As we head into the holiday season, there are plenty of opportunities to support local businesses and restaurants. From holiday open houses and winter events we’ll help you make the most of this holiday season!
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSES
Urban Garage Market hosts their Holiday Open House Friday, November 5 through Sunday, November 7! Shoppers will enjoy a Hot Coco, Homemade Cookie Bar and daily giveaways.
INSIDER TIP: Don’t miss their Deer Widow’s Weekend November 20-21!
Celebrate the winter season with Perennial Accents during their Holiday Open House from 10:00a-8:00p on Saturday, November 6! Enjoy a free gift with purchase, giveaways and Chef Kelly in the kitchen all day.
The Box Factory for the Arts hosts their Makers Market from 10:00a-6:00p on Saturday, November 27! This event will showcase hand-crafted goods from a variety of artisans.
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 10:30a-7:00p on Saturday, November 20 and 10:00a-5:00p on Sunday, November 21!
Sister Lakes Brewing hosts a Holiday Maker's Market from 2:00p-5:00p on Saturday, December 5. Enjoy tasty brews while shopping local artisans and craft makers this holiday season!
JOLLY EVENTS
Stroll through our downtown as luminaries light your way to kick off the holiday season during Luminary on Friday, November 19 from 5:00p-8:00p! Participating locations invite you to eat, shop, drink and be merry while you enjoy this charming lakeside town.
INSIDER TIP: Shoppers and diners alike will enjoy holiday music playing throughout
downtown St. Joseph until December 24. Additionally, winter lights have been placed
downtown along State St. (from Elm St. to Ship St.) as well as Broad St. and Ship St.
(Lake Blvd. to Main St.) and Pleasant St. (Lake Blvd. to Court St.) and will remain up
through February in conjunction with Light up the Bluff.
SWMI businesses and restaurants host a Countdown to New Year, a daily giveaway event December 1-31! Shoppers earn one entry per $25 purchase (one time or cumulative). Qualifying purchases must be made between November 19 and December 17.
INSIDER TIP: Earn double entries when you shop during Luminary (November 19),
Small Business Saturday (November 27) and the Fanny Mae Memorial
Reindog Parade (December 4)!
Celebrate small businesses in Southwest Michigan during Small Business Saturday on Saturday, November 27! 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.
View the dozens of storefronts that have decorated their windows for the holiday season during Window Wonderland on Friday, December 3 from 7:00p-8:30p. Vote for your favorite window at stjoetoday.com/vote!
INSIDER TIP: Lake Bluff Park is transformed into a winter wonderland,
featuring 1 million holiday lights during Light up the Bluff!
The ceremony kicks off on Friday, December 3 at 6:00p
with the St. Joseph High School Choir, followed
by the tree lighting ceremony at 6:30p.
The Fanny Mae Memorial Reindog Parade on Saturday, December 4 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” – definitely a must-see event! Participants may register in-person at the Welcome Center or online at stjoetoday.com/reindog.
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 during the Letters to Santa event throughout the month os December. Santa's House will still take its spot on the corner of State and Pleasant Streets to serve as a drop off for letters!
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. Joseph Today Facebook page - December 8, 14, 21.
