Downtown Berkley hosts MerriMonth events this December

The Berkley Downtown Development Authority (Berkley DDA) heralds the holidays with a monthlong celebration filled with events and activities the whole family can enjoy during MerriMonth. Continuing through Dec. 24, visitors to the eclectic, quirky city that makes it easy to park, can stroll and shop at a wide variety of independent, locally-owned shops, dine at any one of its popular eateries and frolic in plenty of seasonal fun – all in a festive atmosphere.

“Downtown Berkley is a great place to celebrate the holidays,” said Jennifer Finney, Berkley DDA’s marketing committee chair. “With its two commercial districts filled with a diverse mix of shops and eateries, there’s something for everyone. Additionally, when folks shop, eat and drink in Downtown Berkley, they can feel good about supporting our small business owners and entrepreneurs and making a positive impact on the local economy.”

Kicking off the MerriMonth lineup from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, will be a Joyful Music for the Holidays concert hosted at Berkley First: A United Methodist Church, 2820 Twelve Mile Rd. A chamber music for woodwind quintet and violin/piano duo will feature the Twelve Days of Christmas, Festive Sounds of Hanukkah, Umoja-the First Day of Kwanzaa and sing-a-long Christmas carols among other holiday musical favorites.

Families can gather for the city’s Holiday Lights Parade and tree lighting ceremony beginning at 5:30 p.m., including an appearance by children’s author Andy Gutman and his beloved character Charlie the Butterfly, and complete with Santa’s arrival. Many shops will stay open late to celebrate the return of the man in red. Carriage rides through the downtown streets also will be offered.

Two lucky shoppers drawn from the entry forms collected on Merry & Bright Shopping Night, held 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, will win $250 in MerriMoney to redeem at any one or more of Berkley’s participating shops, valid through February 2020. Maps highlighting participating stores and entry forms will be available that evening and there is no purchase necessary. The Vitrine Gallery & Gifts also will be collecting winter coats for homeless men and women in south Oakland County served by the Welcome Inn Day Center.

From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, strolling carolers from the Berkley High School choir will be out on the town in the neighborhoods for a night of caroling. At 8:15 p.m., they will be offering a community wide sing-a-long in the downtown.

That same evening, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., a MerriMix & Mingle Ugly Sweater Contest will take place at Berkley VFW, 3025 Coolidge Hwy., and doubles as an opportunity to give back to the community. Those wishing to participate in the contest can enter for $5 or make a donation of new, warm and unused mittens and gloves for children and adults for the local nonprofit Mittens for Detroit.

To wrap up MerriMonth events, the Berkley Public Library hosts Santa for visits with children from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, while musicians from the Detroit Violin Company entertain families with holiday classics. Children also will have an opportunity to participate in a holiday coloring activity.

Shoppers looking to stay fueled and hydrated can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at one of the city’s many diverse eateries. Menu options include craft beers, Piedmontese beef burgers, fresh from-the-oven pizza, homemade pierogi, gluten-free pastries, mouth-watering cannoli, creamy ice cream and more.

Downtown Berkley is home to one of metro Detroit’s largest collections of independently-owned and operated retailers with more than 55 specialty retail shops, from women’s clothing and accessories, Irish goods, Michigan-made, bridal, antiques, tailoring, sports memorabilia, art and a designer eyeglass store to games, crafts, a knitting shop, collectibles and comics. An array of hand-crafted goods are available as well, whether it’s jewelry, violins, artwork or a piece of pottery.

Many of Berkley’s shops will be open every Sunday through Christmas for shoppers’ convenience. Extended shopping hours will be offered after the city’s Holiday Lights Parade on Dec. 7 and during the Merry & Bright Shopping Night on Dec. 13.