The Buffalo Holiday Market is packing up its chalets and igloos and heading to a new address this winter. The event opens November 27 at Front Park, 121 Porter Avenue, after spending its 2025 run at a different Buffalo landmark.
According to the Buffalo Holiday Market, the European-style winter market returns for 2026 at its new home, Front Park, bringing what organizers call the joy and enchantment of a European Christmas to Western New York. As Buffalo Rising reports, the market runs November 27 through December 23, 2026, with free admission throughout.
That's a notable shift from last year, when the Buffalo Collective’s 2025 Winter Market set up at the Richardson Olmsted Campus on Forest Avenue, per the same outlet's earlier coverage. The 2025 edition kicked off on Friday, November 28, with its own slate of festive shopping, food, drinks and igloo rentals.
What's on the Schedule at Front Park
Opening day at Front Park on November 27 runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., the report notes. After that, regular hours settle into Thursdays and Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Those hours differ from last year's schedule, when the market at the Richardson Olmsted Campus ran Fridays 4 to 9 p.m., Saturdays noon to 8 p.m. and Sundays noon to 6 p.m.
The market is operated by Colleen Pandy and Jill Cannan, who are affiliated with Buffalo Collective, the outlet notes. Vendors this year will include artisan chalets featuring local makers, crafters, vintage sellers and holiday gifts, alongside the handcrafted goods, vintage treasures, festive gifts and regional holiday foods described on the market's own site.
Igloos, Curling and Santa Visits
Beyond shopping, the lineup includes igloo reservations, curling, ice skating, visits from Santa and photo opportunities. The official site lets visitors find out when Santa will be on hand and book or manage their own igloo reservation.
Curling reservations accommodate up to four players, though duration and cost vary by booking, according to the market's curling page. Spots are handled on a first-come, first-served basis through the market's online booking service, and reservations are non-transferable and non-refundable once made.
Why the Move, and What It Doesn't Mean
The market's own FAQ page states that Front Park lets organizers grow the vendor roster and improve the overall flow of the event. Some previously booked vendors will be set up in chalets, while additional vendor spots will be tented, the FAQ adds.
A separate location announcement applies specifically to the Mother's Day Market on May 9, not to the winter event. Admission remains free.
