A local find
Uncle Buddy's Toy Stash
A retro and vintage toy store on the Kalamazoo Mall with classic toys, games and collectibles.
Find something local
Locally owned shops, restaurants, makers and services, a few blocks apart.
Find the Holidays Downtown
Shop. Dine. Celebrate. Find it downtown.
Downtown has more to experience than you remember. Come back, explore, and make a full day or evening of it.
Start anywhere
Four ways to find the holidays
In shortThere are four ways to use this site: find local businesses, find things to do, find holiday traditions, and find your way around downtown.
- Mark your calendar
Downtown stays up late
On Saturday, December 12, shops, restaurants and bars stay open from 6 to 11 p.m. for Moonlight Madness: deals, lights and music.
Find more to do
Pair a holiday event with dinner, shopping, a show or a walk through the lights.
- Did you know?
A tradition since 1962
Gilmore Department Store started Kalamazoo’s holiday parade in 1962. Today it draws close to 30,000 people to the curb.
Find your tradition
Keep the ones you love, like the parade and the tree lighting, or start a new one.
- Insider tip
Room for 24
The free Holly Jolly Trolley seats 24 and leaves City Hall on the hour and half hour. On busy nights, catch it at the start of the loop.
Find your way
Parking, the free trolley, accessibility and what to know about street construction.
Find more to do
What’s next downtown
In shortThese are the next few holiday events. Select one to see the time, place and cost.
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First Friday & Art Hop
Downtown shops, galleries and studios open their doors to show work by local artists.
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Moms in the Zoo
A Saturday downtown planned with moms in mind, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Fox Motors Maple Hill Holiday Parade
Marching bands, giant balloons and floats roll through downtown in one of Kalamazoo’s longest-running traditions.
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After Parade Activities
When the last float passes, the celebration moves to the Kalamazoo Mall, where shops and organizations host holiday activities.
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Tree Lighting Ceremony
The City of Kalamazoo lights up Bronson Park to open the season, celebrating the holidays and the many traditions people bring to them.
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Small Business Saturday & Santa’s Workshop
Shop downtown’s locally owned businesses on the biggest small-business day of the year, and visit Santa as his workshop opens.
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First Friday & Art Hop
December’s Art Hop pairs local art with holiday windows. It’s a good night to find a handmade gift.
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Gingerbread Wonderland
Gingerbread creations fill downtown for two and a half weeks of the season.
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December to Remember
A free night of holiday cheer, hot cocoa and activities in Bronson Park.
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Moonlight Madness
Downtown stays open late for a night of deals, lights, music and winter cocktails.
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New Year’s Fest
An all-ages celebration of performing arts that rings in the new year downtown.
Find something local
Around every corner
Downtown is full of small surprises: a candle you pour yourself, a toy store full of things you forgot you loved, a glass studio hidden in an old factory. Turn the corner and see what turns up.
One of 121 downtown finds.
Kalamazoo Candle Company
A candle maker and marketplace on the Kalamazoo Mall where you can pour your own candle or shop hand-poured scents and local goods.
166 S. Kalamazoo Mall
Accepts Downtown DollarsSee it in the directory: Kalamazoo Candle Company
Find your way
Easy to get to, easy to get around
- 90 minutes freeIn the Epic Center and Kalamazoo Mall ramps, all year.
- Free trolleyThe Holly Jolly Trolley loops downtown Thursday through Sunday until Christmas Eve.
- WalkableThe Kalamazoo Mall, Bronson Park and most holiday events sit within a few blocks.
Streets for All construction
Some downtown streets are being rebuilt. Downtown businesses are open throughout, and the city posts current closures and detours.
For groups and venues
Hosting something downtown this season?
Shops, venues, nonprofits and community groups can add a holiday event to the downtown calendar. Every submission is reviewed, and details are confirmed before it is posted.
- Events between November 1 and December 31
- Held downtown, and open to the public
- Have the date, time, place, cost and accessibility details ready
Own a downtown business? See all the ways to take part.