photo by Rebecca Devereaux
Construction workers add finishing touches to the Holiday Market in preparation for Light Up Night this Friday, Nov 21.
The hustle and bustle of the holiday season has arrived in Downtown Pittsburgh, as a walk through Market Square will show. A small, but bright village will be populated by vendors and shoppers attending the annual Peoples Gas Holiday Market, set to open Light Up Night, Nov. 21.
“It’s not just for fun, it’s to encourage people to come Downtown,” Leigh White, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, said.
This year marks the third year the Holiday Market will arrive Downtown, and will have 30 different vendors, the most of any year so far, according to White. She said that about 200,000-400,000 people attend Light Up Night festivities, but the yearly turnout for the Holiday Market is unknown because there are too many entrances.
White said the market was inspired by German Christmas markets, which have been a tradition for centuries.
“It’s a hub of activity. People come from Nicaragua, Costa Rica and all over,” White said.
The all-important vendors throughout the market also vary in style and substance. Shoppers can expect to see an array of international crafts and treasures ranging from jewelry to food to artifacts.
Shoppers looking to find international keepsakes should look no further than Euro Haus, a booth that sells items such as jewelry, accessories and glass ornaments from all over the world. White said the vendor is participating in 101 shows this year.
“I’m always searching, and the Holiday Market is just perfect,” Alison Brougher, proprietor of Euro Haus, who also travels all around Pittsburgh doing art shows to present her wares said.
Brougher said she sells items from countries such as Slovakia, Russia, Ukraine, Italy and Turkey at the market, with prices ranging from $9.99 to $19.99.
Shoppers looking for a festive holiday treat can stop by Fabulous Homemade Cookies, where holiday-themed cookies are sold individually or by the dozen.
“This is the time people really get excited for cookies,” Liza Betsch, who runs Fabulous Homemade Cookies, said.
Betsch said she learned the recipe from her mother and grandmother when she was little. She began cooking and selling them on her own and from there, her business took off in popularity.
Cookies can be bought individually for $2, or by the dozen for $6 to $10, according to Betsch. They could also be preordered or ordered on her website.
Cha-Ching Coin Jewelry is a perfect place for a person interested in showing off a unique kind of style.
“We make a huge variety of items out of coins and tokens,” Suzy Fiori, owner of Cha-Ching Coin Jewelry, said.
Fiori makes and sells trinkets such as bracelets, earrings, beads and other accessories out of coins, which range in price from $5 to $50.
Custom items can be made for people out of coins or jewelry they may have, whether it be for someone celebrating their heritage or someone who travels often.
“We look forward to it. It’s a great venue, very fun, very festive,” Fiori said.
In addition to international keepsakes and gifts, the market also has a stage which holds entertainment events during lunchtime during the week and throughout the day on weekends.
Another popular place in the market is Santa’s House, where kids can meet and get a picture taken with Saint Nick. Santa’s House opens Friday at 11 a.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership recently released its annual Holiday Guide through the Tribune-Review. Inside is an extensive list of everything the city of Pittsburgh has to offer for the busy and exciting time that is the holiday season.
