News Update
Celebrate the New Year in Downtown Alameda
You’ll find a celebration for every interest in Downtown Alameda. Meet up with friends at a favorite restaurant, catch a movie, or extend the evening by ringing in the new year at one of the district’s many parties. There’s even family fun for the kids.
Wine & Waffles (1505 Park Street) Celebrate the new year in color at this New Year’s Eve Glow Party!! DJ Chaz & Co will be playing your favorite party songs, there will be glow-in-the-dark cocktails, and a Black Light Balloon Drop with champagne toast at Midnight. Pre-Party Happy Hour is 6-7pm while the main event is 8pm-Midnight. Info: www.facebook.com/WineandWaffles/
The Lemon Tree (2542 Santa Clara Ave) Get the spotlight shining on you with New Year’s Eve Karaoke. The Lemon Tree and musical hosts Frankie & Gloria will have 10,000 songs to choose from, champagne toast, party favors, and great people to party with! Drop by for a visit, buy a drink, and sing some songs! Info: www.facebook.com/Lemon-Tree-Alameda-139552966096364/
The Churchward Pub (1515 Park Street) Ring in the New Year at the East Bay’s self-proclaimed number one party spot. Experience amazing dj’s, dancing all night long, and video countdown at midnight. For the early birds, an open bar will be available 8:30pm-9:30pm. Get pre-sale tickets now; price goes up at the door. Info: www.thechurchwardpub.com
Fun with the kids: Twirl will be hosting a Balloon Drop at Noon on the afternoon of New Year’s Eve and Swings & Wings will have a toddler dance party at 6:00-8:00pm.
Fun for all ages: High Scores Arcade will be open Noon-10:00pm on New Year’s Eve and and New Year’s Day. Or kick back and enjoy a blockbuster movie at Alameda Theatre & Cineplex for only $5.50 on New Years Eve.
But if you’re looking for a last-minute gathering place with the 21+ crowd, these Downtown Alameda nightspots provide festive fun on New Year’s Eve — no reservations required:
Read MoreCast Your Vote for Best Holiday Window Display
Bundle up the kids, buy a warm beverage or dessert, and take a stroll to enjoy the festive downtown holiday displays.
You’ll find whimsical snow scenes at places like Megan Small Photography and Spinning Bones, artsy door entrances at places like PHOENIX, and Christmas gift ideas at wonderful shops like Toy Safari.
To cast a vote for your favorite downtown holiday window, post a picture on Instagram or Facebook with hashtags #holidaywindow2019 #downtownalameda — be sure to check in or mention the business in your post. Voting ends December 20.
To access an interactive map of window locations, go to https://DowntownAlameda.com/events/holiday-activities/#windows
Voting has ended! Congratulations to The Sewing Room, Megan Small Photography, and Spinning Bones. In a very close race, the people’s choice award goes to We Are Hair.
Join the Hot Cocoa Crawl in Downtown Alameda
Don your favorite holiday sweater, grab your friends and family, and join our Mayor and Santa himself at Alameda’s tree lighting ceremony in front of City Hall on Saturday, December 7. All the festivities and live performances begin at 4:00pm with the popular Hot Cocoa Crawl immediately afterwards.
Stop at participating businesses for delicious hot beverages and special promotions. Sample hot cocoa, complimentary hot cider, a hot cocoa bar with all the toppings, free milk and cookies, and so much more. All ages welcome.
To locate each of the 21 Hot Cocoa Crawl locations and view delicious offerings, access the interactive map on the Downtown Alameda website using a computer or your phone: www.DowntownAlameda.com/holidays#cocoa
Read MoreEat, Shop, & Be Merry in Downtown Alameda
The holiday season is here! Let the merchants in Downtown Alameda help you find unique gifts, jewelry, clothing, toys, books, or personalized services. To make shopping downtown easier, parking is FREE on weekends.
From the cheerful SHOP LATE THURSDAYS to our popular HOT COCOA CRAWL, downtown merchants have plenty to offer for a festive holiday shopping experience.
Kick off the holiday season in Downtown Alameda on Small Business Saturday®. Celebrate and support local businesses by shopping and dining downtown the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Bundle up the kids, buy a warm beverage or an ice cream, and take a stroll to enjoy the festive downtown holiday windows. Cast a vote for your favorite display.
Need more time to check off items on your holiday gift-giving list? Retailers are joining restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues in staying open until 8:00pm (or later) on Shop Late Thursdays. Have your cameras ready on Thursday, December 5 — Santa will be popping into businesses, handing out treats, and posing for photos.
On Saturday, December 7, join Santa and Alameda ‘s Mayor when they light the official island holiday tree at City Hall. Enjoy live local holiday performances beginning at 4:00pm and meet the big guy himself. Afterwards, do the Hot Cocoa Crawl with family and friends. Enjoy the shops, have a bite to eat, and vote on your favorite downtown holiday window display.
Perk up the holidays with a nostalgic movie experience at the Alameda Theatre & Cineplex. Holiday classics “A Christmas Story” (Wednesday, December 4) and “It’s a Wonderful Life” (Wednesday, December 11) are showing on the big screen.
For last minute gifts, enjoy a cozy evening of merry-making, mingling, and gift-buying while supporting local makers on Sunday, December 15. More than 20 crafters, makers, and artists will be selling awesome gifts for the holidays at PHOENIX. All ages welcome and admission is free.
Oh, what fun it is in Downtown Alameda!
Small Business Saturday: Enjoy Local
Small Business Saturday is November 30, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Celebrate local businesses that are the backbone of our island city. Step inside one of our many storefronts and enjoy gifts to share with friends and family.
When local businesses succeed, we all do! This holiday season shop locally to support local jobs, reduce your climate change impact, and keep more money in the local economy.
Spotlight on local business:
When you walk into Alameda Bicycle on the corner of Park Street and Webb Ave you can feel the passion for two-wheelers. The shop has been there for 50 years. After the Oh family took over in 1987, Gene Oh started helping out at the shop on weekends and summers. He took over full-time in 2002. “We’re here because we love bikes in some way. We want to pass that feeling along to everyone that comes into the shop. Since the beginning, we’ve been about getting the whole family on two wheels.”
Toy Safari is a place for families to explore and enjoy the wonderful world of toys. Helen Dean decided to open the shop shortly after the navy base closed in 1989. “I was shopping for a birthday present for my sons’ school friend and I realized there weren’t many options. I thought to myself, ‘I could open a toy store!’ followed immediately by the thought, ‘don’t be crazy!'” said Helen. 27 years later that “crazy” idea is now an Alameda treasure, providing a positive, kid-friendly business where kids can make informed decisions about purchases and can trade-in outgrown yet well-treated toys for new, quality toys.
Shop, eat, & enjoy local on Small Business Saturday:
Be on the look out for Shop. Eat. Enjoy. LOCAL giveaways. Additionally, businesses throughout the district are getting into the spirit of Small Business Saturday by providing free treats, special offers, and other activities:
Habanas Cuban Cuisine is offering a Complimentary Appetizer for each party.
Lost City Antiques will be have 10-50% off selected items.
Ozone will have BOGO deals on ALL clothing and FREE helmet with purchase of any Sector 9 longboards (while supplies last).
Studio 23 and its sister gallery 3Dot will be open from 12-5pm with 10% off all artworks.
The Sewing Room will have bubbles, nibbles, and hot cocoa. Get 20% off fabrics & patterns; Open Sew time is only $5/hour.
Tootsies Alameda has 50% off all items in the store.
Oh, what fun it is in Downtown Alameda during the holidays: DowntownAlameda.com/holidays