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 5
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 6, 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 6
REINDOG PARADE | 3:00p | Downtown St. Joe
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. Joe
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 7
HOLIDAY ARTISAN MARKET | 11:00a-4:00p | Union + Social
Join us for an indoor Holiday Artisan Market on Sunday, December 7 from 12:00p-4:00p at Union + Social!
SANTA'S HOUSE | 1:00p-5:00p | Downtown St. Joe
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.
2025 MERRY & BRIGHT WEEKEND PARTICIPANTS:
Bricks and Minifigs St. Joseph - For every ticket higher than $25 you get a small bulk bag.
Caffe Tosi - Buy one get one free on all hats!
DK Boutique - 20% off storewide! *Excludes sales items.
Edgewater Gifts - Extended hours!
FuzzyButz Pet Boutique & Bakery - SATURDAY: Gift with purchase event! Specially themed Christmas treats in the bakery!
Glik's - Cookies and hot drinks (treats for puppies, too)! Free gift wrapping and a drawing for a $25 gift card.
Krasl Art Center - THURSDAY-SUNDAY: The Clay Guild Merry Makers Market for unique, one-of-a-kind holiday gifts! FRIDAY: Warm Up During Light Up the Bluff from 6p-8p - enjoy Santa, artists sketching Santa, FREE hot chocolate and Ben's Pretzels (onsite in KAC lot). SATURDAY: XL Family Fun Fest from 10a-2p; 12p Costume Contest; 1p Twas the Night Before Christmas Puppet Show - bring the family for a day packed with activities! For just $10, purchase a punch card for up to 10 fun activities, such as crafts, cupcake decorating, face painting and more!
Lana's Boutique - Extended hours and storewide sales!
Lazy Ballerina Winery - FRIDAY: Open late until 8p - Charm Bar and Dirty Baker Pop Up from 5p-7p; SATURDAY: Charm Bar 1p-3p; SUNDAY: DIY Macrame Ornament Pop Up w/ Banana Knots. Mulled wine to go all weekend!
Local Pour - SATURDAY: Live Music from 4p-7p!
Marionette Playhouse - SATURDAY: Twas the Night Before Christmas Marionette Puppet Show at the Krasl Art Center at 1p!
Olive Cart - New holiday flavors and 15% off select items! Spend $50 to be entered into our Christmas Eve giveaway! Earn rewards with every dollar spent!
Sourdough House & Coffee Bar - Enter drawing to win a $25 Sourdough House & Coffee Bar gift card + Merry & Bright Latte Special!
The Aware Lab - SUNDAY: "Why Is Cranio-Sacral Therapy Right For Me" - a free workshop with Maria Falce of Kindred Root from 1p-3p.
Twin City Players - FRIDAY & SATURDAY: A Christmas Carol at Twin City Players, at 7:30p; SUNDAY: A Christmas Carol at Twin City Players, at 2p.
Wanderlust Outfitters - SATURDAY-SUNDAY: Giveback weekend to benefit the Wonderland Toy Store. 10% of all sales from the day will be donated to assist families in need this Christmas.
White Pine Winery - 10% off 4-bottle purchase; 15% off 6-bottle purchase; and 20% off 12-bottle purchase.
Zo's Mini Donuts - FRIDAY-SATURDAY: Special hours 5p-9p - we will be serving delicious hot & fresh donuts!
