Holiday Happenings In Historic Downtown Dade City

from Florida Women October 2023

The Memory of a Much Loved

‘Tis often said that the Holiday Season is the most magical time of the year and Historic Downtown Dade City is certainly no exception!

Festivities get underway with the traditional “Dade City Unwraps for the Holidays” on Saturday, November 4th! Always on the first Saturday in November. But what exactly is the “Unwrap”?

Once upon a time, as all fun stories go, there was a group of very creative merchants sitting around the table pondering how to “kick off” the holiday season in their little town. Lots of ideas got batted around and then one bright merchant recalled a far away shop that used to wrap their shop windows (so that there was no peeking), and re-open a couple of days later with a grand flair to reveal their Christmas merchandise. It was said that folks came from all around to anxiously await the reveal of the treasures that had been collected and displayed with care – much like what Ole St. Nick would have done himself.

And there it was! The idea was born - with a few modifications that is. Some thought it was too much to be closed for several days, and some feared that they did not stock enough holiday items to compete with the big box stores. And of course they wanted something that everyone in town could participate in whether they were selling food or merchandise. But they all said “we can wrap our windows and have lots of fun.”

“We can’t just make it about Christmas and forget about Thanksgiving!” So the group decided to do something that celebrates all of the seasonal holidays. They came up with different themes each year to give folks some “how to” holiday tips. One year the theme was all about helping customers entertain at home with decorating tips, wreath making, homemade doggy treats, crafty Christmas cards, and tasty recipes. Another year the focus was on entertainment – Christmas stories, presentations on the History of Christmas Wrapping Paper, Fancy Napkin folding classes, and other fun activities. This year promises to be the best ever!

Like little elves, the merry ole merchants will work long into the night on Friday, wrapping their windows and getting ready for the early morning festivities.

On Saturday morning, November 4th, the event kicks off at 9:30 am with a sidewalk reception in front of Florida Cracker Lunch on Limoges with complimentary orange juice and their fabulous freshly baked cinnamon rolls. From there the “unwrapping parade” will begin with an entourage of merchants and shoppers making their way from shop to shop to cheer as the proprietor rips the paper from their windows and declares the holiday season to be officially underway.

For the early birds – there are reusable holiday shopping bags available at participating shops filled with gifts and goodies for the first 10 shoppers who purchase $20 or more in merchandise. Refreshments will be plentiful with tons of small town holiday cheer!

Small Business Saturday will be celebrated on November 25th. The holiday festivities will continue with a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Clause. No season is complete without the kiddie and family photos (furry family members are welcome too) with the Clauses’. They will be on hand from 4 pm – 7:30 pm for free photos.

You will want to start your day early – at 10 am the shops open with an Ornament Giveaway (with a $25 purchase, as long as supplies last)! Plan to have a delicious lunch at one of our many unique restaurants and sandwich shops, stroll our beautiful shops and get ready for the Horse drawn sleigh rides from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Spend some time sampling holiday sweets, artistic crafted chocolates, apple cider, hot chocolate and gourmet cupcakes. Help support the small businesses that make a town “your hometown”. Shops will remain open until 8 pm.

Be sure to visit the Dade City Merchants Facebook page for additional information and a list of this year’s special activities. Next month we will share with you our December plans for Historic Downtown Dade City. We hope you pay us a visit!