Holiday goods and goodies season arrives in Modesto region

What to do, what to do during these autumn days between all that Halloween candy and the much anticipated Thanksgiving dinner? Shop, of course.

November brings the holiday craft fair and bazaar season that will last into early December throughout the Modesto region and Mother Lode. It’s a chance to get a jump on Christmas shopping and view the bevy of wares created by area artists and crafters. There are events big and small, from wee church bazaars to massive street fairs and celebrations. Here’s a look at some of them:

Community outreach craft fair – Thursday-Saturday. Craft fair featuring complimentary tea and coffee. Lunch available for purchase after 11:30 a.m. Homemade items, baked goods, holiday décor and more. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 640 Minaret Ave., Turlock. (290) 667-7712.

Christmas in the country – Friday-Nov. 9. Ninth annual holiday boutique featuring local artisans. Raffle to benefit Community Hospice. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. Ferrero Family Barn, 668 N. Blossom Road, Waterford. (209) 874-1463.

Holiday boutique – Saturday. Enochs High School Band Boosters second annual Holiday Boutique. Craft vendors, bake sale and concessions. Pancake breakfast from 8-11 a.m., $5. Boutique is 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Enochs High School, 3201 Sylvan Ave., Modesto.

Holiday boutique – Saturday. Holiday boutique featuring gift items including jewelry, artwork, quilts and more. Snack bar available. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Hilmar Country Club Estates, 19667 W. American Ave.

Holiday marketplace – Saturday. Variety of vendors with homemade baked goods and crafts, home décor items, crocheted clothing, hand-painted glass and more. The cafe will be open with homemade taco soup and baked potatoes. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Modesto Christian High School gymnasium, 5901 Sisk Road, Modesto. (209) 343-2229.

Country folk art craft show – Saturday-Sunday. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Large traveling craft show featuring décor, music and gourmet delights. Stanislaus County Fairground, 900 N. Broadway, Turlock. $6. (248) 634-4151.

Craft fair – Saturday-Sunday. Annual craft fair featuring local artisans, commercial vendors, specialty foods, bake sale. Holiday photo booth. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday; 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. St. Mary’s Church Parish Center, Oak and Olive streets, Oakdale. (209) 985-1486.

Holiday bazaar – Nov. 9-Dec. 24. 10 a.m-4 p.m. Ongoing event at the Northern Mariposa County History Center, 10301 Highway 49, Coulterville. (209) 878-3015.

St. Anthony annual holiday luncheon and craft fair – Nov. 12. Local crafters and artisan booths. Lunch will be provided. 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. St. Anthony’s School, 323 N. Fremont St., Manteca. $15 adults; $10 seniors. (209) 823-4513.

Holiday and gift boutique – Nov. 13-15. Annual event featuring baked goods, candies, jams, decorations, home decor and art. Sneak preview 5-9 p.m. Nov. 13; event 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 14-15. Holy Family Catholic Church, 4212 Dale Road, Modesto. (209) 545-5419.

Holiday shopping bazaar – Nov. 13. The Historic Hotel Leger will host a holiday shopping bazaar in the lobby with a variety of vendors. 6-8:30 p.m. 8304 Main St., Mokelumne Hill. (209) 286-1401.

Craft and goods fair – Nov. 15. Crafts and goods from rocky-road confections to children’s toys. Proceeds benefit young adults traveling to World Youth Day. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Father O’Hare Hall, 1813 Oakdale Road, Modesto. (209) 551-4973.

Home for the holidays – Nov. 22. Featuring a variety of booths and a silent auction plus an Apple Orchard Brunch. 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. First United Methodist Church, Modesto, 850 16th St. Event free; brunch $15 adults; $10 children. (209) 522-9046.

Crafters for a cause – Nov. 22. Crafts, commercial and retail vendors, homegrown products and antiques/collectibles exhibitors. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mill Creek Church, 147 Auto Center Court, Modesto. Free. (209) 262-8064.

Hughson arts & crafts fair – Nov. 22-23. 20th Century Club’s annual event with handcrafted arts and crafts, live music, hourly drawings, holiday gifts. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Hughson High School, 7319 Whitmore Ave. (209) 874-5012.

Cowboy Christmas craft show – Nov. 28-29. Oakdale Cowboy Museum holiday event with Western arts and crafts. Cowboy Santa arrives on horseback at 11 a.m. Nov. 28 and will be available for photos. Event runs 5-8 p.m. Nov. 28, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 29. Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second Ave., Oakdale. (209) 847-5163.

Hometown crafters Christmas fair – Nov. 28-29. Local crafters and live Christmas music. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 28, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 29. Sonora Opera Hall, 250 S. Washington St., Sonora. (209) 536-9625. Sera James, 256-2576.

Sonora Christmas festival – Nov. 28-30. Annual holiday festival featuring 150 craft and artist booths, live entertainment, kids’ activities including Polar Express Train and a play area, food, desserts and seasonal drinks, and street performers. Admission, $7 adults, $5 students and seniors, $2 children 6-12, free 5 and under. http://fireonthemountain.com or (209) 533-3473.

Christmas in the country craft fair – Nov. 29. Artists and crafters, luncheon, bake sale and raffle prizes. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mountain Ranch Community Hall, 8049 Washington St., Mountain Ranch.

Riverbank Christmas festival – Nov. 29. Craft fair noon-8 p.m., with tree-lighting ceremony, parade and Santa Claus. 5:30-8 p.m. downtown Riverbank, 6707 Third St. (209) 863-7122.

Dickens fair – Dec. 6. Venture back to the Victorian era inside and outside the McHenry Mansion, which will be decorated in Christmas splendor. Costumed carolers, stories of Christmases past, plus a street fair with crafts and the Modesto farmers market. 9 a.m. McHenry Mansion, 906 15th St. Modesto, and outside down 15th Street. www.mchenrymuseum.org.

Holiday craft fair – Dec. 6. Featuring 40 vendors with homemade and other items. Lunch and other treats available for purchase. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuolumne River Lodge, 2429 River Road, Modesto. (209) 537-6651.

Holiday craft fair – Dec. 6. St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 19399 E. Highway 120, Ripon. (209) 838-2133.

This story was originally published November 1, 2014 at 3:00 AM with the headline "Holiday goods and goodies season arrives in Modesto region."