What's Happening
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 Late Thursdays to our popular Hot Cocoa Scavenger Hunt.
So bundle up the kids, buy a warm beverage, and take a stroll downtown to enjoy the holiday together with friends and family:
Get the details about this year’s holiday happenings and more… DowntownAlameda.com/holidays
Shop Late Thursdays
The shops in the district are joining our restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues in staying open until 8:00pm (or later) on Thursday nights in December. Let the merchants in Downtown Alameda help you find unique gifts, jewelry, clothing, toys, books, and much more!
Grab a bite to eat, stop to enjoy the holiday entertainment, and get a little shopping done! (All performances are on Alameda Ave near the Al Fresco Dining Area, 6-8pm.)
- Dec 2 – Horns A Plenty
- Dec 9 – Catty Wompus (plus a special performance on Saturday 12/18, 11am-1pm)
- Dec 16 – who’s feeling young now
- Dec 23 – JimBo Trout
Santa Visits
Santa will be strolling the district and popping into businesses, handing out treats, and posing for photos on Thursday nights, 6-8pm. Have your cameras ready for a fun photo opportunity!
Plus, our friends at Twirl are hosting a special Letters To Santa station, 5-7pm. Once your child’s letter is ready, drop it in one of the special Letters to Santa Mailboxes located at businesses throughout the district. Or hand it to Santa and his elves in person during our Shop Late Thursdays!
Hot Cocoa Crawl Scavenger Hunt
The hunt is on! Search the window displays to find a series of festive holiday items needed to enjoy a yummy serving of Hot Cocoa. Find all 8 window clings and enter to win a Hot Cocoa “Together” Kit for Two. (The scavenger hunt is available every day until December 15.)
Alameda Shop & Visit 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. This unique Alameda gift card is extremely versatile — a single Visit + Shop Alameda eGift Card can be used at more than 20 different businesses in Alameda, and the list is growing!
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. And it wouldn’t be a celebration without customers like you! Downtown businesses are showing their appreciation with special offers, free treats, and festive activities.
Small Business Saturday® is a holiday shopping tradition that celebrates local businesses. Show support for small businesses and your community by shopping and dining locally on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Special Offers:
- Daisy’s – Goodies, raffles to enter, and lots of fun surprises all weekend long.
- Helios Images – Final day of Holiday Portrait Mini Sessions lasting 15 minutes each for only $95, held between 12-6pm. (info and signup)
- La Penca Azul – Happy Hour all day!
- Lauren’s Closet – Free holiday gift wrap with purchase.
- Lola’s Chicken Shack – Hangover Burgers for only $8.69!
- Magpie & Thorn – 10-30% off most in-store items (exclusions apply).
- Mommy’s Trading Post – Free gift with purchase.
- Park Street Wine Cellars – One Day Only! Our Deepest Discounts Ever! 30% Off ALL 12 Packs!! Mix&Match or Solid OK!
- The Katz Meow Antiques & Collectibles – 10% discount on all purchases on 11/27.
- The Massage Clinic – $10 off a chair massage.
- Tutu School – Buy One, Get One Month of Classes! Only valid for dancers not currently enrolled.
Welcome the newest Downtown Alameda businesses to Open With Care… find what you need in the way that works for you, whether it’s in-store visits, ordering out, shopping by appointment, or virtual experiences.
Kindly remember… all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, must wear face coverings when indoors in public settings. Thank you in advance for remaining kind, supportive, and respective when shopping and dining in the district.
New Downtown Businesses:
Capullo Cocina Mexicana, 1508 Park Street
Offering delicious, authentic Mexican regional cuisine from the five regions of Mexico. The dishes at Capullo Cocina are made in their own kitchen from scratch!
Interline Technologies, 1926 Park Street #5 Product and consulting business that helps organizations understand and improve transportation networks digitally. Customized consulting services are available for integrating Interline’s transit and routing platforms.
Mommy’s Trading Post, 1428 Park Street
Consignment shop of parenting necessities. Find a wide range of new and gently-used baby, toddler, and maternity clothes. There’s also a great selection of gear for children.
New Location:
Needles & Tea, 2447 Santa Clara Ave #209
More Businesses in the Works:
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Alameda once had a thriving Japantown, but few Alamedans know of its history and the story of its residents.
At the turn of the 20th century, the Issei, first generation Japanese immigrants, came to Alameda as “sojourners”, seeking a better life, with a dream of making their fortunes. The new immigrants settled in a Japantown community roughly bounded by Park Street, Santa Clara Avenue, Walnut Street and the Oakland Estuary.
In response to the growing number of Japanese immigrants and local restrictions on where they could eat, shop, or get a haircut, Japanese-run businesses began to open on Park Street, mostly between Santa Clara Ave and Pacific Ave. By 1912, Alameda Japantown consisted of barbers, bathhouses, hotels, restaurants, grocers, tofu shops, laundries, bicycle shops, a doctor, a tailor, and shoe repair shops. Local businesses increased in the mid-1920s with nurseries and floral shops to support the Japanese in gardening and landscape work. By the 1930s Alameda’s Japantown was flourishing.
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After a long, long year of remote learning, the kids are back in school! Let’s all celebrate this fresh start at our new stroll event, Mamas & Margaritas (Cool Papas too!).
Ticket holders will take to our downtown district tasting festive mini margaritas paired with yummy bites at a number of unique OUTDOOR downtown locations during this “Back to School” themed event. Plus, receive exclusive offers and a chance to win fabulous prizes.
We’ll have eight outdoor locations ready to serve you a taste of refreshing margaritas created by one of our local restaurants! Each margarita tasting will be unique and delightful. And while at each stop, you’ll enjoy a savory or sweet bite prepared by a local eatery.
Ticket holders receive a collectible tasting glass, festive margarita tastings at unique downtown locations, locally prepared bites, commemorative map, special discounts, and other goodies.
Enjoy music, laughter, and good times all around!
Ticket prices start at $50. As an alternative for those unable to attend in-person, Pappo has a limited number of Home Kits available for enjoying on your own time. Proceeds support programs that keep Downtown Alameda clean, green, and safe for all to enjoy.
Not a Mama? Not a Cool Papa? Not to worry! This event is open to all Margarita enthusiasts!
Learn more about this festive new event: www.DowntownAlameda.com/margaritastroll
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