Mt. Carmel Center has scheduled a community Christmas Market for Saturday, Nov. 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 911 Robinson Ave. in Trinidad. The market invites shoppers to "get ready for Christmas" with a lineup of craft vendors, food offerings and unique items aimed at holiday gift-buying and local shopping.

Organizers are listing vendor booths at $25, with a contact number provided on the Mt. Carmel event page for sign-ups. The modest booth fee is positioned to lower barriers for local makers and entrepreneurs seeking a seasonal sales outlet without the overhead of a storefront. The market’s single-day format targets early holiday shoppers and those looking for locally produced goods and prepared foods.

For Trinidad and Las Animas County, the market represents a small but tangible form of economic stimulus for downtown businesses. Events that concentrate shoppers in a central location can increase foot traffic to neighboring merchants, restaurants and service providers. For vendors, the marketplace offers direct access to customers and a chance to test products or build repeat clientele heading into the busiest retail season of the year.

Beyond the immediate economic effects, the market also functions as a civic and cultural event. Community gatherings like this bolster social ties, provide opportunities for volunteer engagement, and create visible uses for public and nonprofit spaces. Mt. Carmel’s hosting of the market underscores the role such institutions play in facilitating local commerce and community life, particularly in smaller counties where centralized events are fewer and more impactful.

Residents interested in participating or attending can find details on MtCarmelCenter.org or by contacting organizers through the number listed on the event page. For prospective vendors, the $25 booth fee and a straightforward sign-up process could make the market an accessible option for artisans, hobbyists and food vendors aiming to capture holiday sales.

As the county heads into the holiday season, events like Mt. Carmel’s market are likely to become focal points for shoppers seeking local alternatives to larger retail chains and online marketplaces. The market offers both a practical shopping opportunity for residents and a policy-relevant example of how local institutions support small-scale economic activity and civic engagement in Las Animas County.