SWMI businesses and restaurants host a Countdown to New Year, a daily giveaway event December 1-31!
 

HOW TO ENTER:

Each time you spend $25 (one time or cumulative purchases) at an SJT member business you will receive one entry.

Qualifying purchases must be made at an SJT member location between November 17 - December 17, 2023

To receive an entry form, please present receipt(s) of purchase(s) to an SJT staff member at the Welcome Center. The Welcome Center is located at 301 State Street in downtown St. Joseph.

For a list of SJT members visit:

EAT - stjoetoday.com/eat

SHOP - stjoetoday.com/shop

STAY - stjoetoday.com/stay

PLAY - stjoetoday.com/play

PRIZES:

Prize winners will be drawn daily, December 1-17.

Winners for December 18-31 will be drawn and announced on December 18 to allow more time to use gift cards!

Prizes are $50 gift certificates from various SJT member locations.

Celebrate the winter season in Michigan’s Great Southwest! Attendees will enjoy extended shopping hours, events, special offers and more.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE: 

FRIDAY
      Light up the Bluff | 6:00p (Ceremony), 6:30p (Tree Lighting) | Lake Bluff Park
      Merry & Bright Weekend | All Weekend | Throughout Southwest Michigan

SATURDAY
      Reindog Parade | 3:00p | Downtown St. Joseph
      Santa's House | 4:00p-7:00p (special hours immediately following the parade) | Downtown St. Joseph
      Merry & Bright Weekend | All Weekend | Throughout Southwest Michigan

SUNDAY
      Holiday Artisan Fair | 11:00a-4:00p | Union+Social
      Santa's House | 1:00p-5:00p | Corner of State & Pleasant
      Merry & Bright Weekend | All Weekend | Throughout Southwest Michigan

2023 MERRY & BRIGHT PARTICIPANTS: 

1232 Broad Street Mercantile - On Saturday, December 2 shoppers will enjoy a 10% storewide discount!

Affinity Salon & Spa - Join Affinity for their Re-Grand Opening party at their new Main Street Location in downtown St. Joseph on Saturday, December 2 from 3:00p-5:00p! This event will feature Base Bowls, Nutrition Now, Lakuna Links, Finny Lou and The Aesthetics Lounge. Attendees will enjoy refreshments and sale items! 

Box Factory for the Arts - Visit the Box's free Gallery exhibits that feature their Annual Member Show and David Jones’ Watercolors. Plus visit the Art Market Shop for great holiday gifts handcrafted by local artists! Weekend hours: 12:00p-4:00p Friday-Sunday. 

Butter, a Bespoke Bakeshop 

Caffe Tosi - Extended hours until 9:00p on Friday, December 1!

Chartreuse - Meet the Makers on Saturday, December 2! Stop in to say hello and watch artist demos by local Chartreuse artisans throughout the day. 

Dad's Farm & Cafe - On Friday, December 1 shoppers will enjoy 10% off Cranes Pies & Sticky Spoons Jam Pop Up - check out various selections of gift boxes and gift packs!

Forever Clean Soap Works - Multiple sales throughout the store!

Gallery on the Alley - Refreshments and free gift wrapping! Browse their one-of-a-kind merchandise which features a variety of handcrafted works of art. 

Glik’s 

Grins of St. Joseph - The 20 Day of Christmas kicks off on Friday, December 1! Shoppers will enjoy daily specials on featured products + new winter markdowns!

Krasl Art Center - On Friday, December 1 from 6:00p-8:00p for some festive activities! Attendees will enjoy free hot chocolate and a special guest appearance by Santa while local artists showcase their sketching skills. Still looking for gifts? Check out the KAC Gift Shop which features bowls from KAC’s Clay Artists Guild!

Lazy Ballerina Winery - Enjoy festive events all weekend long! Friday, December 1: Shoppers will enjoy extended hours until 7:00p and mulled wine; Saturday, December 2: Pop-Up Shop with Lakuna Links Permanent Jewelry from 12:00p-2:00p + Wine & Shortbread Flights; Sunday, December 3: WIne & Shortbread Flights! 

Lee & Birch - Shoppers will enjoy 20% off everything all weekend long! Hours include 10:00a-9:00p on Friday, December 1; 10:00a-7:00p on Saturday, December 2; 12:00p-5:00p on Sunday, December 3. 

Morton House Museum - Join them for their Christmas Open House from 11:00a-4:00p on Saturday, December 2! Attendees will enjoy decorations themed from “The Nutcracker Ballet”, delicious holiday treat and a talk about “The Christmas Tree Ship”. 

Oh My Darlings - Free gift wrap and 20% off Christmas items!

Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra - Enjoy a 20% discount on tickets purchased December 1-3 to the SMSO holiday concert, Merry & Bright held on Saturday, December 9 at 7:30p at the LMC Mendel Center Mainstage. The code for this discount can be found on the door of the SMSO office at 513 Ship St., or on postcards at the St. Joe Today offices!

St. Joe Community Taproom -  Free gift with every merchandise purchase on Friday, December 1! St. Joe Community Taproom is a stop for the Toys for Tots Pub Run on Sunday, December 3! Even if you don't plan on participating in the run, their boxes are out NOW and ready to accept unwrapped toy donations!

St. Joe Wine Shoppe - Wine tasting and specials on Friday, December 1!

Sticky Spoons Jam - Pop Up at Dad's Farm & Cafe on Friday, December 1 - check out various selections of gift boxes and gift packs!

The Cheese Lady - Build your own gift baskets, sponsored by The Cheese Lady, as well as “Cheese Monger Challenge: Holiday Appetizer Edition”!

The Culinary Cottage - Sushi Class (SOLD OUT) - check out upcoming winter classes! 

The Lilac Loft - Take 25% off every item in the shop both in person and online, December 1-3! Use code MERRY25 to shop online and pick up in store or have items shipped.  

The Market - Holiday Extravaganza Friday, December 1 from 5:00p-8:00p. Shoppers will enjoy special “After Hours” as each location showcases what they do best + a special visitor from up north! 

The Salvation Army - Benton Harbor - Bell ringing at G&M Variety, the St. Joseph Hardings and the St. Joseph Walgreens!

The Tea Annex: Free hot chocolate on Friday, December 1 during The Market's Holiday Extravaganza!

White Pine Winery - Special offer for Reserve Riesling and Muscat Ottonel at two (2) bottles for $30!

Wild Ginger Flowers & Gifts - Artisan Pop-Up on Friday, December 1 during The Market's Holiday Extravaganza!

Picture perfect holiday fun is available weekends in December in downtown St. Joseph. Santa's house will be located on the corner of State and Pleasant Streets - outside of the St. Joe Today Welcome Center.

Photography is not provided. Everyone is encouraged to bring their own camera!

Santa’s House Hours: December 2-23
December 2 | 4:00p-7:00p
December 3 | 1:00p-5:00p
December 7 | 4:00p-6:00p
December 8 | 4:00p-6:00p
December 9 | 12:00p-5:00p
December 10 | 1:00p-5:00p
December 14 | 4:00p-6:00p
December 15 | 4:00p-6:00p
December 16 | 12:00p-5:00p
December 17 | 1:00p-5:00p
December 21 | 4:00p-6:00p
December 22 | 12:00p-5:00p
December 23 | 12:00p-5:00p

The St. Joe Today staff have been entrusted by Santa and his elves to help get the letters to the North Pole! Stop by the Welcome Center for a candy cane treat – SJT will also have postcards for those last-minute wish lists! Drop them off to Santa during Santa's House hours; or after-hours in the drop-box.

The annual Reindog Parade is a great time for all. This event features dressed up pets and their owners in a variety of holiday garb. Be prepared to see all kinds of costumes from “Santa Bernards” to “Reindeer Rottweilers” – definitely a must-see event! The event also marks the arrival of Santa. After the parade, children can share their wish lists with Santa at Santa’s House.

PARTICIPANT INFO:
Those who wish to participate in the parade MUST register in advance at stjoetoday.com/reindog or day of at the Welcome Center. Cost: $5/pet - additional pets $3 each. If you’re looking to take home a prize, judging begins at 1:00p and ends at 2:45p right outside the Welcome Center. The parade will kick off at 3:00p, participants are asked to line up at the corner of Elm & State Streets by 2:50p.

Day-Of-Registration: 12:00p-2:45p (Welcome Center)
Judging: 1:00p-2:45p (Outside of Welcome Center)
Parade Start: 3:00p (Corner of State & Elm) 

2023 FAQ's

Merry & Bright Weekend hosts a number of festive events to put you in the holiday mood! From holiday stories to magically lit wonderland strolls, open houses, holiday shopping and last-minute wish lists we’ve got you covered. Celebrate the holiday season here in Michigan’s Great Southwest!

Getting into the holiday spirit is easy when you visit Southwest Michigan! On Friday, November 17 kick off the holiday season with three great community events - Luminary, Window Wonderland and Countdown to New Year. This weekend will also feature sneak peeks of specials, one-of-a-kind gifts, free gift wrapping, new merchandise, events and festive fun!

Celebrate the holiday season throughout SWMI! This November and December shop holiday markets and open houses, view spectacular light displays, attend local events and support local businesses. There’s something for everyone! Join us this winter as we explore Michigan’s Great Southwest. 

Double, double toil and trouble. We’re on the search for all things spooky in Michigan’s Great Southwest! It’s been a fun-packed fall with even more to come through the end of the month. With everything from trick-or-treating and spooky-themed classes to Halloween parties, activities for the whole family and more! Keep reading for festive events leading up to Halloween.

The third weekend of the month, June through September, celebrate all things Southwest Michigan (SWMI) during the Love Local weekends! This month attendees will enjoy the St. Joe Farmers Market, a Fall Fest and other area events in addition to extended shopping hours and special offers throughout SWMI. Read on for a complete weekend guide! 

Love Local is sponsored by Corewell Health, Corewell Health Foundation Southwest Michigan and The Boulevard Inn & Bistro.