Holidays

Bring the family or your jolly crew of friends to make holiday memories. Enjoy holiday lights, festive eats, and FREE holiday fun!

Support local this holiday season

Join the nationwide movement to shop local on Small Business Saturday.

Consumers Energy will be giving away free $10 Downtown Dollars gift certificates in Kalamazoo to support local businesses on Saturday, November 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 157 S. Kalamazoo Mall. Members of the public can pick up their free $10 Downtown Dollars gift certificate while supplies last.

“Kalamazoo small businesses have been there for us over the past many years, and on Saturday, we hope to encourage the community to be there for those small businesses,” said Lauren Snyder, Consumers Energy’s vice president of customer experience. “With the Downtown Dollars program, we want shoppers to support the small businesses we know and love that are the backbone of the community. We look forward to seeing folks come out strong for the Kalamazoo community on November 26.”

And for Downtown Kalamazoo, Small Business Saturday doesn’t end on November 26 – every Saturday in December is officially “Small Business Saturday.”

Be a part of the nationwide movement to support small businesses.

Learn more

Holiday Events Designed to Make Shopping a Pure Delight.

Wishlist Wednesday – Wednesday, November 30, 2022 – shopping until 8 p.m.

Although Wishlist Wednesday has passed, we look forward to hearing all about your favorite selected local merchandise and what might be waiting under the tree for you. It was the kick off to the holiday shopping season and shoppers used this event to create their wish lists.  When you come to enjoy all that downtown has to offer, participants grabbed a printed shopping card that they used to identify the stores where their family or friends need to shop to get their ideal present.  It’s truly a wish list shopping night where you can put items on your list, or maybe even buy them your self as a gift from Santa. It is important to note that this is a Wish List and items are not held by the store for a guaranteed pick up.  The shopping experience of course included specialty dinks, wine, and goodie bags.

Here are the stores that participated with providing Wishlist Wednesday Shopping Cards:

  • Bee Joyful
  • The Spirit of Kalamazoo
  • Cherri’s Chocol’art
  • Lana’s Boutique
  • Earthly Delights at Amy Zane
  • Rocket Fizz
  • Uncle Buddy’s Toy Stash
  • Terrapin World Wide Imports
  • Final Gravity Brewing Company
  • LFG Bar
  • The Waiting Room
  • Kzoo in the Mitten
  • Kalamazoo Candle Company
  • Colors & Cocktails
  • Adrianne’s Boutique
  • Mason Jar Plant Shop
  • MJ Home

 

Moonlight Madness Shopping Downtown – Friday, December 9, 2022 – shopping until 11 p.m.

A late night shopping event where restaurants, retailers, and everything in between will be opening their doors for a little late night fun and adventure. Outdoor entertainment, little surprises along the way, and a promise of laughter and good cheer. The downtown stores will be open for a shopping party. Dana from WKFR FM 103.3 will be downtown broadcasting the event live from 8-9 P.M. and interacting with local shoppers. The madness will end at 11:00 P.M. on Friday December 9, but be sure to check restaurant’s websites because some of them are open even later. Select shops and restaurants have special discounts** for Moonlight Madness shoppers that will only be available for one night only!

Participating Retailers:

  • Bee Joyful Shop **snack and drink giveaways all night long!
  • The Spirit of Kalamazoo  **complimentary hot cider for shoppers!
  • Cherri’s Chocol’art  **special boxes of chocolates!
  • Earthly Delights at Amy Zane
  • Rocket Fizz
  • Uncle Buddy’s Toy Stash
  • The Waiting Room  **receive a gift with a purchase – while supplies last!
  • Terrapin World Wide Imports
  • Kalamazoo Candle Company
  • Mason Jar Plant Shop
  • Colors & Cocktails
  • The Aroma Labs
  • MJ Home
  • K’Zoo in the Mitten  **fresh holiday treats and a warm drink!
  • Pop City Popcorn
  • Kalamazoo State Theater

Participating Restaurants:

  • Final Gravity Brewing Company
  • LFG Bar  **25% off food with proof of downtown shopping receipt!
  • The Grazing Table
  • WL Socialhouse  **try their special featured cocktail!
  • Old Burdick’s Bar & Grill
  • Brick and Brine
  • Stamped Robin
  • Louie’s Trophy House
  • Brewery Outre
  • Bell’s Eccentric Cafe and General Store

Take full advantage of Downtown Kalamazoo’s Central Commons District and sip while you shop!

 

Santa’s Workshop

November 26 – December 24

Make family memories with a visit to Santa’s Workshop at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Downtown Kalamazoo. Santa’s Workshop will feature the ability to visit with Santa, write a letter, make and decorate a shopping bag, and take as many pictures as you would like.  In our pledge and promise to provide diversity and inclusion to Santa’s Workshop, please note that on Thursdays and Sundays the Workshop will feature a Black Santa and on Fridays and Saturdays a White Santa will be featured.  Please check the calendar for updated information on the schedule and activities.  Below are the general Santa’s Workshop hours.

  • Saturday, November 26 –              11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Thursday, December 1                   4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Friday, December 2                        4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, December 3                   11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Sunday, December 4                      12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Thursday, December 8                  4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Friday, December 9                        4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, December 10                11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Sunday, December 11                   12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Thursday, December 15                4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Friday, December 16                     4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, December 17                 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Sunday, December 18                   12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Thursday, December 22                4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Friday, December 23                     4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, December 24                 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Learn more

Holly Jolly Trolley

November 25 – December 31

The Holly Jolly Trolley will once again run its route throughout downtown Kalamazoo, with several stops for riders to catch a FREE ride throughout downtown while marveling at the holiday lighting and decorations.  The trolley runs every 30 minutes starting at the top and bottom of the hour at City Hall. The Trolley is presented this year by Drive & Shine along with: Kalamazoo Valley Museum, Consumers Energy, Discover Kalamazoo, Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, Bimbo’s Pizza and Mercantile Bank.

  1. Kalamazoo City Hall – sponsored by Drive & Shine
  2. Kalamazoo Mall – sponsored by Discover Kalamazoo
  3. S. Kalamazoo Mall – sponsored by Irving S. Gilmore
  4. 5. Bates Alley – sponsored by Consumers Energy
  5. E. Michigan Ave – sponsored by Bimbo’s Pizza
  6. Water street by Beer Exchange – sponsored by Mercantile
  7. Radisson – sponsored by Santa’s Workshop
  8. Museum – sponsored by the Kalamazoo Valley Museum
  9. Kalamazoo Avenue

The official schedule is as follows:

  • November 25, 26, 27
  • December 1, 2, 3, 4
  • December 8, 9, 10, 11
  • December 15, 16, 17, 18
  • December 22, 23, 24
  • December 31

Shuttle Times:

  • Thursdays 5-9 p.m.
  • Fridays 5-9 p.m.
  • Saturdays 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Sundays 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Learn more Trolley Map + Hours

Window Decorating

November 25 – December 31

Once again, downtown retailers and businesses will paint their windows in celebration of the holidays.  There’s no contest this year, just the simple enjoyment of enjoying cute decorated windows.

Learn more

Bronson Park Tree Lighting

November 25, 5 – 7 p.m.

The Annual Tree Lighting Celebration will return to Bronson Park on Friday, November 25 for the “flipping of the switch” on holiday lights.  The event this year will feature a Santa tent and a Grinch tent.  Arts and crafts, hot chocolate, food trucks and more are all part of the event.  It’s a great tradition downtown and everyone is needed to help read the traditional story and flip the lights on.  Then stay as long as you want to simply enjoy.  The Holly Jolly Trolley will be running.

Learn More

Parking Information

Easy, convenient downtown parking gets you to your holiday fun faster. With more than 400 free 90-minute on-street parking spaces, paid parking garages and lots, Downtown Kalamazoo has a space for you. FREE 90-minute on-street parking throughout downtown, and FREE parking all day Sundays. You’ll also find on-street metered spots throughout the downtown, which range from $1.75/hour to $3/day, and are free after 5 p.m. on weekdays and all day Saturday, Sunday, and holidays.

Thank you to our 2022 holiday sponsors!