Black Friday is a long-standing shopping tradition for many, but why not wait until Small Business Saturday (Nov. 25) and support local business owners in your community? You’ll be helping both your neighbors and town by supporting local businesses. Many towns in NJ have plans to promote small business owners this holiday season. We’ve rounded up some great places to shop locally on Small Business Saturday and beyond.
Friday – Sunday
Holiday Bazaar
Friday – Sunday, Grand Arcade of Convention Hall, Asbury Park
Inspired by the traditional “Weihnachtsmarkts” holiday markets held in Germany, there will be handcrafted goods and unique holiday gifts made by local and regional makers and small businesses; holiday music and entertainment, photos with Santa, food and drinks, craft workshops, kids activities, festive décor and music.
Artists’ Winter Chalets
Hinds Plaza, Princeton
Shop directly from artists and makers to find unique, handmade giftables for everyone on your list.
Friday and Saturday
Holiday Craft & Collectibles Show
Cape May Convention Hall, Cape May
Friday – Saturday
There will be vendors from all over the Northeast selling their products before the holidays.
Shop Small
Main Street, West Orange
Friday – Saturday
Shop the downtown area’s four commercial districts within the neighborhoods of Eagle Rock, Tory Corner, St. Mark’s, and the Valley.
Saturday and Sunday
Small Business Christmas
Shoppes at Dragon Village, Bridgeton
Saturday – Sunday
Support small and local artisans and craftsmen all in one place. There will be pictures with Santa and the Grinch.
Holiday Bazaar
Whitechapel Projects, Long Branch
Inspired by the traditional “Weihnachtsmarkts” holiday markets held in Germany, there will be handcrafted goods and unique holiday gifts made by local and regional makers and small businesses; holiday music and entertainment, photos with Santa, food and drinks, craft workshops, kids activities, festive décor and music.
Saturday
Small Business Saturday
Downtown Metuchen
This is the official kickoff to the holiday season in Metuchen. Members of the Metuchen Downtown Alliance will be out with their wheel of fortune for customers who spend locally that day.
Immaculate Conception Fall Festival & Craft Show
Immaculate Conception Church Auditorium, Spotswood
Shop for holiday and handcrafted items. Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be available for sale.
Small Business Saturday
Downtown Somerville
Enter raffles, shop some sales, and stop by the Small Business Saturday Lounge for free snacks, chair massages, live entertainment and free gift wrapping courtesy of the Somerville Civic League.
Small Business Saturday Street Fair
Spiotta Park, South Orange
Shop for finely crafted jewelry, apparel, accessories, art, food, and gift items made by many of the area’s finest local creators. There will be specials from downtown businesses, Downtown Dollars coupons, a visit from Santa and music.
Shop, Sip & Stroll
Downtown Metuchen
The Metuchen Downtown Alliance’s new event will showcase Metuchen’s vibrant small business community and the town’s recent recognition as a 2023 Great American Main Street Award winner. There will be a beer garden, visits by Santa and Mrs. Claus, a photo station, and specials from businesses in towns.
Holiday Craft and Food Festival
Morristown National Guard Armory, Morristown
The Small Business Saturday fest will feature 100+ vendors selling a selection of assorted items. There will be a DJ all day, henna tattoos and face painting for the kids. Food trucks will be on site. Friends from Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter will be there with dogs and cats available for adoption. Stop for pictures with Santa.
Wildwoods Holiday Shopping Village
Byrne Plaza and Downtown Wildwood, The Wildwoods
Wildwoods Outdoor Holiday Shopping Village/Small Business Saturday
Local small business vendors will be set up outdoors selling jewelry, specialty items, handcrafted items, holiday decorations, baked goods and more. There will be food and holiday music.
Shop Small & Football
Fair Haven Columbus Club, Fair Haven
While you shop, sip on a Guinness or Bloody Mary from the bar. You can browse through a wide variety of items such as pet treats, jewelry, decor, baked goods, slime for kids, coffee, and products from young entrepreneurs in town. There will be local fitness and wellness vendors set up, too. For those who prefer football over shopping, the Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Michigan Wolverines football game will be on in the bar area. The townwide trolley stops in the parking lot, and it will be taking riders to businesses across Fair Haven throughout the day.
Small Business Saturday
Downtown Westfield
The “Scratch & Save” promotion gives customers exclusive discounts that will be applied to their purchases at the register. One Westfield Place Preview Center will be the place for free gift wrapping.
Small Business Saturday
Ocean Grove
Support local artists, shop owners and restaurants in the beachside Victorian town. There will be one-of-a-kind gifts, hometown services and cozy dining spots. Ragazzi Music performs in the afternoon.
Small Business Saturday
Monroe Community Center, Monroe Twp.
There will be food, vendors, raffles, photo spots, music and more.
Small Business Saturday 2023
Peterson Park, Metuchen
Shop, sip and stroll: there will be beer and hot mulled cider, music, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, a photo booth station, chances for gift certificates from your favorite stores, and lots of shopping downtown.
Sunday
Thanksgiving Craft Show
Paramus High School, Paramus
Work off the turkey as you walk around checking out 125 exhibitors selling arts, crafts, photography and a variety of hand-crafted items they have created. There will be hand-crafted jewelry, table runners and pillows, crochet animals, doll clothing, country crafts, holiday signs, lighted trees, wood bowls, bonsai trees, stained glass, sports clocks, paper art and more. Vendors will sell homemade pickles and kettle korn outside. A breakfast and lunch menu are available in the café.
Museum Store Sunday
Nathaniel Crane House & Visitor Center, Montclair
The selection includes Montclair-centric books, mugs, enamel pins, NJ potholders, Montclair-related books, cookbooks, personalized maps, and fun stocking stuffers. While you’re there, explore the historic house museum, which will be open for self-guided tours.
Check out these Christmas markets and winter bazaars for more local shopping.
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