I love the Winter “Sawdust” more than our summer affair, the Sawdust Art Festival (which I happen to like a lot). Aside from 170 artists’ booths in this cool outdoor setting, you have a “Towne Square (sorry grownups, this is kid-size only), live bands and chorales, wandering carolers, plenty of hot, steamy drinks (along with quality beer and wine) and, of course, Santa for all those last-minute requests.

Dates are: November  23rd, 24th, 29th and 30th from 10am-7pm – note it’s open on just one Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.
December  1st, 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 20th, 21st and 22nd from 10am-7pm

For me, the Winter Fantasy Festival is most memorable because the majority of artists focus on gift-giving items. You’ll still have gargantuan paintings and sculptures here and there, but you’ll see a greater supply of handmade jewelry, scarves, reasonably priced framed photos and paintings, pottery and Raku, garden accessories and everything else gifty-minded.