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Downtown Alpena Holiday Sneak Peek
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special activities11- 2pm: Porch Pot Pop-Up with Doreen Thomas at Glik's. Get your porch pots and place your holiday pre-orders with Classic Designs by Doreen Thomas CF at a special pop-up! 11- 6pm: Briar Hill Bakehouse and Falls Creek @ the Water Street Commons Grand Opening. Kick off the holiday season at the commons by welcoming our newest vendor selling baked goods, wreaths, festive decor, and more. 12- 4pm: Grand Reopening & 1 Year Anniversary of Elevate Salon (311 W Chisholm St). Offering retail discounts, new client specials, giveaways, and gift bags to the first 20 visitors! 1- 3pm: Cookie Decorating Class with Cookies by Hannah at PIF Cider. Tickets & info here. 3- 5pm: Holiday-Themed Card Printing Workshop with Poppy Cornelius at PIF Cider. Tickets & info here. |
participating businesses & specials• Colburn Outfitters- 25% men and women's sweaters, 25% off select cozy warm jackets • Bolenz Jewelry- Preview their 2025 Christmas Holiday Collection Look Book and preview all new holiday merchandise! Register to win a Shinola 12 Hour Leather Tote (value $595). Giveaway November 29th. • Myers Fashions Etc- In-store specials, winter coat trade-in sale, refreshments and holiday fun • Denali Rose Boutique • Traveling Ladders • Parallel 45 Books & Gifts • Classic Designs by Doreen Thomas CF • Rusty Petunias Marketplace • Glik's • PIF Cider • The Black Sheep • Cabin Creek Coffee • Sweet Baby James • Local Basket Case |
Kick off the holiday season in Downtown Alpena with a weekend full of local traditions, holiday markets, and small-town holiday vibes.
Friday, November 28, 202511- 6 pm: Opening Weekend at Water Street Commons. Shop new vendors at the holiday market at the Water Street Commons- Briar Hill Bakehouse, Falls Creek Produce & Flowers, The Art Nook, Choucas Hats, Knaebe's, and Birch Hill Grocery. Located on the corner of 2nd & Water St.
11- 6 pm: 8th Annual Falls Creek Holiday Market. Our annual outdoor Holiday Market in Downtown Alpena will be at its new location over 2 days: Black Friday and Small Business Saturday! This will be our largest release of holiday inventory. A magical market with all your holiday decor & goodies by Falls Creek + Briar Hill Bakehouse. Join us and the other lovely shops at the Water Street Commons. We will see you there - bring your holiday cheer! Preorder here: https://www.fallscreekmi.com/holiday 4- 7 pm: Join Wolverine State Credit Union for their Holiday Parade Watch Party! The Bolenz Holiday Parade will begin at 5:30pm. We will gather at our Chisholm branch at 4pm with Truck Your Pizza food truck, music by DJ Cliff, a warming tent with tables/seating and bleachers for parade watching. The cold doesn't scare us. We will have heaters and fires for warming up. 5 pm: BAC Holiday Parade Tailgate Bay Athletic Club is hosting their first-ever Holiday Parade Tailgate in the parking lot of their new downtown location (200 W Chisholm St)! Enjoy hot cocoa, warm cider, and donuts while we gather as a community to celebrate the season and watch the parade together. Bring your family, your friends, and your holiday spirit. All are welcome! 5:30 pm: Bolenz Jewelry Holiday Parade – Watch the streets of downtown come alive with lights, music, and holiday spirit as part of this beloved holiday tradition. The parade is staged in the County Annex building parking lot at the corner of Chisholm and Ninth Street. The parade route begins by turning left onto Chisholm, then continues left onto Second Avenue, right onto Water Street, and ends in the parking lot behind City Hall. Tree Lighting Ceremony – The tree in Culligan Plaza (corner of 2nd & Chisholm St) will be lit up to mark the beginning of the holiday season. The ceremony starts shortly after the holiday parade finishes. |
Saturday, November 29, 202510-2 pm: Mistletoe Market in Culligan Plaza. Join Classic Designs by Doreen Thomas CF with special guests Wind Dancer Farm & Studios and Cosmic Corn for their annual market to get your porch pots, wreaths, and garland! 11- 6 pm: Opening Weekend at Water Street Commons. Shop new vendors at the holiday market at the Water Street Commons- Briar Hill Bakehouse, Falls Creek Produce & Flowers, The Art Nook, Choucas Hats, Knaebe's, and Birch Hill Grocery. Located on the corner of 2nd & Water St. 11- 6 pm: 8th Annual Falls Creek Holiday Market. Our annual outdoor Holiday Market in Downtown Alpena will be at its new location over 2 days: Black Friday and Small Business Saturday! This will be our largest release of holiday inventory. A magical market with all your holiday decor & goodies by Falls Creek + Briar Hill Bakehouse. Join us and the other lovely shops at the Water Street Commons. We will see you there - bring your holiday cheer! Preorder here: https://www.fallscreekmi.com/holiday |
Holiday Shopping in Downtown Alpena
Twinkling lights, festive window displays, and the nostalgic charm of our historic streets create the perfect setting for a festive shopping experience.
Our vibrant downtown is home to over thirty locally owned shops and boutiques offering unique gifts you won’t find anywhere else — from handcrafted goods and locally made art to cozy apparel, home décor, gourmet treats, and more. Whether you're checking off your holiday list or simply enjoying the spirit of the season, every purchase you make supports our neighbors, strengthens our local economy, and helps grow our downtown. Learn more about all the shops downtown below!
Our vibrant downtown is home to over thirty locally owned shops and boutiques offering unique gifts you won’t find anywhere else — from handcrafted goods and locally made art to cozy apparel, home décor, gourmet treats, and more. Whether you're checking off your holiday list or simply enjoying the spirit of the season, every purchase you make supports our neighbors, strengthens our local economy, and helps grow our downtown. Learn more about all the shops downtown below!
Apparel & Accessories
Bolenz Jewelry- downtown's jewelry shop, engagement rings, custom designs
Colburn Outfitters- outdoor and lifestyle for men and women, brands like Prana, Royal Robbins, Lole and more
Emery Enterprises- farm, forest, and factory wears including Carhartt, Stormy Kromers, and more
Glik's- on-trend clothing for men and women, brands like Ugg, Free People, and Birkenstock
Local Basket Case- Michigan-made and Alpena themed items
Myers' Fashions- seventy-year staple of downtown selling women's clothing, jewelry, and accessories
Sweet Baby James- children's clothing store where happy little humans shop, infant to 8T
Art Galleries
Art in the Loft- third floor gallery with rotating exhibits and art for sale
Thunder Bay Arts- artists' cooperative with rotating artwork for sale, including paintings, pottery, jewelry, and more
Bookstores
Bob's Bullpen- new and vintage, comics, graphic novels, movies, games and more
Parallel 45 Books & Gifts- downtown's locally-owned, independent bookstore
Home & Gift
Alpena Furniture- locally-owned furniture store selling mattresses, sofas, tables, and more
Prattscape's Antique & Gift Shop- garden, furniture and home shop with unique antique and new items
The Rabbit Hole- tea, essential oils, artwork, and more unique finds
Rewildings- products designed to support your journey towards health and wellness
Rusty Petunias Marketplace- home decor, gifts, and more
Traveling Ladders- home decor, art, small gifts and upscale antiques
Specialty Shops
Classic Designs by Doreen Thomas CF- full service florist with gifts and decor
Clem's Bait & Tackle- bait, tackle, rods, apparel and other fishing items
Harborside Cycle & Sport- bikes, e-bikes, outdoor gear, and more
Illuminate Wellness- crystals, stones, oils, and all that guides you on your wellness journey
Karma's a Fish- pet store with birds, pets, and fish
Lasting Expressions- floral shop offering arrangements, homewares, gifts, and more
Noise & Toys- downtown's record store with new and used records
Nostalgia Factory- one-stop shop for items from the 80's-early 2000's
Soaps and Such- handcrafted bath and beauty products made right on-site
Sanctuary Store- maritime books and other Great Lakes gear, plus candles, mugs, bags, and more
Suncatchers- stained glass studio with items for sale and other gifts
Water Street Commons- collaborative with tiny shops and a tasty room
Yarns to Go & Fabric- yarn, quilting fabric, and gifts
Bolenz Jewelry- downtown's jewelry shop, engagement rings, custom designs
Colburn Outfitters- outdoor and lifestyle for men and women, brands like Prana, Royal Robbins, Lole and more
Emery Enterprises- farm, forest, and factory wears including Carhartt, Stormy Kromers, and more
Glik's- on-trend clothing for men and women, brands like Ugg, Free People, and Birkenstock
Local Basket Case- Michigan-made and Alpena themed items
Myers' Fashions- seventy-year staple of downtown selling women's clothing, jewelry, and accessories
Sweet Baby James- children's clothing store where happy little humans shop, infant to 8T
Art Galleries
Art in the Loft- third floor gallery with rotating exhibits and art for sale
Thunder Bay Arts- artists' cooperative with rotating artwork for sale, including paintings, pottery, jewelry, and more
Bookstores
Bob's Bullpen- new and vintage, comics, graphic novels, movies, games and more
Parallel 45 Books & Gifts- downtown's locally-owned, independent bookstore
Home & Gift
Alpena Furniture- locally-owned furniture store selling mattresses, sofas, tables, and more
Prattscape's Antique & Gift Shop- garden, furniture and home shop with unique antique and new items
The Rabbit Hole- tea, essential oils, artwork, and more unique finds
Rewildings- products designed to support your journey towards health and wellness
Rusty Petunias Marketplace- home decor, gifts, and more
Traveling Ladders- home decor, art, small gifts and upscale antiques
Specialty Shops
Classic Designs by Doreen Thomas CF- full service florist with gifts and decor
Clem's Bait & Tackle- bait, tackle, rods, apparel and other fishing items
Harborside Cycle & Sport- bikes, e-bikes, outdoor gear, and more
Illuminate Wellness- crystals, stones, oils, and all that guides you on your wellness journey
Karma's a Fish- pet store with birds, pets, and fish
Lasting Expressions- floral shop offering arrangements, homewares, gifts, and more
Noise & Toys- downtown's record store with new and used records
Nostalgia Factory- one-stop shop for items from the 80's-early 2000's
Soaps and Such- handcrafted bath and beauty products made right on-site
Sanctuary Store- maritime books and other Great Lakes gear, plus candles, mugs, bags, and more
Suncatchers- stained glass studio with items for sale and other gifts
Water Street Commons- collaborative with tiny shops and a tasty room
Yarns to Go & Fabric- yarn, quilting fabric, and gifts
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Christmas Market
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Christmas at the Commons
Saturday, December 13, 2025 from 2-7 pm
Celebrate the holidays with us at the Water Street Commons at our inaugural Christmas at the Commons event! Bring your friends, family, and festive spirit for an evening filled with holiday cheer and cozy winter fun.
Event Highlights:
Event Highlights:
- Glühwein For Sale – Warm up with a delicious, spiced seasonal mulled wine.
- Clydesdale Meet & Greet (2-5 pm) – Get up close with these gentle giants—perfect for photos!
- Special Santa appearance from 3-4 pm
- Merry music from Messy Meadows (5-6 pm)
- Tractor Rides Through Downtown – Enjoy a charming ride through the heart of our decorated downtown. Ginop Sales from Hillman will be offering free tractor rides all weekend- Saturday 12/13 from 11-7 pm and Sunday 12/14 from 11-4 pm!
- Firepits – Cozy up around the fire, sip something warm, and soak in the holiday vibes.
- Local Shops – Finish your holiday shopping at our tiny shops and find that perfect gift.
- Truck Your Pizza from 12-7 pm – Grab a hot pizza from Truck Your Pizza, who will be set up at the Commons from 12-7 pm!
- And more!
Downtown Alpena New Year's Eve Celebration
Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | 8 pm- 1 am
Join us in Downtown Alpena for our second-annual New Year's Eve Celebration, sponsored by HPC Credit Union! Come to ring in the new year and celebrate new beginnings. New this year- a fireworks display at midnight!
Enjoy food and drink specials throughout the downtown at restaurants, taprooms and bars. Dance the night away with a lineup of local DJ's and music in the alleyway from 8 pm- 1 am. Warm up at our cozy warming stations throughout the parking lot with a Social District drink.
As midnight approaches, we will have a spectacular "sunrise" celebration, where downtown will be filled with light to celebrate new beginnings in the year ahead, followed by fireworks over the Thunder Bay River!
This event is FREE and open to all ages.
Enjoy food and drink specials throughout the downtown at restaurants, taprooms and bars. Dance the night away with a lineup of local DJ's and music in the alleyway from 8 pm- 1 am. Warm up at our cozy warming stations throughout the parking lot with a Social District drink.
As midnight approaches, we will have a spectacular "sunrise" celebration, where downtown will be filled with light to celebrate new beginnings in the year ahead, followed by fireworks over the Thunder Bay River!
This event is FREE and open to all ages.
sponsored by
Schedule of Activities
5 pm- late: Food & Drink Specials throughout Downtown
6 pm- midnight: Warm Up to 2026 New Year's Eve Bash at PIF Cider (205 W Chisholm St)
Vinyl Night with the Gary from 6-8pm and live, original electronic music with D. Step at 9pm! Come see the giant Apple Drop from the ceiling on New Year’s Eve (at 10pm for all our early birds)! We’ll also have Traci St. Charles, Lady of the Lake Yogini, in house doing tarot card readings; come gain insight into what your new year will hold while wassailing! $20/three card reader.
8 pm- 1 am: New Year's Eve Celebration (Parking lot- corner of River & 3rd Ave)
The party kicks off at 8 pm! Grab a Social District drink, gather around the burn barrels to stay warm, and enjoy live music from Alpena favorites High Speed from 8–11 pm. As midnight approaches, a DJ takes over from 11 pm–1 am, keeping the party going as we count down to the New Year.
Midnight: Sunrise and Fireworks
We’re on the sunrise side—so instead of dropping a ball, we raise our illuminated sphere at midnight! Immediately following the “sunrise,” look to the sky for a fireworks display over the Thunder Bay River as we officially welcome 2026.
- Red Brick Tap & Barrel (open until 11:30 pm)
- PIF Cider (open until midnight)
- HopSide Brewery (open until midnight)
- Drink specials: Pink Peppermint Hot Cocoa, Chai Latte, Rum Cooler, and Peach Pop Ring Shot (jello shot), plus beer poking
- Quick bites served 8 pm- midnight: New York Pizza by the slice and cup of beer cheese fries
- Mango’s Tequila Bar (open until 1 am)
- Grab and go food specials and Social District drinks (Beer, margaritas, mixed drinks) in the Center Alley through Mango's Express
- Friendly Foodees (open until 1 am)
- Rusty Petunias Marketplace (open until 1 am)
- JJ’s (open until 1 am)
- Black Sheep Pub (open until 2 am)
- Food specials: breakfast burritos
- Latitudes Tavern (open until 2 am)
- Sports Page Sports Bar (open until 4 am)
- Players Pub & Grub (open until 4 am)
6 pm- midnight: Warm Up to 2026 New Year's Eve Bash at PIF Cider (205 W Chisholm St)
Vinyl Night with the Gary from 6-8pm and live, original electronic music with D. Step at 9pm! Come see the giant Apple Drop from the ceiling on New Year’s Eve (at 10pm for all our early birds)! We’ll also have Traci St. Charles, Lady of the Lake Yogini, in house doing tarot card readings; come gain insight into what your new year will hold while wassailing! $20/three card reader.
8 pm- 1 am: New Year's Eve Celebration (Parking lot- corner of River & 3rd Ave)
The party kicks off at 8 pm! Grab a Social District drink, gather around the burn barrels to stay warm, and enjoy live music from Alpena favorites High Speed from 8–11 pm. As midnight approaches, a DJ takes over from 11 pm–1 am, keeping the party going as we count down to the New Year.
Midnight: Sunrise and Fireworks
We’re on the sunrise side—so instead of dropping a ball, we raise our illuminated sphere at midnight! Immediately following the “sunrise,” look to the sky for a fireworks display over the Thunder Bay River as we officially welcome 2026.
