Shopping small makes a big impact. Colorado Springs is home to charming boutiques and restaurants, and there’s no better time to explore those local businesses than during the holiday season. Doing your holiday shopping locally helps support your community, local artisans and small businesses, and it can even help protect the environment by reducing the impacts of shipping and manufacturing. According to the Downtown Partnership of Colorado Springs, for every $100 spent at a locally owned shop or restaurant, $70 stays in the community, supporting our neighbors and vital services such as schools, parks and roads.
Although local businesses exist all over the Pikes Peak region, several shopping districts offer a high concentration. Downtown Colorado Springs, Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs are all home to boutiques, galleries, shops and local services, and during the holidays each hosts special shopping events where you can gather and celebrate and buy unique gifts for everyone in your family.
Small Business Saturday, Nov. 28, the day after Black Friday, is a great chance to shop locally, but it’s only the beginning. There are a lot of fun events and deals happening even earlier. Here’s an overview of the fun and festivities you can enjoy while shopping local.
How and When To Do Your Holiday Shopping in Downtown Colorado Springs
“When you shop in person in downtown Colorado Springs, not only do you get to see and feel the quality of the products you’re buying, but you often get to have a conversation with the shop owner,” says Carrie Simison, director of marketing and communications for the Downtown Partnership. “There’s a real joy to meeting — and knowing — the people you’re buying from. In a world that’s ever more anonymous, shopping local [also gives] you meaningful human engagement.”
Downtown has many events, markets and programs to help you save and maximize your holiday gift-giving.
Shop Local, Win Local
Nov. 6 – Dec. 13
Want a thousand reasons to shop local downtown? You can win a grand prize drawing for a $1,000 Visa gift card. Every time you shop downtown in person from Nov. 6 to 13 and spend at least $50, you get an entry to win prizes. Each week one shopper will win a $250 Downtown prize package built around a different theme: Outdoors, Foodie, Relaxation, Nature or Locally Made. Each package pairs $150 in themed products from downtown retailers with a $100 Downtown Gift Card. One final grand prize winner will claim a $1,000 Visa gift card.
“Independent retailers are a big part of what makes Downtown Colorado Springs distinctive,” says Dan Nordberg, Market President at Bank of Colorado, sponsor of the campaign. “When you shop locally, your dollars stay close to home and help those businesses continue to be part of the community. We’re glad to give shoppers a fun added reason to choose downtown this holiday season,”.
Get all the details and enter at downtowncs.com.
Holiday Celebration, Skate in the Park Opening
Nov. 13
Kick off the holidays and open the Acacia Park Outdoor Ice Rink for the season this Friday. The holiday lights will illuminate the park. Mayor Yemi Mobolade will greet the crowd. The Soli Deo Gloria Choir will sing. U.S. Figure Skating athletes will perform, and the outdoor ice rink will open for the season. The ceremony starts at 6 p.m., followed by an open skate session with a live DJ from 7 to 9 p.m.
Downtown Character Stroll
Nov. 14
Downtown kicks off the holiday season early to give you plenty of time to get in the spirit and visit local shops. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, meet some favorite holiday characters, enjoy live carolers and shop local among the more than 75 boutiques, galleries and specialty shops that make downtown Colorado Springs so unique. Carolers from Soli Deo Gloria Choir will fill the air with carols throughout the day, while Santa, the Grinch, Elsa and Anna, Buddy the Elf and even Ziggy from Switchbacks FC stroll downtown greeting shoppers and posing for photos from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Get free hot chocolate too.
Get all the details at downtowncs.com.
Holiday Coupon Books
Pick up Nov. 14. Deals start Nov. 20
Christmas comes early for couponers. Get this year’s Downtown Holiday Coupon Book during the Character Stroll in Acacia Park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to get in on holiday deals before the end of November. If you miss the pickup, stop by one of these downtown shops for a copy.
Give the Gift of Gift Card
Can’t decide what to get? There’s always the Downtown Gift Card accepted at more than 150 downtown shops, restaurants, salons, venues and more. Choose your amount starting at $10. Choose between a physical or digital card. And give the gift of variety in the heart of the city.
Get details and gift cards at downtowncs.com/GiftCard.
Downtown Caroling
Nov. 21, 28-29; Dec. 5, 12, 19, 24
Colorado Brass and carolers from Soli Deo Gloria Choir will be provide a holiday soundtrack on the streets to accompany your holiday shopping throughout the season.
Downtown Small Business Saturday + Sunday
Nov. 28-29
Yes, the Black Friday deals can be insane — Cyber Monday too. But don’t forget those small local businesses in between. Here’s a little extra incentive. On Saturday and Sunday, stop by any of these downtown retailers: Good Intentions, Mountain Chalet, Sparrow Hawk Cookware, Terra Verde and Yobel. Show a receipt from any downtown retailer dated Nov. 27-29, 2026, and pick up a free canvas mini-tote bag. If you’re lucky, you’ll get one of the three totes at each location that includes a surprise $50 Downtown Gift Card! Colorado Brass and carolers from the Soli Deo Gloria Choir will provide the soundtrack for the day. And downtown parking meters are free on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
Downtown Holiday Stroll with Santa and the Grinch
Dec. 9
Join Santa and the Grinch from 5 to 8 p.m. for evening shopping under the holiday lights. Shops will be open late so bring your coupon book and your list. Carolers from Soli Deo Gloria Choir and Christmas Brass will be spreading holiday cheer as they make their way through downtown. Santa Claus and the Grinch will be greeting people on the streets as well for fun photo opps.
Find more information about each of these events at downtowncs.com/holidays.
When and Where To Do Your Holiday Shopping in Old Colorado City
Christmas Stroll
Nov. 28
Make your way from shop to shop on Colorado Avenue alongside Dickens Carolers during Old Colorado City’s Holiday Stroll. Take advantage of special deals and giveaways offered by the many unique shops and restaurants. Get there a little early, the (live) reindeer are scheduled to land at 4 p.m. The Christmas Stroll happens at 4-7 p.m. You can also visit Santa’s Cabin at Bancroft Park to get a picture with Victorian Santa.
Learn more at shopoldcoloradocity.com
Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration
Dec. 4
Enjoy a tree lighting ceremony at Bancroft Park with Santa, hot chocolate, fire pits, carolers and a live Christmas tree. Come for a singalong and bring an ornament to place on the tree. The celebration takes place at 4-6 p.m. with the tree lighting at 6 p.m. It’s a perfect time to pick up some holiday gifts at the local boutiques and galleries.
Find more at shopoldcoloradocity.com
Find more details and watch for other holiday events at shopoldcoloradocity.com/events.
When and Where To Do Your Holiday Shopping in Manitou Springs
Strolling Holiday Brass
Christmas Brass will perform in downtown Manitou Springs on Black Friday and Sundays between Thanksgiving and Christmas at 12-2 p.m. You’ll see and hear them strolling throughout town while you enjoy shopping and dining in Manitou’s local shops and restaurants.
@ChristmasBrassColoradoSprings
Manitou Springs Holiday Tree Lighting
Nov. 25
The holiday shopping season kicks off in Manitou from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Wheeler Town Clock. Santa will be there, ready for photos. The official tree lighting will illuminate downtown Manitou. And make plans to enjoy the festive spirit with free hot cider and cocoa as you shop among strolling musicians.
More details at manitousprings.org
Manitou Small Business Saturday
Nov. 28
Take a stroll through Manitou’s Downtown Historic District for Small Business Saturday. Pick up one-of-a-kind gifts from more than 90 locally owned businesses. On-street parking is free all day. Be sure to stay until the evening so you can see the town light up with festive holiday lights displays.
Elf on the Shelf Hunt
Nov. 25 – Dec. 20
Find three elves weekly as they hide on the shelves of local shops each week. Email your photos to enter and you can win $25 Manitou Money prizes drawn each week.
Find more information about Manitou’s holiday events at manitousprings.org.
