The Christmas on Central Small Business Saturday Holiday Market and Annual Tree Lighting will be Saturday, Nov. 25 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in downtown Dunkirk.

Mayor Wilfred Rosas and the City of Dunkirk Festivals and Specials Events Department are excited to announce the Christmas on Central Small Business Saturday Holiday Market and Annual Tree Lighting on Saturday, Nov. 25 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in downtown Dunkirk.

The event is presented by event sponsor Universal Stainless Steel in Dunkirk. Other sponsors include the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities.

The indoor and outdoor pop-up shopping event is to spotlight locally-owned businesses and the impact they have on communities.

Local vendors and activities will be inside Northern Chautauqua Catholic School (NCCS), Stearns Building, former P&G grocery store, P*dubs and other locations along with other holiday elements outside on Central Avenue from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The day will provide a great opportunity to shop for holiday gifts from over fifty vendors and small businesses while enjoying live music at City Hall with DJ Joe Gould (11 a.m.), Slim & Red (1 p.m.) and Footsteps (3 p.m.). Other activities include complimentary hot cocoa and food available for purchase from the Central Station Restaurant, complimentary horse drawn carriage rides with two wagons this year provided by Laff ‘N Lyon Ranch from 12 noon to 4 p.m., children’s holiday craft-making and cookie frost, visits with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, Rudolph and elves from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and ice sculpture carving demonstrations by Jamestown Ice & Storage in Stearns Court starting at 11 a.m.

There will also be a shopping map available at the event promoting participating vendors and some of the other holiday deals and savings taking place at other local businesses throughout the city.

“Last year we had over 3,000 visitors to Christmas on Central which was very exciting to see,” said Ryan Hall, Dunkirk Festivals Coordinator. “Several people said that this event reminded them of the holiday seasons from long ago where downtown Dunkirk was bustling with people everywhere.”

Holiday dancers from the McKenna Academy of Dance (5 p.m.) and Danza! Performing Arts Academy (5:15 p.m.) will perform a holiday routine in front of city hall.

The event will conclude with the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5:30 p.m. on the steps of Dunkirk City Hall with Mayor Rosas, staff, community members and friends.

A free community gift card drawing will be conducted by city staff member Carol Oliveira during that time.

Participants are reminded to dress warm during the inside and outside strolling holiday event.

Corporate events sponsors are available at the following levels: $500 – Tree Lighting Sponsor, $250 – Horse-Drawn Carriage Sponsor and $100 – Santa Set Sponsor.

If you are interested in being a sponsor or a craft, gift, food or kids’ activity vendor, please visit the city website at www.cityofdunkirk.com or their Facebook page at Dunkirk Festivals & Special Events for registration form.

For more information, contact Ryan Hall at City of Dunkirk at (716) 366-9886 or rhall@cityofdunkirk.com.