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. 29, the day after Black Friday, is a great chance to shop locally, but it’s only the beginning. 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. 7 – Dec. 14
Give a little and get a lot when you spend at least $50 shopping local downtown. Downtown will host four weekly drawings for a gift basket and gift card valued at over $100. Plus, there will be a grand prize drawing for a $1,000 Visa gift card. Get all the details and enter at downtowncs.com.
Downtown Character Stroll
Nov. 15
Downtown is kicking off the holiday season early this year to give you plenty of time to get in the spirit and visit local shops. From 11 a.m. to 2 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, and Buddy the Elf stroll Downtown greeting shoppers and posing for photos.
Get all the details at downtowncs.com.
Holiday Coupon Books
Starting Nov. 19
Christmas comes early for couponers. Get this year’s Downtown Holiday Coupon Book 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, and now it’s in an easy digital format along with the long-time physical card. Gift Cards can be sent within minutes through the free Love Local app, offering a convenient option for last-minute gifts and an effortless way to support the downtown heart of the city.
Get details and gift cards at downtowncs.com/GiftCard.
Downtown Caroling
Nov. 22, Dec. 10, 13, 20, 24
Colorado Brass and carolers from Soli Deo Gloria Choir will be providing a holiday soundtrack to accompany your holiday shopping on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
Downtown Small Business Saturday
Nov. 29
Small Business Saturday falls late this year, so get your Downtown Holiday Coupon Book early and get ready. With over 160-plus downtown boutiques, shops, restaurants and personal services, you can pick up unique gifts for reasonable prices during this celebration of shopping small. The City of Colorado Springs is offering free parking in its garages, surface lots and meters in support of small businesses during this holiday weekend, including Small Business Saturday.If you’re still stumped, there’s always that Downtown Gift Card.
Downtown Holiday Stroll with Santa and the Grinch
Dec. 10
Grab a hot beverage from Underline’s table on North Tejon Street across from Acacia Park, and take advantage of some amazing sales during the Downtown Holiday Stroll on Dec. 10 at 5-8 p.m. 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. 29
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. 12
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 5-6:30 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
Holiday Brass
Holiday Brass will be performing 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.
Manitou Springs Holiday Tree Lighting
Nov. 26
The holiday shopping season kicks off in Manitou with the 6 p.m. tree lighting at the Wheeler Town Clock. Santa will be there, ready for photos. And make plans to enjoy the festive spirit with free hot cider and cocoa as you shop among strolling musicians. The festivities happen 5-7 p.m.
More details at manitousprings.org
Santa Claus visits for the annual tree lighting in Manitou Springs. Photo courtesy of Manitou Springs.
Manitou Small Business Saturday
Nov. 29
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 Hunt
Nov. 28 – Dec. 19
Find three elves weekly as they hide on the shelves of local shops and enter to win Manitou Money.
During the holidays, street parking is free for two hours from Nov. 30 to Dec. 25. Find more information about Manitou’s holiday events at manitousprings.org.
