Welcome to the official 2022 Holiday Events & Promotions site for The Shops at Yale — located in the Chapel Street Historic & Broadway Districts of Downtown New Haven.
Join us this holiday season for fun & festive experiences, free and open to the public, and exciting shopping rewards! Shopping and dining locally helps support the economy in Greater New Haven County, contributes to city and state taxes and creates vibrancy.
FREE GOURMET HOT COCOA WITH PURCHASE, NOV 25 – DEC 24
Present a same-day paper receipt for $50 or more from participating retailers (see retailer list and rules & regulations below) at The Shops at Yale from November 25 to December 24 and receive one free gourmet hot cocoa from Atticus Bookstore Cafe, 1082 Chapel Street. See official rules & regulations at the bottom of this page.
FREE 2-HOUR PARKING, NOV 25 – DEC 24
Free 2-hour parking with a same-day purchase of $50 or more from any retailer or restaurant at The Shops at Yale from November 25 to December 24. Participating locations include the following surface lots; 56 Broadway and 255 Crown Street. Simply show your paper or electronic receipt to the parking lot attendant in the booth when exiting the lot.
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY POP-UP AT 1042 CHAPEL STREET
STORYTELLING & SELFIES WITH SANTA & MRS CLAUS
Santa and Mrs Claus will visit The Shops at Yale and read stories to children and take photos with families from 1:00-3:00pm. This event is free and open to the public with free snacks!
–Saturdays, November 26, December 3, 1:00-3:00pm – B Natural Kitchen, 260 College Street
–Saturdays, December 10 & 17, 1:00-3:00pm – Claire’s Corner Copia, 1000 Chapel Street
–Sundays, November 27, December 4, 11 & 18, 1:00-3:00pm – Barnes & Noble/The Yale Bookstore, 77 Broadway
CHAPEL STREET ICE CARVING DEMONSTRATIONS
Snowman – 12/3
Holiday Bear – 12/10
Reindeer – 12/17
STROLLING CONNECTICUT YULETIDE CAROLERS
Festive carolers will be performing in the Broadway and Chapel Historic Districts wearing traditional garb. Great photo opportunities!
- Chapel Street Historic District on Saturdays, November 26, December 3, 10 & 17, 12:00-3:00pm
- Broadway Shopping District on Sundays, November 27, December 4, 11 & 18, 12:00-3:00pm
CITY OF NEW HAVEN TREE LIGHTING & HOLIDAY VILLAGE
5:00-8:00PM, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1
Join the Elm City as they kick off the holiday season with their official Tree Lighting Ceremony & Holiday Village on the New Haven Green. The Tree Lighting Ceremony will feature entertainment, photo opportunities with Santa & Mrs. Claus, and many more surprises for the whole family! This event is family-friendly, and pet-friendly with retail products by local entrepreneurs perfect for holiday gifts. The Holiday Village runs through the weekend.
CHAPEL STREET OPEN HOUSE
4:30-7:00PM, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8
Celebrate the independently owned businesses that make the Chapel Street Historic District so special with complimentary food and wine tastings, trunk shows, opportunities to meet business owners and their local vendors/suppliers, and more. The event is free and open to the public, with free parking at the 150 York Street Garage from 4:00-8:00pm with validation at More Amour Boutique during the event. Must be 21 or older with proper ID to sample wine or alcohol. RSVP requested.
FEATURED EVENT — BABY TOY & COAT DRIVE WITH UNITED WAY OF GREATER NEW HAVEN AND A HOLIDAY JAM SESSION WITH NEW HAVEN UNDERGROUND JAZZ BAND
12:00-4:00PM, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10
Donate NEW toys (ages 0-3) and NEW coats (all ages) to benefit your neighbors in need this holiday season while enjoying seasonal jazz music from a 6-piece band, and magician Amazing Andy from 12:00-4:00pm. If you cannot make it to the event, please consider dropping off your new & unwrapped toys from November 25 – December 11 at Union League Café, dwell New Haven, L.L.Bean, Barnes & Noble/The Yale Bookstore, Katahdin Furniture, Walker-Loden, or the Yale University Police Department at 101 Ashmun Street. In partnership with United Way of Greater New Haven, Yale University Police Department, Market New Haven and Town Green Special Services District.
FEATURED EVENT — ICE CARVING COMPETITION & A CAPPELLA CONCERT
12:00-4:00PM, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11
6 professional ice carvers from all over New England will each transform 900lbs of ice into a spectacular sculpture in only 4 hours on Broadway Island (56 Broadway), across from Apple/L.L.Bean/lululemon. Great photo opportunities with the sculptures after the event. Vote on your favorites and automatically be entered to win one of five $50 gift cards! You’ll also be treated to performances by local a cappella groups. This event is free and open to the public. The City of New Haven Parking Authority offers free metered parking on Sundays throughout New Haven! Plus, free parking is available at the 150 York Street Garage. Bring your parking ticket to The Shops at Yale table under the big tent at the event to be validated.
12:00-12:30, Wiffenpoofs
12:00-1:00, Proof of the Pudding
1:00-1:30, Doox of Yale
1:30-2:00, Yale Alley Cats
2:00-2:30, Whim ‘n Rhythm
2:30-3:00, Something Extra
3:00-3:30, The Yale Spizzwinks
3:30-4:00, Redhot & Blue of Yale
ANDY WOLF HOLIDAY TUBULATION SERIES
Enjoy the festive sounds of horn and tuba duos next to Union League Cafe (1032 Chapel Street) and on Broadway Island.
–Black Friday, 1:00-4:00pm, November 25 (Chapel Street and Broadway Island)
–Saturdays, 1:00-4:00pm, November 26, December 3 & 17 (Broadway Island)
–Sundays, 1:00-4:00pm, November 27, December 4, 11 & 18 (Chapel Street)
FREE CUPCAKE OR HOT COCOA WITH PURCHASE IN THE WHITNEY-AUDUBON DISTRICT AND ROAMING CAROLERS ON SATURDAYS
Enjoy 1 Free Hot Cocoa from Willoughby’s Coffee & Tea at 258 Church Street or 1 Free Cupcake from Katalina’s Bakery at 74 Whitney Avenue when you show a same-day receipt for $25 or more from participating retailers. Learn more, click here theshopsatyale.com/holidaysonwhitney/
OFFICIAL RULES & REGULATIONS FOR FREE HOT COCOA
Spend $50 or more at one of the participating retailers at The Shops at Yale listed below and receive a free regular hot cocoa at Atticus Bookstore Cafe (1082 Chapel Street). Offer valid from November 25 and ends on the earlier of (i) December 24, 2022, (ii) the date this offer is cancelled. Offer valid only at Atticus Bookstore Cafe, 1082 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT. Limit 1 per household, per day, with same-day paper receipt from a participating merchant. Store employees at any retailer at The Shops at Yale are not eligible. Offer may be cancelled and end at any time.
Participating retailers at The Shops at Yale are limited to the following:
• Apple
• Atticus Bookstore Cafe (retail only)
• Barnes & Noble – The Yale Bookstore
• Book Trader Cafe (retail only)
• Campus Customs
• Derek Simpson Goldsmith
• dwell New Haven
• FatFace
• Grey Matter Books
• Hull’s Art Supply & Framing
• idiom Boutique
• J.Crew
• L.L.Bean
• Lou Lou Boutiques
• lululemon
• More Amour Boutique
• Neville Wisdom Design Studio
• Raggs for Men & Women
• Shiana Hair
• Sneaker Junkies
• Soap-edi
• Üni-Home Life
• Urban Outfitters
• Warby Parker
