Independence Chamber, Independence Square Association and Visit Independence Partner to Launch Christmas Market
New holiday event will offer complimentary vendor space to SantaCaliGon vendors impacted by severe weather
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — The Independence Chamber of Commerce, Independence Square Association and Visit Independence are coming together to create a new holiday experience in the heart of Independence for vendors impacted by severe weather during this year's SantaCaliGon festival.
The inaugural Independence Square Christmas Market will take place Saturday, November 14, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will bring holiday shopping, local makers, seasonal festivities and Christmas cheer to the historic Independence Square.
As part of the partnership, SantaCaliGon vendors whose participation was impacted by this year’s weather are invited to participate in the Independence Square Christmas Market at no cost.
“Following the severe weather that affected the final portion of SantaCaliGon Days, our hearts went out to the vendors whose festival experience was unexpectedly disrupted. We are deeply grateful to Visit Independence and the Independence Square Association for partnering to create this holiday vendor show and welcoming participating SantaCaliGon vendors at no charge. This special event provides an additional opportunity for vendors to showcase their products, connect with customers and generate holiday sales while inviting the community back to shop small on the historic Independence Square,” said Valerie Byrnes, President and CEO of the Independence Chamber of Commerce.
“We know many SantaCaliGon vendors lost valuable sales time because of this year’s weather, so we’re excited to welcome them back to the Square for our Christmas Market and give them another opportunity to connect with shoppers and the community during the holiday season,” said Jeff Rogers, Executive Director of the Independence Square
Association.
The Christmas Market will also provide residents and visitors with another reason to experience Independence during the holiday season, shop small and support local and regional businesses.
“The holiday season is already such a special time to experience Independence, and this market gives us another opportunity to create an experience that brings visitors and residents into our community while supporting the vendors and small businesses that make events like these possible,” said Allison Calvin, Executive Director of Visit Independence. “We’re proud to work alongside the Independence Chamber of Commerce and Independence Square Association to turn a challenging situation into something positive for our community.”
The partnership between the three organizations reflects a shared commitment to supporting Independence businesses, strengthening the local visitor economy and creating experiences that bring people together.
Additional details about the Independence Square Christmas Market, including entertainment, activities and vendor information, will be announced in the coming weeks.
SantaCaliGon vendors interested in participating in the complimentary vendor opportunity can fill out the form here, https://forms.cloud.microsoft/....
EVENT DETAILS
- Independence Christmas Market
- Saturday, November 14, 2026
- 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Historic Independence Square
- Independence, Missouri
About the Independence Chamber of Commerce
The Independence Chamber of Commerce serves and advocates for the Independence business community by fostering connections, supporting economic growth and creating opportunities for businesses and community partners.
About the Independence Square Association
The Independence Square Association works to preserve, promote and strengthen the historic Independence Square through events, business support, beautification and community partnerships.
Visit Independence is the official destination marketing organization for Independence, Missouri, dedicated to promoting the community as a destination and strengthening the local economy through tourism.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Valerie Byrnes 816-800-2642 valerie@ichamberbiz.com
Cindi Rogers 816-381-7181 crogers@bygeorgepr.com
Maila Yang 816-579-1151 maila.yang@visitindependence.com
