Downtown Kalamazoo
Creative. Welcoming. Rooted.
Locally owned shops, restaurants, studios and stages, all a few blocks apart in the heart of Kalamazoo.
Explore downtown
In shortChoose a kind of place to see those businesses in the directory.
November 6 – December 31
The Holiday Parade, the Tree Lighting, Small Business Saturday, gift guides, ready-made outings and a K hunt hidden around downtown.
Find something local
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.
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
What’s happening
In shortThese are the next few events downtown. Select one to see the details.
Downtown shops, galleries and studios open their doors to show work by local artists.
A Saturday downtown planned with moms in mind, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
When the last float passes, the celebration moves to the Kalamazoo Mall, where shops and organizations host holiday activities.
Marching bands, giant balloons and floats roll through downtown in one of Kalamazoo’s longest-running traditions.
The City of Kalamazoo lights up Bronson Park to open the season, celebrating the holidays and the many traditions people bring to them.
Shop downtown’s locally owned businesses on the biggest small-business day of the year, and visit Santa as his workshop opens.
December’s Art Hop pairs local art with holiday windows. It’s a good night to find a handmade gift.
Gingerbread creations fill downtown for two and a half weeks of the season.
The gift that stays downtown
Digital gift certificates in $5, $10 and $20 amounts, good at 43 downtown businesses and counting.
News & stories
On August 19, 1959, two blocks of Burdick Street closed to cars and about 50,000 people came to see what downtown could be.
Downtown Kalamazoo
New downtown parking zones and rates started April 1, 2026. The first 90 minutes stay free in the Epic Center and Kalamazoo Mall ramps.
City of Kalamazoo
WOOD TV 8 on the $3.6 million transformation of Arcadia Creek Festival Place, and the summer festivals still planned at the site.
From WOOD TV 8
Behind the scenes
For businesses, groups and neighbors
Add an event to the calendar, find grants and permits for your business, or tell us what you love about downtown.