‘Tis the Season Holiday Kickoff
Come kick off your holiday shopping on Thursday, November 9th from 5:00pm – 8:00pm in the heart of Downtown Iowa City! Holiday cheer will be in the air and your favorite retailers will have all the festive goodies available for purchase. There will be an abundance of activities to look forward to…grab your family and friends and make an evening of this one-night-only event.
Our Pop-up Markets will be making a reappearance in Black Hawk Mini Park! Wilson’s Orchard and Farm will be occupying the market as well as Fontenelle Supply Co. The ICDD will be handing out complimentary cider.
An old-school trolley will be making the rounds around the downtown, taking shoppers to and from the downtown and Northside Neighborhoods. The Iowa Hawkapellas, UI Old Gold, and Iowa Conservatory studnets will be singing a cappella throughout the evening, and last but not least, our holiday lights will be turned on for the first time this season!
See the full schedule, map, 30+ participating shops, and special offers.
Holiday Kid’s Market sponsored by GreenState Credit Union
November 13 – November 22
The Downtown Holiday Kid’s Market returns for its third year from November 13 until November 22, 11:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m. Kids can have the opportunity to shop for everyone on their holiday lists with the assistance of Santa’s helpers. Parents or guardians can help submit a list of all the gifts that need to be purchased, the budgets for each person, and then wait while the kids shop in secret. Once their shopping is complete, children can get help wrapping the gifts and getting them bundled before returning to their parents with their holiday shopping complete!
Each child will get around 30 – 45 minutes to shop for everyone on their list. Santa’s helper will help kids stick to their budget, make sure they get something for everyone on their lists, and shop efficiently.
Drop-in shopping appointments will be available, but to ensure your shopping time, customers can reserve their shopping times in advance. Check back here soon to schedule your time!
Saturdays November 25 and December 2, 9, & 16
Holiday Pop-Up Market Sponsored by GreenState Credit Union
The Downtown Holiday Pop-Up Market sponsored by GreenState Credit Union returns this holiday shopping season to provide a festive and unique shopping experience for a number of pop-up shops. The market will see a rotating list of businesses popping in and out of them throughout November and December with three different shops at each time.
Come shop the Holiday Pop-Up Market to find a new small business to love or visit one of your favorites. Check back here soon for a list of updated vendors and pop-ups happening this holiday season. From baked goods, clothing, jewelry, art, and more, there’s something for everyone to shop!
Nov 9 – 12
Wilson’s Orchard, Fontenelle Supply Co., Tribue Kicks
Nov 13 – 22
Downtown Holiday Kid’s Market
Nov 24 – 26
223 Baby Co., Daydreams Comics, Mike Stenerson Art
Nov 27 – 29
Sock Shop, Shop Strawberry Lane, Vice Iowa City
Nov 30 – Dec 3
Amana Woolen Mill, Tura Lura Co., Made Community
Dec 4 – 6
Holiday Shop & Basket Boutique, West Music, Ulysses Modern
Dec 7 – 10
Scrap Lab, Molly’s Cupcakes, Ulysses Modern
Dec 11 – 13
Atlas, Field & Finch, Avery McCoy Collection
Dec 14 – 17
Om Gifts for Body & Soul, Wilson’s Orchard, Field & Finch
Dec 18 – 20
Om Gifts for Body & Soul, Wilson’s Orchard, Valerie’s French Cooking
Dec 21 – 24
Om Gifts for Body & Soul, Valerie’s French Cooking, i2i Designs/Irma2Ivonne Designs
Teddy Bear Room at the Hilton Garden Inn
November 25 – December 31
Teddy Bears Galore! The Downtown Teddy Bear Room is exactly how it sounds, for 5 weeks, there will be an entire room at the Hilton Garden Inn, filled with hundreds of teddy bears, big and small.
Opening November 25th until December 31st; families, children, and everyone is invited to come hug a bear, take photos, and spread the holiday cheer.
Good ‘morrow Lord’s and Lady’s, Knights, and Gentlewomen! Your presence is requested at the 2nd Annual Nolte Madrigal Dinner whereupon we will feast on a 5-course meal crafted by Chef Daniel Knowles, make merry with dancers from ICON and the Nolte Academy, and listen to the lilting voices of Nolte’s Madrigal Singers and members of the Iowa City Youth Choir. This 3-hour tour-de-Yuletide will transport you to 16th century England, so assemble your court and prepare for revelry full!
Holiday Market at the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center
November 11 and December 16