Port Holiday Magic will return to Port Washington with three magical Saturdays instead of one!
There are so many advantages to shopping locally for the holiday season, and Port Holiday Magic will provide tons of extra reasons for you to support our local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve our neighborhoods.
Everyone benefits when we remember “BEFORE YOU CLICK AND BUY, GIVE PORT A TRY.”
All three magical days will have the following:
STORE SPECIALS. Participating businesses will offer something special for their customers – a discount on merchandise, services or gift cards; a gift with purchase; holiday treats; free gift wrapping; in-store entertainment, and more. Find a list of the offers on www.pwcoc.org and on the Try Port First app. Also look for postings on social media.
FREE TROLLEY RIDES! We will have a picturesque trolley taking shoppers from one end of Main Street to the other, making several stops in both directions – for free!
SHOPPERTAINMENT! Lots of things are planned to bring the holiday spirit to our streets. The Port Washington Fire Department will have Santa ride a fire engine throughout town on Nov. 25.
We will have outdoor entertainment, both live and recorded. Other entertainment includes carolers and costumed characters who will greet shoppers. There will be holiday-themed blowups that provide great opportunities for selfies.
FREE PARKING ON MAIN STREET! The Town of North Hempstead Parking District will cover the meters and suspend the on-street parking meter fees on Main Street and certain other streets starting on Small Business Saturday, November 25, and continuing through January 1, 2024.
SIDEWALK SALES! Look for stores selling merchandise outdoors if weather permits.
HOLIDAY DECORATIONS! In addition to beautiful storefront decorations, The BID will install lit snowflakes on the utility poles and the Chamber of Commerce will adorn the Main Street lampposts with garland, lights and red bows. Port will look festive and bright both day and night.
The magical days are:
November 25 – Port Holiday Magic on Small Business Saturday. We will have all of the festivities described above including Santa riding through town on a fire truck. On this day, stores will kick off the season with many specials for their customers.
December 2 – Port Holiday Giving Magic when we ask everyone to “SHOP LOCAL, GIVE LOCAL.” We encourage you to make donations to local organizations and to our “Make a Child Smile Toy, Food & Diaper Drive” at participating stores which are listed on the Try Port First app. You can also visit “Stuff the Bus” at the train station to donate new, unwrapped toys for less fortunate children in our town.
December 9 – Port Holiday Window Magic. Businesses throughout town are showing their holiday spirit and going all out to decorate their windows. A panel of judges will view the participating windows and cast their votes.
There will also be a “WALK AND WAG” with dogs in costumes and their owners walking around town to admire the window decorations. The window winner will be announced and will receive recognition and photos in the local papers and on social media. A list of all the stores in the contest can be found on the Try Port First app, under EVENTS.
Port Holiday Magic raises awareness of the vital role small businesses play in our community and our economy. Shopping locally for the holidays is safe, convenient, and easy.
You are supporting your local merchants who not only appreciate your business but also pay a large share of property taxes and help maintain the economic stability of our community.
They also provide special customer services that the online merchants and big box stores don’t offer and they support requests for donations for our community organizations like the schools, scouts, religious and civic institutions, and others.
Importantly, online shoppers may not realize that for every $100 you spend in your local small businesses, $68 stays in our community through jobs, taxes, contributions to non-profits and more. For every $100 you spend online, $0 stays in our community.
Help strengthen our community by supporting local businesses that support our town. Shop Local on Port Holiday Magic and throughout the holiday season.
Port Holiday Magic is grateful to our sponsors: Catholic Health’s St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center, The Greater Port Washington Business Improvement District (BID) and The Peter and Jeri Dejana Foundation. Port Holiday Magic is organized by the BID, the Chamber of Commerce, Landmark on Main Street and Residents Forward. It is supported by the Town of North Hempstead and the Port Washington Police District.
