The leaves are falling, the smell of pumpkin spice is in the air and wish lists are being penned. In other words, it’s time for a holiday market.
The Junior League of Birmingham’s Market Noel returns Nov. 20-22 to the Cahaba Grand Conference Center for the sixth year.
The event will feature more than 100 vendors.
The festivities kick off at 7 p.m. Nov. 19 with a preview party. The event will feature hors d’oeuvres, specialty wine, beer and cocktails courtesy of Cathead Vodka, Clyde May’s Alabama Style Whiskey, Good People Brewing Co., International Wines and Craft Beers, and The Bar Hops.
The first 500 guests at the preview party will take home swag bags and have a chance to win a piece of jewelry valued at $4,000-$5,000 from Diamonds Direct. The preview event will have music from the Low Down Dirties and a silent auction including items from Southern Fireplaces, a Bar Hops private tasting and a Leon Loard oil portrait. Preview party guests also can bid on holiday wreaths for their homes.
While shoppers at Market Noel will find great gift items, they can pick up some handy tips on holiday entertaining and decorating, too.
Lindsay Kessler of Lindsay Kessler Designs will host a floral arranging class called Mistletoe and Magnolia: Floral Decor for Your Holiday Home at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 21.
Whitney Wright of Southern Living will give a cooking demonstration, and there will be a cooking demonstration and book signing by Anne Byrn, also known as the Cake Mix Doctor, on the morning of Nov. 21.
John Croyle of Big Oak Ranch will be on hand at Market Noel Nov. 21 to sign copies of his books.
To help usher in the holiday season, this year’s Market Noel will also feature an event called Market Bliss.
Described by Junior League of Birmingham organizers as “a night of beauty and bubbles,” the event features live entertainment from country music performer Trey Lewis.
During the first-ever Market Bliss event, shoppers are encouraged to grab their girlfriends for “a blissful happy hour filled with complimentary bubbles, wine and a dessert bar from Edgar’s Bakery,” organizers said.
The crew from Tony Jones Salon & Spa will be on hand for Market Bliss offering guests a blow-out bar, mini-manicures, mini-massages, eyebrows arching, facials and makeup stations.
Dr. Jason Jack and Dr. Rob Oliver of Plastic Surgery Specialists will be at Market Bliss selling discounted products, laser treatments and skin care lines.
Market Bliss guests who purchase a specialty drink during the event will have a chance to win a $2,000 laser package from Plastic Surgery Specialists. There will also be door prizes from Diamonds Direct and Tony Jones Salon & Spa.
Market Noel organizers said the event has grown every year since it started six years ago and is becoming a holiday tradition for shoppers in the Over the Mountain and Birmingham metro area.
And growth is good, organizers said.
That’s because Market Noel helps support more than 30 community projects of the Junior League of Birmingham, including programs in education, health, financial stability, safety and crisis intervention.
General admission shopping hours for Market Noel are 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Nov. 20-21 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 22.
For a complete list of participating merchants and event details or to purchase tickets, visit www.marketnoel.net. For more information on Junior League of Birmingham programs, visit www.jlbonline.com.
