Oceanside CA— ‘Tis the Season to Shop Local is a fun, distinctly local holiday celebration inviting our community to explore Oceanside retail establishments and to shop local this holiday season. Starting on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 25, through Friday, Dec. 22, 2017, this unique and dynamic lineup of holiday programs and events will once again feature a shopping passport, a beer and wine tasting event, a makers fair offering handcrafted goods, and a tree lighting celebration – all amid decorated shop windows, the glow of holiday lights and the cheerful sounds of live holiday music and carolers.
MainStreet Oceanside is accepting Shop and Maker Applications until Wednesday, Nov. 8. Go to www.ShopLocalOceanside.com to download and to submit an application.
‘Tis the Season to Shop Local includes the following programs and events:
Shop Local Holiday Passport Program
Nov. 25-Dec. 22
Shoppers can pick up a passport highlighting all of the participating Oceanside shops and brick-and-mortar businesses. Shoppers earn a stamp for visiting any participating location listed and a second stamp for making a purchase of $20 or more at a location. After receiving 10 stamps, the shopper is able to enter the passport for a chance to win prizes. The passports will be available at all participating locations. Prize drawings will be held weekly from Nov. 25 to Dec. 22.
Sip & Shop Downtown Oceanside
Nov. 25, 2-5 p.m.
Complementing the holiday shopping atmosphere is a special downtown event offering local beer and wine tastings inside select participating retail locations. Each admission ticket will allow tastings from all designated Sip Stops.
Merry Makers Fair
Nov. 25-26, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
A two-day holiday pop-up market in Artist Alley in Downtown Oceanside, the Merry Makers Fair will feature makers of handcrafted and artisanal goods, such as jewelry, home goods, flowers and succulents, woodwork, clothing, accessories, bath and body products, paper goods and art.
‘Tis the Season Window Decorating Contest
Nov. 25-Dec. 1
Enhancing the holiday cheer in Oceanside is the ‘Tis the Season Window Decorating Contest. Oceanside shops and businesses are encouraged to enter and decorate their storefronts to the theme of ‘Tis the Season. A panel of judges will visit the participating locations from Dec. 1-7 and will vote for a first, second and third place winner. The holiday window displays will remain in place through the end of December.
Holiday Tree Lighting & Gift Market
Dec. 7, 5-9 p.m.
Oceanside will welcome the holiday season with a grand Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. within the Regal Center Plaza in Downtown Oceanside during the Sunset Market. This family-friendly event will be filled with activities for the whole family. Children can visit with Santa Claus; create a craft; enjoy the zip line, tree climb, bounce houses and games; or take a ride to the pier in a horse-drawn carriage.
Additional Holiday Events in Oceanside:
- O’Side Turkey Trot – Nov. 23, Oceanside Civic Center
- In Your Neighborhood Block Party – Nov. 25, Pour House
- Christmas Concert – Dec. 1-2, Old Mission San Luis Rey
- First Friday Oceanside Art Walk – Dec. 1, SpringHill Suites Oceanside
- South O Walkabout – Dec. 13, South O
- Holiday Gift Market – Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28, Sunset Market
- Coaster Holiday Express – Dec. 9-10, Oceanside Transit Center
- The South Morro Hills Holiday Mercato – Dec. 9, Beach House Winery
- Parade of Lights – Dec. 9, Oceanside Harbor
- “Miracle on 34th Street” – Dec. 15-17, 22-23, The Brooks Theatre
- Chanukah Menorah Lighting Ceremony – TBD, Oceanside Civic Center Plaza
About ‘Tis the Season to Shop Local
‘Tis the Season to Shop Local is an annual holiday campaign to support local retail businesses and artisans by encouraging residents and visitors to shop local during the holiday season. The campaign is a partnership between MainStreet Oceanside, Visit Oceanside, City of Oceanside Economic Development and the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce. For more information, go to www.ShopLocalOceanside.com.