Getting into the holiday spirit is easy when you visit downtown St. Joseph! On Friday, November 17, kick-off the holiday season with three great community events – Luminary, Window Wonderland and Countdown to New Year.
Friday (November 17) evening will begin with the warm glow of hundreds of luminaries lining the streets of downtown St. Joseph from 5:00p-8:00p. Luminary, sponsored by The Boulevard Inn & Bistro and Holt Bosse, creates a great atmosphere for all ages to enjoy sales/promotions, specialty items, drawings/giveaways, free gift wrapping and gift ideas galore from participating restaurants and shopkeepers.
“All ages are invited to head downtown for this festive event,” said Amy Zapal, executive director of St. Joe Today. “Whether you’re looking to enjoy a delicious cup of hot chocolate or a sweet treat, grab dinner at any of the fantastic restaurants in downtown St. Joe, or get a jump start on your holiday gift shopping, it’s a great way to kick off the holiday season.”
Luminary participants include 1232 Broad St. Mercantile, Caffe Tosi, Chartreuse Art Co-op, Chocolate Cafe – South Bend Chocolate Co., Dad’s Farm & Cafe, Edgewater Gifts, Forever Books, Forté Coffee, G&M Variety, Gallery on the Alley, Glik’s, Grins of St. Joseph, Harbor Town Interiors, Kilwins, Lazy Ballerina Winery, Lee & Birch, Maxwell Boutique, Oh My Darlings, Olive Cart, Perennial Accent, Revive Spa, Salvation Army- Benton Harbor, Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, St. Joe Community Taproom, State Street Stuff, Statements Style Lounge, The Cheese Lady, Third Coast Surf Shop and White Pine Winery! For more information on Luminary visit stjoetoday.com/luminary.
The holiday fun continues on Friday evening with Window Wonderland, a holiday window decorating contest, from 5:00p-8:00p. Attendees are encouraged to view dozens of storefronts that have decorated their windows for the holiday season and can vote for their favorite windows at stjoetoday.com/vote beginning at 5:00p Friday, November 17 until 11:59p Sunday, November 19.
Window Wonderland participants include Baroda Founders Wine Cellar, Caffe Tosi, Chocolate Cafe – South Bend Chocolate Co., Dad’s Farm & Cafe, Edgewater Gifts, Forté Coffee, FuzzyButz, G&M Variety, Gallery on the Alley, Glik’s, Grins of St. Joseph, Harbor Town Interiors, Kilwins, Krasl Art Center, Lazy Ballerina Winery, Lee & Birch, Oh My Darlings, Olive Cart, Perennial Accents, Perennial Accents, Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, St. Joe Community Taproom, State Street Stuff, Statements Style Lounge, Sweet Haven Candy, The Lilac Loft, Third Coast Surf Shop and White Pine Winery! For more information on Window Wonderland visit stjoetoday.com/
To make the most of the giving season, St. Joe Today is excited to host Countdown to New Year, a daily giveaway event throughout the month of December! Shoppers earn one entry per $25 purchase (one time or cumulative) at a St. Joe Today member business. Qualifying purchases must be made between November 17 and December 17 – earn double points for shopping on Luminary (November 17), Window Wonderland (November 17), Small Business Saturday (November 25) and the Reindog Parade (December 2). Additional qualifying purchases include St. Joe Today Gift Certificates and St. Joe Winter Beer Fest tickets (on sale at 10:00a December 1). Receipts for purchases must be presented to an SJT staff member at the Welcome Center by December 17. Participants will be entered for a chance to win a $50 gift card to a local SWMI business. Visit stjoetoday.com/countdown for more information.
Additionally, St. Joe Today will kick off the holiday music in downtown St. Joseph during Luminary weekend. Zapal says, “We are excited to continue the tradition and to spread a little extra cheer this holiday season.”
Shoppers and diners alike will enjoy a magical experience this winter season while downtown. Winter lights have been placed 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.). The winter lights will kick off on November 17 and remain up through February in conjunction with Light up the Bluff (December 3 through February 15). This project is presented by the City of St. Joseph.
Zapal says that many downtown businesses will offer specials, such as complimentary gift wrapping, throughout the holiday season. “Shopping locally is a great way to get unique and special gifts for everyone on your list while supporting our local businesses and community. In addition to Luminary, everyone is encouraged to join the fun on Saturday, November 25 for Small Business Saturday for even more great shopping.” For more information on Small Business Saturday visit stjoetoday.com/shopsmall.
Catch these additional upcoming St. Joe Today winter events:
- Luminary: November 17 (5:00p-8:00p)
- Window Wonderland: November 17 (5:00p-8:00p)
- Countdown to New Year: November 17-December 17
- Small Business Saturday: November 25 (All Day)
- Merry & Bright Weekend: December 1-3 (All Weekend)
- Reindog Holiday Parade: December 2 (3:00p)
- Santa Series: December 2-23 (Select Dates/Times)
- Holiday Artisan Fair: December 3
St. Joe Today is a 501(c)(3) membership-based organization dedicated to developing and promoting events and businesses in St. Joseph, Michigan and its surrounding communities. For more information about upcoming events and details call St. Joe Today at (269) 985 1111 or visit stjoetoday.com.
