The fifth annual Placitas Holiday Market will run Nov. 22–23, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., across six local venues, offering seasonal shopping and community fundraising in venues that include Wild Hearts Gallery, Placitas Community Library, Placitas Winery, Las Placitas Presbyterian Church, Placitas Elementary School, and the Placitas Community Senior Center. Admission is free, and sales and raffles will benefit local charities and programs.

Organizers have again spread the event across familiar public and nonprofit spaces to reach a wide cross-section of the community. Holding parts of the market in the library, elementary school and senior center signals an emphasis on intergenerational engagement and on channeling proceeds to institutions that serve children, older adults and other vulnerable residents. The combination of commercial sales and raffle fundraising is a common model for community events that both stimulate local small-business income and support nonprofit operations.

For Sandoval County residents, the market matters beyond holiday shopping. Free admission removes an economic barrier that can keep low-income and fiscally strained families from participating in community life. The market’s fundraising is similarly consequential: local charities and programs often depend on seasonal events to supplement limited operating budgets and to maintain services ranging from educational programming to senior supports. In a county where public funding for social services can be constrained, community-driven revenue and volunteer energy help sustain essential local resources.

Public health and social wellbeing are also part of the market’s potential impact. Community gatherings can reduce social isolation, particularly for older adults and newcomers, while supporting mental health through connection and shared cultural traditions. Using established community spaces such as the senior center and the elementary school helps ensure accessibility and fosters a sense of continuity between everyday civic life and holiday celebration.

The market also provides an economic uplift for local makers, artists and small vendors who rely on seasonal sales. Concentrating foot traffic across multiple venues allows sellers to reach different audiences within Placitas and neighboring areas, while the winery and gallery venues highlight Placitas’ blend of cultural and commercial community assets.

Residents interested in attending should note the dates and times and plan for the event’s two-day schedule across the listed venues. Beyond shopping, the market is a reminder of how community-led efforts can address local needs through volunteerism, small-scale fundraising and shared public space. As the holiday season approaches, the Placitas Holiday Market offers an accessible opportunity for neighbors to support local programs and deepen community ties.