Crocker Holiday Artisan Market

3-day event (Nov 24-26, 2023) held at the Scottish Rite Center. We visited on Day 1 around Noon. Tickets could be purchased online or at the door for $10 per person for all 3 days.Pros: Free parking and 4 rooms of artisan vendors, some of whom had fantastic pieces for sale.Con: Only 2 people selling tickets at a table while several others were simply walking around to hand patrons a "scavenger" list for prize drawings but more so in order to get your contact info and receive free advertising. That long, slow line to enter the event was a high price to pay to get the Crocker Art Museum Member discount of $9 per person. Why not offer the same discount for online ticket purchasers? The line to enter the event for online ticket purchasers went quickly - because nobody was verifying.Con: Given the huge number of attendees, there was simply not enough event space for the patrons to walk through the aisles... much less all of the children strollers. One rude parent with a stroller had the audacity to make honking sounds - as if they had more right to move through the sea of attendees than others.It's hard to believe this event is in its 17th year. I'm guessing that many of the staff are volunteers - which might explain the apparent lack of concern on the flow of the crowd.I will be sticking to art and craft events at venues like Cal Expo where there is a much larger space, a lot more vendors, and many more workers.5 star for the vendors. 1 star for how the event is run at this venue.

Great arts and craft festival with high quality work! Best place to shop for handmade, one of a kind "fine craft" and art. The festival takes place yearly on Thanksgiving weekend and has an amazing array of makers and artisans from around California. it is fun to meet the Artist's and learn about their work. This year they had elves face painting the kids and telling stories along with the most authentic Santa I have seen in years! I bought a fantastic glass wall handing and some cool jewelry for Christmas gifts! Great energy and fun way to start my holiday shopping!