It’s the most wonderful time of the year… to be downtown! In December, Main Streets across the country will fill with twinkling lights, festive parades and seasonal shoppers. Local businesses help to make the town merry and bright all year long, but come the holidays, they offer convenient gift shopping and must-do events, all with an extra touch of holiday cheer.
Mayor’s Food Truck Fiesta
December 7, 2016
Tampa, Florida
Join Mayor Bob Buckhorn for a mid-week lunch break near City Hall. The Food Truck Fiesta is a monthly event, with December’s installment featuring 10 local food trucks. More information, including a list of participating food trucks, is available from Tampa’s Downtown Partnership.
Winter Art Walk
Friday, December 9, 2016
Bozeman, Montana
Bozeman, Montana’s regular Art Walks unite art and retail on and around Main Street. Attendees will spend the evening touring local businesses and galleries, which will feature artists’ openings and receptions. As weather permits, live performances will occur throughout downtown. More information is available from Downtown Bozeman.
Cookie Crumb Trail
Friday, December 9 & Saturday, December 10, 2016
Brookville, Indiana
It wouldn’t be the holidays without Christmas cookies, and this wouldn’t be a downtown event without local businesses. For $5 per ticket, shoppers in Brookville, Indiana, can taste a different Christmas cookie from each participating local business. Some businesses may even pass out the recipe. The Cookie Crumb Trail raises money for a local charity. More information is on Brookville Main Street’s Facebook page.
Ride, Rock & Cruise Down the River
Saturday, December 10, 2016
Florence, Alabama
A daylong festival along the Tennessee River, the second annual Ride, Rock & Cruise event will feature a motorcycle ride, local vendors and live music, with a seasonal twist. Attendees are asked to make a monetary donation or bring a gift, as the event aims to provide a merry Christmas for 238 local teenagers in need. More information is available from Florence Main Street and on Facebook.
First Night Casper
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Casper, Wyoming
This New Year’s Eve event will do more than celebrate the stroke of midnight. It will also raise awareness for substance abuse prevention. Live entertainment and local vendors will provide a vibrant, substance-free environment that’s suitable for the whole family. More information is available from Visit Casper.
This holiday season, shop at local businesses, dine at local restaurants and spread local cheer. Main Street events make downtown a vibrant and fun place to visit, but it’s the local businesses behind the events that really drive economic growth and community improvement. Stop in to make their holiday season a little more cheerful.
Independent We Stand is dedicated to helping independent businesses across the country engage their communities and encouraging customers to buy local. If you’re a business owner, get buy local resources, tips and news by registering for a business membership. Your business will also be included in our ‘locals only’ search engine and mobile app. If you’re a consumer, take the pledge to buy local to join the movement.
