11/18/2021The holiday shopping season is upon us. Downtown Ithaca will kick off this special time of year by presenting Shop Small Weekend, Nov. 26 through Nov. 29, a time where shoppers are encouraged to show their support for downtown’s small businesses. Throughout Shop Small Weekend, patrons who shop at downtown Ithaca’s stores for their holiday gift needs will receive a custom-designed, reusable Downtown Ithaca Shop Local canvas bag (while supplies last). Customers can then have their holiday gift purchases wrapped for free at the Downtown Visitor’s Center. This complimentary gift wrapping service will be available throughout the holiday shopping season. Shop Small Weekend is organized by The Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA). “Downtown Ithaca is a great place for folks to show their support for small businesses while completing their holiday shopping. We have more than 100 locally owned and operated businesses, and they sell a variety of items that are exclusive to this area, such as handcrafted gifts created by skilled local artisans. Plus, when shoppers spend their money at our independently owned businesses, the money stays here and strengthens our local economy. Also, patrons should support downtown Ithaca’s businesses because they contribute to the character of our community by offering experiential shopping and dining experiences,” says DIA Executive Director Gary Ferguson. To continue the holiday shopping spirit past the traditionally busy shopping weekend, Downtown Ithaca encourages patrons to shop and dine locally online as part of Cyber Monday — more than 80 percent of downtown’s shops and restaurants have an online shopping or take out ordering presence. To locate businesses with online shopping available, visit Downtown Ithaca’s online directory at downtownithaca.com. Also, this holiday season, be sure to check out the LocalFiber Pop Up at Hilton Garden Inn, Press Bay’s Holiday Market, and Artists Market on Saturday, and Downtown Ithaca’s upcoming Winter Light Festival happening December 3 through December 11. Winter Light Festival is a celebration of the season that will feature spectacular lighting displays produced by skilled local artists, decorative ice sculptures, silent disco parties, Santa’s arrival, and the Chowder Cook-Off. As a friendly reminder to shoppers, parking in downtown Ithaca is free in the evenings — after 6 p.m. on the street and after 8 p.m. in the Seneca Street and Cayuga Street Parking Garages — and free all day on Saturday and Sunday. More details about Shop Small Weekend and Downtown Ithaca’s other holiday offerings are available at downtownithaca.com. | 
