In Downtown Alpena we have a full calendar of events year round. From shopping events to our Chili Chowder Cook-off to Friday Night Street Performers to Visits with Santa, there are numerous events each season to enjoy. Explore what might be going on downtown during your visit (no matter if you're coming from down the street or across the country!) by clicking the buttons below.
Fall Events
Chili Chowder Cook-offEvery fall, the DDA hosts its annual Chili Chowder cook off! An average of a dozen contestants from around the region compete in several categories from Best Chili or Chowder to Most Spirit Booth. The Chili Chowder Cook-Off is proudly a zero waste event with the help of our volunteers.
Due to staffing changes at the DDA, staffing challenges for our restaurants and rising COVID cases, the Chili Chowder Cook-off has been postponed for Fall 2021. You can read the full press release regarding the postponement here. |
Bard at the BarBard at the Bar is a Shakespearean-Themed Bar Crawl hosted by the Alpena DDA and Thunder Bay Theatre (TBT). Professional actors and actresses from TBT's core company perform various scenes from Shakespeare's works at downtown bars and restaurants.
Bard at the Bar is postponed as Thunder Bay Theatre seeks to renovate and repair their building following the 2020 fire at the neighboring John A. Lau. For more information about TBT, visit their website. |
Flannel Fun NightStay tuned for an official announcement about 2022 Flannel Fun Night!
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Downtown Trick-or-TreatingStay tuned for official 2022 dates for Downtown Trick or Treating.
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Winter Events
Bolenz Jewelry Holiday Parade + Downtown Tree LightingJoin us to kick off the holiday season on Friday, November 25 at 5:30 pm with the annual Bolenz Holiday Parade through Downtown Alpena! The tree lighting ceremony and arrival of Santa in Culligan Plaza follows the parade.
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Visit With Santa DowntownOfficial Visit with Santa dates will be announced at a later date.
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Small Business Saturday
Small Business Saturday is a national shopping holiday that is celebrated the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Small Business Saturday was created to encourage people to shop local and support small, family owned businesses during the holiday season.
This holiday season we would like to encourage you to take advantage of Small Business Saturday and support our downtown businesses when you're shopping for gifts.
Small Business Saturday is November 27th, 2021. Learn more at the Facebook event here.
This holiday season we would like to encourage you to take advantage of Small Business Saturday and support our downtown businesses when you're shopping for gifts.
Small Business Saturday is November 27th, 2021. Learn more at the Facebook event here.
Alpena Ice FestivalAlpena Ice Fest is scheduled for Saturday, February 12, 2022! The event begins at Mich-e-ke-wis Park with ice sculptures on display by Ice Creations of Napolean, Ohio, a huge bonfire by Alpena Fire Department, demonstrations, food and fun, ice and snow related activities. Activities then move to downtown from 5-9 pm!
Nearly thirty ice sculptures will be on display throughout Downtown Alpena, including an ice throne in Culligan Plaza! Stores will be open late until 7 pm, and enjoy "Fire and Ice" themed cocktails and specials at downtown restaurants. |
Restaurant WeekThe Alpena DDA is excited to announce our first ever Downtown Alpena Restaurant Week from Saturday, February 19 through Saturday, February 26, 2022! Over the course of the week, downtown restaurants, cafes, and eateries will be offering lunch, dinner and drink specials. From cozy cafes to farm fresh dining, Restaurant Week is a celebration of the growing culinary scene here in Downtown Alpena.
Our first year's event is proudly sponsored by Alpena Agency and Auto-Owner's Insurance. Thank you for your support of our local restaurants and helping us make this event a success! |
Spring Events
Downtown Clean Up & Flower Planting
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This year, a group of volunteers is leading an initiative to beautify Downtown Alpena by planting flowers in the tree bases along Chisholm Street! There is a planting day where you can participate in this event on Saturday, May 28th from 9am-11am. Volunteers will be meeting on Saturday at Culligan Plaza to pick up gardening supplies if needed, but please bring your own if you have it!
If you want to sponsor a flat of flowers, you can donate $50 that will be used to purchase a flat of flowers from Kipfmiller's Produce & Nursery. Each sponsor will get a sign posted in one of the tree bases to recognize their support. You can donate online at the link below! |
Summer Events
Sidewalk SalesEach summer we work with our Downtown Merchants to collaborate and coordinate Sidewalk Sales during the Brown Trout Festival.
Annual Sidewalk Sales were held Thursday, July 15th through Saturday, July 17th, 2021. This year we introduced the Fishing for Downtown Dollars promotion! We do intend to continue the Fishing for Downtown Dollars Promotion in the summer 2022 and will have official dates for Downtown Sidewalk Sales in Spring 2022. |
Friday Night Street PerformersOn Friday nights throughout the summer, street performers are scattered all over Downtown Alpena offering live music from blues to jazz to country.
Downtown Street Performers kick off on Friday, May 28th, 2021 and run all summer long, weather permitting. You can tune in to Live Music from local musicians and bands in Avery Park, Culligan Plaza and Pocket Park from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. |
Fresh Waves: The Downtown Mural Project
In 2019, the DDA launched a new arts initiative to bring vibrant murals and public art downtown. Over three years, the project has commissioned fifteen unique, inspiring pieces of artwork! Each year the location of the mural will change and be selected by the DDA's Marketing & Promotions Committee. We will be announcing 2022 details in Early 2022.
