Join us in Buchanan for some holiday magic, as our annual holiday kick-off event returns to downtown!

Storefront decorating contest WINNER Announcement! (During Tree Lighting Ceremony)

Kids Costume Competition and Parade!!
Here is the link for parade registration: https://forms.gle/AJsH7xLtLLAXp2D27

Downtown:

4pm - 8pm: Shopping/Activities/Fire Pits

Duck Pond:
6:00: Kids Costume Contest
6:15pm Parade Line-up —> 6:30: Parade begins

The Common:
Following parade: Tree lighting ceremony and performances with local special
guests

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

United Federal Credit Union

Kyle Zelmer Century 21 Affiliated- Niles

Country Heritage Credit Union

Hein Electric

The Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the 5th Annual Storefront Decorating Contest for the 2025 edition of "Buchanan For The Holidays". We are asking for all Buchanan Storefronts to join in on the Christmas spirit and decorate your storefront windows with Christmas cheer.

Sponsored by Country Heritage Credit Union, this year we will have only one winner who will be selected from a panel of three judges. In honor of the Christmas spirit, this year’s winnings of $250 will be donated to Red Bud Area Ministries in the name of the winner. Sign up by Monday, November 17, 2025. 

Scoring – out of 25:

1 – Needs Improvement      

2 – Below Average/Okay    

3 – Average/Good         

4 – Great  

5 – Excellent

 You will be scored on the following categories:

Creativity/Spirit – 5 Points
        The more creative and different your window is the more points you will receive.

Use of window space – 5 Points
        The amount of space you use to decorate your windows, no space left on your windows.

Lights, color, and props used – 5 Points
        Use of lights, color, and additional props will be given high scores.

Use of the words, “Buchanan For The Holidays” – 5 Points
        Help us promote the annual event and put Buchanan For The Holidays 2025 up as many times as possible.

Storefront open during Small Business Saturday – 5 Points

We would love for your store to be open during the Small Business Saturday festivities throughout the day. Stores that are open when judges arrive will receive 5 points.

Judging will take place on Saturday, November 29, 2025, starting at noon. Any questions please reach out to Brandon DeJaynes, Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce, at buchananchamber@gmail.com

*Judges will be announced at a later time.*

Buchanan Area Small Business Saturday 2025

Saturday, November 29th.

Small Business Saturday is an initiative to stimulate interest in shopping locally. Small business owners tend to reinvest more of the money they earn in their communities. In addition, they usually hire locally, helping to stimulate the area’s economy. Small Business Saturday lets small companies increase visibility, provides marketing support and keeps sales revenues local.

The Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce is inviting ALL small businesses in the Buchanan area to participate in the marketing campaign. If your small business is interested in joining - please use the form below to provide us with the necessary information to help promote your small business!

Please support the following participants!

Buchanan Floral Company and Greenhouses - 516 W Front St - Home-grown poinsettias are ready!

Hilltop's Creekside Cafe - 223 E. Front St. - Buy a cup or bowl of chilli, and get one free Or 50% off a cup or bowl of chilli while supplies last Raffle Bowl-come in to Creekside Cafe starting Monday, November 10th, till Saturday, November 29th at 2 pm, and come put your name and phone number in the Raffle Bowl for a chance to win a Hilltop's Creekside Cafe Gift Card. We will put 1$ per raffle entry towards the Gift Card, limited to $150.00 if we have more than 150 entries, and will pick out a winner and notify them on Saturday the 29th

Little Bucks Kid Care - 101 days Ave - Hot cocoa bar Fun kid friendly environment with games, prizes and fun toys to purchase. All proceeds go to an adopted family from the community for Christmas

B&W Pour Decisions - 116 Main St - 2-4pm for face painting, crafts and hot chocolate with all proceeds going to the Bill & Wally Veterans Fund!

Fernwood Botanical Garden - 13988 Range Line Road - Receive a FREE $10 Fernwood gift certificate for every $100 gift certificate you purchase. The gift certificates can be used for general admission, as well as for purchases in the gift and plant shops. You can also use them to buy an annual membership or to register for special events and programs. A Fernwood gift certificate is a wonderful way to celebrate a friend, co-worker, or family member. The Fernwood Gift Shop will be fully stocked for holiday gift-giving!

Bucktown Parlor - 297 E Front St - Hot chocolate White chili Cookies Specials: tee shirts, winter hats, candles, crocheted items, gift certificates available for purchase

West End Graphics - 325 East Front St Suite 110 - Yard sign special: 10 full color yard signs 18x24, 2 sided w/step stake. Regular $155.00+tax, Special $135.00+tax. Full color Banners: 3'x8' with grommets, Regular $120.00+tax, Special $96.00+tax. Prices do not include basic artwork, extended artwork charged at $40.00 per hour.

Glendora Bookshop - 110 E Front St - discounts, drawings, special guests, food & drink - come celebrate our 2nd birthday!

Lehmans Farmhouse Brewery - 204 N. Redbud Trail - Food specials & Farm market discounts

River Saint Joe - 15475 Walton Rd - enjoy our $12 All-Day Features crafted with comfort + seasonal charm:
Harvest Chicken Salad
Harvest Chicken & Apple Sandwich
Signature Chicken Pot Pie
We’ll be open 12pm–9pm, and reservations are encouraged.

Cannavista Wellness - 120 E. Front St. - Live Music and Food Truck

Roti Roti Art Center - 117 W Front St - Artisan Market featuring artists selling their original pottery, jewelry, Woodwork and more. Also, there will be a ornament painting workshop for families, for $5 per ornament participants can choose a ceramic ornament and decorate with acrylic paints.

PC Consultants, Inc - 4353 Lake Street, Bridgman, MI 49106 - IT services for small businesses. Home user tech support. Custom PC Builds

Thistledown and Row - 103 Days Ave - Soup and Salad special $12 TDR Burger & Fries $12

Gravity Productions - 325 E. Front Street, Suite 118 - Book a radio ad (writing, recording, editing, producing) and get 2 free months of ads on The Green Room podcast at no charge.

Bucktown Boutique - 109 E. Front St - We will have giveaways, surprise deals, along with snacks and beverages to enjoy while you shop. The first 20 customers who spend $25 or more will receive a free tote bag and candle. We will also be hosting Just A Bite Cake Goods LLC for all of your holiday sweet treats.

Michigan Gateway Community Foundation - 107 W. Front St - Popcorn Tours of the Historic Ross Sanders House & Children's Craft with Kickstart to Career

TMPR - 325 E. Front St, Ste 117 - 10am-3pm, one-day-sale of 20% off select high quality paddles (already marked down 70% and prices range from $25-$49).  Backpacks marked down 70%. Free 3 pk of pickleballs with $49 minimum purchase. 

Also to come in to enter a drawing for a Beginner Player Package of 2 paddles and pickleballs (retail value $150)!

Bucktown Nutrition - 105 Days Ave. - Stay tuned!

McCollum’s - 206 Days Ave. - 2pm to 4pm - Cookie Decorating (FREE FOR KIDS!) + Hot Chocolate Bar

WINDOW DECORATING SIGN UP FORM - CLICK HERE

PARADE SIGN UP FORM - CLICK HERE

A HUGE thanks to our sponsors:
Buchanan District Library
Welsh and Sons
Buchanan-Galien Lions Club
Country Heritage Credit Union
McCarty Well
Sturgis Bank
Horizon Realty Group
Penny Slocum
Greta Pope
Buchanan Church of the Nazarene