The Historic Downtown Chatham BIA will host Home for the Holidays to start the festive season in Chatham.
"[Home for the Holidays] is an event specifically run for the businesses by the businesses," said Connie Beneteau, the BIAs Office and Project Manager.
The event is on Thursday, November 16 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Carolers will be singing on the street and the smell of holiday treats will be in the air as participating businesses each offer their own specials and displays.
Businesses taking part in Home for the Holiday include:
Art and Heirloom Shoppe
Barrypatch Boutique
Collins Clothiers
Crow City Coffee
Downtown Chatham Centre
Goldcoast Fashion
I Need That Comics & Games
King's Pawn
Mahalo Liquidation
Mrs. Bell's Tea Room
Rachel's Room
The Enchanted Emporium
The Loft Fashion & Mastectomy Boutique
The Myrtle Flower Market
The Purple Pansy Flower Boutique
Beneteau noted that the event encourages people to shop locally for the holidays and that some of the businesses will offer festive giveaways and refreshments.
The streets will not be closed down for the event but there will be free parking in parking lots 4, 5, 9, and 10.
The streets will shut down the next day, Friday, November 17, for the Santa Claus Parade. The Parade will leave Sandys Street at 6:30 p.m. and is expected to reach the downtown by 7 p.m.
A canned goods and toy drive will take place during the parade.
"There will be plenty of opportunity to drop off these items," Beneteau said.
Shopping carts being pushed by the Chatham-Kent Council from the very beginning to the very end of the parade to gather donations. The Santa Float, being pulled by Enbridge, will also be collecting for Salvation Army and Goodfellows. Chatham-Kent's fire fighters will have their cash donation boot drive as well.
"Before the parade on the 17th, we will have our talking singing/trees above the Capitol Theatre to entertain you while you wait for the parade to hit downtown," Beneteau explained. "Bring a lawn chair and blankets and cozy up on King Street West from Third to the WISH Centre," she added.
All of CK's good little boys and girls will be excited to know that Santa will hop off of his sleigh at the WISH Center where they can let him know what they want for Christmas. OG Pizza Guys will also be at the WISH Center that evening with free pizza.
Other holiday events in the area include:
Thursday, November 16
Frost Fest, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Wallaceburg
Saturday, November 18
Ridgetown Christmas Bazaar, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ridgetown
Thamesville Christmas Festival, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thamesville
The Garden on King Annual Christmas, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., CK
Friday, November 24
Poinsettia Fest 2023, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., CK
Tilbury Santa Claus Parade, 7 p.m., Tilbury
Saturday, November 25
Dresden Christmas Night Market, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Dresden
Friday, December 1
Blenheim Santa Claus Parade 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Blenheim
Saturday, December 2
Christmas Market @ Sons of Kent, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., CK
Tilbury Outdoor Christmas Market, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Tilbury
Wheatley Santa Claus Parade, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday, December 3
Santa's Workshop Christmas Vendor Show, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wallaceburg
Saturday, December 9
Kinsmen Club of Dresden Santa Claus Parade, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Dresden
