Troy Winter Farmers Market - Troy, New York

Troy Winter Farmers Market
Uncle Sam Atrium
Troy, New York

Troy Waterfront Farmers Market
518.708.4216

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More and more farmers markets are setting up shop in the winter months to bring a little warmth and sunshine to the cold, dreary weather. Troy New York's Waterfront Farmers Market now runs from November to April at the Uncle Sam Atrium in downtown Troy. Folks come from all over the Capital Region to shop with 50+ local vendors and savor the tastes, sights and sounds at their indoor market -- stay for lunch and a walk around historic downtown Troy and have a great time every Saturday (no matter what the weather outside)

Henscratch Farms - Lake Placid, Florida

Henscratch Farms
980 Henscratch Road
Lake Placid, Florida
863.699.2060

Constructed in the old cracker style with raised floor, their country store features sliding barn doors and an open breezeway showcasing baskets brimming with homemade jams, jellies, sauces and syrups to match their harvest seasons. Rich strawberry preserves, blueberry dressing and their famous Muscadine and Scuppernong jams and jellies are on the tasting counter to tempt your palate. They also carry a great array of wine accessories and themed gift ideas. Pack your own dozen eggs then snatch up a jug of raw honey from the hives. You are even invited to stomp the grapes yourself during their annual event! 

Salt City Antique Shows - Syracuse, New York

Salt City Winter and Autumn Antique Shows
New York State Fairgrounds
581 State Fair Blvd.
Syracuse, New York
315.482.2462

Chocolate is for Lovers - Geneva, Ohio

Chocolate is for Lovers, hosted by various Ohio wineries, offers a self driving wine tour along the Vines and Wines Trail in the Northeastern Ohio area. Enjoy wine samples and an appetizer as you collect chocolate candy by Seader D's Candies at each winery.

Winter in the Valley Antique Show - Fishersville, Virginia

Winter in the Valley Antique Show
Augusta Expoland
Expo Hall Addition Building
Fishersville, Virginia
434.361.9137 or 614.325.8873

Washington Winter Show - Washington, DC

Washington Winter Show
The Katzen Arts Center
at American University
4400 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C
202.248.7159

Lost Christmas Music

One of the dirty little secrets at the Country Dogs Farm is that we love vintage Christmas music that you'll never hear in the mall or on the radio. Luckily there are several very dedicated song wranglers scouring discount record bins in dusty antique centers and flea markets across the country to bring us these musical gems. Check out some of the best sites below, many of which have links for more great vintage and odd Christmas music and holiday cheer. And there's a decent helping of Hannukah, Thanksgiving, and other holiday music too.

Falalalala

A Christmas Yuleblog

Cheerful Earful

Ernie (Not Bert)

Jul Igen

Hi-Fi Holiday

Santas Working Overtime

Hart's Country Antiques - New Oxford, Pennsylvania

Hart's Country Antiques
2 Carlisle Street
New Oxford, Pennsylvania
717.624.7842

Village Primitives - Sturbridge, Massachusetts

Coppersmith and Tinsmith Michael P. Terragna
Showroom at Village Primitives
428 Main Street
Sturbridge, Massachusetts
508.347.0045

Meander Hill - Youngstown, Ohio

Meander Hill
20 North Turner Road
Youngstown, Ohio
330.799.0138
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Evening Candlelight Tours - Van Cortlandt Manor and Sunnyside - Croton-on-Hudson and Tarrytown, New York

Join Historic Hudson Valley for two evening candlelight tours held throughout December.

Van Cortlandt Manor - Experience a late 18th-century celebration of "Twelfth Night." The candlelit festivities begin with a visit to the home of one of the wealthiest families of the post-Revolutionary era. Decorations made of holiday greens and fruit adorn windowsills and mantles, live music is performed in the parlor, and the tables set with Van Cortlandt family china are laden with intriguing 18th-century desserts. A stroll through the orchard, lit by candle-lanterns, takes visitors to the tenant house to meet the Lord of Misrule. As visitors approach the ferry house, a celebration is under way, and guests dance to the lively strains of the fiddler and drink a toast to the season.

Washington Irving's Sunnyside - Candlelight tours bring an 1850s Christmas to life. You'll be escorted down a lantern-lit path to the cottage decorated with holly, evergreens, and real candles. Excerpts from Irving's Christmas tales and family letters are the theme of the evening. You'll also be invited to join in song while a costumed guide accompanies you on the 1830s piano. The tour concludes in the kitchen yard, where hot cider is served beside a roaring fire.

Gleaner Antiques - Ashland, Ohio

Gleaner Antiques
1488 County Road 995
Ashland, Ohio
419.281.2849

Brown and Hawkins - Seward, Alaska

Brown and Hawkins
Sweet Darlings
205 4th Street
Seward, Alaska
907.224.3011

Stop in to this historic landmark on the National Register of Historic Places complete with old bank vault and lots of historic photos. In business since 1900, the newest owners have turned this general store into homebase for their thriving chocolate company. Browse their selections of outdoor gear and Alaskan made gifts and take home some hand crafted candy.

Candlelight Tours at Locust Grove - Louisville, Kentucky

Locust Grove
561 Blankenbaker Lane
Louisville, Kentucky
502.897.9845

A celebration reminiscent of the year 1820 comes alive under the warm glow of candles in early December. The house shines warmly as the illustrious Clark and Croghan families greet their guests. Mantles and stairs are draped with fresh greens and fruits of all varieties. Out in the kitchen, the cook directs the preparation of the desserts for the houseguests, while carpenters in the woodshop finish repairs to farm tools. This wonderful event takes you back to an earlier time as you tour Locust Grove under the glow of candlelight.

Small Business Saturday

Sponsored by American Express, okay so that's not a small business, Small Business Saturday is a day to celebrate what we love best: small towns, local businesses, and great communities across America. The Saturday after Thanksgiving is the perfect antidote to the craziness of Black Friday. Instead of supporting big box stores that promote sprawl, decentralization, traffic and more, spend some time with local businesses that contribute to their communities and fuel the job creation and growth in America. Check the Facebook Page for more information.

Strawberry Banke Candlelight Strolls - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Stroll through life in a simpler time as 350 years of American history, winter traditions, and holiday celebrations unfolds around you in New Hampshire's oldest waterfront neighborhood. The Strawberry Banke Candlelight Strolls feature historic houses from four centuries decorated in period regalia, hundreds of candles lighting the lanes and landscape, a gingerbread house contest and display, and live music and holiday entertainment for all ages.

Hudsons General Store - Clarksville, Delaware

Hudsons General Store
34621 Atlantic Avenue
Ocean View, Delaware
Corner of Route 26 & Iron's Lane in Clarksville
302.539.8709
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Washington, Kentucky

Washington, Kentucky is a 1700's village full of shops, museums, tours and fine dining. Established in 1786, by the Virginia Legislature, by 1790 it had grown to 119 log cabins, and was the second largest town in Kentucky.

Today, there are many celebrations throughout the year in which to take in Washington's charms. In early December, celebrate a Frontier Christmas with Quilting, Weaving, Candle Dipping,  Handmade gifts, Banjo, Dulcimer, Fiddle, Harp, Bagpiper, Strolling costumed Carolers, Kris Kringle, Horse-drawn wagon or Carriage rides and Much More. 8 museums with holly decked mantles, pine-scented rooms and candle-lit windows, and craft demonstrations are also open to the public.

Shops of Maple Croft - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Shops of Maple Croft
701 Penn Grant Road
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
717.464.4895

Historic Host - Hocking Hills, Ohio

Historic Host Bed and Breakfast
106 East North Street
McArthur, Ohio
1-877-Do-History or 740-596-2408

These bed and breakfast historic rentals are like postcards from the past. From their Appalachain cabin to the one room school house, each of these wonderful rentals is a unique part of the historic past of the Appalachian region.

Squire Browns - Reedsville, Pennsylvania

Squire Browns
8 Edgewood Drive
Reedsville, Pennsylvania
Off of Old Route 322
717.667.2556

Chirstmas at Allaire - Farmingdale, New Jersey

Christmas at Allaire
County Route 524
Farmingdale, New Jersey
732.919.3500
Period attired Historic Interpreters recreate those traditional holiday customs and activities in the historic buildings of the Village during this very special event. Christmas at Allaire also offers visitors the opportunity to wander the streets of the Historic Village, meet the people of the Howell Works Company and enjoy the Dickensonian atmosphere of a 19th Century community decked out in holiday splendor.

American Country - Turlock, California

American Country
5318 S. Faith Home Road
Turlock, California
209.668.1888

Home for the Holidays - Salem, New Jersey

Sponsored by Main Street Salem, the Home for the Holidays House Tour features private homes, churches, and museums decorated and open to the public. Check their Facebook Page for more information and previews of some of the homes on the tour.

The Spirit of Christmas Past - Old World Wisconsin - Eagle, Wisconsin

The Spirit of Christmas Past
Old World Wisconsin
S103 W37890 Hwy 67
Eagle, Wisconsin
262.594.6301
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Stroll the 1870s Crossroads Village plus the Ketola farm and discover the charms of many holiday traditions. Snap a photo with their historic Father Christmas and walk house-to-house, shop-to-shop, as you join in the festivities and see how different cultures contributed to the rituals we enjoy today.

Yule Fest and Winter Encampment - Mansker's Station - Goodlettsville, Tennessee

Yule Fest and Winter Encampment
Mansker's Station
705 Caldwell Drive
Goodlettsville, Tennessee
615-859-3678
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Ring in the holiday season 1780s style during the first weekend in December. Enjoy refreshments and live music in the Visitor's Center. Then venture outside to Mansker's Fort and the Bowen Plantation House to find even more music and entertainment by candlelight, including the reading of the Christmas story in one of the cabins in the Fort and the singing of traditional carols in the dining room of the Bowen House. Horse-drawn carriage rides will be traveling between the sites as well. The Yulefest event is Saturday night, while the Winter Encampment is ongoing throughout the weekend.

Wethersfield Antiques Show - Wethersfield, Connecticut

Wethersfield Antiques Show
Pitkin Community Center
30 Greenfield Street
Wethersfield, Connecticut
860.529.7656

Schoharie Drive About - Schoharie, New York

Schoharie Colonial Heritage Association
Depot Lane
Schoharie, New York
518.295.7505
The Schoharie Colonial Heritage Association organizes its annual Schoharie Drive About to showcase antique properties throughout the county many of which were former commercial buildings.

The Tin Rabbit - Labadie, Missouri

The Tin Rabbit
2733 Highway T
Labadie, Missouri
636.742.5900

A Simpler Thyme Primitives Show - Noblesville, Indiana

A Simpler Thyme Primitives Show
2003 East Pleasant Street
Noblesville, Indiana
765.754.7017