Alexandra’s Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery is getting into the festive spirit this Saturday with a market, Santa’s grotto and Christmas carol singing session.

Central Stories operations manager Paula Stephenson said the market would have a wide range of Central Otago produce available including speciality drinks, nuts, olive oil, salamis, peanut brittle, Christmas cakes, mince pies, sauces, chutneys, jams, baking and olives.

The event will also feature four free workshops and talks, from 10.30am, including 'How to make a floral Christmas creation’ by Vania from Scrubby Gully, ‘Growing in Central Otago’ with various speakers, ‘How to build a Christmas platter’ presented by Shona Bain and ‘Winemaking in Central Otago’ by winemaker Antony Worch. 

Antony runs Alexandra Vintners Ltd and produces wines for local Alexandra basin wineries, his wife Marion is an artist and art teacher who has her work on wine labels and this season's Christmas cards too. Read more: An artist’s view - Marion Vialade-Worch

The couple import French and Spanish cheese, another specialty that will be available at the market. Other local businesses taking part in the event include Roxburgh’s Up a Tree distillery, Central Nuts, Dunford Grove Olive Oil, Fine Food, Scrubby Gully, Gertz Larder, Galloway Saffron, Farmgate Honey, Peanut Brittle Retro and Leaning Rock Cafe.

A platter with imported cheeses from The Worch’s business. PHOTO: Supplied 

Sauces from Scrubby Gully Co, pictured here from an earlier market in Clyde. PHOTO: Facebook

For the smallest community members, Central Stories will have Santa photos available for $6 from 10am to 1pm, a children's Christmas clue hunt and a design your own Christmas decoration activity. 

Cantabile choir, Central Otago regional orchestra and guest musicians will sing community Christmas carols from 4.30pm. Entry for the carols is by donation.

The usual Saturday Summer markets are also running again, until end of February, located next to the playground, with plants, crafts and food.  

On Sunday December 10 Christmas in the Park is on at Pioneer Park from 2 to 5pm, which will feature live music, food, Flick the fire engine and Santa. 

Find out more about Saturday's events and all other events on around Central, go to the Central App event listing.