Getting into the holiday spirit is easy when you visit downtown St. Joe! Merry & Bright is a weekend of festive fun that features holiday events.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6
LIGHT UP THE BLUFF | 6:00p (Ceremony), 6:30p (Tree Lighting) | Lake Bluff Park
Light up the Bluff will transform Lake Bluff Park into a winter wonderland. At 6:00p, the St. Joseph High School Choir begins with Christmas carols followed by the tree lighting at 6:30p. The one million lights will remain on through Valentine’s Day in Michigan’s Most Romantic City. Starting Saturday, December 7, attendees can enjoy the lights daily from 5:30a-8:30a and 5:30p-midnight!
MERRY & BRIGHT WEEKEND | ALL WEEKEND | Throughout Southwest Michigan
Celebrate the winter season in Michigan’s Great Southwest! Attendees will enjoy extended shopping hours, events, special offers and more.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7
REINDOG PARADE | 3:00p | Downtown St. Joseph
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)
SANTA'S HOUSE | 4:00p-7:00p (special hours immediately following the parade) | Downtown St. Joseph
Santa’s House is moved from the North Pole each year to the corner of State & Pleasant Streets in downtown St. Joe! Santa will be available for wish list conversations and holiday photo ops weekends in December. Don’t forget to bring a camera to capture this magical visit!
Grab a postcard from the Welcome Center to write a letter to Santa. Santa's House will still take its spot on the corner of State and Pleasant Streets to serve as a drop off for letters!
As we wait in anticipation, Mrs. Claus has offered to read some of her favorite books! St. Joseph Today will be releasing weekly videos for our Storytime with Mrs. Claus series!
MERRY & BRIGHT WEEKEND | ALL WEEKEND | Throughout Southwest Michigan
Celebrate the winter season in Michigan’s Great Southwest! Attendees will enjoy extended shopping hours, events, special offers and more.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
HOLIDAY ARTISAN FAIR | 11:00a-4:00p | Union + Social
Join us for an indoor Holiday Artisan Fair on Sunday, December 8 from 12:00p-4:00p at Union + Social!
SANTA'S HOUSE | 1:00p-5:00p | Downtown St. Joseph
Santa’s House is moved from the North Pole each year to the corner of State & Pleasant Streets in downtown St. Joe! Santa will be available for wish list conversations and holiday photo ops weekends in December. Don’t forget to bring a camera to capture this magical visit!
Grab a postcard from the Welcome Center to write a letter to Santa. Santa's House will still take its spot on the corner of State and Pleasant Streets to serve as a drop off for letters!
As we wait in anticipation, Mrs. Claus has offered to read some of her favorite books! St. Joseph Today will be releasing weekly videos for our Storytime with Mrs. Claus series!
MERRY & BRIGHT WEEKEND | ALL WEEKEND | Throughout Southwest Michigan
Celebrate the winter season in Michigan’s Great Southwest! Attendees will enjoy extended shopping hours, events, special offers and more.
2024 MERRY & BRIGHT WEEKEND PARTICIPANTS:
1232 Broad St Mercantile - Shoppers will enjoy special savings storewide!
Affinity Salon & Spa - Free gifts with purchase, free hair tinsel, sales on Aveda, Kevin Murphy and ELEVEN, stocking stuffers. Plus, Affinity will auction off a gift basket worth $300!
Box Factory for the Arts - Free Gallery exhibits that feature their Annual Member Show feat. Jan Sonneman. Plus visit the Art Market Shop for great holiday gifts handcrafted by local artists! Weekend hours: 12:00p-4:00p Friday-Sunday.
Caffe Tosi - Find stocking stuffers and fun gift ideas!
Chartreuse Art Co-Op - Extended holiday shopping hours, opening at 10a on Fridays and Saturdays during the month of December! Shoppers will enjoy complimentary gift wrapping and amazing offers the local artists of Chartreuse have created for your gift-giving needs.
DK Boutique - 20% off regular priced items all weekend!
Forever Clean Soap Works - Open until 7:00p!
G&M Variety - Extended hours until 9:00p on Friday, December 6!
Glik’s - Enjoy some delicious gingerbread cookies + some of the best prices on your favorite fashions at Glik's on Saturday, December 7! All weekend long shoppers will enjoy a deal on Men’s Bottoms Out Flannel Sleep Pants for just $14.90 + customers who “text to join” will receive either 10% or 15% off their entire purchase, just mention it at checkout!
Grins of St. Joseph - Christmas specials including their daily Advent deal!
Harbor Town Interiors - 15%-30% off items in store!
Jewelfire Diamond Center - Enjoy 10-20% off select merchandise and complimentary gift wrapping!
Krasl Art Center - On Friday, December 6 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 Shop at KAC which features decorative and functional artwork, handcrafted by local and regional artists!
Lazy Ballerina Winery - Festive events all weekend long! Friday, December 6: Shoppers will enjoy extended hours until 8:00p; Saturday, December 7: Pop-Up Shop with O&Co. from 2:00p-4:00p; Sunday, December 8: Holiday Candle Magic Class with Sky Apothecary at 1:00p!
Lee & Birch - During Merry & Bright Weekend, December 6-8, shoppers will receive 20% off their entire purchase!
Oh My Darlings - Complimentary snacks + refreshments and a free gift with all purchases
Olive Cart - Stop by and enter the KitchenAid Stand Mixer giveaway!
Perennial Accents - Pop-Up Shop feat. The Dot Shop on Friday from 6:00p-8:00p and Saturday from 10:00a-3:00p! Shoppers will enjoy yummy samples in the kitchen with Lou Ann on Saturday from 11:00a-4:00p and Sunday from 12:00p-3:00p! Complimentary gift wrapping always! Weekend hours include Friday/Saturday from 10:00a-8:00p and Sunday from 11:00a-5:00p.
Plank’s Tavern - Brunch with Santa on Sunday, December 8. Brunch will be served from 9:00a-3:00p with a visit from Santa from 10:00a-1:00p! Diners will enjoy brunch from an a la carte menu with special children’s brunch features.
Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra - SMSO presents the Lake Michigan Youth Orchestra’s Winter Concert at 3:00p on Sunday, December 8 at the Howard Performing Arts Center at Andrew’s University! For more information and tickets visit smso.org.
Spa at Harbor Shores - Special Merry & Bright Weekend promotion - purchase one massage and receive a facial for free! It’s the perfect way to treat yourself or a loved one to some holiday relaxation and rejuvenation.
St. Joe Community Taproom - Check out their brand new merchandise just in time for the holidays + a holiday themed drink release!
The Christmas Tree - Shoppers will enjoy 10% off great dog and cat ornaments + free personalizing! After you purchase all of your one-of-a-kind gifts, look for the magical Christmas Tree on your receipt paper. If you find a tree, you’ll win a gift! If the tree appears, you’ll win a gift! Plus enjoy samples of new dips and spreads that are quick & easy to make.
The Lilac Loft - Check out new holiday candles + new products including lotion, hand soap car freshies, body mist and room sprays! Each item is $12 each, or 3 for $30. They will also offer a “Build Your Own” Holiday Gift Basket where you can choose up to three products to include in your basket for just $35. What a great holiday gift!
Waterfront House of Framing & Fashion - 50% off storewide (excluding custom framing) all weekend!Friday: Art Exhibition from 6:00p-7:00p.
White Pine Winery - WPW continues their Black Friday sale with 10% off 4 bottles; 15% off 6 bottles and 20% off 12 or more bottles of wine, mix and match.
Yours Truly, Elizabeth - Beautifully handwritten addressing of envelopes with the purchase of boxed Christmas cards from 10:00a-4:00p on Saturday, December 7!
