- Asheville City Market, Sats 10 am-1 pm through Dec 15 (reopens indoors in Jan)
- Flat Rock Tailgate Market Holiday Market, Sat Dec 8, 2-5 pm
- Grow Down Home Farmers Market, Sats 10 am-1 pm through Dec 22
- Holiday Bazaar at North Asheville Tailgate Market, Sats noon-4 pm through Dec 22
- Jackson County Farmers Market’s Holiday Bazaar, Sats Dec 8 and 15, 10 am-1 pm; market continues indoors through spring
- Madison County Farmers & Artisans Market, Sats 10 am-3 pm through Dec 22
- Weaverville Tailgate Market, Weds 2-6 pm through Dec 19
* Times subject to change. For more holiday markets, click here.
The holiday season has officially begun, and area farmers tailgate markets have caught the spirit! Many markets’ monikers even reflect the time of year; for example, North Asheville Tailgate Market becomes the Holiday Bazaar! What exactly can you expect from the tailgates turned one-stop holiday shops?
Local farmers will be there, of course, selling their farm-fresh foods for everyday and special holiday meals. Expect lots of meats perfect for warming winter dishes. Weaverville Tailgate Market shares that vendors Mackey Farms and Dillingham Family Farm will have lots to offer; Mackey with chicken, rabbit, pork and even pork BBQ ready to take home, Dillingham with grassfed beef (ground, roasts and more), pork (sausage, brats and more) and chicken. Fruits and veggies will still be up for grabs, too, including greens; roots like carrots, parsnips and turnips; and apples. And don’t forget cheese: Three Graces Dairy (at Asheville City Market and the Holiday Bazaar) offers specials like a holiday rum raisin chevre.
Beyond locally grown/produced options, also expect lots of locally made options—with local ingredients whenever possible. Appalachian Grown certified artisan vendors offer everything from pickles to pastas. Looking Glass Creamery will sell their new caramel sauce Carmelita, which made its debut this fall and is already a big hit, at the new winter Grow Down Home Farmers Market in Black Mountain. Of course, they’ll also sell their cheeses—from chevres to aged hard options.
And then there’s decor + gifts galore! Find Christmas trees at Asheville City Market’s holiday tailgates (from Corners Knob Farm), as well as at the Holiday Bazaar. Also look for wreaths, decorative branches and other greenery. As far as gifts go, tailgate markets are sure to have a unique, handmade item for everyone on your list. Here’s just a tiny taste of what you’ll find: bath products and soaps, candles, cards, cutting boards and wooden spoons, jewelry, mittens, pottery (pictured above), lotions and salves, ornaments, quilts, scarves, and the list goes on…
…which is where YOU come in! Comment below this week and/or on next week’s What’s Fresh post and tell us your holiday tailgate market finds (without giving away a loved one’s gift, of course). We’ll include your discoveries (can be purchases or just neat products you see) in future reports, and everyone who comments will be entered to win $10 in Market Bucks to use at the final Asheville City Market holiday tailgate on December 15. What are you waiting for? Shop ‘til you drop!