Celebrate Downcity 2023
It’s back! We are so pleased to announce the return of InDowncity’s popular annual holiday event “Celebrate Downcity” on Saturday, November 25 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Celebrate Downcity brings together downtown Providence’s small businesses to offer guests an unforgettable holiday shopping and dining experience. Kicking off the holiday season, the event honors our vibrant local businesses on Small Business Saturday. Celebrate Downcity will be held both outdoors on Westminster Street–between Eddy Street and Clemence Street–and within the surrounding shops and restaurants in downtown Providence, RI.
Westminster Street during Celebrate Downcity 2022 (Photo by Abigail Clarkin for InDowncity)
On Westminster Street itself, visitors will be able to enjoy family-friendly programming that includes food truck favorites, festive music, interactive holiday entertainment, and more. Indoor shopping opportunities abound, from books, clothing, and home decor at local shops, to a vibrant Rock and Roll Yard Sale marketplace around the corner.
OUTSIDE ON WESTMINSTER STREET
Westminster Street—between Eddy Street and Union Street—will be closed to traffic and abuzz with activity on Saturday, November 25 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. We’re thrilled to welcome some of our favorite local food vendors, including Farm to Sandwich, Cultrō, Mac Daddy, and A Mano Pizza and Gelato.. We’ll have special outdoor cafe-style seating in the street, so guests can take a seat with their food and warm beverages from Small Point Cafe (hot chocolate! Turkish coffee!) while enjoying the festive music. Don’t miss the raw bar on ice outside of Gift Horse.
On the sidewalk, guests can browse offerings from local shops and pose for photos with Santa and other interactive holiday characters by Ten31 Productions, as well as Ballet RI’s Nutcracker characters. (Pssst we hear that Ballet RI will have a giveaway!)
INSIDE STORES AND RESTAURANTS
A selection of ornaments at Queen of Hearts and Modern Love (Photo by Abigail Clarkin for InDowncity)
For those who want to dine indoors, the following restaurants and cafes on and around Westminster Street will be open during the event: Oberlin, Gift Horse, Small Point Cafe, Sura, Kleos, Little City Coffee and Kitchen, Serendipity Gourmet, Durk’s, Tori Tomo, Kin Southern Table, Bolt Coffe Co. and the Malted Barley.
For a well curated selection of gifts, shoppers can head inside Craftland, Queen of Hearts and Modern Love, Symposium Books and Records, The Vault Collective, Civil, Homestyle, Eno Fine Wines, and Bali Bungalow. Each shop offers a variety of unique items, including skateboards, bestselling books, vintage clothing, children’s toys and housewares. Stay tuned for special Small Business Saturday deals and pop-ups!
Some fun happening:
Outdoor raw bar by Gift Horse in front of the restaurant
Complimentary cocktails for customers at Queen of Hearts and Modern Love
Complimentary in-store tasting from 1-4 p.m., plus complimentary mulled wine at Eno Fine Wines
Extended hours at Symposium Books—10 a.m. to 10 p.m—and free and paid gift wrapping options
Sandwich, beer, and cocktail specials at The Malted Barley
POP-UP MARKET INSIDE 63 EDDY STREET
This year, we have a special addition to Celebrate Downcity: What Cheer Vintage + Vinyl is setting up a robust indoor holiday Rock and Roll Yard Sale marketplace downtown on Saturday, November 25 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m! (Pssst- this year marks 25 years of What Cheer, so there’s extra reason to check it out.) Head to 63 Eddy Street—simply a few steps from the festivities on Westminster Street—to browse vinyl records, artisanal gifts, and other wares from local vendors. We hear that Trinity Brewhouse will be pouring drinks, too, and What Cheer and Cotton Candy will be bringing the tunes. The 2023 holiday market vendors:
BONUS: PROGRAMMING AND DEALS HAPPENING CLOSE BY
There’s even more happening at small businesses located just a few blocks away from the festivities.
Check out new apparel store Bobbles and Lace at 100 Mathewson Street while you’re downtown. They’ll have complimentary gift wrapping and complimentary champagne (in-store) during Small Business Saturday on Saturday, November 25. From 3-6 p.m., check out a tiny tattoo pop-up in the shop. Sakonnet Candle Co will also pop-up at Bobbles and Lace from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Interested in art? From 12-3 p.m. on the 25th, Gracie’s is hosting an open house and art show featuring local Rhode Island artist Davison Bolster. Enjoy complimentary wine and light bites while browsing.
“We celebrate our local small business community every day, but on Small Business Saturday, we shine extra light on all the wonderful shops and restaurants that make our city so special.” says Joanna Levitt, Director of Commercial Leasing and Marketing for Cornish Associates and InDowncity. “This year, we are so fortunate to partner with incredible shops, food vendors, restaurants, entertainers, and our friends Chris and Jennifer Daltry who organize the Providence Rock and Roll Yard Sale. Celebrate Downcity 2023 will once again bring a family-friendly holiday experience to downtown to kick off the season.”
We cannot wait to celebrate our city and support small businesses with you, PVD! See you all on November 25. (And let us know you’re attending here.)
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