Salem Holiday Market
Visitors can browse holiday market vendors, visit Santa's Village, and enjoy family activities. Guests can view decorated Christmas trees and edible gingerbread creations, casting ballots to help decide the contest winners. The event also features door prize baskets and pet adoptions.
What to Expect
Holiday market featuring Santa's Village, pet adoptions, and gingerbread contests.
Event Details
Ages
All ages
Timed Entry
No
Organizer
Salem Community Markets
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families with children
Vibe
Festive and family-focused
Energy Level
Moderate
Budget
Free
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
Low
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: Free admission; parking is $10, charged by the Oregon State Fairgrounds.
- Parking: $10 parking fee charged by the Oregon State Fairgrounds. Guest parking is behind the Jackman Long and Columbia Hall buildings, with entrances off Sunnyview Road or 17th Street.
Tips & Advice
- Budget for parking, since the Oregon State Fairgrounds charges its own fee even though admission to the Holiday Market itself is free.
- Use the guest lots behind the Jackman Long and Columbia Hall buildings, which you can reach from either Sunnyview Road or 17th Street.
- Pick up a ballot and program at the entrance so you can vote for your favorite gingerbread houses and decorated trees as you walk through.
- If you enter a gingerbread house, use only edible ingredients and label it "FOR DISPLAY ONLY" before dropping it at Columbia Hall on Thursday.
- Tree contest entrants should bring all their own decorations and skip lights or anything electric, which the Fire Marshal doesn't allow.
Special Events & Promotions
- Gingerbread House Contest: guests vote by ballot on Friday and Saturday, and the top three win a cash prize.
- Tree Decorating Contest: vote for Best of Show all three days, and winners are announced on Sunday.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do besides shopping?
Besides the vendors, there's Santa's Village, kids' activities, door prize baskets and pet adoptions. You can also see the Gingerbread House Contest and Tree Decorating Contest entries and vote for your favorites.
How do I vote in the contests?
Ballots are handed out with the program at each entrance. Gingerbread house voting runs December 11–12, and you can vote for Best of Show tree December 11–13.
How do I enter the Gingerbread House Contest?
All ages can enter. Houses must be made of edible ingredients, labeled "FOR DISPLAY ONLY" and come with an entry form, and there's no size limit. Drop them off at Columbia Hall on Thursday, December 10. The top three win a cash prize.
How does the Tree Decorating Contest work?
It's free to enter, with one entry per group or family. You get a tree about 5–7 feet tall with a stand, plus space in the Jackman Long Building. You bring all the decorations, which must hang on the tree and can't include lights or electric parts. The tree should represent your business, organization or family.
Where do I park?
Guest parking is behind the Jackman Long and Columbia Hall buildings, entering from Sunnyview Road or 17th Street. The Oregon State Fairgrounds charges a parking fee.
More Christmas Events Near Salem
More Christmas Events near Salem
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