Junior League Hollyday Marketplace, Dec. 2–3, Filled With Shopping, a Preview Party and Lots of Activities for Kids

Meghan Orourke, Kaya Hynman and Melissa Crews at the 2015 Hollyday Marketplace.

The 12th annual Hollyday Marketplace hosted by the Junior League of Murfreesboro will be held on December 2 and 3 at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum, 304B West Thompson Lane. Regular shopping hours will be Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Special event tickets for Mistletoe & Martinis and The North Pole can be purchased separately. General admission tickets are $10 and may be purchased in advance at eventbrite.com, Mimi’s Boutique, & Reeves-Sain Drugstore.

The event will have more than 100 vendors showcasing décor items, children’s clothing and seasonal gifts.

Leslie Jett. Photos by Cynthia Jones.

This annual fundraiser benefits the Junior League of Murfreesboro’s community impact area of health and wellness. One-hundred percent of the event’s proceeds will be invested into local programs and services that nurture and improve the physical, emotional and spiritual health of the Rutherford County community. Some of the programs supported by the Junior League of Murfreesboro include Girls Ranch, Kids in the Kitchen, Girls on the Run, other grassroots efforts in education and advocacy, and a partnership with the Murfreesboro Police Department and the READ20 Book Patrol.

In addition to shopping, marketplace organizers are excited to offer special events that will appeal to a variety of interests for all ages, including:

Mistletoe and Martinis
Friday, Dec. 2, 6–9 p.m. (21 and older)
Attendees can gather their girlfriends and husbands and join a night of music, martinis and munchies. Enjoy complimentary wine from Stones River Total Beverages, cold brews in the “beer garden” from Mayday Brewery and the signature cocktail the “Moon-tini,” created by Short Mountain Distillery. Nibble on light eats and sweet treats from Alex Belew Catering, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, Blue Porch Catering, Five Senses, Mimi’s Café, Newk’s Eatery, Ode to Joy, Slick Pig, Through the Grapevine, Toot’s, and more. Shop until you drop and dance the night away while listening to acoustic covers and original songs by the band More Only More. The first 200 guests will receive a “swag bag” filled with coupons, samples from local businesses, giveaways and gifts, and a special gift from Fab’rik. Tickets are $40 per person.

Activities at the North Pole
Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016
Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus (9–10:30 a.m.)
Little ones 12 and under can join the Junior League for a special holiday breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus along with other surprise guests. Tickets are $10 per child. Children must be accompanied by an adult with general admission ticket. Don’t forget to bring your camera!

READ 20 Book Patrol with the Murfreesboro Police Department (10–11 a.m.)
Join the Junior League’s newest partnership with the Murfreesboro Police Department and Tennessee’s First Lady, Chrissy Haslam. Let your little ones sit back and relax while Murfreesboro’s Chief Durr and other local officers read to them and teach everyone about the importance of reading together for 20 minutes every day. This is a free event and all ages are welcome to attend.

Deborah Woodard and Melanie Irvin

Santa Snaps (10:30 a.m.–2 p.m.)
A neutral background with the jolly Mr. and Mrs. Claus is the perfect place to picture your precious little ones, photographed by the fabulous Amber Smith of Smith Studios. Pictures will be available for digital download and print release for $15.

Santa’s Workshop (2–4 p.m.)
Artists from Faithful Strokes will let your little ones’ imaginations run wild. A unique holiday painting from Faithful Strokes, made by your child, will be the perfect homemade holiday gift for loved ones. All ages can join in on the painting and enjoy sweet treats during this visit to the North Pole! $10 per person.

For more information on the 2016 Hollyday Marketplace, visit hollydaymarketplace.weebly.com.