YOU know Mary Eitler's idea of starting a Christmas market was a good one when it is still running five years later.

The Quota-run market is on again this year and promises what it does every year: A place to buy reasonably priced gifts in an evening setting and a place to connect, eat, drink and enjoy the festive season.

Tina West from Quota said this year more than 50 stalls would set up at the Brahmans home ground, Les Stagg Oval.

"There will be hot food available for the canteen and the Whitsunday Brahmans will be running a bar. We have live entertainment from the Proserpine Citizens' Band and we have the Proserpine Baton Twirlers and the band Final Trim will play,” she said.

Dee Jays School of dance and a Thai dancing exhibition will also be held.

And there's the guy everyone comes to see: Santa Claus.

"The best thing about the markets is they are not over-priced gifts for aunts, uncles, mums and dads. If the kids have have got their pocket money and are looking to buy mum and dad something for Christmas, it's normally within a good budget range,” Ms West said, adding this year stallholders were expected from Townsville and Mackay.

The women of Quota were all excited about the Christmas cheer building in Proserpine.

Ms Eitler's said this year Christmas "has a whole new light to it, it's going to be brighter and better”.

"All the money raised by the market goes back into the community. We give money to the Proserpine Nursing Home, the hospital, Sailability, Social Mixers and schools,” she said.

Ms West said people had come to expect the Christmas markets on the first Sunday of December.

She said Quota's name was synonymous with the Christmas markets "and it's great this year we have the Whitsunday Brahmas on board and Cruise Whitsundays donating a reef trip prize, which we will be raffling on the night”.

CHRISTMAS MARKETS

What: Quota Christmas Markets

Where: Les Stagg Oval, Proserpine

When: Friday, December 2, from 6pm

Cost: Free