Experience Downtown Syracuse for the Holidays and Make This Season Memorable

10th Annual Window Wonderland Contest and the Launch of the Shop Downtown Passport Program

Syracuse, NY – The Downtown Committee of Syracuse invites you to Experience Downtown for the Holidays, and make this season memorable. Whether it’s enjoying the festive decorations adorning Downtown, attending inspiring events, uncovering unique gifts at local shops or savoring delicious meals at one of our many restaurants, you’ll create treasured memories with friends and family that will last long after the snow melts.

This year, the Downtown Committee is excited to introduce the Shop Downtown Passport, launching on Friday, November 28th. To encourage shopping and dining in Downtown during the holiday season, patrons will earn a sticker on their passport for every purchase made at participating shops and restaurants.

Once the passport is filled, it can be submitted at either Milano Café on W. Fayette or Cake Bar on W. Genesee St. On Monday, January 5th, one lucky winner will be awarded a Downtown Syracuse gift basket valued at $500. To get your Shop Downtown Passport, visit any participating shop or restaurant. A complete list of these locations can be found on our website.

The 10th Annual Window Wonderland Contest returns with over 50 ground-floor businesses throughout Downtown decorating their windows with festive, seasonal displays for everyone to admire and vote on their favorites!

Event Highlights:

• Where: Find a map on our website with a list of the participating businesses.
• Voting: Begins on Friday, November 28th and ends on January 1st Visit downtownsyracuse.com to cast your vote!
• Winners: The winners will be revealed on Monday, January 5th

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, courtesy of the Downtown Syracuse Foundation.

On Saturday, December 6th join us for Holiday in Hanover.  This new event, presented by Community Bank, will offer a day filled with family friendly holiday activities. Warm up with a cup of hot cocoa while you enjoy a complimentary horse-drawn carriage ride and stroll the wonderful shops and restaurants found in Hanover Square. A limited number of complimentary tickets will be available for the Erie Canal Museum's Gingerbread Gallery as well as tickets to skating at the Clinton Ice Rink. 

“The holiday season is a wonderful time to explore Downtown Syracuse, adorned with twinkling lights, festive decorations, and abundant shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities,” says Merike Treier, Executive Director of the Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Inc. “We are excited to launch our new holiday initiatives and invite families to create cherished memories in Downtown Syracuse during the holidays that will encourage them to return throughout the year.”

Dine & drink, Shop & Explore. Downtown Syracuse is your ultimate destination for making this season truly unforgettable! Visit downtownsyracuse.com and follow us on social media for all your holiday inspiration.