Downtown Syracuse Traditions, Experiences and Gift Options Highlighted in the Downtown Syracuse Holiday Guide

Syracuse, NY – The holiday season brings the community into Downtown Syracuse to celebrate this festive time of year. The Downtown Committee makes planning easy with the Downtown Syracuse Holiday Guide featuring experiences, traditions, special offerings, services and unique gifts for which Downtown Syracuse retailers, restaurants and cultural institutions are known. The Downtown Syracuse Holiday Guide debuts Tuesday, November 21.

The Downtown Syracuse Holiday Guide consists of four sections that showcase Downtown Syracuse traditions: Holiday Pop-Up Shops; Holiday Experiences; Downtown Deals; and the Window Wonderland Walk & Contest.

• The Holiday Pop-Up Shop section showcases locations to peruse and buy local, handmade craft and artisan items-truly unique gifts you won’t find anywhere else.
• Holiday Experiences features a series of family-friendly experiences, with holiday events including the City of Syracuse’s Tree Lighting and the Menorah Lighting, traditions including the Gingerbread Gallery at the Erie Canal Museum and the Festival of Trees & Light at the Everson Museum of Art, and special programs including the Nutcracker! at the Landmark Theatre.
• In the Downtown Deals section, readers will find information about shopping deals and discounts taking place during the holiday season. Get all the gifts on your shopping list at a great price!
• Now in its 8th year, the Window Wonderland Walk & Contest boosts festive spirits, entertains visitors and attracts new customers to experience the variety of retail offerings found in Downtown Syracuse. Dozens of businesses will decorate their storefront windows, transforming them into majestic winter and holiday scenes and the public is encouraged to vote for their favorite displays.

How to Vote: An “Official Window Wonderland Contest Entry” sign signifies a storefront’s participation. The community will be able to vote for their favorite displays through January 1, 2024. A QR code displayed within participating businesses’ windows will take users directly to the link to vote. Winning displays will be announced in the Downtown Committee’s News & Events newsletter on Tuesday, January 2, and a press release will be sent out to the media that morning.

• Prizes: The business featuring the display with the most votes will receive a grand prize of $500, second place will be awarded $250 and third place will get $100.

“The holidays are a great time of year to visit Downtown Syracuse with the sparkling holiday lights, festive decorations and endless amount of shopping, dining and entertainment options to fill the whole season.” said Merike Treier, Executive Director of the Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Inc. “We hope families enjoy Downtown Syracuse for the holidays and make special memories that will bring them back into our city all year long!”

Beginning Friday, November 24, the Downtown Committee’s social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) will showcase Downtown shopping ideas and experiences everyday through December 24. These videos will give the community an opportunity to preview shopping options and holiday experiences for the whole family.

Throughout the holiday season, the Downtown Committee’s Marketing and Communications team will electronically distribute holiday newsletters, highlighting specials at Downtown businesses and all the exciting holiday activities happening throughout Downtown Syracuse.  The first edition will go out Tuesday, November 21. Those who are interested in subscribing to our newsletter, please email mail@downtownsyracuse.com.