Farmington’s late‑fall and early‑winter lineup of events is designed to pull residents into shared public spaces, celebrate community traditions and support homegrown businesses. The calendar begins Nov. 22 with the Turkey Trot & Gobble Wobble at Orchard Plaza, and continues Nov. 29 with downtown Small Business Saturday activities including a cookie crawl and window‑decorating. Craft fairs across San Juan County run through mid‑December, providing ongoing opportunities for local makers to sell goods and for neighbors to shop close to home.

The early events function as both celebration and economic stimulus. Small Business Saturday’s downtown cookie crawl and window‑decorating are crafted to increase pedestrian traffic and encourage spending at independent retailers and eateries during a pivotal holiday weekend. Craft fairs countywide extend the shopping season into December, helping artisans and small vendors capture sales that can make a meaningful difference to household incomes and small business viability through the winter months.

Beyond commerce, these traditions have clear community value. The Turkey Trot & Gobble Wobble offers a public gathering that marks the transition into the holiday season and creates informal opportunities for social ties across neighborhoods. Craft fairs often function as community hubs where cultural expression, local foodways and handmade goods circulate, reinforcing social networks in both Farmington and outlying towns in the county.

Public health considerations accompany the return of large seasonal gatherings. While outdoor events like the Turkey Trot generally reduce transmission risks compared with indoor activities, any in‑person event can influence the spread of seasonal respiratory viruses. Residents are advised to follow San Juan County public health guidance for large gatherings and to act in ways that protect vulnerable community members, including older adults and those with chronic health conditions. Event organizers and venues play a role in ensuring accessible information about safety measures and in making accommodations for people with mobility or transportation barriers.

There are equity dimensions to how these events benefit the county. Downtown programming helps businesses that rely on foot traffic, but rural artisans and residents may face transportation and cost barriers to participating. Countywide craft fairs help bridge that gap by bringing markets to smaller communities; continued attention to accessible scheduling, affordable vendor fees and transportation support can strengthen that bridge.

For residents, these seasonal offerings are an opportunity to support neighbors and keep holiday spending local, while also reconnecting after months apart. As Farmington moves through late fall and into winter, the combination of tradition, commerce and community underscores the role of public events in both economic resilience and social cohesion. Check local event listings and the San Juan County calendar for specific times and locations as the season progresses.