Jackson Free Press

The impending holiday season means stuffing our faces with tons of food and congregating with family and friends, but it also means something else: The shopping season is about to begin. This holiday, make sure you support Mississippi craftmakers.

Here's a guide to some of the craft festivals in and nearby the Jackson metro area.

Handworks Holiday Market, Nov. 18-19

For the last 35 years, Handworks Holiday Market has gathered hundreds of artisans from the South to celebrate arts and crafts through shopping. This year, the festival will bring in more than 140 exhibitors.

While there, you can find something for everyone, whether you need jewelry from Jewel of Havana or J Lizzie Jewelry, bath products from Southern Natural Soap, or even treats for your favorite dog's stocking from Cotton's Cafe Dog Treat Bakery.

The event takes place Friday, Nov. 18, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mississippi Trade Mart (1200 Mississippi St.). General admission is $8, and advance tickets are $10. Advance weekend passes are $15. People who purchase tickets early can get in at 8 a.m. and will receive a free shopping bag.

For more information, visit handworksmarket.com.

Jingle Bell Market, Dec. 3

To kick off the holiday season in December, the Pearl Chamber of Commerce is once again hosting the Jingle Bell Market, which brings arts-and-crafts and food vendors together at Trustmark Park (1 Braves Way, Pearl). The event, which takes place Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Trustmark Park parking lot, will also have live entertainment all day and events such as an antique car show.

For more information, call 601-939-3338 or visit pearlms.org.

Priced to Move, Dec. 16-17

Priced to Move will celebrate its seventh installment from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16, and Saturday, Dec. 17.
Local artists sell their pieces at prices under $100 in order to make art a more accessible commodity.

Last year, the event was at the Russell C. Davis Planetarium, and included artists such as Justin Ransburg and Samara Thomas. This year, the event will be at the Fondren location of Hops & Habanas (2771 Old Canton Road). For more information, find the event on Facebook.

Midtown Holiday Studio Tours, Dec. 3

The Midtown Holiday Studio Tours are a great way to celebrate local arts and craft and the midtown neighborhood—and to find interesting gifts for loved ones. People can tour more than 10 warehouses and studios, including The Hangar, N.U.T.S., Pearl River Glass Studio and Offbeat.

The event will also have art, as well as food and drink vendors, such as Mississippi Cold Drip Coffee, who will have a pop-up coffee shop, and Lucky Town Brewing Company, who will have a holiday beer garden. The event will also have live music starting at 5 p.m. The holiday tours are Saturday, Dec. 3, from 3 to 8 p.m. in midtown.

Chimneyville Crafts Festival, Dec. 1-3

If you've ever been inside the Mississippi Crafts Center's gift shop, you know it's a treasure trove for southern art. You 

can find pretty much anything you want in there, from handcrafted pocket knives to framed feather paintings. Each year, the Craftsmen Guild of Mississippi also hosts the Chimneyville Crafts Festival at the Mississippi Trade Mart (1200 Mississippi St.). This year is the event's 40th anniversary and will have about 170 booths that sell work in mediums such as wood, pottery, glass, fiber and jewelry.

The Preview Party is Thursday, Dec. 1, from 7 to 10 p.m. and will include entertainment, food, beer, wine and other drinks, as well as early access to items on sale. Tickets for that event are $50 in advance or $60 at the door and include admission to the festival on Friday, Dec. 2, and Saturday, Dec. 3. The event is 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 2 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 3. Regular admission is $10 for each day. For more information, visit craftsmenguildofms.com.

Holly Days Arts & Crafts Show, Dec. 3

While you're looking for holiday gifts, don't forget to check out the Holly Days Arts & Crafts Show in Vicksburg. The event, which is in its ninth year, will feature vendors from around the state and will have entertainers such as the RiverPointe Dance Academy students and Ms. Thabby's Musical Theatre Program. The Vicksburg Main Street Christmas Parade of Lights follows the event at 5 p.m. The festival is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation's auditorium (1302 Adams St., Vicksburg). Tickets for the festival are $1. For more information, call 601-631-2997 or visit southernculture.org.

See more events at jfp.ms/calendar.