Black Friday shopping, twinkly lights, Christmas tree permits: Holiday season has arrived and with it a slew of annual Moab events, most of which are returning to full capacity after two years of pandemic protocols. Ring in the holiday cheer with events all weekend!
Friday, Dec. 2
The holiday weekend kicks off with the holiday craft fair, featuring goods from over 40 local and regional vendors. On Friday, the fair will run from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Moab Arts and Recreation Center.
“The fair will be a fun way to get into the holiday spirit, and for people of our community to come together,” said Kelley McInerney, the arts and special events director at the MARC. Most of the vendors are local, McInerney said, with others traveling from regional locations like Salt Lake City, New Mexico, Colorado, and Oregon.
As the sun sets, join the City of Moab and Moab Chamber of Commerce in Swanny City Park at 5 p.m. for the annual tree lighting, where a tree in the park will be decorated and lit up—enjoy hot cocoa and cookies while you watch! Afterward, there will be caroling and a visit from Santa.
Saturday, Dec. 2
The holiday craft fair continues from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the MARC. The local and regional vendors will be selling all handmade goods, including photography, paintings, ceramics, textiles, sculptures, jewelry, woodwork, candles, soaps, and much more! Food and drink vendors will be in the sideyard selling baked goods and warming drinks.
From 12 to 2 p.m., the MARC staff will be in the sideyard leading a free, family-friendly craft activity: participants can make and keep pom-pom hat ornaments and stamped holiday cards.
“Over the two days we expect to see a good turnout of about 1,000 people coming to shop and browse,” McInerney said. “I have heard from several people that they hope to get all their holiday shopping done at the craft fair that weekend, so that’s a good sign for our vendors!”
Following the craft fair is the electric light parade, which will start at 6 p.m. Set up a chair to watch floats created by local individuals and organizations cruise down Main St.—the route goes from Center St. to City Market/Uranium Blvd.
The Moab Chamber of Commerce, which hosts the parade, also invited businesses this year to decorate their storefronts or offices: the Chamber will post a “drive-by” list of decorated businesses, and will crown a winner who will receive the Chamber Holiday Traveling Trophy. The list, published on Dec. 3, will be posted on the Chamber’s social media pages.
Happy holidays!
