What to Know

  • Holidays at the Original Farmers Market
  • Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and music at the Dec. 12 kick-off (5-7 p.m.)
  • The Chanukah Celebration will glow Dec. 14; the ceremony begins at 5 o’clock
  • Yuletide Caroling at the Market returns Dec. 22-24 from noon to 3 p.m.

What’s tall, sparkly, completely photo-worthy, totally eye-catching, and extremely cheerful?

For sure, a Christmas tree absolutely is all of these things, but so is a certain clocktower, an obelisk-type icon that has become synonymous with the Original Farmers Market.

And to spy the tower, or rather both of the public market’s clocks, done up in their Christmassy best, is something rather splendid when the showiest season begins to flower.

The season is currently flowering at the colorful corner of Third & Fairfax, which is where the Original Farmers Market has stood for over nine august decades.

And while the market is merry all year long, the holidays deliver an even merrier spirit to the stroll-and-nosh spot.

In fact, there are a few festive doings on the market’s 2025 calendar, beginning with Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree Dec. 12.

The Drummer Boy will be there for a sweet meet-and-greet, the hot chocolate is complimentary, and there’s a craft activity involving Santa hats, ho, ho, and ho.

It’s all sparkling from 5 to 7 p.m., which is just around the time the lights begin to twinkle in and around the Original Farmers Market.

Just two days later, on Dec. 14, the menorah will begin to glow at the Chanukah Celebration, with a 5 p.m. ceremony.

And from Dec. 22-24? Victorian carolers will walk and whimsically warble at the booth-lined location, giving diners, socializers, and holiday shoppers the chance to pause and listen to a few classic ditties involving reindeer, snow, and holly.

All of these holly-festooned happenings are free, and no ticket is required.

You say that you’re too busy and can’t make the actual events? Swing by through Christmas Eve to admire some of the decorations, and cheer, at one of Southern California’s quintessential holiday-fied destinations.