Make time for Christmas markets

SANDUSKY — The holiday season in Shores & Islands Ohio region is a festive time, perfect for discovering unique gifts and experiencing local markets. Whether you're strolling through holiday bazaars, exploring charming downtown shops or attending seasonal events, there's no shortage of opportunities to find thoughtful, one-of-a-kind presents. From handcrafted items made by local artisans to specialty goods that capture the region's coastal charm, the Shores & Islands Ohio area offers an amazing holiday shopping experience. Dive into the spirit of the season and discover why this lakeside destination is the perfect place for holiday gift hunting. Check out these holiday market shopping opportunities. Sandusky Christmas Market • When: On Fridays through Sundays between Nov. 28 and Dec. 13; 5-9 p.m. on Fridays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays • Where: 108 W. Shoreline Drive, Sandusky • What: This second-annual outdoor market features an array of local artisans in beautifully decorated enclosed stalls, festive food vendors, live entertainment and family fun at the Schade-Mylander Plaza in downtown Sandusky. This year, the market features even more vendors and live entertainment. Hosted by the Jim Corso Family Foundation in cooperation with the city of Sandusky, Shores and Islands Ohio and the Greater Sandusky Partnership, this Christmas Market is set to transform downtown Sandusky into a magical winter wonderland each holiday season. The three-week event concludes on Dec. 13 with a fantastic fireworks display. • More: Visit sanduskychristmasmarket.com. Holiday Market at Gideon Owen Wine Co. • When: On Fridays through Sundays between Nov 28. and Dec. 21 • Where: 3845 E. Wine Cellar Road, Port Clinton; It's off Ohio 53. • What: A local favorite returns with four weekends of shopping. This season, treat your whole family to old-world enchantment and modern-day fun. Join Gideon Owen Wine Co. for a delightful shopping experience and find unique gifts for your loved ones. Whether you're on the hunt for handcrafted goods or festive treats, this market is the perfect place to kickstart your holiday season and take part in Christmas events. The market includes a variety of vendors in individual glass stalls, plus entertainment from local music groups and photo opportunities. • More: Visit gideonowenwine.com/holidaymarket Lights on the NorthCoast • When: From 5:30-9 p.m. daily through Dec. 31 with shopping events on Dec 6-7, Dec. 13-14. • Where: 3110 Columbus Ave., Sandusky • What: Lights on the NorthCoast, Sandusky – Jingle Bell Rock toward Lights on the NorthCoast's Christmas drive-thru light display and interactive walk-thru light display at the Erie County Fairgrounds. There will be an epic amount of more than 1 million lights and amazing photo ops. Also join in on the holiday fun with indoor Christmas-themed putt-putt, open nightly. There will be two special weekends of the indoor Christmas village with more than 30 vendors, food trucks and much more. • More: Visit lightsonthenorthcoast.com. Shop Small Saturday, Vermilion • When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 29 • Where: Throughout downtown Vermilion • What: Visit downtown Vermilion to get a jump start on Christmas shopping, meet local business owners and invest your dollars back into the community. Main Street Vermilion is the welcome center for Shop Small Saturday. Stop in between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and pick up your free collector canvas tote while they last. Local merchants also have Shop Small Saturday specials, sales and discounts for you, and Main Street also has information about shopping in Vermilion. Shop in the Vermilion Arts Guild Gallery first: You'll find original artwork, prints, photography, pottery, fabric art, jewelry, cards and more. • More: Visit mainstreetvermilion.org/shopsmall. Marblehead Lighthouse Christmas Shop • When: From noon to 4 p.m. on Nov. 29, Dec. 6, Dec. 13 • Where: 110 Lighthouse Drive, Marblehead • What: Support local and the Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society by visiting the special holiday hours at the lighthouse's gift shop. • More: Visit marbleheadlighthouseohio.org Perkins Township WinterFest • When: 3-8 p.m. Dec. 6 • Where: Strickfaden Park, 318 Bell Ave., Sandusky • What: Enjoy food trucks, craft vendors, a petting zoo, fire pits with a s'mores bar and free hot chocolate. Don't miss Santa's arrival. He can't wait to see you and celebrate this beautiful winter season! • More: Visit facebook.com/perkinstownship. Firelands Winery Open House • When: Noon to 5 p.m. on Dec. 6 • Where: 917 Bardshar Road, Sandusky • What: Sample delicious appetizers paired with award-winning Ohio wines. Enjoy live music, gift basket raffles, holiday shopping and much more. Note: There is a cost to attend. • More: Visit firelandswinery.com. Mulberry Creek Herb Farm's Christkindlmarkt • When: Noon to 8 p.m. Dec. 6 and noon to 6 p.m. on Dec. 7 • Where: 3312 Bogart Road, Huron • What: Celebrate, shop, eat and drink with your friends at Mulberry Creek Herb Farm's 14th-annual Christkindlmarkt. There will be 20 artisans; German food and warm beverages; holiday music, including a live choir; a "12 Days of Christmas" raffle and more — all inside the warm greenhouses. This Christkindlmarkt is modeled after the German outdoor Christmas markets where neighbors meet to shop and socialize. • More: Visit mulberrycreek.com Winter Wonderland Market and Merry Merry Market Barn at Quarry Hill Winery and Quarry Hill Orchards • When: The Winter Wonderland Market takes place from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 7. The Merry Merry Market Barn takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 13 • Where: 8403 Mason Road, Berlin Heights • What: Quarry Hill offers two fun holiday shopping weekends. First, on Dec 7, join Quarry Hill Winery for the third-annual Winter Wonderland holiday shopping market. The winery will have local vendors on site. Then visit the Orchard's farm market on Dec 13 as it celebrates Posadas Navideñas, embracing Mexican Christmas traditions. The market barn will be brimming with music, laughter and oh-so-many goodies to enjoy or take home. Get creative with homemade Christmas cards at their crafting station, cookie decorating and Ponche Navideño Mexicano and cozy up with classic Christmas movies playing throughout the day. From holiday crafts and pictures with Santa Claus to an orchard-wide scavenger hunt and Quarry Hill Winery selections, there's something for everyone. Don't forget to make your own gift box, packed with their fresh fruit, wine and preserves shipped directly from the farm. • More: Visit quarryhillorchards.com Sandusky Book Bar's Holiday Vendor Market • When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec 13 • Where: 2101 W. Perkins Ave. Sandusky, • What: Join Sandusky Book Bar for a holiday vendor market featuring local small businesses selling baked goods, jewelry, artwork and more. People can visit shoresandislands.com/blog/post/christmas-markets-abound-in-shores-islands-ohio-this-holiday-season for the full listing. Shop Shores & Islands Ohio for your holiday needs this year and enjoy the best sights and sounds of the season. It's a "shore" thing.