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.
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSES & MARKETS
Mark your calendars for G&M Variety’s annual Christmas Open House on Saturday, November 18 from 9:00a-8:00p! Shoppers will enjoy food, hot cocoa, contests and more.
Shop local artisans at the Benton Harbor Arts Association's Bizarre Bazaar on Friday, November 24 from 11:00a-6:00p. Hosted in the new event space in the Benton Harbor Arts District at 196 Water Street behind 3 Pillars Music.
The Box Factory for the Arts hosts their annual Makers Market on Saturday, November 25 from 10:00a-6:00p! This event will feature over 45 vendors as they showcase a variety of hand-crafted goods.
Join Journeyman Distillery for their annual Autumn Artisan Market! This two-day market features a variety of artists and makers of all kinds. Hours run 10:00a-5:00p on Saturday, November 18 and 10:00a-5:00p on Sunday, November 19!
St. Joe Today hosts the annual Holiday Artisan Fair from 11:00a-4:00p on Sunday, December 3! This event will be held indoors at Union + Social as part of the Merry & Bright Weekend, December 1-3.
Urban Garage Market hosts Sip & Shop on Thursday, December 7 from 6:00p-8:00p. Shoppes will enjoy a night of special sales and holiday merriment!
JOLLY EVENTS
Stroll through our downtown as luminaries light your way to kick off the holiday season during Luminary on Friday, November 17 from 5:00p-8:00p! Participating locations invite you to eat, shop, drink and be merry while you enjoy this charming lakeside town. Sponsored by The Boulevard Inn & Bistro and Holt Bosse.
View the dozens of storefronts that have decorated their windows for the holiday season during Window Wonderland on Friday, November 17 from 5:00p-8:00p. Vote for your favorite window at stjoetoday.com/vote!
St. Joe Today hosts Countdown to New Year, a daily giveaway event from December 1-31! Shoppers earn one entry per $25 purchase (one time or cumulative). Qualifying purchases must be made between November 17 and December 17.
INSIDER TIP: Earn double entries when you shop during Luminary (November 17),
Window Wonderland (November 17), Small Business Saturday (November 25),
and Reindog Parade (December 2)!
Celebrate small businesses in Southwest Michigan during Small Business Saturday on Saturday, November 25! Local businesses are excited to welcome the community into their stores to find unique, one-of-a-kind merchandise. Small Business Saturday promotes shopping small to support your neighbors, family, friends and local economy.
Sister Lakes Brewing hosts their annual An Evening with Dickens - A Christmas Carol on Friday, December 1 at 6:00p. Join them for a dramatic reading/storytelling of this timeless classic!
The Reindog Parade on Saturday, December 2 at 3:00p 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” and the arrival of Santa to downtown St. Joseph – definitely a must-see event! Participants may register in-person at the Welcome Center or online at stjoetoday.com/reindog. Sponsored by FuzzyButz.
Mrs. Claus will read some of her favorite holiday books during Storytime with Mrs. Claus. Stories will be released online at stjoetoday.com/santa and on the St. Joe Today Facebook page - December 5, 12, 19. Sponsored by The Herald-Palladium.
Head to Lake Michigan College Mendel Center for Christmas in Killarney: An Irish Christmas Celebration on December 8 at 7:30p. Attendees will enjoy world-class Irish dancing as they are transported back to the village of Killarney in the 1920s.
Enjoy the holiday season at Eden Springs Park as they host their annual Miniature Train Rides from 5:00p-9:00p December 9, 10, 16, 17, 22, 23.
LIGHT DISPLAYS
Fernwood Botanical Garden hosts LIGHTS for the winter season, November 14-January 6. Stroll through the illuminated Fernwood garden and enjoy a professionally designed show featuring two light tunnels, fire pits, a winter craft station, nature-inspired light sculptures, festive music and more!
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 December 1, attendees can enjoy the lights 5:30a-8:30a and 5:30p-midnight! Presented by the City of St. Joseph.
SANTA SIGHTINGS
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! For a complete schedule, visit stjoetoday.com/santa. Sponsored by The Herald-Palladium.
INSIDER TIP: Grab a postcard from the Welcome Center to write a letter to Santa during
the Letters to Santa event throughout the month of December. Santa's House will
still take its spot onthe corner of State and Pleasant Streets to serve as a drop-off for letters!
Join The Inn at Harbor Shores as they host Brunch with Santa on December 10 from 9:00a-3:00p. Reservations are recommended!
A special guest from the North Pole will make an appearance at River Saint Joe Brewery during Winter Family Fun Day on December 10 from 12:00p-4:00p!
Enjoy cookie decorating and a holiday craft with MOMS Club of St. Joseph during Cookies with Santa on December 11 from 3:30p-5:00p. Santa and Mrs. Claus will drop by at 4:00p! Free and open to the public.
WINTER CLASSES
Join JLN Studio for a Winter Painted Bottle Class on November 30 from 6:00p-8:00p. Attendees will paint a winter scene on a bottle! The class includes a battery-operated cork light. Reservations are recommended; check out additional upcoming events!
The Lilac Loft hosts Christmas Ornament Mandala Painting on December 5 from 6:00p-7:30p! Attendees will learn to paint mandala dots and patterns and will create two Christmas ornaments that they can take home. Preregistration is required; check out additional upcoming events!
