Western New Yorkers can inspire their holiday shopping and buy local Dec. 1 and 2 as the 24th annual Yuletide in the Country Holiday Artisan Market returns to the Event Center at the Hamburg Fairgrounds. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2. 

This year’s event will feature over 150 artists and artisans, including many local artisans. “Holiday shopping at Yuletide in the Country is a unique experience,” said Dan Kaczynski of Premier Promotions, organizers of the event. “First, shoppers are surrounded by the sights, sounds and scents of the season at an unhurried pace. Second, they actually have the opportunity to interact with the artisans, learn about their process and their products, and also about their journey as craftspeople and small business owners. The movement in our community to keep dollars local and with the small business person has taken hold. This is certainly not Black Friday.”  

From spa-quality bath products to hand-poured aromatic candles, holiday décor to trendsetting jewelry, stylish pottery to gourmet foods, elegant florals to gifts for pets, and handcrafted furniture to original wall art, Yuletide in the Country offers a remarkable cross-section of gift ideas. “This event really gives you one last opportunity to find unique gifts that inspire your holiday shopping,” said Kaczynski.

In keeping with the tradition of all of Premier Promotions events, local charities will also be on hand raising money for their worthy causes. Among them, Hamburg/Eden Animal Rescue (H.E.A.R.T.) will hold a raffle of handmade gifts donated by participating artisans.

Tickets are available at the door and are $5 per person with children under 12 free.

For more than 34 years, Premier Promotions has produced high-quality, extremely successful artisan events in Buffalo and Rochester including Springtime in the Country, Christmas in the Country and Yuletide in the Country. The events are consistently ranked among the Top 100 artisan shows in America by Sunshine Artist magazine. Last year, more than 90,000 visitors attended these events purchasing more than $4 million in high-quality, handcrafted goods from juried artists and artisans. These events have helped raise more than $2 million for Western New York charities.