Organizers and onlookers welcomed the holiday season with a ribbon cutting Nov. 8 for one of the city’s biggest winter markets: Snowport. This year will be the market’s sixth year — its third year with current management — and its biggest event yet, directors said, with over 120 vendors representing a variety of New England’s small businesses.

In addition to the range of vendors, Snowport’s attractions include curling, a tree market and visits from winter mascot Betty The Yeti. As the holiday season commences, Snowport will host events like Christmas tree and menorah lightings to help celebrate various winter observances.

“It feels so special when you walk around here,” said Kristen Andrews, an Andover resident and vice president of Snowport’s managing company, Constant Contact. Andrews highlighted the market’s role in building the Boston community.  

“You can find [gifts] that you wouldn’t be able to find in any other store, and people are excited to support local businesses,” she said.

Katie Greco, a financial analyst and event attendee from Boston, returned to Snowport for a second year in search of thoughtful presents. 

“I really like the small businesses,” Greco said. “[Snowport] is great for Christmas gift hunting. I just love the craftsmanship of handmade stuff.”

Andrews said small businesses make up around 50% of their sales during the holiday season. The increased exposure of Snowport gives unique opportunities to stores like Boston Soap Company, a local vendor selling handmade artisanal soaps, candles and skincare products. Owner Richard Bonasoro Jr. of Rowley said he expects his first year at Snowport will be amazing for business.

“[Snowport] is probably the biggest show I’ve ever done, so we are really excited about it,” he said. Bonasoro’s background in from-scratch cooking sparked an interest in soapmaking and a 12-year career. 

“It’s super cool to support local, and you’re investing into your own community,” Bonasoro said.

Many vendors are returning to Snowport, like Tom Gould, founder of Crystal Rock Maple. Now in his third year as a Snowport maker, The News also spoke with Gould at last year’s market, where he said he loved seeing the crowds and meeting people from around the world.  When he’s not working as an engineer, Gould and his father-in-law are tapping and thinning 70 acres of hearty maple trees to create Crystal Rock Maple’s authentic maple syrup.

“We used to do a lot of farmers markets, but they’re difficult,” Gould said. Building and striking a farmer’s market stall daily is a tiresome effort. But Snowport’s season-long stall provides small businesses a home for the holidays. 

“People are looking for stocking stuffers, and we’re here to try to meet that need,” he said.

Kinnari Sanghavi, Brighton resident and founder of Kinnari Sanghavi Studio, also appreciates her extended stay at Snowport. 

“We have a permanent location for two months where people can find us, shop with us, and it creates a brand identity along with trust,” Sanghavi said. “It’s a huge thing.”

Amy McCoy, a self-described “solo-preneure,” is the sole designer and owner of Tiny Farmhouse, selling gifts and stationery with detailed and colorful designs. McCoy sees Snowport as one of Boston’s most impressive and beautiful local vendor markets. 

“It’s amazing to be here, seeing all the buildings and the lights and the people,” she said.

Tiny Farmhouse supports its own set of small makers by ethically sourcing materials from hyper-local businesses. Many of Snowport’s vendors make similar promises within their communities. 

“Folks here are small makers, who are working to get the word out about their business, and also supporting other makers,” McCoy said. 

While it began as a local attraction, many visitors now travel to the market from different towns and states. Attendee Kelly Katie, a North Carolina elementary school literacy tutor, planned her trip to Boston around the event. The early opening and festive energy drew Katie to Snowport’s local artisans and vendors.

“Events like [Snowport] are just what we need,” Katie said. “I definitely would prefer to support people in their livelihood and their craft. I’d rather support an artist versus ordering from Amazon or shopping at a big box somewhere.”

Snowport is open seven days a week, from Nov. 8 until Dec. 29, and Andrews encouraged everyone to visit. 

“You’re gonna get something unique, you’re gonna get something personal, you’re gonna make a connection and build community in a way that you can’t with some of the bigger stores,” she said. “Have some fun with local people and buy something from small businesses, because they need it more than ever.”