Holiday Happenings In New Haven: Tree Lighting Santa Visit, & More

NEW HAVEN, CT — Downtown New Haven is kicking off the holiday season on November 25 with all-new events, special shopping promotions, and festive activities for locals and visitors alike. The quaint New England city is the place to be this holiday season. Its whimsical spirit, diverse culinary scene, exceptional entertainment, and variety of retailers and local boutiques offer visitors and locals the ultimate Hallmark-esque holiday happenings.

Among the many activations this holiday season, the 1st Small Business Saturday Pop-Up will take place on November 26 between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Presented by Market New Haven Inc., The Shops at Yale, and Town Green District, the event will feature free arts and crafts, snacks, hot cider, exclusive giveaways, raffles and more for visitors to enjoy.

Shoppers are invited to convene downtown for the 3rd annual Holiday Shopping Passport kicking-off Saturday, November 26 and running through Sunday, December 18. The promotion encourages folks to shop local for the holiday season – allowing shoppers who spend $50 or more at any three participating independent downtown retailers to enter for a chance to win one of three, $300 gift cards. Participating retailers include local favorites such as Strange Ways, Bark & Vine, and four new women/minority owned shops - MINIPNG, Soap-edi, More Amour Boutique, and Üni-Home Life. For a full list of participating retailers and official rules and regulations, please visit infonewhaven.com/holidaypassport.

“The holiday season is always a time for reflection, and as we look back on the last 12 months, we’re filled with pride and gratitude for the continued growth of the downtown neighborhood,” says Bruno Baggetta, Director for Market New Haven, Inc. “The holiday season is a crucial time to support local business and uplift the working members of our community. Shopping local provides a more personalized gifting experience, a reprieve from the dreaded holiday shipping fiascos, and a variety of retailers, old and new, ready to help craft the perfect gift. This holiday season, fill your stockings with New Haven.”

A sampling of free family-friendly holiday activations include:

Storytelling and Selfies with Santa and Mrs. Claus

Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit The Shops at Yale to read stories to local children and take photos with families.

November 26, December 3, 1:00-3:00pm – B Natural Kitchen

December 10 & 17, 1:00-3:00pm – Claire’s Corner Copia

November 27, December 4, 11 & 18, 1:00-3:00pm – Barnes & Noble/The Yale Bookstore

Annual City of New Haven Tree Lighting & Holiday Village

The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Village will take place on the New Haven Green and feature entertainment, photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and more.

Thursday, December 1 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – New Haven Green

Ice Carving Competition & A Capella Concert

Six professional ice carvers from all over New England will each transform 900lbs of ice into a spectacular sculpture in only 4 hours on Broadway Island (56 Broadway). You’ll also be treated to performances by local a cappella groups. This event is free and open to the public.

Sunday, December 11 from 12:00pm – 4:00 pm

For all things holiday in Downtown New Haven, please visit www.infonewhaven.com/holidayhappenings and follow @infonewhaven on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter