Hometown Holiday | December First Fridays

Friday, December 1, 2023, 5 – 9 p.m.

The community comes together downtown to celebrate the holiday season. Sing carols with friends and neighbors on Main Street, then light the tree on West Washington at 6:30 p.m.! Shop the outdoor holiday market and enjoy seasonal treats (Christmas cookies, anyone?) and drinks.

Children’s photos with Santa are free, and young gift-givers are invited to make their own presents at make-a-gift opportunities provided by local retailers.

Entertainment

Food & Drink

Kids Activities

Event Map

Downtown Light Displays

Find your favorite!

ADEC (214 East Lincoln)
Cressy & Everett (210-A South Main)
Fables Books (215 South Main)
Goshen Historical Museum (124 South Main)
I M SHE (121 South Main)
The Imagination Spot (111 East Washington)
Jojo’s Pretzels (136 South Main)
Phoenix Performing Arts (213 South Main)
Shirley’s Popcorn (106 North Main)
Soapy Gnome (210 South Main)
Venturi (123 East Lincoln)

Entertainment

Seasonal foods, drinks, sweets, and treats (Christmas cookies, anyone?) are on the menu at participating eating and drinking establishments.

The main event—the Hometown Holiday community tree lighting ceremony at the corner of Main and West Washington—commences at 6:30 p.m. featuring Phoenix Performing Arts, and the Goshen College Men’s Baseball team!

You’ll find unique holiday gifts at downtown stores, and don’t miss the Holiday Market at Goshen Theater, happening from 5 to 9 p.m.!

Join us for this First Fridays extravaganza of family and fun—including these great activities for kids!

Event Map

Food and Drink

There’s no shortage of sweetness in downtown Goshen. Enjoy holiday favorites featured by downtown eating establishments. Stop by The Window from 4:30 – 7 p.m. for a Salvadoran meal and live music!

Pictures with Santa

Kids can take their photos with Santa for free at Fables Books (215 South Main) from 5 – 8 p.m.!

FREE Kids Activities

Downtown businesses are hosting free activities for the youngest gift-givers in your family – ornament making, cookie decorating, and gnome painting are just some of the fun planned for kids at locations throughout downtown:

ADEC (214 East Lincoln)
Ornament making
Cressy & Everett (210-A South Main)
Ornament making
Electric Brew (118 East Washington)
Christmas Ornaments made from “wooden cookies”
Fables Books (215 South Main)
Free pictures with Santa from 5 – 8 p.m.
I M SHE (121 South Main)
Make a Snowman Soup Kit
The Imagination Spot (111 East Washington)
Make a Christmas ornament at with from 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Jojo’s Pretzels (136 South Main)
Make your own gingerbread characters and designs
Phoenix Performing Arts (213 South Main)
Ornament Making
Shirley’s Popcorn (106 North Main)
Help decorate their tree! Bring in a handmade ornament from 5 – 9 p.m. to help Deck the Halls, and we’ll give you a Free Cone of Movie Theatre Popcorn

Volunteer

Downtown Business Promotions

There are affordable options for every person in your family in downtown Goshen. Find gifts for each person under $30. While you shop, take advantage of $5 and $10 Coupons offered by select merchants.