Odessa, Texas – The Junior League of Odessa is inviting residents and visitors to its 43rd annual Merry Marketplace, scheduled for November 5‑8 at the Ector County Coliseum. The four‑day event brings together a curated selection of local and regional merchants offering holiday décor, apparel, jewelry, specialty foods and unique gifts.
Event Highlights
Thursday, Nov. 5 – Premier Shopping Party
Doors open at 6 p.m. and close at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $100 per person, plus fees, and are limited to guests 21 and older. Attendees receive drinks, heavy hors d’oeuvres and live music while enjoying early access to the market before it opens to the general public.
Friday, Nov. 6 – Sip & Shop: A Ladies Champagne Brunch Experience
Running from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., this new addition to the Marketplace tradition offers a hot brunch, champagne, and VIP‑tent shopping. Individual tickets are $150, plus fees, and are also restricted to guests 21 and older. Sponsor tables receive early shopping privileges, and the market opens to all shoppers at 1 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 7 – Breakfast with Santa
From 9 a.m. to noon, families can enjoy a $10 breakfast, children’s activities and photo opportunities with Santa. General admission for the market runs from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
General Admission and Pricing
General admission to the market is $10 per person, with a three‑day pass available for $25. The merchant floor and Coliseum corridors remain open throughout the weekend. Strollers, wagons and Hulken bags are prohibited on Thursday and Friday morning until 1 p.m.; an additional ticket is required for those items.
Supporting Community Programs
All proceeds from ticket sales and vendor fees support the Junior League of Odessa’s community programs and volunteer initiatives, which focus on education, health and family services throughout the region.
How to Purchase Tickets
Tickets and event details are available online at odessa.jl.org/merry-marketplace. Early purchase is encouraged, as limited‑capacity events such as the Premier Shopping Party and the Sip & Shop brunch tend to sell out quickly.
Why It Matters
The Merry Marketplace not only provides a festive shopping experience for families and friends, it also reinforces the Junior League’s mission to strengthen the Odessa community through volunteerism and charitable giving. By supporting local artisans and small businesses, the event helps keep money circulating within West Texas, fostering economic resilience and a sense of shared purpose.
Original reporting: CBS7 / First Alert 7 KOSA (Gray) — read the source article.
