Contrary to popular belief, in the fruit wine industry, November is a crazy-busy month! For us and other crafters, winemaking takes place in the fall. This month we will see our newest batch of Bumbleberry Fruit Wine packaged and sealed, coming soon to a Christmas market near you! This is our final batch of 2021 and will join our other new releases that are ready and waiting to remind us of summer every time we open them!
But winemaking aside, with the chillier weather, the snow showers and Christmas carols playing in buildings everywhere, it’s hard not to think about Christmas. Already we see Christmas lights, stores filled with Christmas décor, and holiday advertising gearing up. There’s no doubt that the holiday season brings lots of activity for everyone, and for Field Stone, that means Christmas Markets.
With a few already behind us, we are looking forward to the weeks ahead and all the fun they will bring. If you’ve ever spent time at a Christmas market, you will know that nothing can get you in the Christmas spirit quite like a market. Christmas activities, music, food and local artisans are just a part of it. It’s a complete experience!
Here’s where we’ll be participating over the next few weeks…
Nov 11-14: Millarville Christmas Market, Thursday through Sunday at the Millarville Race Track from 9 to 4. One of Calgary’s most-beloved markets, you can find details here. They have moved out the horses and put us in the arena!
November 12 and 13: Medicine Hat Christmas Market, Cypress Center – Fieldhouse and Pavillion. A Medicine Hat tradition! Details at the website.
November 19 to 21 and November 26-28: Banff Christmas Market, Warner Stables, Banff. What is more festive than a mountain town on a wintry weekend? Come on out and join in the fun. Details at their website.
November 24 – January 2: Glow Christmas Festival, Edmonton Expo Centre. This is a lovely crafter’s market inside of Edmonton’s beautiful light festival. Info at www.glowyeg.ca.
November 27: Strathmore Christmas Market, Civic Centre, Strathmore. Strathmore’s largest holiday market! Find details at the website.
December 2-4: Lethbridge Big Christmas Farmers Market, Exhibition Park, Lethbridge. A Lethbridge tradition, the market will run simultaneously with the Christmas Trade Show, offering even more places to shop! Details can be found at www.lethbridgefarmersmarket.ca.
December 4-5, 11-12, 18-23: The Roundhouse Market at Calgary’s Heritage Park. Yes, you read correctly! This year, a full-blown market will be part of the popular family favourite, Once Upon A Christmas at Heritage Park. For an all-round great holiday experience, book your tickets now at www.heritagepark.ca.
And don’t forget the great Christmas events at our year-round markets…
At Calgary Farmers Market, we will be transforming into a Christmas Market this holiday season! For a festive and safe holiday experience, come dine in the licenced food hall, cozy up around a crackling fire, pick up your fresh Christmas tree, and indulge your sweet tooth with a warm BeaverTail. You’ll be able to cross everything off your list with thoughtfully crafted goods from your favourite vendors, plus 12 seasonal vendors offering Yuletide gifts, food, jewelry, décor and more. More details at www.calgaryfarmersmarket.ca.
At Edmonton’s Bountiful Farmers Market, Christmas hours will be extended to include Thursday, December 23rd and Friday, December 24th from 10-4. You will have no difficulty at all in finding everything you need for on the table and under the tree! More details at www.bountifulmarkets.com.
And at Gasoline Alley Farmers Market (Red Deer), market hours will be extended to Dec 17 – Dec 23 from 9 to 5, inclusive. You’ll have lots of time and opportunity for no-stress, holiday shopping.
We know that’s a lot of info, but if you haven’t visited some of these holiday markets in previous years, we hope you make an extra effort to get out this year. Nothing says “Festive” like a market. And markets take one-stop-shopping to a new level! Come see for yourself.
Of course we can’t let the Christmas talk go by without talking about one of our all-time-favourite recipes. While quantities last we are offering a 2-Pack Mulled Cherry Wine set for $40.00 at all market locations. If you want the spicy Christmas aromas of cinnamon and cloves wafting through your house on Christmas Eve, you’ll want to make up the wonderful recipe found at the bottom of this page, and put it in your crock pot to enjoy throughout the evening! But don’t take our word for it. We’ll be serving samples at all of our markets this holiday season. Come by for a taste and decide for yourself.
Finally, I’ll leave you with a super-simple cocktail that is great to enjoy after a busy day of shopping at the Christmas Markets. Mix up some Raspberry Dessert Wine with gin and ginger beer for a little twist on a very old classic. Field Stone Floradora is a delightful little sipper!
And that’s it for news from Field Stone this month. We wish you much fun in all your pre-Christmas activities … and we hope to see you at one of the markets this holiday season.
