2024 Holiday Events at The Shops at Yale

Join us this holiday season for fun & festive experiences that are free and open to the public, along with exciting shopping rewards. 

FREE GOURMET HOT COCOA WITH PURCHASE, NOV 29 – 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 29 to December 24 and receive one free gourmet hot cocoa from Claire’s Corner Copia, 1000 Chapel Street or Common Grounds, 276 York Street. See our official rules & regulations at the bottom of this page.

FREE 2-HOUR PARKING, NOV 29 – 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 29 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

On Saturday, November 30 from 12:00-3:00pm, Enjoy free family friendly activities with fresh kettle popcorn & an ice carving demonstration at 1046 Chapel Street, strolling Yuletide Carolers, and more. In partnership with Market New Haven. Santa & Mrs. Claus will be located at B Natural Kitchen from 1:00-3:00pm (see additional days/times below).

STORYTELLING & SELFIES WITH SANTA & MRS. CLAUS

Join Santa and Mrs. Claus at The Shops at Yale, where they will 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 30 & December 7, 1:00-3:00pm – B Natural Kitchen, 260 College Street

–Saturdays, December 14 & 21, 1:00-3:00pm – Barnes & Noble/The Yale Bookstore, 77 Broadway (lower level)

CHAPEL STREET ICE CARVING DEMONSTRATIONS

A professional ice carver will be transforming two 300-pound blocks of ice into holiday-themed works of art in the Chapel Street Historic District with free fresh kettle popcorn from The Kettle King on the following days.

–Saturdays, November 30, December 14 & 21, 1:00-3:00pm – in front of Üni-Home Life, 1046 Chapel Street

Elm City Elf – 11/30

Reindeer – 12/14

Holiday Bear – 12/21

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 30, December 7, 14 & 21, 12:00-3:00pm

–Broadway Shopping District on Sundays, December 1, 8, 15 & 22, 12:00-3:00pm

CITY OF NEW HAVEN TREE LIGHTING & HOLIDAY VILLAGE

Thursday, December 5, 5:00pm

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.

CITY OF NEW HAVEN MENORAH LIGHTING

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25

(Time to be announced)

Join the City of New Haven for their celebration of Hanukkah with an official menorah lighting ceremony.

FEATURED EVENT — ICE CARVING COMPETITION & A CAPPELLA CONCERT

12:00-4:00PM, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, BROADWAY ISLAND

5 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/J.Crew/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 accomplished Yale a cappella groups. This event is free and open to the public. Free all-day parking is available at the 150 York Street Garage (Chapel-York Garage). Please bring your parking ticket to The Shops at Yale table under the big tent during the event to be validated. Hot Cocoa Competition (while supplies last) pick up your tasting cup at The Shops at Yale tent and vote on your favorite hot cocoa! Don’t forget to stop by The Shops at Yale table during the event for exclusive Shopping & Dining Offers! This event will take place rain or shine.

12:00-12:30 PM: Doox of Yale

12:30-1:00 PM: Baker’s Dozen

1:00-1:30 PM: Red Hot & Blue

1:30-2:00 PM: Yale Alley Cats

2:00-2:30 PM: Pitches & Tones

2:30-3:00 PM: Whim ‘n Rhythm

3:00-3:30 PM: Mixed Company

3:30-4:00 PM: Cadence of Yale

FEATURED EVENT — COMMUNITY CHORAL CONCERT AND BABY TOY & COAT DRIVE WITH UNITED WAY OF GREATER NEW HAVEN

12:00-3:00PM, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8

Donate NEW toys (ages 0-3) and NEW coats (all ages) to benefit your neighbors in need this holiday season while enjoying seasonal songs from local high school and community choruses. Free activities include visits with Santa & Mrs. Claus, photo booth with a professional photographer, fresh kettle popcorn from The Kettle King, and a craft activity. Free all-day parking is available at the 150 York Street Garage (Chapel-York Garage). Please bring your parking ticket to The Shops at Yale table under the big tent during the event to be validated. Don’t forget to stop by The Shops at Yale table during the event for exclusive Shopping & Dining Offers! This event will take place rain or shine.

ANDY WOLF HOLIDAY TUBULATION SERIES

Enjoy the festive sounds of horn and tuba duos in front of Üni-Home Life, 1046 Chapel Street.

–Sundays, 1:00-3:00pm, December 1, 8, 15 & 22 

FREE CUPCAKE OR HOT COCOA WITH PURCHASE IN THE WHITNEY-AUDUBON DISTRICT, AND STROLLING 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. Experience holiday songs by strolling carolers on Saturdays from 12:00-3:00pm November 30, December 7, 14 & 21. Learn more, click here https://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 Claire’s Corner Copia (1000 Chapel Street) or Common Grounds (276 York Street). Offer valid from November 29 and ends on the earlier of (i) December 24, 2024, (ii) the date this offer is cancelled. Offer valid only at Claire’s Corner Copia, 1000 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT or Common Grounds, 276 York 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:

• Any Occasion Creation Florist

• Apple

• Atticus Bookstore Cafe (retail only)

• Barnes & Noble – The Yale Bookstore

• Book Trader Cafe (retail only)

• Campus Customs

• Derek Simpson Goldsmith

• dwell New Haven

• Grey Matter Books

• Hull’s Art Supply & Framing

• idiom Boutique

• J. Press

• J.Crew

• Lou Lou Boutiques

• lululemon

• More Amour Boutique

• Neville Wisdom Design Studio

• Paper Source

• Raggs for Men & Women

• Shiana Hair

• Sneaker Junkies

• Soap-edi

• Soulful Threads

• Üni-Home Life

• Urban Outfitters

• Warby Parker

• Zongozon

OFFICIAL RULES & REGULATIONS FOR FREE 2-HOUR PARKING

Spend $50 or more at one of the participating retailers listed above or one of the restaurants listed below at The Shops at Yale to receive up to 2-hours of free parking at the parking lots located at 56 Broadway and 255 Crown Street in New Haven, CT. Offer valid from November 29 and ends on the earlier of (i) December 24, 2024, (ii) the date this offer is cancelled. 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 restaurants at The Shops at Yale are limited to the following:

• Anchor Spa

• Arethusa Farm Dairy

• Ashley’s Ice Cream

• Atticus Bookstore Cafe

• Ay Arepa

• B Natural Kitchen

• Book Trader Cafe

• Claire’s Corner Copia

• Common Grounds

• Cookie39

• Donut Crazy

• Good Nature Market

• Harvest Wine Bar & Restaurant

• Heirloom at The Study at Yale

• J&B Deli

• Loose Leaf Boba Company

• Maison B Café

• Midpoint Istanbul

• Nice Day Chinese

• Old Heidelberg at Graduate New Haven

• Pacifico

• Pedals Smoothie & Juice Bar

• Philly’s A Taste of Philadelphia

• Pokémoto Hawaiian Poké

• Shake Shack

• Sherkaan Indian Street Food

• South Bay

• Strega

• Tomatillo Taco Joint

• Tropical Smoothie Cafe

• Union League Café

• Villa Lulu

• Willoughby’s Coffee & Tea

• Yamasaki Teriyaki

• Yorkside Pizza and Restaurant

• ZINC New Haven