The holiday season in Downtown Holland officially kicks off this Friday, November 13, with the return of Downtown Holland’s annual Shop ‘Til You Drop late-night savings event, ushering in a season of holiday gift shopping and fun special events for the entire family. During Shop ‘Til You Drop, over 40 Downtown Holland shops will stay open late from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, offering special late-night discounts. Shoppers are encouraged to stay up late, shop the night away, and save big on their holiday gifts this Friday!
“Shop ‘Til You Drop is the official kick-off to the holiday shopping season here in Downtown Holland,” said Downtown Holland Marketing Coordinator Kara de Alvare, “It’s a really fun way to get an early start on your holiday shopping, all while saving money with exclusive discounts from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm only. The streets will be lit with twinkling lights, including our Downtown Holland Christmas tree, and holiday music will fill the air to help put everyone in the holiday mood!”
The following Downtown Holland businesses will be participating in the 2026 Shop ‘Til You Drop:
Apothecary Gift Shop
Blu Veranda
Borr’s Shoes & Accessories
Bowerman’s on 8th
Brick + Ivy Market
Carolyn Stich Studio
Cherry Republic
Clovier
Cotton Bay
Crust 54
Downtown Antiques & Home Furnishings Estella Rose Fashion
Foxtail Coffee Co.
Frances Jaye
Fris Supply Shop
Fustini’s Oils & Vinegars
Gazelle Sports
Gezellig Home and Garden
Glik’s Men’s
Gliks Boutique
Harbor Wear
jb and me
Jean Marie’s
Kilwins Holland
Kindel & Company
Laurel and Jack
Le Bon Macaron
Lokers Shoes
Love’s Ice Cream & Chocolate New Holland
Oak + Leather Men’s Mercantile Postcards From Paradise Pretties Intimate Apparel Readers World
Silver Fox II Jewelry, LLC Spring Sweet
The Bridge
The Poppy Peach, LLC
The Seasoned Home
TIKAL
Tin Ceiling
Tip Toes
Vulpine
Downtown Holland’s 2026 line-up of holiday events and shopping promotions also includes:
Holland Kerstmarkt
Fridays & Saturdays
November 20 – December 19
Fri & Sat, November 20 – December 19, 2026
Experience a delightful outdoor European-style market filled with handmade holiday gifts, festive greenery, delicious food, and so much more at the Holland Kerstmarkt! The Kerstmarkt is located outside the Holland Civic Center Place (150 West 8th Street) and is open Fridays and Saturdays from November 20 through December 19. Kerstmarkt hours are 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm on Fridays and 9:00 am – 7:00 pm on Saturdays. Find the perfect gift for everyone on your list (or even treat yourself to something nice!) by browsing from over 25 unique artisan vendors while you sip a warm mug of glühwein and even enjoy a variety of special holiday events and guests, like the Dutch Sinterklaas himself.
Holiday Open House
Saturday, November 21
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Downtown Holland will host the annual Holiday Open House on Saturday, November 21 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, complimentary 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, 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!
Black Friday
Friday, November 27
9:00 am
For the first time ever, the merchants of Downtown Holland are joining together to host a Black Friday savings spectacular! Participating businesses will open early on Friday, November 27 at 9:00 am with incredible Black Friday deals and promotions so you can save big on all your holiday gifts. Skip the stress and hassle of the big box stores and shop local on the biggest shopping day of the year! Your friends and family will be happy you did…and so will you!
Small Business Saturday
Saturday, November 28
Downtown Holland will join communities throughout the country in celebrating Small Business Saturday on Saturday, November 28. 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 Downtown Holland 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 28 and share it on our Facebook page (or tag #downtownholland) for a chance to win a $100 gift card to your favorite Downtown Holland business! One lucky winner will be announced on Monday, November 30.
Parade of Lights
Tuesday, December 1
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 1 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. 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.)
Holiday Coloring Contest
December 1 – 23
Looking for a fun snowy day activity to pass the time this winter? Stay warm and cozy inside and enter the 2026 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 Tuesday, December 1. Completed entries must be dropped off at Peachwave (6 West 8th Street) by 8:00 pm on Wednesday, December 23.
Strolling Santa
Saturdays, December 5, 12 & 19
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 12
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 12, 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 19.
Other holiday happenings in Downtown Holland this upcoming season include Tulip Time’s second annual Dutch Winterfest, Magic at the Mill at Windmill Island Gardens, ice skating and curling at the City’s Holland Ice Park, along with a variety of holiday concerts, shows, and special performances. 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.
