Come “Jingle and Mingle” at the 57th Annual Holly Day Fair, the area's biggest craft vendor fair, at the Crown Complex from Nov. 7 to 10. The four-day event features 150 vendors from all over the country. After grabbing the iconic “Holly Day Fair bag,” shoppers can roam the rows of handcrafted jewelry, soap, clothing, seasonal decorations, treats, goodies, and local wineries. Some of the vendors that will be at this year’s fair are Salt Soothers, Ztina Boutique LLC, Ornaments R Us, Mike’s Seasonings, Snookie Snookerwitz, Q. Co Candle Company, Rise & Grind Coffees, Nectar of the Vine, Uplift Tees, NUT N BETTER, Duplin Winery, and Fabulous Finds Boutique to name a few.
For those who have been to the Holly Day Fair, the complementary shopping bag is one of the highlights of the shopping experience. Each year's bag matches the theme, making them quite collectible. There is no better way to kick off the holiday season than a trip to the Holly Day Fair.
This year’s schedule has something for everyone. Thursday, Nov. 7 is the official opening and Sip and Shop and Super Shopper Day, from 9 a.m. to noon. Tickets for these events can be purchased online at https://www.ticketmaster.com/holly-day-fair-super-shopper-fayetteville-north-carolina-11-07-2024/event/2D006133074BA260. During Super Shopper hours, strollers and rolling carts are NOT allowed in the fair. Sip and Shop tickets are $30 and must be purchased at the Crown Complex Box Office, located at 1960 Coliseum Drive.
General admission starts at noon and the shopping day ends at 8 p.m., tickets are $10 and can be purchased at https://www.ticketmaster.com/holly-day-fair-general-admission-nov-fayetteville-north-carolina-11-07-2024/event/2D006133049BA0A8.
On Friday, general admission is from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., but those looking for a more intimate shopping experience can come out for Ladies Night Out, starting at 8 p.m. Ladies Night Out is a new addition to the Holly Day Fair lineup and has all the makings of a beloved new tradition. Shoppers will enjoy a smaller crowd, entertainment, cocktails and appetizers. This is the perfect opportunity to get your girlfriends together and mark some items off the Christmas list. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at the Crown Complex Box Office.
Saturday general admission is from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday marks the closing of the Holly Day Fair. Doors open at 11 a.m. for shoppers. Sunday is also the day of the cherished Cookies with Clause event, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The event is an opportunity for the little ones to grab a cookie with the big man himself, Santa.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at https://www.ticketmaster.com/holly-day-fair-cookies-with-santa-fayetteville-north-carolina-11-10-2024/event/2D00613ACA54544D.
This annual event is put on by the Junior League of Fayetteville, a local women’s organization whose mission is to “advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training.” The Holly Day Fair is the biggest fundraiser for the Junior League of Fayetteville and funds the organization's grants, scholarships, training, and education programs. To learn more about the JLF visit https://www.jlfay.org/.

(Photo: The Junior League has been putting on the Holly Day Fair for 57 years. Photo courtesy of the Holly Day Fair Facebook page)