Holiday Happenings
Shop, Sip, and Gather Together!
Hot Cocoa Stroll • Shop Later Thursdays • Letters to Santa
Shop, Sip & Gather Together in Downtown Alameda!
Oh, what fun it is in Downtown Alameda this holiday season! Downtown merchants have plenty to offer for a festive holiday shopping experience, from Shop Later Thursdays to our popular Hot Cocoa Stroll.
Bundle up the kids, buy a warm beverage, and take a stroll downtown to enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season:
- HOT COCOA STROLL offers fun for the entire family, with a delectable assortment of sips & nibbles.
- SHOP LATER THURSDAYS while merchants are open until 7pm or later.
- LETTERS TO SANTA station will be set up on Alameda Avenue the same evenings that Santa is visiting.
Let the merchants in Downtown Alameda help you find unique gifts, jewelry, clothing, toys, books, and much more! Alameda eGift Cards also provide an opportunity for families and friends to enjoy local businesses.
Click for details about all these activities and more...
![[image: holiday together postcard]](https://downtownalameda.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/2022HolidayTogether.png "2022HolidayTogether")
Shop, Sip, Gather Together
Hot Cocoa Stroll
Friday, December 2, 5-7PM
Enjoy the Hot Cocoa Stroll with family and friends in Downtown Alameda. A variety of businesses will offer a warm welcome and a delectable assortment of sips & nibbles, while supplies last. There’ll be live music and activities on Alameda Avenue. Join Santa as he strolls to sweet & treat locations throughout the district! Take your time while visiting the shops, restaurants, and other fabulous services located in Alameda’s downtown district.
Get more details: DowntownAlameda.com/hotcocoa
![[image: hot cocoa stroll]](https://downtownalameda.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/2022ShopHotCocoaWeb-300x300.jpg "2022ShopHotCocoaWeb")
Shop Later Thursdays
December 8, 15, 22
The shops are making it easier to check off items on your holiday gift-giving list by joining restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues in staying open until 7:00pm (or later) on Thursdays during this holiday season. Grab a bite to eat, catch a movie, or toast the holidays with co-workers and then get a little holiday shopping done afterwards!
Downtown will be filled with the sounds of the season on Thursday nights in December! Enjoy music from JimBo Trout, Who’s Feeling Young Now and The Nep-Tunes as you stroll from shop to shop. In addition, look for Santa to be out and about handing out treats!
Find the perfect gift at these locations and more:
Alley & Vine, Daisy's, Lauren’s Closet, Spinning Bones, The Katz Meow, Toy Safari, The Massage Clinic. Plus, a number of restaurants sell pre-packaged food items such as the delicious salsa from La Penca Azul.
![[image: shop later thursdays]](https://downtownalameda.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/2022ShopLaterThursdaysWeb-300x300.jpg "2022ShopLaterThursdaysWeb")
Letters to Santa
December 2, 8, 15, 22
Want to share a wish list with Santa? We will be hosting a special Letters To Santa station on Alameda Avenue the same evenings that Santa is visiting throughout December. Once your letter is ready, drop it in one of our special Letters to Santa Mailboxes or hand it to Santa and his elves in person.
![[image: letters to santa]](https://downtownalameda.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/2022SantaLettersWeb-300x300.jpg "2022SantaLettersWeb")
City of Alameda's Shop Local Campaign
For every $1 spent locally, 67¢ remain in circulation in our economy.
Spending local is a gift to the community. #ShopLocalAlameda and Support our Small Businesses
Participation is easy: From Nov.17 - Dec. 25, shop local at participating retailers and enter giveaway for collectible tokens and other fun swag!
More information and giveaway form: alamedaca.gov/shoplocal
![[image: shop local]](https://downtownalameda.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/shop-local-12-sign-300x300.png "shop-local-12-sign")
Visit + Shop Alameda eGift Cards
When shopping online, consider giving Visit + Shop Alameda eGift Cards as gifts to friends and family, and add them to your own wish list. It's also a perfect way for grandparents to give a gift that always fits, provides a fun adventure, and is just what they wished for.
This unique Alameda gift card is extremely versatile -- a single Visit + Shop Alameda eGift Card can be used at more than 27 different businesses in Alameda, and the list is growing!
Learn more and purchase Visit + Shop Alameda eGift Cards for family and friends: yiftee.com/gift-card/alameda
Shop, Sip, and Gather Together in Downtown Alameda this holiday season!
View more happenings in Downtown Alameda:
Small Business Saturday
Support Local Businesses
Saturday, November 26
Kick off the holiday season in Downtown Alameda on Small Business Saturday®. Take time to celebrate and support local businesses by shopping and dining downtown this Saturday after Thanksgiving. Small business owners are getting into the spirit with special offers, free treats, and festive activities.
Special Offers: Small Business Saturday
The following offers are valid on November 26, 2022 only.
- Alley & Vine - Purchase gift cards in-person or online and be entered in our raffle to win a gift card for yourself!
- Julie's Coffee & Tea Garden - Tea special & samples to drink as people shop.
- Spinning Bones - 20% off gift card promo.
- The Katz Meow Antiques - ALL PURCHASES will be discounted at least 10%.
- Toy Safari - Gift with purchase, free holiday gift wrapping.
- Tutu School - Buy One, Get One Month of Classes! Only valid for dancers not currently enrolled.