SHOW TIME!: Sage Studios' Holiday Show Schedule (so far)

Christmas in July isn’t just a saying at Sage Studios; it’s a reality. If you follow us on social media, you’ve seen the crazy number of ornaments Sage cranks out over the summer. It’s the time of year when catalogs and brick‑and‑mortar shops start placing their holiday orders.
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This week, Sage finishes her biggest shipment and moves on to her final wholesale order of the season, and then we shift into holiday mode. Over the last few years, we’ve ramped up our participation in local holiday shows. We used to do only a few; last year we upped it to six, and this year we’ve already signed up for six and are waiting for applications to open for three more, for a total of nine holiday shows. So, buckle in - here’s the full rundown, complete with all the deets, why you should come, and what each of us loves about each show we've done!

​THE DEFINITES

Mayday! Underground Crafts & Art
Saturday, Oct. 24 – Sunday, Oct. 25 ∙ 10 am–4 pm  
Minett Hall at The Dome Arena, 2695 E Henrietta Rd, Henrietta, NY

Mayday! Underground is one of my favorite shows, and it’s the one we’ve been doing the longest. Sadly, it’s no longer in the old Village Gate location or on the same weekend — it moved to the ROC Dome Arena last year and is now earlier in the fall. It’s still a great venue, even if it doesn’t have the same vibe. Luckily, many of the same artists (plus lots of new ones) vend there, which helps keep that familiar Mayday feel.

Casey, the showrunner, does a fantastic job. It’s a great show to vend, and she adds fun touches for shoppers — like SWAG BAGS! The first 40 shoppers get a bag of goodies from various vendors. There are food trucks, and the art and crafts are some of the most unique you’ll find anywhere. It’s just super cool stuff.

Sage’s favorite thing: The people — these are my people, vendors and shoppers alike.
Scott’s favorite thing: The atmosphere and originality. Where else can you find a hand‑carved Susan B. Anthony stamp, D20 cat toys, pro‑LGBTQ+ merch, and Rochester‑themed goodies?
Tess’ favorite thing: I love Mayday Underground! It’s one of my favorite shows to vend and shop. The art is so unique, and the vendors are the nicest people you’ll ever meet. Casey puts on such an awesome show. It should be on everyone’s bucket list.

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GCV&M Holiday Market
Saturday, Nov. 7 – Sunday, Nov. 8 ∙ 10 am–3 pm  
​Genesee Country Village & Museum, 1410 Flint Hill Rd, Mumford, NY
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This is our first year at the Genesee Country Village & Museum Holiday Market, and we couldn’t be more excited. I’ve been visiting the village since I was a kid - school field trips, Girl Scout outings with my own kids, family days, and it’s always been one of my favorite places. Add the holiday season, and what’s not to love? I can’t wait to see the museum decked out in its festive best and to bring our hand‑blown glass ornaments to join in the selection of goods offered throughout the village.
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Admission is free for GCV&M members; non‑member admission hasn’t been posted yet. Food and beverages will be available at multiple locations: grab a burger at the Depot Restaurant, a bite and a can of Fat Ox Ale or Stocking Hill Ale at the Freight House Pub, satisfy your sweet tooth at the D.M. Munger Confectionery, or warm up with coffee, hot chocolate, and a hand pie at the Hosmer Taproom.

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20th Annual Christkindl Market
Friday, Nov. 13, 10 am–5 pm  
Saturday, Nov. 14, 10 am–5 pm  
Sunday, Nov. 15, 10 am–4 pm  
​Granger Homestead & Carriage Museum, 295 North Main Street, Canandaigua, NY
Our Location: Tent #2, Booth 21 (same as past years)
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This is Tess’ favorite show, and one of mine as well. It’s incredibly festive and instantly puts you in the holiday spirit. If you’ve never been, the Christkindl Market is a German‑inspired Christmas market with over 150 vendors spread across four tents (three vendor tents and one food tent). There’s live music, German food, food trucks, a beer tent, the annual Festival of Trees, a bake sale, storytime with the Christkindl Angel, a lantern parade, an elf school for kids, and even a visit from Santa.

The holiday atmosphere alone makes the small entry fee worth it: $10 for a day pass or $15 for a multi‑day pass. Parking is off‑site, but shuttles run all day, so you won’t wait long. It’s well organized, the vendors are thoughtfully curated, and - something most people don’t think about, but vendors do - for an “outdoor show,” the bathrooms are excellent. If you haven’t been, you should check it out. And Tess insists you don’t leave without trying the strawberry Nutella crêpe from Simply Crêpes.

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Sage’s favorite thing: Christkindl is the best because it feels like stepping into a Christmas village. Everyone is so happy, and the food is fantastic. It gets your heart set for the holidays.
Scott’s favorite thing: It’s festive and sets the tone for the season. Santa, the Festival of Trees, the German‑inspired theme - it all feels like the official start of the holidays. And I love the German food.
Tess’ favorite thing: One of my faves! The vibe is almost as good as the variety of food! Seriously, get a crêpe from Simply Crêpes, some of those little strawberry shortcake donuts from The Dainty Donut Factory, or a hot chocolate with one of those giant marshmallows! Make sure to come by; my new friends at Naz and I are talking about making an appearance, maybe you'll see me walking around. If you do, say hey!

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Friends of Strong Holiday Market
​Friday, Nov. 20 ∙ 8 am–4:30 pm  
University of Rochester Sarah Flaum Atrium, 415 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY

​This is a more niche show for us, and it’s been three or four years since I’ve done it. The show is located in the Sarah Flaum Atrium at the U of R School of Medicine and Dentistry. Most shoppers are staff, students, or visitors, though it is open to the general public. It wasn’t crazy busy last time I did it, which gave everyone a chance to check out all the booths. It’s well curated with a good variety of styles, items, and price points. A fun, unique Friday show.

Scott’s favorite thing: The smaller footprint works beautifully. The size creates a comfortable flow, giving visitors time to browse, chat, and circle back later. It's wonderful to have time to answer questions, chit-chat, and get to know the customers a bit.

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RMSC 54th Annual Holiday Bazaar Arts & Crafts Sale
Friday, Nov. 20, 4 pm–8 pm  
Saturday, Nov. 21, 10 am–5 pm  
Sunday, Nov. 22, 10 am–4 pm  
Rochester Museum & Science Center, 657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY
Our Location: Building #1, First Floor, Booth 104

If you’ve been to a Rochester holiday show, this is probably the one. We love doing it, though scheduling conflicts kept us away for the last few years. This year is different, and they placed us on the first floor two spots from the entrance! Please, come say hi.

One of the longest‑running holiday shows in the area, the RMSC Holiday Bazaar spans five floors and features over 150 craftspeople and artists: ceramics, jewelry, glass, woodwork, photography, paintings, and more. While you shop, take time to enjoy the museum displays. Food and beverages are available in the Cunningham House studio, a space usually closed to the public. Entry is $8 for a day pass or $10 for a weekend pass.

Sage’s favorite thing: Seeing the museum decked out for the holidays. Handmade booths alongside science exhibits - it’s fantastic.
Scott’s favorite thing: The location! As a stay‑at‑home dad, I’ve spent many afternoons at local museums with the kids, and RMSC is one of the best. Having a booth next to a woolly mammoth or the Tesla Coils? So cool. And the quality of the crafts is top‑tier.
Tess’ favorite thing: It's been years since we have done this show, but my favorite thing is the shopping and the huge variety of vendors they bring in. From felted woodland creatures to origami art to gourmet candy apples and all the glass, ceramics, and wood you would expect, their selection is fire!

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THEMATA 2026 Holiday Market – Small Business Saturday
Saturday, Nov. 28 ∙ 10 am–4 pm  
THEMATA, 145 Culver Rd, Rochester, NY

Last year was our first time doing the THEMATA Holiday Market. We’d heard about it from other vendors for years: “You gotta do THEMATA!” “Your stuff would fit in so well there!” So, we signed up, and wow, it was fun. A small location jam-packed with vendors, shoppers, and holiday spirit. Everyone was cheery and festive, and the other vendors were incredibly friendly.

One of the coolest things THEMATA does is host multiple markets over the holiday season, but each vendor can only sell on one day. It keeps the selection fresh and gives shoppers a wider variety. For shoppers, it’s free to get in, there’s plenty of parking, and it’s close to other great Rochester attractions; what more could you ask for?

Scott’s favorite thing: On the busiest shopping weekend of the year, this show is a refreshing alternative to big‑box stores and crowded malls. THEMATA strikes a perfect balance between Mayday Underground and Friends of Strong: unique vendors in an intimate, inviting space.
Tess’ favorite thing: The ceramic artists! I met some great vendors in my medium and got a couple of really cute mugs.

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THE OTHER POSSIBILITIES

These are shows we’re considering and would love to do, but the details are not yet announced or open for applications. Keep an eye on the sage-studios.com events page and our Instagram for updates.

It’s a Wonderful Life in the South Wedge
TBD (Last year: Saturday, Dec. 6 ∙ 11 am–4 pm)
Rochester’s South Wedge Neighborhood, Rochester, NY

Produced by the Business Association of the South Wedge (BASWA), It’s a Wonderful Life in the South Wedge is a festive neighborhood-wide holiday celebration spanning multiple buildings and streets. Last year, we were in the Historic German House, a fantastic location with great foot traffic and a cozy classic holiday vibe.
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The event is well produced and features artists and crafters, live music, food and beverages from local restaurants and food trucks, children’s activities, and a visit from the jolly fat man himself. And admission is free!

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A Very Merry FLXMas
Saturday, Dec. 12 ∙ 10 am–4 pm  
Three Brothers Wineries & Estates, 623 Lerch Rd., Geneva, NY

Another unique show we tried for the first time last year, A Very Merry FLXMas takes place across the sprawling Three Brothers Wineries & Estates complex. They create a mini holiday “village” throughout the property, with an indoor/outdoor market of over 70 artisans and makers, food trucks, beverage tastings, and a couple of restaurants.
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It’s a wonderful place to knock out that last‑minute shopping you’ve been putting off, grab excellent food, and sample wine, beer, cider, and soda. Just check the weather and bundle up; last year was a bit chilly, but the buildings are heated, so don’t fret.

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Last Minute Mini Mayday Underground!
TBD
TBD
Casey, the creator of Mayday! Underground!, is considering another Mini Mayday! show this year. It’s typically held the week before Christmas at a smaller venue — last time I did it, we were at The Harley School. If she decides to run it again, we’ll definitely consider joining. It’s always a fun, intimate version of the main Mayday vibe.

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SEE YOU THERE!

Every year, these shows become part of our family’s holiday rhythm: early mornings, late‑night packing, the familiar faces, the discoveries, and the joy of seeing people fall in love with Sage’s handmade work. This season will feel a little different, though. As I mentioned in our last blog, Tess is off at college now, starting her next big adventure. She won’t be helping out at most of the shows this year and depending on how many holiday orders Sage must tackle in the shop, I may be flying solo at a handful of them. It’ll be an adjustment, but that’s the nature of family businesses: they grow, shift, and evolve right along with the people in them.

Sharing this lineup feels like sharing our family holiday calendar with you, and we’re grateful you’re along for the journey. Keep an eye on our events page and Instagram as the season unfolds. I can’t wait to see you out there, celebrate the holidays together, and keep the tradition of handmade art going strong. Thanks for reading!