Since its opening in 2020, the Holiday Market at Petco Park in Gallagher Square has remained a place for families to enjoy a variety of foods, shopping, live music, light displays and time together during the holiday season. This year, the market is open from Dec. 5 to 27. 

The market features an assortment of food and dessert stalls, including Spiro’s Mediterranean Cuisine, Holly Jolly Tamale and Elves Treats and Eats American cuisine. Molten Waffles and Crêpes dessert booth, serves hot chocolate, crêpes, the viral Dubai chocolate and alcoholic beverages, ensuring there is something for everyone. 

Along with the larger food items, there are multiple stalls of small business owners selling items like spices, teas, specialty popcorn, vinegars, scarves, fur socks, mittens, ornaments and woodwork, making the market a perfect place to shop for holiday gifts.

Twylla C. Brown, founder of Twylla’s Spices and Essentials, and a third-year vendor at the market, shared her favorite part about the event.

“I love to see the variety of people that come through,” Brown said. “They’re coming through to be with the kids and have a good time with them, but there’s always something for the adults also, so the whole family can enjoy a night out.”

Twylla’s Spices and Essentials is primarily an online business, but she also sells her spices in market pop-ups, and a co-op store in Lakeside. Her most popular item is the Sweet and Spicy Rub ($11 for the regular size and $18 for the large).

This year, Petco Park invested $20 million to renovate Gallagher Square. A playground, fenced-off dog park, and seating were all added, as well as the new Tony Gwynn Terrace, featuring his statue. 

The market really does have a place for everyone, with the help of the Gallagher Square renovations. The Holiday Market at Petco Park significantly expanded since its first year — just a few stalls and lights have transformed into rows of vendors, fire-side tables and seating, live music, holiday characters, a snow mountain and a children’s section. The event is family-friendly, with the children’s area offering carnival games and a playground, and holiday characters like the Grinch who make their way around the market throughout the night.

The new Tony Gwynn Terrace, which currently has a 40-foot tall Christmas tree for the holidays, overlooks the whole market, providing a nice place for participants to enjoy their food and drink with a peaceful view. 

The Holiday Market at Petco Park is the perfect place to go with family and friends for the holidays. Makaela Sykes (10), shared her experience.

“I [had] never been to the Holiday Market before,” Sykes said. “But I love the atmosphere, getting to taste new desserts and walking through the lights.”

From family fun and leisure to live music and lights, the Holiday Market at Petco Park is the perfect spot for locals and tourists to enjoy the holidays.

“Overall, I would definitely recommend the holiday market as a place to go for a fun family tradition,” Sykes said.