Experience Holiday Magic in Downtown Kalamazoo
After packing away 50 skeletons from SkeleTour, Kalamazoo is ready to wow local families with its holiday décor and beloved, annual Christmas events.
Take a stroll downtown this holiday season and you’ll find beautifully decorated storefront windows, twinkly lights, a very jolly Santa and rides on the Holly Jolly Trolley.
Read on for the best things to do this festive season plus special events, photo ops and more in our awesome city:
In this article
• Holiday Things to Do in Downtown Kalamazoo
• Where to See Santa
• Holly Jolly Trolley
• Free Parking
12 Things to Do in Downtown Kalamazoo at Christmastime
Downtown Kalamazoo has a lot to offer, especially during the holidays.
With decorations galore, plenty of restaurants and shopping, and free rides on the Holly Jolly Trolley to see Santa, it’s hard to know where to start.
We recommend you start here: use this list to maximize your merriment during the holiday season in Kalamazoo.
1 – Visit Santa’s Workshop
City Centre
125 S Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo MI 49007
Where is Santa?
Santa returns to City Centre for 2024, in the former Bronson Health Club venue. Enter through the City Centre Farmer’s Alley entrance or through the Kalamazoo Mall entrance and walking to the back of the building.
Santa will be ready for visitors starting November 30, 2024. No appointments are necessary.
Kids who visit Santa’s Workshop will receive the following during their FREE visit:
• Arts and crafts
• Santa letter kit
Santa will have several mailboxes throughout downtown for children to mail their letters.
When You Can Visit Santa
Nov 30 – Dec 24, 2024
• Thursday + Friday: 5PM – 8PM
• Saturday: 12PM – 6PM
• Sunday: 12PM – 4PM
• Monday, Dec 23: 12PM – 6PM
• Tuesday, Dec 24: 12PM – 4PM
2 – Ride the Holly Jolly Trolley
Holiday shopping downtown is more fun with a free ride on the Holly Jolly Trolley.
The trolley will run through downtown Kalamazoo from November 29 through December 31, 2024.
Route Schedule
The trolley runs on the top and bottom of the hour, starting at City Hall (241 W. South Street). The 20-25 minute service features eight trolley stops downtown.
Trolley Stops
1. City Hall – South Street
2. The Mall Plaza – Kalamazoo Mall
3. Peregrine Tower– Kalamazoo Mall
4. Bates Alley– Portage Street
5. Bimbo’s Pizza – on Michigan Avenue
6. Bell’s Eccentric Café & General Store – Kalamazoo & Porter Street
7. North Kalamazoo Mall intersection – Water Street
8. Kalamazoo Valley Museum – Rose Street
When You Can Ride the Trolley
Nov 29 – Dec 24, 2024 (Thursday – Sunday) + New Year’s Eve
• Thursday + Friday: 5PM – 9PM
• Saturday: 11AM – 8PM
• Sunday: 12PM – 4PM
• Monday, Dec 23: 12PM – 6PM
• Tuesday, Dec 24: 12PM – 4PM
• Tuesday, Dec 31: 6PM – 11PM
3 – Buy Downtown Dollars as Gifts
Have someone who is hard to shop for? Downtown Dollars can be used in over 50 locations downtown and are good for five years.
Downtown Dollars is a local currency program that keeps spending within Downtown Kalamazoo: think of them like a gift certificate that you can use for all of the super cool places downtown.
Downtown Dollars can be used at downtown shops, salons, and restaurants, and can even be emailed to gift recipients.
Need store suggestions? We have plenty in the Kalamazoo Holiday Shopping Guide.
4 – Visit the Decorated Shops
Downtown Kalamazoo’s storefronts get decorated for the holidays too. See all of the festive decor as you are transported into a wintry adventure.
5 – Ooh and Ahh over the Twinkling Lights
Downtown Kalamazoo
Take advantage of early sunsets in the winter and schedule some of your holiday shopping after the skies darken and streets illuminate in sparkling lights.
6 – Stroll Down Candy Cane Lane in Bronson Park
Bronson Park
200 S Rose St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
While you can’t eat these candy canes, they are a fantastic photo op for families each year.
7 – Indulge your Merry Taste Buds with a Monster Shake or Hot Chocolate
Cherri’s Chocol’art
101 S Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Known for its decadent chocolate, a seasonal Monster Shake from Cherri’s Chocol’art lives up to its name in both size and creativity.
Pictured is the Holly Jolly Monster Shake. This seasonal favorite includes vanilla ice cream, buttercream, frosting, sprinkles, whipped cream, peppermint bark, Christmas tree cake and cotton candy.
Prefer a warm beverage? Try the from-scratch hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows.
8 – Score Nostalgic & Ultra Cool Toys at Uncle Buddy’s Toy Stash
Uncle Buddy’s Toy Stash
125 S Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Uncle Buddy’s Toy Stash is a must-see for toy enthusiasts of all ages: lava lamps, sock monkeys, Lite-Brites, Melissa & Doug toys, stuffies and more are all in one shop.
In a time when true toy stores are hard to find, Uncle Buddy’s delivers in spades. Find this cool shop on the mall downtown.
9 – Take a Photo with the Giant Santa
North Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
The big guy in statue form is definitely worthy of an annual photo; find him on the North Kalamazoo Mall.
10 – Shop Small Business Saturday
November 30, 2024, is Small Business Saturday in Downtown Kalamazoo and a fantastic time to visit your favorite shops.
And while November 30 is listed as the “official” day to shop local, Downtown Kalamazoo marks *every* Saturday in December as Small Business Saturdays as well.
Look for special promotions and in-store specials at your favorite, locally owned stores.
11 – Attend the Kalamazoo Holiday Parade
Bundle up and grab a seat for the 61st annual Holiday Parade in Kalamazoo. The Maple Hill Holiday Parade starts Saturday, November 23 at 11:00 AM.
12 – Turn the Lights on at Bronson Park at the Tree Lighting Ceremony
Bronson Park Tree Lighting Ceremony
Come see the City of Kalamazoo’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, November 29, 2024, in Bronson Park.
Festivities start at 5:00 PM, with the lighting of the park at approximately 6:00 PM.
Free Parking Downtown
Public ramps offer 90 minutes of complimentary parking in Downtown Kalamazoo.
Does your family have any downtown Kalamazoo holiday traditions?
Comment below and share your holiday fun!
While special.