Discover Downtown Concord this Holiday Season

Seeking a unique holiday shopping destination with both homegrown appeal and national brands? Look no further than downtown Concord.

Starting Nov. 27 and throughout the holiday season, Discover Downtown Concord – the fun, festive, community oriented alternative to online or big-box shopping, with outstanding customer service and an array of offerings you won’t find anywhere else. North Main Street has had an extreme makeover so, not only will our guests enjoy a charming downtown holiday experience, but the beautiful new well-lit, wide sidewalks, and decorations, will make them want to return again and again.

The independent, locally owned businesses of downtown Concord have a top-notch holiday season planned, including late shopping hours each weekend and in-store specials, refreshments, and promotions from shops throughout downtown. Come for a day, stay for a weekend, take an evening stroll along Main Street, and enjoy these Discover Downtown events and attractions:

Win The Window—Nov. 27, through Dec. 16

The inaugural Win The Window raffle in 2014 was a tremendous success, so we’re making it an annual thing! Win the Window showcases downtown’s variety of shopping and dining opportunities. A fabulous collection of prizes, featuring dozens of donated gift cards and items from downtown businesses will be displayed at NH Federal Credit Union, 47 N. Main Street; four prize packages, with 50+ gifts overall and a total value of more than $1,250, will go to four lucky winners in mid-December. Shoppers will visit downtown shops to complete a passport and be entered to Win The Window!

Seasonal Decorations and Window Decorating Contest

The holiday spirit is alive throughout downtown Concord, with brand-new seasonal decorations to bring extra sparkle to our beautiful new streetscape. As you walk, see for yourself the stunning window displays of the businesses competing in downtown’s annual window decorating contest. The holiday splendor will be on view from Plaid Friday through the New Year; window judging takes place Dec. 3.

Plaid Friday and Small Business Saturday—Friday, Nov. 27, and Saturday, Nov. 28

Everybody knows that the day after Thanksgiving, Plaid Friday, is for shopping – but not before you’ve had a chance to sleep in after a day of family and feasting! Plaid Friday is all about directing holiday shopping to independent, locally owned businesses, so that our community can keep more holiday cheer and funds circulating right here. Every dollar spent at a locally owned, independent business generates 2-3 times more economic activity in our communities than a dollar spent at a national chain, and 100 times more than a dollar spent online. With American shoppers projected to spend upwards of $800 per person this year during the holiday season, that could give our local economy a huge boost!

Concord’s Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration from 4 to 6 p.m. on Nov. 27, at City Plaza.

Downtown Concord has also embraced Small Business Saturday – a weekend day to get a jump on holiday shopping while you take advantage of downtown’s unique offerings and personalized service.

Midnight Merriment—Friday, Dec. 4

Kick off downtown Concord’s official holiday shopping season in style, with music and entertainment, Santa, instant raffles, and a shopping extravaganza that goes until 12:00 midnight on 12/4. Downtown businesses remain open until midnight, with refreshments, entertainment, and in-store promotions for maximum holiday merriment!

Shop Late Nights—Thursdays and Fridays, Dec. 10-11 and Dec. 17-18

Don’t wait until Christmas Eve to complete your holiday shopping! Participating merchants will stay open until at least 7 p.m. on each Shop Late Night and offer some kind of special for their guests, who are eager to find just the right holiday gift before Santa arrives! New for 2015 is MEN’S NIGHT on Dec. 10 – everyone be sure to fill out your wish lists and send your special menfolk downtown for retail bonding.

Downtown Concord offers some 200 independent, locally owned businesses – retail shops, eateries, entertainment venues, and personal services of all kinds. You’ll find clothing for men, women, children, and sports enthusiasts; collectibles and antiques; fine art and juried crafts; personal health and beauty services; gourmet food, wine, and candy treats; jewelry and accessories; footwear and outerwear; books and music; games and toys; home furnishings and home accents; and much more. You won’t go hungry or thirsty because there are dozens of delicious places to get fresh baked goods, coffee and tea, and frozen treats – as well as full-serve or take-out restaurants to suit every craving, dining, or catering need. All that, plus a wide array of entertainment and music can be found downtown. So this holiday season, treat yourself to a new experience and discover – or RE-discover! – downtown Concord.

Discover Downtown is a partnership between Intown Concord and the Merchants Roundtable. The Discover Downtown Holiday Series is designed to encourage and draw people to downtown Concord, for shopping, dining, enjoying, and building community during the holiday season. General info here.

Intown Concord’s website features a comprehensive listing of all retail, restaurant, service, entertainment venues, and lodging places in downtown Concord, NH – click here. Additionally, the website Shop Downtown Concord was recently updated with fresh new retail and restaurant listings – click here.