Madison’s “Downtown Holiday Open House” event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 28th, offers a festive respite from the crowded malls and big box stores that are the focus of Black Friday.
Enjoy free trolley rides, stroll around the Capitol Square and down State Street to sample the wares of more than 370 shops, boutiques, bookstores, galleries, and restaurants, many of which are locally owned.
Scanning the list of events provided by the Madison Central Business Improvement District (BID), it’s clear that you can imbibe lots of free cider and a bit of hot chocolate; and eat more than a couple of free cookies if you plan your route carefully.
Downtown merchants aren’t promising a lot of freebies and dizzying discounts, but they do offer a large variety of unique items that you’re unlikely to find elsewhere. One of the best deals on tap is the $25 gift certificate for only $15 (a 40% discount) that you can buy and use at three restaurants: Frida Mexican Grill, Zander’s Capitol Grill, and The Icon. Another good deal may be the Wisconsin Historical Museum shop’s 20% off discount on any “Real Wisconsin Clothing.”
For a complete list of activities and participating businesses, click here.
