‘Tis the Season Holiday Kickoff
Come kick off your holiday shopping on Friday, November 15th 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. From caroling to free cider, to window display contests and holiday lights, it’s the perfect time to kickoff the season’s festivities!
Our Pop-up Markets will be making a reappearance in Black Hawk Mini Park. Wilson’s Orchard and Farm will be selling trees, the kid’s market will be open, and the Downtown District 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. A variety of carolers will be singing throughout the evening, and last but not least, our holiday lights will be turned on for the first time this season.
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Holiday Kid’s Market sponsored by GreenState Credit Union
The Downtown Holiday Kid’s Market returns for its fourth year from November 4 until November 20, 11:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m. Kids have the opportunity to shop for everyone on their holiday lists with the assistance of Santa’s helpers. Parents or guardians can 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 receive help wrapping the gifts and getting them bundled before returning to their parents with their holiday shopping complete!
Each child will have around 30 – 45 minutes to shop for everyone on their list. Santa’s helper will help kids stick to their budget, make sure they find 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.
Saturdays November 30, December 7, 14, & 21
Santa is making four special trips to Downtown Iowa City to meet the area’s good girls and boys. Families are invited to visit Santa as he makes his stops at FilmScene in the Chauncey. Kids are encouraged to drop off their letters and wishlists. Santa will be visiting FilmScene at the Chauncey from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (404 E College St, Iowa City, IA). Visitors and families are welcome to visit Santa and capture their own photos.Drop-in shopping appointments will be available, but to ensure your shopping time, customers can reserve their shopping times in advance.
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Holiday Pop-Up Market Sponsored by GreenState Credit Union
November 21 – December 24
The Downtown Holiday Pop-Up Market sponsored by GreenState Credit Union returns this holiday shopping season to provide a festive and unique shopping experience in Black Hawk Mini Park. 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. From baked goods, clothing, jewelry, art, and more, there’s something for everyone to shop!
Nov 4 – 20
Kid’s Holiday Market
Nov 21 – 24
Wilson’s Orchard, Beno’s Flowers and Gifts, Fontenelle Supply Co.
Nov 25 – 27
Wilson’s Orchard, Beno’s Flowers and Gifts, Volition Skate Co.
Nov 28 – Dec 1
223 Baby Co., Beno’s Flowers and Gifts, Molly’s Cupcakes
Dec 2 – 4
Beno’s Flowers and Gifts, Valerie’s French Cooking, Bogs Vinyls Brian Brandsgard
Dec 5 – Dec 8
Beno’s Flowers and Gifts, Valerie’s French Cooking, Made Community
Dec 9 – 11
Beno’s Flowers and Gifts, Valerie’s French Cooking, Made Community
Dec 12 – 15
Beno’s Flowers and Gifts, Valerie’s French Cooking, Made Community
Dec 16 – 18
Om Gifts For Body & Soul
Dec 19 – 22
Om Gifts for Body & Soul, Molly’s Cupcakes, Wilson’s Orchard
Dec 23 – 24
Om Gifts for Body & Soul, Valerie’s French Cooking
Teddy Bear Room at the Hilton Garden Inn
November 30 – December 31
The Downtown Teddy Bear Room is exactly what you may imagine! For 5 weeks, there will be an entire room at the Hilton Garden Inn filled with hundreds of teddy bears, big and small.
Beginning on November 30th kids are invited to come hug a bear, take photos, and immerse themselves in a room full of holiday cheer. The room is open everyday from 10am – 8pm until December 31st. Grab a key at the front desk and make your way upstairs to say hello to hundreds of bears!
NEW this year is Teddy Bear Story Time with the Iowa City Public Library. Story times will take place in the Teddy Bear Room at the Hilton Garden Inn and will run for a half hour.
Tuesday, December 3 @ 9:30 a.m.
Tuesday, December 10 @ 9:30 a.m
Tuesday, December 17 @ 9:30 a.m.
Holiday Market at Robert A. Lee Recreation Center
November 16 & December 14
Our annual holiday markets provide a wonderful opportunity to purchase thoughtful handmade gifts for your friends and loved ones while supporting local farmers and artisans. Vendors will offer a wide variety of products including homemade, handcrafted, seasonal gifts, and food available for purchase.
There is no entry fee, and vendors will be set up in both the 1st floor gymnasium and the second floor social hall of the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center.
Two chances to shop!
- Saturday, Nov. 16: 8am – 1pm
- Saturday, Dec. 14: 8am – 1pm
It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play by Joe Landry
November 29 – December 15
