Fort Wayne, IN – The Downtown Improvement District (DID) is pleased to offer Holly Trolley Shopping on November 30, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. As a special treat, the first 250 riders will receive a keepsake holiday tote.
We’ve selected a very special day for this free event and are sure it will be festive with HolidayFest traditions at their peak. Families can explore annual favorites like the Festival of Gingerbread, Festival of Trees, Festival of Trains, and many other activities. Develop a new family tradition with Holly Trolley Shopping as this is a unique Downtown Fort Wayne shopping experience. It’s also the Last Saturday of the month so there will be many ways to “experience art and discover downtown.” Our sponsor
Joining the trend across the country for “shop local” campaigns, we chose the Saturday between Black Friday and Cyber Monday for Holly Trolley Shopping. Small Business Saturday is recognized to support small businesses nationwide. The DID makes shopping local easier with free trolley rides throughout downtown. Most of the businesses along the trolley route will be offering special holiday items, one-day only discounts or refreshments giving shoppers even more incentive to support our locally-owned retailers and specialty gift shops.
November 30 is also a free transit day. Citilink has declared the Last Saturday of November a free fare day across the entire city, making it affordable to get downtown. Rain or shine, getting to downtown attractions can be free and easy with Citilink. Once there patrons can ride the free Holly Trolley between shops from 11 to 5 p.m.
There will be more than 50 gift shops, galleries and attractions, along with three pop-up art markets and restaurants available for Holly Trolley Shopping. With so many stops, two trolleys routes (a red line and a green line) will overlap so shoppers won’t have to wait more than 20 minutes between trolleys. Shopping guides with maps will be available on the trolleys and will be posted on HolidayFestDowntown.com. Simply park in a garage or lot near your favorite attraction then wait at a trolley stop sign and we¹ll be around to pick you up.
In addition to dozens of shops selling items that are absolutely unique to Northeast Indiana, there will be three pop-up markets as part of Holly Trolley Shopping. These pop-up markets are like boutique retail shops and feature local artisans and vendors from the area. Guests can visit the Foxy Ladies Art Posse at Artlink or HollyPop at 127 W. Wayne Street where 22 local artisans will be selling their wares. The third artisan pop-up market will take place at Columbia Street West where those over 21 might also want to take advantage of a wine tasting.
Businesses from the Wells Corridor will again join the Downtown Improvement District by sponsoring a trolley to connect their pocket of eclectic and charming shops to all other HolidayFest fun. This route will link the Wells Corridor with several unique downtown shops, The Old Fort and Science Central. The other route will weave along downtown streets from the Wayne and Calhoun Street area, with stops that loop south of Jefferson to connect the gift shops at the TinCaps, Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, and the Arts United Campus.
When tired of shopping guests should stop in at JK O¹Donnell¹s for a pint or some warm authentic Irish food. If so, say thanks as they are the sponsor of this wonderful event.
Visit HolidayFestDowntown.com
