Holiday market returning to Riverhead

The old East End Arts Council in Riverhead will continue its decade-long holiday market this year, but the market and the council will be operating under new names.

The council recently changed its name to East End Arts, and the holiday market — which fills the entire arts building at 133 E. Main St. — is now called Deck the Halls Holiday Market, because the entire first gallery is dedicated to handmade Christmas tree ornaments.

The market opens Nov. 29 and runs through Dec. 23.

Some ornaments sell for $15. Others are three for $15. “They’re all on ribbons that come down the wall, all handmade, one-of-a-kind items,” gallery director Jane Kirkwood said.

About 50 artists exhibit their work in the market, and handicrafts are also displayed, Kirkwood said. The least expensive items are the holiday ornaments; the most expensive — prices run up to several thousand dollars — are paintings, carvings and jewelry. “Our members bring in all sorts of goodies,” Kirkwood said.

About a thousand people are expected to attend, Kirkwood said. There will be an artists reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 2. The market is open every day but Monday.