Birdhouses made at Girasole Farm
The Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, a program of Otsego 2000, will hold a special Holiday Market with 24 local farmers, artisans, makers, and food producers on Tuesday, December 23, from 4 pm to 7 pm. The event will feature free hot cider, a make-and-take craft for kids, a gift-wrapping station, and live music. The Farmers’ Market, which operates year-round on Saturdays, is located in Pioneer Alley at 101 Main Street in Cooperstown. In addition, many Cooperstown shops and businesses will have extended hours.
The Holiday Cooperstown Farmers' Market will feature: Arabeth Farm, ARK Floral, Baskets by SusanDee, Chatty Wren Coffee Roasters, Crystal’s Customs, Empire Natural Foods, Gaia’s Breath Farm, Girasole Farm, Healing Crystals, Laura’s Chocolates, Middlefield Orchard, Mill Hollow Maple, Mimikis Fibers, MKO Creations, Mountain View Dairy, Pail Shop Vineyards, Rock Hill Farm, Straight from the Hive, Tech Tamer Woodworks, Terracotta Republic, Traveling Herb Farmer, Weinert’s Elk Creek Farm, Wild Pines Pumpkin Patch & Gardens, and Wildwoods Woodturning. The Holiday Farmers’ Market will feature seasonal produce, meats, poultry, baked goods, cheese, jams and jellies, coffee, honey, maple syrup, chocolate, wine, prepared foods, and more. Specialty items and gifts include art, herbal remedies, skincare, pottery, blown glass, mittens and hats, toys, wooden utensils, bags, CBD products, and home goods. Market gift certificates also will be on sale.
Handblown glass at Crystal’s Customs
Kids can make a seasonal craft with Miss Jen. Gus Leinhart, James Leinhart, and John Davey will perform from 5 pm to 7 pm on the Market Stage. The Cooperstown Winter Carnival will be at the community table. The Cooperstown Lions Club will wrap gifts for a donation to support the Lions Club SNAP Match program at the Market. Through this match, and the Double Up Food Bucks program, a $20 EBT spend results in $60 worth of local food. So far in 2025, food access initiatives at the Market have resulted in more than $40,000 in fresh local food for families.
The Cooperstown Lions Club will be wrapping gifts for a donation to support the Cooperstown Lions Club SNAP Match program.
“I love doing crafts with kids and the young at heart during the Holiday Market and bringing joy to the community,” said Jennifer Armstrong, Otsego 2000 finance and operations manager, also known as “Miss Jen.” “Come join the fun and share the spirit of the season while supporting local farmers and artisans.”
People also are encouraged to shop at Cooperstown retailers, many of which are extending their hours. The Cooperstown Art Association (CAA)’s Holiday Show & Sale will be open from 11 am to 7 pm with prosecco (21+) and treats. Anyone who attends the sale will be entered to win a CAA Family Membership for the 2026 season. Shops with extended hours until 7 pm on December 23 include: Cooper Country Crafts, Tin Bin Alley, L.J’s Sassy Boutique, Zinn Brilliant Ornaments, Rigby Handcraft, Sybil’s Yarnshop, The Local Bird (which will offer free tea tastings), Willis Monie Books, Mountain Magic Market, and Bridgette and Main. Rudy’s Liquors will be open until 8 pm. The Rabbit Hole will be open until 8 pm (or later) and playing Christmas movies all day. The Rabbit Hole also will have board games and cards available to play and they will be serving specialty hot cocoa. Cooperstown Natural Foods, Charlie & Cooper, and the Bluebird Haus will be open until 6 pm. Other stores and shops, like Spurbeck’s Grocery, will be open until 5 pm. In addition, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in their cottage in Pioneer Park (corner of Main Street and Pioneer Street) to receive visitors from 3 pm to 5 pm. There also will be caroling in the village. Anyone who would like to carol can meet at Santa’s cottage in Pioneer Park at 5:30 pm.
“Along with the wonderful Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, we want to showcase the great array of shopping that can be done right here in the Village,” said Ellen Pope, executive director of Otsego 2000. “The Holiday Stroll and Farmers’ Market is a fun and festive time for all.” She noted that people may want to plan for a dinner out after shopping.
The Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, founded by Otsego 2000, supports local growers, makers, and artisans and offers a direct connection between producer and consumer. The Farmers’ Market is open year-round on Saturdays. In December, Saturday hours are 9 am to 2 pm. Beginning in January, the Market will be open Saturdays, 10 am to 2 pm.
Shop Cooperstown on Tuesday, December 23!
Open until 7 pm:
Cooperstown Farmer’s Market, 101 Main Street in Pioneer Alley, 4-7 pm
Cooper Country Crafts, 2 Doubleday Court
The Local Bird, 130 Main Street
Willis Monie Books, 139 Main Street
Rudy’s Wine & Liquor, 143 Main Street
L.J’s Sassy Boutique, 165 Main Street
Bridgette and Main, 124 Main Street
Tin Bin Alley, 114 Main Street
The Rabbit Hole, 106 Main Street
Rigby Handcraft, 43 Pioneer Street
Zinn Brilliant Ornaments, 43 Pioneer Street
Sybil’s Yarn Shop, 43 Pioneer Street
Mountain Magic Market, 52 Pioneer Street
Cooperstown Art Association, 22 Main Street
Open until 6 pm:
Cooperstown Natural Foods, 61 Linden Avenue
Bluebird Haus, 21 Railroad Avenue
Charlie & Cooper, 88 Main Street
Open until 5 pm:
Spurbeck’s Grocery, 9 Railroad Avenue
Plus:
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be receiving visitors in their cottage in Pioneer Park (corner of Main Street and Pioneer Street), 3 pm to 5 pm
Community caroling, all welcome. Meet at Santa’s cottage in Pioneer Park at 5:30 pm.
After shopping local, why not plan for a dinner out at a Cooperstown restaurant or invite a friend out for a drink?