With the last of Thanksgiving leftovers vanishing and the air turning crisp, December has arrived, with Christmas waiting at people’s doorsteps. Twinkling lights and Christmas decorations start filling the dark corners of houses and streets, with the unmistakable melodies of Christmas playing on the radio. People in Newhall are held to anticipate their community festivity: the Holiday Marketplace.
The annual Newhall Holiday Marketplace, held on Dec. 8 in the Newhall Community Center, invited local vendors to sell their products to the community and brought out an early festive atmosphere. Hosting up to 85 vendors, the market provided various kinds of hand-made goods. With a wide range of artisan treats and goods, visitors could buy a loaf of bread, get fitted with a fashionable jacket, purchase nicely scented candles and buy a handmade blanket. The event was planned to target all ages and audiences, including a children’s section in the outside corner.
Although this event was a festive way for the community to get together, its success was made possible by experienced hosts. Nayda Jacobo and Jacqulin Audish, both business owners themselves, have been hosting this annual gathering for four years now, making sure the marketplace took place in the first two weeks of December, and connecting more vendors and audiences as each year passes. When asked why they started this tradition, Jacobo responded, “We wanted to bring the community together, and knowing that not all community events appeal to all ages, we wanted to make sure every interest and age group would be welcomed. So, we went out of our way to gather a wide variety of vendors and products to nurture festivity and community spirit.”
One of the most charming aspects of the marketplace was a diverse mix of passionate vendors who wanted to share their hobbies. With all sorts of immersive and detailed products, vendors are able to display their creativity. Among these hobbyists was Castaic High School sophomore Landon Rivas, who joined the marketplace in 2023 with his creative blend of ornaments and legos. With inspiration from a sweet memory during his childhood, Rivas reminisced, “When I was in elementary school, we had an activity very similar to this. It sprouted my inspiration for this project and it grew from there.” Creating a new twist with ornaments and legos, Rivas produces clear ornaments with colored lego pieces inside, creating a bricky festivity for customers.
As the event grows in size and spirit, the Newhall Holiday Marketplace hopes to bring creativity, craftsmanship and connection to the Santa Clarita community. With the beginning of the holiday season unfolding, the marketplace stood as a shining example of festive cheer and fostered a merry environment on Market Street. Audish, co-coordinator with Jacobo, offered insight on the event’s growth and increasing significance: “Now we are at the point where people reach out to us. We get new vendors and we have returning vendors.” Jacobo added on, “We try to keep it fresh for the community.”
Cats, make sure to get into the Christmas spirit as the holidays are in season. Keep your eyes peeled for future holiday events from Newhall Marketplace on Facebook!
