Illinois Local Holiday Market
Springfield's Small Business Saturday holiday market on historic Route 66: 70+ Illinois small businesses, makers, and food vendors under one heated roof. Saturday, November 28, 2026 · 9 am–4 pm · Illinois State Fairgrounds.
What is the Illinois Local Holiday Market?
The Illinois Local Holiday Market is an annual holiday shopping event held every Small Business Saturday — the Saturday after Thanksgiving — on Route 66 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois. Hosted by Illinois Local, a statewide membership network for independent Illinois businesses, the market brings together 70+ Illinois-based makers, shops, and food producers under one roof for a family-focused day of shopping, live music, performances, cooking demonstrations, and children's activities that draws thousands of visitors.
An American Express Neighborhood Champion
Illinois Local is an official American Express Neighborhood Champion for Small Business Saturday. Neighborhood Champions are local organizations that rally their communities to shop small on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. For Springfield shoppers, it means the Holiday Market is part of the national Small Business Saturday movement — with every purchase going straight to an Illinois business.
An Official Route 66 Centennial Project
The 2026 Illinois Local Holiday Market is an official Route 66 Centennial Certified Project, listed on the National Route 66 Centennial website. Held at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on Route 66 in Springfield, the family-focused market draws thousands of visitors and features Route 66 businesses, children's activities, performances, live music, and cooking demonstrations. It promotes Route 66 history, tourism, and economic development, and connects families and visitors to the Centennial celebration.
It's part of a bigger commitment. Illinois Local supports Route 66 businesses and preservation efforts through communications, partnerships, and special projects, with the goal of inspiring lasting connections to the Mother Road and encouraging people to explore its communities and stories.
Since its first year in 2021, the market has grown into one of Springfield's holiday traditions — a place where shoppers meet the people behind the products, and where every dollar spent stays with an Illinois business.
Looking for a holiday market in Springfield, IL, or a day of Christmas shopping in Sangamon County that keeps your money local? The Illinois Local Holiday Market is the Small Business Saturday event for Central Illinois: one day, one heated building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, and 70+ Illinois-owned businesses selling gifts you won't find anywhere else.
This Year's Market: Small Business Saturday, November 28, 2026
Date: Saturday, November 28, 2026 (Small Business Saturday)
Time: 9 am–4 pm
Location: Orr Building, 66 4-H Rd., Springfield, IL 62702 — on the Illinois State Fairgrounds (801 E. Sangamon Ave.), on historic Route 66
Admission: $5 for adults, paid at the door; kids 12 and under free. No advance tickets needed.
Parking: Plenty of easy parking in the lots around the Orr Building. Enter the Fairgrounds through Gate 11 or Gate 7 and follow the signs.
Annual Awards ceremony: 3:00 pm
Why the Orr Building? Past markets were held in the Fairgrounds' Expo Building, which has no heat. The Orr Building is heated, has plenty of easy parking, and has electricity for vendors, so shoppers stay comfortable and vendors can power lights, displays, and card readers.
This year's market is proudly supported by the Illinois Small Business Development Center for Central Illinois and Bailey Family Insurance.
Things to Do at the Holiday Market
Shop 70+ Illinois vendors. Handmade goods, gourmet treats, home décor, apparel, jewelry, and gifts you won't find at a big-box store — all from businesses based in Illinois. Many vendors also sell online, so grab a card and order more later.
Live music, performances & cooking demos. Local performers, musicians, and cooking demonstrations fill the day, with past and current acts including Springfield Youth Performance Group, Dayna's Dance Revolution, Springfield Theater Center, and more.
Santa & family fun. Photos with Santa, a Children's Play Area hosted by Little Lincoln's Toy Shop, and plenty for kids to do while the grown-ups shop — an easy Thanksgiving-weekend outing for visiting family.
Plans for Thanksgiving weekend. Looking for things to do in Springfield with family and friends over Thanksgiving weekend? Spend Small Business Saturday at the Holiday Market: finish your holiday shopping, grab a local treat, catch a performance, and visit Santa, all in one heated building.
The Illinois Local Annual Awards. Each year at the market, Illinois Local honors standout members live in front of the community that supports them.
For Vendors & Makers
Become a Vendor at the Holiday Market
The Holiday Market is built by Illinois small businesses, for Illinois small businesses. Small Business Saturday shoppers come ready to buy holiday gifts — and they come specifically to support local. If you're looking for Small Business Saturday vendor opportunities or a holiday craft fair booth in Central Illinois, this is the market built for you.
Illinois Local member booth: $75
Non-member booth: $200
Heated venue (the Orr Building) with electricity available for vendors and plenty of easy parking for load-in
Vendors must be Illinois-based businesses
Free booths for young entrepreneurs. We reserve a small number of free booths for young entrepreneurs. Kids (with adult supervision) and teens can sell at the Holiday Market at no cost. Spots are limited and first come, first served — email hello@illinoislocal.org to request one.
Tip: An Illinois Local membership often costs less than the difference in booth fees over time — and comes with a directory listing, networking events, PR, and more.
Questions? Email hello@illinoislocal.org.
Why We Started the Holiday Market
We started the Illinois Local Holiday Market in 2021 to fill a gap. Small Business Saturday is the one day of the year built entirely around supporting small businesses, yet Central Illinois had very few Small Business Saturday events — and very few holiday markets at all. Small businesses need a major event and real community support on that day, and many of the best ones don't have a storefront where holiday shoppers can find them.
So we created one: a single location where Illinois businesses, with or without a storefront, can meet shoppers who came specifically to shop small. As an official American Express Neighborhood Champion, Illinois Local helps lead Small Business Saturday here at home, and with sponsorship from the Illinois Small Business Development Center for Central Illinois, the market has grown into a Springfield holiday tradition, now in its sixth year.
The stakes are high for the businesses involved: 84% of small business owners say Small Business Saturday is essential to their holiday revenue, according to American Express's Shop Small Impact Study.
The Illinois Local Annual Awards
Starting in 2026, the Illinois Local Annual Awards are presented live at the Holiday Market on Small Business Saturday. Four members are honored each year:
Business of the Year — a member that deserves recognition for its success
Community Hero — a member with a positive, lasting impact on our community
Best Use of Social Media — a member whose social media makes Illinoisans proud
Ambassador of the Year — a member who represents our mission to support, grow, and celebrate the membership
The awards are hand-made by Rosie of Ceramics Made by Rosie, an Illinois Local member. Non-members are welcome to attend the ceremony. About the Awards →
Contact Us
Illinois Local hosts the Holiday Market. Email hello@illinoislocal.org for:
Vendor questions — booths, eligibility, and setup
Sponsorships — packages and recognition
Media inquiries — interviews and photos
Accessibility requests — let us know how we can help you enjoy the market
Shop Local All Year
The Holiday Market is one day — Illinois Local businesses are open all year. Find them in our Member Directory, or join Illinois Local to be part of events like this one.
Sponsor the Holiday Market
Put your business in front of thousands of Central Illinois holiday shoppers on the biggest small-business shopping day of the year.
Reach thousands of shoppers and 70+ Illinois small businesses in one day
Be part of Springfield's Small Business Saturday tradition, now in its 6th year
Align your brand with an official Route 66 Centennial Certified Project
Recognition on this page, at the event, and in Illinois Local promotion
2026 sponsors: Illinois Small Business Development Center for Central Illinois · Bailey Family Insurance. The 2026 market is also an official Route 66 Centennial Certified Project.
Holiday Market FAQs
Questions about the Small Business Saturday Holiday Market? Email hello@illinoislocal.org. Ready to sell? Apply for a booth below.
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The Illinois Local Holiday Market is held every year on Small Business Saturday, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. In 2026, the market is Saturday, November 28, from 9 am to 4 pm at the Orr Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, IL.
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The 2026 Holiday Market is in the Orr Building, 66 4-H Rd., Springfield, IL 62702, on the Illinois State Fairgrounds (801 E. Sangamon Ave.) on historic Route 66. Enter the Fairgrounds through Gate 11 or Gate 7. The building is heated and has plenty of easy parking.
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Admission is $5 for adults, paid at the door. Kids 12 and under get in free. No advance tickets are needed.
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Shop 70+ Illinois small businesses and makers, take photos with Santa, enjoy live music, performances, and cooking demonstrations, and let kids play in the Children's Play Area hosted by Little Lincoln's Toy Shop. The Illinois Local Annual Awards are presented live at 3:00 pm.
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Yes. The Holiday Market is a family-friendly, indoor Thanksgiving-weekend outing with Santa photos, a Children's Play Area, and live entertainment. Kids 12 and under get in free.
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The Illinois Local Holiday Market is Springfield's Small Business Saturday market, held at the Illinois State Fairgrounds with 70+ Illinois-based vendors. It's hosted by Illinois Local, an official American Express Neighborhood Champion that helps lead Small Business Saturday in Central Illinois.
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Apply with the Apply for a Booth button on this page or email hello@illinoislocal.org. Booths are $75 for Illinois Local members and $200 for non-members, and vendors must be Illinois-based businesses. The Orr Building is heated and has electricity for vendors.
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Yes, for free. We reserve a small number of free booths for young entrepreneurs. Kids (with adult supervision) and teens can sell at no cost. Spots are limited and first come, first served. Email hello@illinoislocal.org to request one.
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70+ Illinois-based businesses, including makers, boutiques, food producers, and Route 66 businesses, selling handmade goods, gourmet food, home décor, apparel, jewelry, and holiday gifts.
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Yes. Sponsors reach thousands of Central Illinois shoppers and 70+ small businesses on Small Business Saturday. 2026 sponsors include the Illinois SBDC for Central Illinois and Bailey Family Insurance. Email hello@illinoislocal.org for sponsorship options.
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No. The Illinois Local Holiday Market is hosted by Illinois Local on Small Business Saturday. The Illinois Product Holiday Market is a separate event run by the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
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Yes. The 2026 market is an official Route 66 Centennial Certified Project. It's held on Route 66 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield and features Route 66 businesses while promoting Route 66 history, tourism, and economic development.
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Live at the Holiday Market on Small Business Saturday. In 2026, the ceremony is at 3:00 pm. Non-members are welcome to attend.
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Illinois Local, a statewide membership network that helps independent Illinois businesses grow through a member directory, networking events, awards, PR, and promotion. Illinois Local started the Holiday Market in 2021, and 2026 is its 6th year.