Gingerbread Shoppe and Christmas Market among this weekends’ festivals
One of Chattanooga’s longest-running craft shows is back for its 31st year. The Gingerbread Shoppe, which originated with “three bored housewives [who] loved doing crafts,” will be set up Friday and Saturday at Christ United Methodist Church in East Brainerd. Close to 30 vendors are expected.
“There’s a lot of Christmas decorations,” said organizer Red Dueker.
The goods include wood scroll ornaments, as well as Nativity sets made from polymer clay. Other vendors are offering a selection of wreaths, pottery, wood vessels, quilted items, jewelry and blown glass.
› Gingerbread Shoppe: Christ United Methodist Church, 8645 East Brainerd Road. Handmade crafts and home decor, homemade concessions, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Free admission. Facebook.com/ GingerbreadShoppe1
› Christmas Village: Tennessee State Fairgrounds, 500 Wedgewood Ave., Nashville. More than 250 merchants selling gift items, toys, clothing, jewelry, pottery, collectibles and food, free makeyour-own photos with Santa (certain hours), 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday (all times CST). $10 ages 10 and older, $5 parking fee. christmasvillage.org
› Christmas Market: Jones Memorial United Methodist Church, 4131 Ringgold Road, East Ridge. Thirty craft and commercial vendors, Children’s Ministry bake sale, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday. Free admission. jmumckids.com
› Chattanooga Holiday Market Extravaganza: Hamilton Place, 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd. Merchandise from local vendors, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday. hamiltonplace.com
› Christmas Village Holiday Market: Greenway Park, 775 Raider Drive, Cleveland, Tennessee. Over 100 craft, commercial and food vendors, 10 a.m.5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. touchtheskyevents.com
› Garden Lights, Holidays Nights:
Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta. Millions of lights and displays with the gardens as a backdrop, plus s’mores, model trains and live music, Saturday through Jan. 15. Open 5-11 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday, plus Mondays Nov. 22, Dec. 20, Dec. 27. atlantabg.org
› Smoky Mountain Christmas:
Dollywood, 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd., Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Features more than 5 million lights, themed shows, food, fireworks set to Christmas music, through Jan. 2. $84 ages 10-61 (discounts for children/seniors). dollywood.com
› Walker Farm Pioneer Days:
Audubon Acres, 900 N. Sanctuary Road. Hands-on historical demonstrations geared to elementary-age students and families, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. daily (timed entry) Wednesday through Nov.
20. $7.50 nonmembers, $5 members. chattanoogaaudubon.org