Market of the Beast
Screenshot Credit: courtesy image

Market of the Beast has quickly carved out a reputation as a mandatory destination for those who like their shopping on the wilder side. Based out of loud and proud Winter Park metal venue Conduit, the market specializes in oddities, curiosities, strange sights and sounds, and even esoteric eats and drinks. And shifting to being an evening event has only upped the atmospheric ante. We picked the brain of head Beast Sara Connolly about what makes this market unique. 

How do you select the vendors who sell at the market?

We try our best to curate local shops that fit our theming as well as the general atmosphere of Conduit. So we really prioritize more of the obscure and the macabre. So, alternative artists that do obscure paintings and drawings, taxidermists, artists that work with animal bones, little trinkets. We look for creatives that work with secondhand clothing, like repurposed clothing. We even had a few crocheters come through that do Halloween-themed projects. Witchy Six Creations does some really cute little punk rats. Our main goal is to showcase local shops that are more edgy, unconventional, and give them a space to showcase their art. 

For someone who has never been to Market of the Beast, how would you describe it to them?

Market of the Beast is, I would say, more underground. We are a smaller market in Central Florida, and we love to showcase smaller local shops in the area. We love to showcase local music. We’ll always have a vendor with some vinyl and fan merch. You’ll see some handmade goods, some handmade house decor that will be more along the Halloween theme. I even try to showcase nail artists. So a nice mixed bag of creative art as well as some unconventional, creepy stuff.

What makes this market different from our other local markets? 

Coming from a vendor myself, I was really looking for an event that showcased more obscure artists. I wanted to make everyone feel like they can comfortably show off arts that they love to make. So we definitely specialize in more obscure and something more edgy, more like metal underground theming. It was perfect that we were able to land at Conduit. 

Of late you’ve been holding it at night; does that enhance the desired mood?

We’ve definitely learned that our main audience are night-owls. We started off wanting to have more of a morning, traditional market. Everyone’s out getting their coffee and then they swing on by. We did our first night market a few months ago, and it completely blew up. So we got the message. We heard everyone loud and clear that a night market is the way to go for Conduit. We are definitely going to be doing more of those moving forward. It’s the Halloween season. It’s going to be spooky. The apparitions are coming out and just getting everyone antsy for the Halloween season. 

There seems to be a mission beyond “just” buying and selling …

We are a smaller event in the area, so we’ve really made long-lasting connections with the community and with the local shops that we have. It doesn’t really feel like a market. It feels like everyone coming together as a community to support each other. I’m all about supporting the community and supporting local businesses. It’s very fulfilling.

Market of the Beast, 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, Conduit, 6700 Aloma Ave., Winter Park, conduitfl.com,  free.

More can’t-miss strange and spooky markets in Orlando:

Saturday, Oct. 17
Halloweentown: Explore a festive Halloween market filled with local artists, makers, vintage treasures, boutique finds, handmade creations, seasonal goodies and more. Take your time browsing unique booths, uncover spooky-season surprises, and shop small while supporting businesses throughout Central Florida. 4-9 p.m., Collective Corner, 13002 Founders Square Drive, collectivecornerflorida.com, free.

Saturday, Oct. 17
The Mystical Market is coming to International Drive, bringing together an eccentric mix of businesses, creators, vendors, readers, healers and more. The event celebrates the mystical, handmade, unexpected and unique. 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Wyndham I-Drive Avanti Resort, 6515 International Drive, eventeny.com,  free-$15.98.

Sunday, Oct. 18
Girls Gone Vintage Spooky Sip & Shop: Step into a vintage-inspired Halloween experience, featuring an assortment of women-owned vendors offering everything from clothing and accessories to artwork, handmade treasures and Halloween finds. Browse the booths while enjoying craft cocktails, live music and a spooky atmosphere. 2-7 p.m., Celery City Craft, 114 S. Palmetto Ave., Sanford, orangeblossommarketco.com, free.

Saturday, Oct. 31
Mystic Moon Market: With live performers, guest activities, giveaways, celestial circus-themed photo ops and more, Mystic Moon Market’s Starlight Circus Halloween Party features a variety of vendors from vintage clothing to sweet treats. 5 p.m., Milkhouse Orlando, 201 N. Bumby Ave., milkhousesocial.com, free.

Friday, Nov. 13
Mall Rat Market returns to Oviedo Mall with its Bad Luck Club on (un?)lucky Friday the 13th, putting a hexed spin on its celebration of local makers, artists, vintage sellers, collectors and small businesses. Shop for unusual finds inspired by superstitions, charms, oddities and all things strange. 5-9 p.m., Oviedo Mall, 1700 Oviedo Mall Blvd., Oviedo, myoviedomall.com, free.

Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 28–29
The Gothic Market: Inspired by pop culture touchstones like Sabrina the Teenage Witch, classic horror, Siouxsie Sioux and American Horror Story, this gothy market brings together a variety of folklore-inspired vendors and creations. Explore everything from witches, vampires and classic monsters to couture, supernatural works, curiosities and esoterica. Noon-5 p.m. both days, Doubletree by Hilton Orlando, 10100 International Drive, grimoireacademy.com, $3.

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This article appears in Oct. 14-20, 2026 and Fall Guide.