From the booths lined miles down the street, to the aroma of the steaming street food, to the hustling people walking up and down the cool downtown streets, the Encinitas Holiday Street Fair unites the community in an exciting seasonal event. 

Marking its 40th year, the Encinitas Holiday Street Fair took place Nov. 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the Beer Garden open until 5 p.m. The event was held on South Coast Highway 101, two blocks from the Pacific Ocean, spanning six blocks in the center of old Encinitas.

The event featured unique foods, vendor booths, family activities and live entertainment. Free for all to attend, the Encinitas 101 MainStreet Association coordinated with the City of Encinitas and local businesses to host the event.

The fair highlights artisans, local businesses and numerous entertainment sources that provide viewers with more than 450 unique foods and arts vendors, four entertainment stages, children’s rides, a kid-friendly and dog-friendly beer garden with live performances and bike valets. 

The Encinitas Holiday Street Fair featured an assortment of vendors, most locally based small businesses, offering plentiful options of handmade decor, art, clothing, jewelry, even products like candles and other unique gifts. 

Krystal Kachi, owner and CEO of Mind Your Beeswax, was one of the vendors who set up booths for the market.

Kachi shared the origin behind her business.

“I have two kids and home, and ever since I’ve had them, I’ve tried to live a healthier lifestyle,” Kachi said. “I sell non-toxic beeswax candles made from just beeswax, coconut oil and essential oils. They’re just aesthetically pleasing and natural.”

The fair is one of the first of Kachi’s experiences in the Encinitas marketplace.

“I like the people, honestly, they’ve been, you know, just super nice, and the atmosphere is great,” Kachi said. “This is actually my first of the fairs, and the vibes are great.”

Beyond products, numerous art vendors had displayed their creations. Lisa Packey, a local artist from Encinitas, discussed her passion for painting, and what the market has to offer.

“I’ve been painting, you know, since I was in my teens, and now in my 50’s,” Packey said. “I’ve always been enamored with the patterns of the sand left by the fluctuating tide, so I always took pictures. Then one day …  I just decided to try to paint them.”

Packey described the process behind constructing her art.

“I paint the sand using a toothbrush, dilute the paint, flick it with different colors, and then paint the shells with whatever,” Packey said. “It takes a while, but I love the way they come out.”

Being an Encinitas local, Packey shares her experience with the Encinitas Holiday Market. 

“I love that this is so close to home, and I love to support local businesses,” Packey said. “I love that, you know, people come from all around, and can buy stuff from local artists, because I want to be a part of a community that strongly supports one another.”

The market community also strengthens other connections. Carlos Smith, co-owner of The Rustic Succulent, shared the start up of his business, and the experience of working with his daughter.

“I started this business in the pandemic, with my daughter, and I wanted to do something that would teach her life skills and things of that nature,” Smith said. “I’m a carpenter by trade, so I was on a job site, and I remembered something my mom said about starting with succulents and cactuses if you want to start getting into plants … and that’s when I had the epiphany.”

Smith described some of the behind the scenes of creating the cactus and succulent boxes.

“It starts with choosing a good pallet, then milling them down to the exact specifications for boxes, and then building the boxes,” Smith said. “Once all the carpentry is done, we have to plant the cacti. My daughter, being 10 years old, was wise beyond her years, and said ‘Dad you do all the cactuses, I’ll do the succulents.’”

Attributed to the creation of the business, Smith has become rich beyond profit.

“I am able to enjoy two loves I have: carpentry and the chance to spend time and create with my daughter,” Smith said. “So here it is, year three.”

This passion for creation extends beyond woodwork, but to clothing as well.

Rhea Herrera, owner of LAHEA Swimwear, started her swimwear brand in 2016 and has grown into a large business, which she showcases at the market.

Herrera shared the story behind her business. 

“Lahea is my name in Hawaiian,” Herrera said. “When I started this brand, I initially made all the bikinis in my bedroom by hand, and then during COVID things kind of blew up, so I started manufacturing the bikinis overseas as well. I started going to many markets to get my name out there, and since then, I’ve met many of my customers and wonderful people through this market.”

Nickolas Sanchez-Kishko (10) explored the variety of booths the event  offered.

“I walked around with my team and looked at the many huts owned by friendly vendors selling interesting products,” Sanchez-Kishko said. “I liked the vendors the most. All of the ones we visited were extremely friendly. Each displayed their creative ideas, and the whole event showed us the great diverse cultures sharing their products with everyone.”

Beyond gifts, the fair featured local food shops and smaller food booths, such as lemonade stands, Persian food stands, American food and traditional carnival food.

Sanchez-Kishko shared his experience with the food at the market.

“My friends and I bought food from a Middle Eastern stand that had freshly made sandwiches right in front of you, they satisfied us completely,” Sanchez-Kishko said. “We later stopped by for a snack at a Korean vendor. We got a special treat that had these circular potato chips coated with a sweet garlic seasoning. It was delicious and it was great to discover treats from other cultures.”

Steve Doh (10) also explored the fair with his companions and reflected on his experience filming for Falcon Vision.

“I went out and filmed B Rolls and interviews as a cameraman,” Doh said. “I really enjoyed being at the fair not only to film but to also connect with people and see what the vendors are selling, and I would for sure go again next year with my family and friends.”

Along with the food and large variety of vendors, the market also offered live entertainment, showcasing a variety of live performances. On the Hansen’s Community Stage, performances featured the Youth Arts Academy Boys and Girls Club.

The Beer Garden Stage, at the south end of Lumberyard Shoppes, featured bands such as The Warsaw Poland Bros, SUNBENDR, The Faux Fighters and Dj MANCAT.

“I loved the Encinitas Street Fair,” Sanchez-Kishko said. “It’s great to meet the friendly vendors and explore the different cultures that display their products.I would definitely go again.”