to photography, painting to woodworking, are juried into the market. Also accessible: Farmers Market vendors during its usual hours, and drinks from the likes of Boulevard and Minsky's.

Learn more:  https://thecitymarketkc.org/events/

Winter Market, St. Louis

Distance from Columbia: Approximately 130 miles

Where: Kiener Plaza

When: Dec. 3-4

What: Part of the larger Winterfest, this two-day market features a number of St. Louis-area vendors. Held through New Year's Day, Winterfest also features ice skating, heated igloos, S'mores stations, costumed princess and superhero characters, St. Louis sports days and more.

Learn more: https://www.archpark.org/events/winterfest

An Old Time Christmas, Branson

Distance from Columbia: Approximately 210 miles

Where: Silver Dollar City

When: Through Dec. 30

What: While not a traditional holiday market, the southwest Missouri theme park offers some serious Christmas fun, boasting more than 6.5 million lights, shows and, yes, plenty of vendors of craftspeople if you're looking to pick up a few gifts along the way.

Christmas at Silver Dollar City
Christmas at Silver Dollar City

Learn more: https://www.silverdollarcity.com/theme-park/Festivals/An-Old-Time-Christmas

Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at adanielsen@columbiatribune.com or by calling 573-815-1731. Find him on Twitter @aarikdanielsen.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: These Missouri holiday markets make shopping more merry and bright