5th Annual French Winter Market - Marché de Noël

Join us on Old Courthouse Square Downtown Santa Rosa on December 13th from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm for our fifth annual French Winter Market! As always, we will offer a wide selection of local products brought to you by the artisans and small businesses of Sonoma County and the Bay Area.

The French Winter Market is a great way to immerse yourself and the whole family into the holiday spirit! Make it an entire day of fun by checking out the synthetic ice skating rink (operated by Santa Rosa Metro Chamber -- reservations strongly encouraged).

Enjoy the merriment and live music performances and learn more about the programs and courses of the Alliance Française of Santa Rosa, while sipping mulled wine (or hot chocolate for the kiddos) and savoring yummy pastries and treats.

𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 to come soon.

The list of confirmed vendors will be available in the pinned post at the top of the Discussion a month before the event.

𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 admission. 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 parking in downtown garages all weekend in December! The closest is 3rd Street parking garage across from {now closed} La Fondita.

Note that the metered parking on the East side of Old Courthouse Square will be reserved to vendors from 8am to 6pm on event day -- no public parking there!

𝘑𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘶ses Fêtes !

Please reach out to Clémence at phasecle@gmail.com if you are interested in becoming a vendor at the event.
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In a 2014 article, John Bauer explained the origin of the Marché de Noël tradition:"In many pays européens (European countries) December brings les marchés de Noël (Christmas markets). These marchés are a special seasonal affaire that last all too short, but provide a nice traditional atmosphere right in the middle of town.

The tradition originally comes from l’Europe centrale (Central Europe), and as such, the most famous marchés de Noël se trouvent en Alsace (are found in Alsace). But there are well known marchés all throughout France.

Dans un marché de Noël you can buy all kinds of jouets (toys) and other petits cadeaux (small gifts), or for those older kids in the crowd, du vin chaud (mulled wine). The traditional shops line the streets, creating an outdoor mall, a real winter wonderland.

While enjoying du vin chaud under des illuminations de Noël (Christmas lights), you might even catch un spectacle (a performance) or two. All in all, se promener dans (taking a walk in) un marché de Noël is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit.

Source: blogs.transparent.com

Visual created by the talented Sonoma County based, female-led, Après-Midi Agency.