Downtown Streatery Unveils Holiday Markets This Friday

A New Season of Creativity and Community in Gainesville

As the holiday season approaches, the city of Gainesville is set to welcome a new event that promises to bring together local artists, small businesses, and community members. The Streatery will be transformed into the Downtown Winter Market Series, offering a vibrant space for vendors, live music, art, and wellness activities. This series will run from this Friday through January 25, providing a unique experience every weekend.

The market will be open from 4-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and noon-5 p.m. on Sundays along SW 1st Avenue downtown. According to Gainesville Mayor Pro Tem Bryan Eastman, the event highlights the city’s creative spirit and community-driven values. “Turning the Streatery into a winter market gives our artists and small businesses a stage and gives our neighbors a place to gather, shop, and celebrate the season together,” he said.

A Unique Blend of Themes and Activities

The Downtown Winter Market Series is designed to offer a diverse range of experiences each weekend. Each week will feature different themes and merchants, ensuring that there is always something new to explore. In addition, How Bazar, a creative and cultural hub downtown, will host free Skill Share workshops every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Laila Fakhoury, one of the event co-producers, has been involved in hosting downtown markets for the past five years. She described the series as a curated version of those markets. “We’re bringing in a fresh mix of vendors each weekend,” she said.

Upcoming Themes and Workshops

The series features a variety of themed weekends, each with its own unique activities and skill-sharing opportunities:

• Dec. 12-14 – Theme: The Opening
  Skill Share: Sewing

• Dec. 19-21 – Theme: Cars
  Garage Unlimited curated car shows; Skill Share: Plant care

• Dec. 26-28 – Theme: Community Support
  Accepting donations for area nonprofits; Skill Share: Pottery

• Jan. 2-4 – Theme: Circus
  Aerialists, stilt walkers, fire-breathers; Skill Share: Candle-making

• Jan. 9-11 – Theme: Wellness
  Quick massages, acupuncture and more; Skill Share: How to DJ

• Jan. 16-18 – Theme: Music Showcase
  A preview of Big: Culture & Arts Festival in April; Skill Share: Crochet

• Jan. 23-25 – Theme: The Finale
  Skill Share: Painting

A Celebration of Local Art and Culture

The event also complements the holiday decorations and lights that illuminate downtown Gainesville. The market will feature 26 custom-built booths inspired by European holiday markets, creating a festive and inviting atmosphere for visitors.

Alachua County Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler expressed her delight at seeing new energy put into creative projects that highlight local artists, artisans, and food vendors. “As activities slow down with the seasonal closing of the university, the City can light up the holidays with new traditions that will help us celebrate together as a community,” she said.

Collaboration and Vision for the Future

The Downtown Winter Market Series is a collaboration between several key organizations, including the Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area (GCRA), Creative Cultural Consulting Group, How Bazar, and Big: Culture & Arts Festival. The GCRA, which is the economic development department of the City of Gainesville, provides funding for downtown programming such as this new market series.

In August, the Gainesville City Commission officially named the section of SW 1st Avenue, between S. Main Street and SW 2nd Street, the Streatery. This designation allows for public use of the space before planned infrastructure improvements and renovations. The changes aim to transform the downtown corridor into a walkable thoroughfare better suited for hosting festivals and other events.

This market series aligns with the City’s vision for a vibrant, welcoming, and thriving downtown as outlined in the Downtown Gainesville Strategic Plan.

Get Involved

Registration is currently open online for market vendors at downtownmarketseries.org. Whether you are a vendor looking to participate or a visitor eager to experience the magic of the holidays, the Downtown Winter Market Series offers a unique opportunity to engage with the community and celebrate the season in style.