Winterfair: Hartford’s Holiday Market returns to Union Station with 5 year deal
MORE THAN 100 SMALL BUSINESSES SET TO PARTICIPATE in 2023 across 14 days
Photo by Eaze Williams
Winterfair: Hartford’s Holiday Market will return to Hartford for its third year, taking place for the second year inside Union Station’s Great Hall. Inspired by the Holidays of Hartford’s past, the pop-up market offers a festive environment in which local makers, creatives, craftspeople, and entrepreneurs can share their talents. More than 100 small businesses will be featured in total, and The Hartford is covering all vendor fees to make their participation free.
New this year, The Hartford will also offer an interactive art display and gift wrapping station featuring the work of local artist Corey Payne, and other special kiosks at the market will include coffee and food from Semilla Cafe + Studio, rare clothing finds from Comma Vintage, Luke’s Toy Trucks of Danbury, Fascia’s Chocolate of Waterbury, and food trucks outside the station each day.
Winterfair kicked off on Black Friday with a special celebration of thirteen emerging retail businesses that are graduating from reSET’s Floor–Plan Retail Incubator. The Floor–Plan program is an ecosystem development partnership that supports Winterfair, the Incubator, and other efforts to develop Hartford’s retail environment. Winterfair aims to create a spectacular holiday experience with a total of 14 market days culminating on December 23rd. The market will operate on 11/24-11/26, 12/1-12/3, 12/8-12/10, 12/15-12/17 & 12/22-12/23, Fridays 4-8 pm, Saturday & Sundays 12-5 pm.
The host venue, Hartford Union Station, is managed by The Greater Hartford Transit District. The District’s Executive Director Vicki Shotland shared, “The Greater Hartford Transit District is excited once again this holiday season to be able to showcase our beautiful venue and to do our small part in working with Breakfast Lunch and Dinner to bring you another Winterfair event. Winterfair 2022 was such a success, we are hoping that Hartford Union Station will become a permanent home for the artisans and vendors. Based on the large population of folks who pass through our doors daily, and the Station’s access to varying modes of transit, it is a real benefit for the downtown west area. This event is so special as it has allowed local vendors to showcase and sell their products, and we hope it has helped expand their network of customers. We look forward to continuing our partnership with BL&D for the long-term.” Winterfair signed a five year deal with the District to host the holiday market there until 2027.
Mayor Luke Bronin had this to share: “For the past two years, Winterfair has brought together hundreds of small business owners, creators, and artists for a pop-up market for all your holiday shopping needs. It’s a great opportunity to support local vendors while enjoying great food, art, and more. These pop-ups have activated and re-activated spaces, and we’re grateful to BL&D and the Greater Hartford Transit District for making Hartford’s Holiday Market possible for a third year in a row!”
