As of today, Thursday, November 19, both of Ridgefield's barn markets are open together for the first time this season. The Ridgefield Guild of Artists opened its Festive Home market on Halpin Lane last Saturday. The Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center opens its Holiday Boutique in the Carriage Barn on Main Street at 11 this morning. On Saturday, December 5, the Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce adds a third market, the Holiday Market on Bailey.
Each organizer sets its own hours, and the schedules overlap less than you'd expect. Laid side by side, the three calendars share exactly one afternoon: Saturday, December 5, from noon to 4. The rest of the season goes better if you know which barn is open on which day.
Two Barns, Two Sets of Hours
Festive Home fills the Guild's gallery at 34 Halpin Lane, a white antique barn across from the Ridgefield Theater Barn. Patch reports handmade ornaments, candles, jewelry, stationery, pottery, knitwear and leather goods from more than 50 artisans, plus artwork by Guild members. This year's theme is "Colors of the Season." Each gallery has a display arranged by a local interior designer around a Guild member's artwork. The designers are Molly Hirsch of Molly Hirsch Interiors, Jill Rae of Jill Rae Designs, Sarah Sullivan and Nicole Fortson of The Tweaked Home, and Rachel Gedymin of Rachel Gedymin Designs. The Ridgefield Herald calendar lists this as the 17th annual Festive Home. The Guild itself, a nonprofit, is in its 52nd year.
The Guild is open noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. It's closed every Monday through December 13.
Keeler's Boutique runs on a different plan. It isn't open continuously. It opens for five short stretches, Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: November 19 to 22, November 27 to 29, December 3 to 6, December 10 to 13, and December 17 to 20. According to the museum's event page, the red Carriage Barn at 152 Main Street has free admission and plenty of onsite parking. You'll find curated gifts, décor and locally made items, and members get discounts on selected merchandise. Keeler described the Boutique as a holiday tradition back in 2017. Its 2024 annual report calls the Boutique a successful fundraiser and a way to bring in new members.
On weekdays, the hours narrow the overlap further. Keeler closes at 4 and the Guild opens at noon, so a Thursday or Friday visit to both barns has to fit between noon and 4.
The Chutney Only Has One Pre-Thanksgiving Window
Keeler also sells a cranberry chutney. The museum calls it a decades-long tradition made from an award-winning recipe. You can buy it only at the Holiday Boutique, and only while supplies last.
The calendar matters here. Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26. The Boutique's first stretch ends Sunday, November 22, and the next one starts the day after Thanksgiving. If you want chutney on the table for Thanksgiving dinner, you have four days to get it: today through Sunday, 11 to 4.
Thanksgiving Week Closes Both Barns
The Guild closes Mondays and adds a Thanksgiving break, November 24 through 26. It reopens Friday, November 27, at 11 a.m. Keeler is closed that same week. So from Monday, November 23, through Thanksgiving Day, neither barn opens. If you're hosting out-of-town guests that week, plan around it.
Both barns come back the same morning. On Friday, November 27, Keeler and the Guild open at 11 a.m., so the Thanksgiving weekend is a good time to visit both. If you'd like to see Festive Home with a game on the side before the holiday break, the Herald lists Mahjong, Mingle & Make at the Guild tomorrow, Friday, November 20, starting at 6 p.m. Ashley Blackstock of Tile Time with Ash runs guided mahjong, guests make mahjong-themed ornaments or dice trays from oyster and scallop shells, and the Festive Home galleries stay open. Tickets are listed at $50 to $60.
Stroll Weekend Is When All Three Line Up
All three calendars meet on Holiday Stroll weekend, December 4 to 5. The Chamber's Stroll page confirms the Holiday Market on Bailey is back this year. On Saturday it brings local makers, merchants and artisans, plus live music, pony rides and Santa. In the Chamber's words, the goods "can't be found on Amazon!" The Herald's Saturday listing has the Stroll's Saturday program, including Santa and a holiday craft market, running noon to 4 p.m. on December 5.
Friday night happens on Main Street. The Herald's Friday listing puts it at 6 to 9 p.m., free, with a DJ at Town Hall, Victorian carolers, toy soldiers on Main Street and horse-and-carriage rides. Over the same hours, Lounsbury House at 316 Main Street hosts a free North Pole with Santa and Mrs. Claus, live reindeer and "Selfies with Elfies." Guests can also write postcards to the troops with the Ridgefield Lions Club.
Keeler is the only barn that changes its hours for the Stroll. On Friday, December 4, the Boutique stays open until 7 p.m., which overlaps the first hour of the evening on Main Street. The Guild's posted Friday hours end at 5. On Friday night, Keeler is the barn to combine with the Stroll.
On Saturday, December 5, everything is open at once. Keeler is open 11 to 4, the Guild 11 to 5, and the Stroll's Saturday program, craft market included, is listed for noon to 4. That four-hour block is the only time this season when all three markets are open together.
| Week | Festive Home, 34 Halpin Lane | Keeler Holiday Boutique, 152 Main St. | Bailey and the Stroll |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 19–22 | Open Thu–Sun | Open Thu–Sun, 11–4 | None |
| Nov 23–26 | Closed | Closed | None |
| Nov 27–29 | Open from 11 a.m. Fri | Open Fri–Sun, 11–4 | None |
| Dec 3–6 | Open Thu–Sun | Open Thu–Sun, to 7 p.m. Fri | Fri evening Stroll; Sat Stroll and market, noon–4 per the Herald |
| Dec 10–13 | Open; closes for the season Sun | Open Thu–Sun, 11–4 | None |
| Dec 17–20 | Closed for the season | Open Thu–Sun, 11–4 | None |
The Last Weekend Is Keeler's Alone
Festive Home ends Sunday, December 13. Keeler stays open one more stretch, December 17 through 20, so the Carriage Barn is the last of the three markets still open before Christmas. If you'd like to finish your shopping at Festive Home, give yourself until the weekend of December 12 and 13. For last-minute shopping after that, Keeler is open Thursday through Sunday, 11 to 4, that final week.
A Season Plan That Fits the Calendars
- This weekend, November 19 to 22. Get chutney at Keeler before Thanksgiving, then walk Festive Home between noon and 4. On Friday evening, Mahjong, Mingle & Make keeps the Guild open late.
- Friday, November 27. Both barns reopen at 11 a.m. after their Thanksgiving break.
- Friday, December 4. Visit Keeler before 7 p.m., then head to Main Street for the Stroll and the North Pole at Lounsbury House, 6 to 9.
- Saturday, December 5, noon to 4. All three markets are open: Keeler, Festive Home and the Holiday Market on Bailey.
- December 12 and 13. Last weekend for Festive Home.
- December 17 to 20. Keeler's Carriage Barn is the only one of the three still open.
If you're thinking about when to list, buy or make a move in Ridgefield, Stephen Mele and The TurnKey Team can walk you through the local numbers and timing. Book a Call.
