New Initiative for Philipsburg's Holiday Season
Philipsburg, Sint Maarten – The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport, and Telecommunication (TEATT) has officially launched a Christmas Booths Pilot Program in Philipsburg, aiming to infuse the capital with festive cheer and provide opportunities for local entrepreneurs. This initiative comes as part of adjusted holiday celebrations for 2025, with the traditional Christmas parade not taking place this year due to budget constraints.
Minister of TEATT, Grisha Heyliger-Marten, announced the program, emphasizing the commitment to maintaining a vibrant holiday spirit in Philipsburg through alternative festivities. The pilot program is designed to create a cohesive holiday atmosphere while supporting local businesses.
Vendor Opportunities and Application Details
The program offers a limited number of 10 vendor spots along Walter Nisbeth Road, specifically situated between Ketty's Kitchen and Jimmy The Original Fat Boy. Vendors will have the opportunity to sell Christmas-themed food, beverages, crafts, and other products in decorated booths.
Interested vendors must submit their applications by November 26, 2025, at 12:00 PM. Application forms are available for pick-up at the Department of Economic Licenses, located on the ground floor of the Government Administration Building at Soualiga Road 1 (Window B). A confirmation meeting with selected vendors is scheduled for November 28, 2025.
Program Guidelines and Operational Dates
The Christmas booths will operate from December 15, 2025, to January 5, 2026. To ensure a unified festive appearance, vendors are required to decorate their booths in a Christmas theme, adhering to a red, white, and green color scheme. Each vendor will be allocated a space of 4x7 meters (28 m2), with a mandatory 3-meter clearance between the booth and the sidewalk or roadside for seating and tables.
Specific operational guidelines include:
- Music is permitted from 5:00 PM until closing, with a sound limit not exceeding 75dB.
- The sale of beverages in glass bottles is strictly prohibited.
- The sale of alcoholic beverages to individuals under the age of 18 is not permitted.
- All structures and debris must be removed from the vending location by January 8, 2026.
- Proper waste management, including placing garbage in sealed black bags and disposing of oil in plastic containers, is mandatory.
Broader Holiday Celebrations and Future Outlook
The Christmas Booths Pilot Program is part of a wider array of holiday activities planned for Philipsburg. These include the return of the 'Lighting Up Philipsburg Experience,' featuring festive decorations and illuminated roundabouts, and the 'Backstreet Bonanza,' a two-day street fair scheduled for November 29-30, 2025.
The Ministry of TEATT will evaluate the pilot program's outcome and public response to determine potential expansion for the 2026 holiday season and beyond, aiming to establish a new tradition for Christmas festivities in Sint Maarten.
5 Comments
Michelangelo
The initiative to keep Philipsburg vibrant is a positive step, but it's unclear if these booths will generate the same level of excitement and foot traffic as a full-scale parade.
Leonardo
Great move to support local entrepreneurs! This is exactly what Philipsburg needs.
Michelangelo
A vibrant Philipsburg is a happy Philipsburg. Can't wait to visit the booths!
Raphael
It's a creative way to manage holiday celebrations with budget cuts, however, I hope this pilot doesn't permanently replace the unique joy and community gathering that the Christmas parade brought.
Michelangelo
Too many rules and restrictions for a pilot program. Seems overly bureaucratic.