The holiday season in Downtown Holland officially begins next week Friday, November 14,
ushering in a highly-anticipated season of holiday gift shopping and fun special events for the entire family in
Downtown Holland! Next week Friday, November 14 marks the return of Downtown Holland’s annual Shop
‘Til You Drop late night savings event from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, followed by a number of special holiday
events and shopping promotions throughout November and December.
“There is something truly special about the holiday season in Downtown Holland,” said Downtown Holland
Marketing Coordinator Kara de Alvare, “I’ve heard time and time again that it’s like a town from a Hallmark
movie and I couldn’t agree more. We invite the entire community and visitors near and far to stroll our
beautifully decorated and heated streets to experience the magic of the holidays in Downtown Holland all
season long!”
Downtown Holland’s 2025 line-up of holiday events and shopping promotions includes the following:
Shop ‘Til You Drop
Friday, November 14
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
It's never too early to get a start on your holiday shopping...even if it means staying up late! Get the holiday
shopping season off to a great start with big savings during Shop 'Til You Drop, Downtown Holland's annual
late night shopping event! Participating shops and restaurants will stay open late from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm for
this once-a-year holiday savings event on Friday, November 14, with discounts up to 30% off! Trust us, you'll
definitely want to shop 'til you drop so you don't miss out on these amazing late-night savings! Discount
details vary so please see participating businesses for specific savings details and exclusions.
Holiday Open House
Saturday, November 22
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Downtown Holland will host the annual Holiday Open House on Saturday, November 22 from 5:00 pm - 8:00
pm! During the Holiday Open House, you're invited to celebrate the magic of the holiday season by strolling
the beautifully decorated and brightly lit streets while shopping for all the holiday gifts on your list!
Participating shops and restaurants will welcome customers all evening long with a variety of holiday
promotions, including free gift wrapping, holiday refreshments, merchandise discounts, fun giveaways, and
so much more! (Please see participating businesses for their specific promotion details.) The Holiday Open
House is fun for the entire family too! Pose for a photograph with Santa and his favorite elf, visit the reindeer
petting corral to meet Santa's reindeer up close, listen to the sounds of strolling carolers singing your favorite holiday songs, and even sample a freshly roasted chestnut! The Holiday Open House is proudly sponsored
by Greenridge Realty of Holland. Stop by their table on 8th Street during the event to meet their experienced
real estate team and receive a free giveaway while supplies last.
Holiday Coloring Contest
Friday, November 28 – Tuesday, December 23
Looking for a fun snowy day activity to pass the time this winter? Stay warm and cozy inside and enter the
2025 Downtown Holland Holiday Coloring Contest, sponsored by Peachwave Frozen Yogurt and Gelato!
Children ages 1-12 can color a custom holiday drawing by local artist Carolyn Stich for a chance to win a $25
gift card to Peachwave! One winner will be selected in each age category. Pick up a coloring contest sheet
from Peachwave or download and print a copy from the Downtown Holland website beginning Friday,
November 28. Completed entries must be dropped off at Peachwave (6 West 8th Street) by 8:00 pm on
Tuesday, December 23.
Small Business Saturday
Saturday, November 29
Downtown Holland will join communities throughout the country in celebrating Small Business Saturday on
Saturday, November 29! Small Business Saturday first launched in 2010 by American Express as a day to
celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities. And Downtown Holland is
once again proud to be an official American Express Neighborhood Champion on Small Business Saturday!
Our shops and restaurants want to thank you for shopping small this holiday season (and supporting us all
year long) with a day packed full of giveaways, discounts, and lots of fun promotions! It's our way of thanking
you for supporting our locally owned businesses! Be sure to enter our annual Small Business Saturday Selfie
Contest too! Just snap a photograph of yourself shopping in Downtown Holland on Saturday, November 29
and share it on our Facebook page for a chance to win a $100 gift card to your favorite Downtown Holland
business. The winner will be announced on Monday, December 1.
Parade of Lights
Tuesday, December 2
6:30 pm
Santa Claus arrives in Downtown Holland during the annual Parade of Lights, escorted by over 80 floats,
commercial vehicles, walkers, and marching bands...all decked out from top to bottom in thousands of
sparkling lights! Come see why this brightly lit holiday procession on Tuesday, December 2 is a holiday
tradition for the entire community! The Parade of Lights will begin at the corner of 8th Street and Columbia
Avenue at 6:30 pm sharp and proceed west down 8th Street until it reaches the Holland Civic Center Place
at 150 West 8th Street. For the safety of parade attendees, 8th Street will be closed for parking and traffic by
the Holland Police Department beginning at 2:00 pm on December 2. Free public parking for the parade can
be found in the surface parking lots on 7th and 9th Streets, in the 7th and 9th Street Parking Decks, and at
the Holland Civic Center Place. The Parade of Lights is proudly sponsored by Gentex Corporation. Be sure
to look for them as they lead the parade with a special treat for all the children in attendance! (Please note
that there will be no other candy out during the parade.)
Strolling Santa
Saturdays, December 6, 13 & 20
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Even Santa Claus knows that Downtown Holland is the place to go to shop local for all of your holiday gifts
this year! The word from the North Pole is that you can find Santa strolling throughout Downtown Holland
every Saturday afternoon in December leading up to Christmas. Santa will be stopping by his favorite
Downtown Holland shops and restaurants from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm each Saturday to greet his fans...young
and old alike! If you spot him, be sure to say hello, snap a photo, and share it with us!
Shopping Jam
Saturday, December 13
8:00 am – 11:00 am
The early bird gets the...deals at the annual Downtown Holland Shopping Jam! Set your alarm clocks and
grab a cup of hot coffee because the early morning Shopping Jam is one holiday savings event you won't
want to miss! During the Shopping Jam on Saturday, December 13, participating retailers will open their
doors early, offering 30% off at least one item from 8:00 am - 9:00 am, 25% off at least one item from 9:00
am - 10:00 am, and 20% off at least one item from 10:00 am - 11:00 am! The earlier you shop, the more you
save! Whether you need one more gift to finish off your nice list or you're shopping for something special for
yourself, this is one sale you won't want to miss. It’s the perfect opportunity to “wrap up” your holiday
shopping while enjoying amazing discounts! Please note that discount details vary, so please see
participating businesses for specific savings details.
Holland Farmers Market
Wednesdays and Saturdays
9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Visit the Holland Farmers Market all November and December long to shop for fresh produce, meat, eggs,
honey, maple syrup, jam, baked goods, specialty foods and more! And pick up everything you need to
decorate your home with fresh greenery, porch pots, and festive wreaths from our local vendors. Make the
Market your destination for all things Michigan-grown this holiday season! The Market is open every
Wednesday and Saturday in November from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm and on Saturdays in December through
December 21. On select Saturdays in November and December, the Market will be joined by the Holland
Area Friends of Art’s Kerstmarkt, a European style outdoor Market where local artisans offer unique gifts,
holiday décor, home baked goods, and more.
Other holiday happenings in Downtown Holland this upcoming season include the first ever Dutch Winterfest,
organized by Tulip Time, Magic at the Mill at Windmill Island Gardens, a variety of holiday concerts and
special performances, and of course, the highly anticipated opening of the City of Holland’s Holland Ice Park.
For more details on these holiday events and more, visit www.downtownholland.com, follow Downtown
Holland on Facebook and Instagram, or call 616.796.1210.
