Holiday Hoopla & Small Business Saturday
Visitors can experience a festive downtown celebration featuring horse and wagon rides along 2nd Street, craft and vendor fairs, and photo opportunities with the Grinch. Activities throughout the district include cookie decorating, ceramic ornament painting, face painting, and gourmet s'mores. The festivities also include strolling appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus, choir performances at the pavilion, and a community tree lighting at City Hall.
What to Expect
Downtown holiday festivities with wagon rides, choir performances, and tree lighting.
Event Details
Ages
All ages
Neighborhood
Downtown Hastings
Organizer
Hastings Downtown Business Association
Food & Drink
Options include breakfast with Santa (reservations required; extra cost), paid hot cocoa, free chili while supplies last, cookie decorating, and gourmet s’mores.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families with young children
Vibe
Festive and family-friendly
Energy Level
Moderate
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
Moderate
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: It marks Paint & Glaze ceramic ornaments and hot cocoa with $, and says the chili is free while supplies last; it gives no amounts. Breakfast with Santa is a separate reservation-required session marked $.
- Hours: 9 AM-5 PM craft and vendor fair; 10 AM-12 PM coloring contest; 10 AM-4 PM Paint & Glaze ceramic ornaments; 10 AM-5 PM DJ; 11 AM-4 PM arts and crafts fair; 11 AM free chili; 11 AM-2 PM hot cocoa; 11 AM-2 PM cookie decorating; 11 AM-2:30 PM hair and face painting; 11:30 AM sing-along; 12-4 PM horse and wagon rides; 12-4 PM gourmet s’mores; 1-3:30 PM photos with The Grinch; 2-4 PM strolling Santa and Mrs. Claus; 2-5 PM letters to Santa; 4:45-5:15 PM choirs and Spiral Singers; 5:15 PM downtown lighting; 5:30 PM tree lighting.
Tips & Advice
- Reserve Breakfast with Santa at Lock and Dam Eatery ahead of time, because it needs a reservation and runs in only two seatings.
- Get to ArtSpace River Lofts soon after the chili starts, since it's free only while supplies last.
- Plan the afternoon around the horse and wagon rides on 2nd Street, Grinch photos at The Studio Downtown and the strolling Santa and Mrs. Claus.
- Stay downtown for the choirs at the Pavilion, the downtown lighting and the tree lighting at City Hall, and dress warmly for being outside after dark.
- Check the schedule again before you head out, because all times and details for the day may still change.
Special Events & Promotions
- Breakfast with Santa at Lock and Dam Eatery has two seatings, needs a reservation and costs extra.
- Paint & Glaze ceramic ornaments at Squeaky Wheel Pottery for a fee.
- Free chili at ArtSpace River Lofts, while supplies last.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there for kids to do?
Kids can enter the coloring contest at Spiral Brewery and decorate cookies at 2nd Street Depot. Hastings Beauty School does "WHO Hair" and face painting. At The Studio Downtown, kids can pose with the Grinch and write letters to Santa.
Where can we eat and drink?
ArtSpace River Lofts serves free chili while it lasts. Geek Haven sells hot cocoa, and Oliver's Grove has gourmet s'mores.
Where can we see Santa?
Santa and Mrs. Claus stroll around downtown in the afternoon. Breakfast with Santa at Lock and Dam Eatery needs a reservation and costs extra.
Where are the craft fairs?
The Craft and Vendor Fair is at The American Legion. A separate Arts & Crafts Fair is at ArtSpace River Lofts.
How does the day end?
Elementary school choirs and the Spiral Singers perform at the Pavilion. Then the downtown lights come on, followed by the tree lighting at City Hall.
More Christmas Events Near Hastings
More Christmas Events near Hastings
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.