Small Business Saturday — Nov 29
Kick off the season by pledging to shop local in downtown Amherst, where boutiques, bookstores, galleries, and eateries are ready with special finds, friendly service, and festive vibes. Explore gift ideas you will not see anywhere else, enjoy treats and surprises along the way, and feel great knowing every purchase strengthens neighborhood jobs and character all week long.
Lighting of the Merry Maple — Dec 5
Join the community for a magical evening as the Town Common sparkles to life and downtown becomes a winter wonderland. Savor music, warm drinks, and the joyful countdown to the tree lighting, then linger for photos, window shopping, and family friendly activities that keep the holiday spirit glowing.
This event is sponsored by: Amherst College, UMass Amherst, Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, and Bank ESB
Greeting Card Days — Dec 5 to Dec 7
Send Amherst cheer with a weekend of savings and sweet surprises at participating retailers, featuring special offers and discounts up to twenty percent. Stock up on unique cards, thoughtful gifts, and wrapping essentials while you wander twinkling storefronts and check the most important names off your list.
Fourth Annual Sip n Shop Stroll — Dec 18
Make it a festive night out with horse drawn carriage rides, boutique and independent retail shopping, prix fixe menus at your favorite restaurants, and a lively pop up makers and artisans market at the Inn on Boltwood. Sip something seasonal, discover perfect presents, and enjoy the glow of downtown as you stroll with friends.
This event is sponsored by: Peoples Bank, Johnny’s Tavern, and IYA Sushi & Noodle Kitchen
Free Parking Saturdays — Nov 29 and Dec 6, 13, 20, 27
Make your visits easy with free parking on Saturdays so you can take your time exploring shops, sampling local flavors, and soaking in the season across downtown Amherst.
Fourth Annual Sip ‘n Shop Stroll + Makers & Artisan Market
Thursday, December 18, 4-9PM
Generously sponsored by PeoplesBank & supported by community partners Iya Sushi & Johnny’s Tavern.
Sip and Shop Stroll event hours are 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM unless noted.
Not-to-miss locations on your stroll:
Floral Affairs (also known as FA2)
Mini workshop make and take boxwood trees
Art of Intimates
Open until 8:00 PM
The Closet
15% off sale
Zanna
20% off entire purchase. Open until 8:00 PM
Amherst Coffee (AMCO): Special 20th Anniversary Celebration!
Protocol
Buffalo wings for $1 each
Amherst Oyster Bar
Prix Fixe Menu: $40 for a three course prix fixe menu
La Veracruzana
Birria tacos with beans, rice, and a side of chips for $15.99
Extra: Kids meal on us, one free kids meal with entrée purchase, one free kids meal per entrée
Dulces by Vera
Free hot chocolate + small bag of Swedish candy with purchase
Makers and Artisans Market at The Inn on Boltwood
Join us for a warm, indoor holiday market during Sip and Shop Stroll featuring local and regional makers with handmade gifts, art, jewelry, ceramics, home goods, and more.
Vendor list
Naturally gluten free French macaron cookies made with locally sourced ingredients
Wireless and home entertainment products
Woodworking home goods including the Woodzie wooden can insulator plus earrings, ornaments, and coasters
Handcrafted wellness products including candles, soaps, body balms, and incense
Functional pottery plus holiday items including candles in pottery jars and handmade ornaments
Heirloom quality mohair teddy bears, dolls, and handmade textile art
Whimsical felt toys and slippers for young children made from upcycled wool and cashmere
Hand crafted functional and decorative stoneware ceramics including dinnerware, drinkware, and serveware
Organic, delicate designs featuring gold filled and sterling with semi precious stones
One of a kind handcrafted wood goods featuring beautiful domestic and exotic wood patterns
Original small oil paintings on canvas and paper plus Gallery A3 information
Award winning polymer clay art including limited edition and one of a kind adornment pieces plus HeartBox collection
Hand forged mixed metal jewelry in sterling silver and brass with inclusive ring sizes
Plant dyed silk clothing, scarves, and scrunchies plus botanical printed towels and stationery
Local nonprofit featuring small art pieces created by program participants
Jewelry, ornaments, prints, handbags, and electronic light sculpture using locally sourced and upcycled materials
Information, holiday cheer, and merchandise
Handmade brass and stone jewelry inspired by armor, architecture, tools, celestial bodies, and nature
Handmade crochet items, micro crochet jewelry, and natural gemstone jewelry
Fire Cider infused apple cider vinegar with local ingredients plus samples
Lighting of the Merry Maple
Friday, December 5, 3-6PM
The tree illumination is only one part of the merriest downtown Amherst events on Fri. 12/5. Join us for the festivities from 3-6PM and then after, enjoy all that downtown has to offer!
Thank you to our Co-Presenting Sponsors, BankESB and Amherst College, for bringing this event to life!
SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES:
3-6 PM – Fire Station Open House
3-5 PM – Crafts and games, including sensory-friendly games with Amherst Recreation
3-5 PM – Crafts with the Jones Library, Storytime at 3:30 PM and 4:30 PM in the Town Hall 1st Floor Meeting Room
4 PM on – Horse-drawn carriage rides with Muddy Brook Farm (pauses during Marching Band Performance)
4 PM – Caroling throughout downtown from the UMass Treble Choir and the Amherst College Zumbyes
4:30 PM – Amherst Regional Middle School Chorus performance
5:00 PM – Tree lighting countdown
5:10 PM – Amherst Community Theater performance
5:30-6 PM – UMass Minuteman Marching Band performance
5:30PM – Santa and Flakey the Snowfriend expected arrival via Firetruck
This event is co-organized by Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, the Amherst Business Improvement District, and the Town of Amherst, and made possible thanks to the generous contributions of the Co-Presenting Sponsors bankESB and Amherst College, as well as Supporting Sponsor UMass Amherst.
Thank you to all of the organizations participating in this year's Lighting of the Merry Maple: the Jones Library & Branches, Muddy Brook Farms, the Amherst Regional Middle School Chorus, Amherst College Zumbyes, Amherst Community Theater, UMass Minuteman Marching Band, the office of the Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan, the Town of Amherst's Departments of Public Works, Amherst Police Department (Official), and Amherst Massachusetts Fire Department, and Amherst Recreation.
Greeting Card Days: Participating Businesses
Friday, Dec 5
• Amherst Books, 20% off everything in stock
• Amherst Cinema, complimentary $20 gift card with purchase of $100 in gift cards, in person only
• Amherst Laser and Skin Care Center, 15% off gift cards, call in only
• Amherst Oyster Bar, 20% off gift cards, online code GCHOLIDAY25
• Art of Intimates, 20% off select items
• Asian Taste, 10% off entire order (through until Monday December 8th)
• Aster and Pine Market, 15% off seasonal retail gift items
• Bistro 63, 20% off gift certificates
• Clay’s, 20% off one full price item
• Emily Dickinson Museum, 10% off gift bundles plus t shirt raffle entry with qualifying purchase
• Elements Hot Tub & Spa, 10% off gift bundles plus t shirt raffle entry with qualifying purchase
• Floral Affairs, 15% off your purchase when you buy a greeting card
• Fresh Side, 20% off gift cards
• GoBerry n Cream, $1 off any size frozen yogurt or ice cream
• Kwench Juice Cafe, buy one juice cleanse, get the second 50% off
• Inn on Boltwood and 30 Boltwood, buy $100 in gift certificates and receive a $20 gift certificate free
• IYA, 15% off gift certificates
• Johnny’s Tavern, 15 percent off gift certificates
• Julie Nolan Jewelry, 15% off gift certificates
• LimeRed Teahouse, 10% off any drink order
• Osteria Vespa, 20% off gift certificates, Friday and Saturday only
• Pasta E Basta, 20% off gift certificates
• Protocol, 20% off gift cards, online code GCHOLIDAY25
• The Closet, tiered discounts plus bonus gift card with gift card purchase
• The Toy Box, 20% off your entire purchase (EXCEPT SUNDAY)
• UMass Downtown, 15% off UMass branded merchandise, Downtown only
• Zanna, 20% off a single item and gift certificates
Saturday, Dec 6
Everything listed for Friday continues on Saturday, except Amherst Laser and Skin Care Center.
Sunday, Dec 7
Participating on Sunday:
• Amherst Oyster Bar
• Asian Taste
• Bistro 63
• Clay’s
• Elements Hot Tub & Spa
• Emily Dickinson Museum
• Floral Affairs
• Fresh Side
• GoBerry n Cream
• Kwench Juice Cafe
• Inn on Boltwood and 30 Boltwood
• IYA
• Johnny’s Tavern
• LimeRed Teahouse
• Pasta E Basta
• Protocol
• The Closet
• UMass Downtown
• Zanna
• Amherst Cinema
Notes for Sunday
• Amherst Books, Aster and Pine Market, and Julie Nolan Jewelry are closed Sunday
The Toy Box is Open Sunday, but will not be offering their 20% off promotion
• Osteria Vespa is not available Sunday
• Art of Intimates may be closed Sunday, but might open, check directly with the shop
