Participate in Holiday in the Patch 2023
Saturday, December 2, 2023 - 12-4 PM
We live in an amazing community so let's celebrate it. This year, the BIA is proud to present a day to celebrate the people and businesses that make Cabbagetown so special. We will be inviting the community to join us once again on Saturday, December 2 for Holiday in the Patch - a day of caroling, live music, photos with Santa, and lots of fun for the whole family! We will also be decorating the BIA with a cohesive look by affixing red bows to all of our business's doors, which you're welcome to keep!
But how can you participate?
Option 1. Participate in our Scavenger Hunt with an Event, Activity, or Special: Last year, we learned that families and people of all ages will visit your business thanks to our patented scavenger hunt! If your business would like to be included, we ask that you plan to run your own activities and specials within or in front of their store throughout the Holiday in the Patch day! By creating these experiences, this is the best way to connect with visitors and new customers.
Wreath-making workshops (perfect for a floral shop)
Holiday card-making workshops (perfect for a stationery store)
Gingerbread decorating (perfect for a coffee shop or bakery)
Ornament decorating
Dreidel competitions
Food & drink features (hot cocoa, mulled wine, hot apple cider, latkes, cookies, etc)
Pet holiday photos
Fire pits with roasting marshmallows
Holiday markets feat vendors
Face painting
Holiday storytime (Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, etc)
Live music
Food bank donation drop-off
Holiday item sales & free samples
Work with your neighbours to run an event in-store
And more! The sky is the limit!*
*The only thing we ask is that no one host a Santa, as the BIA will already be hosting Santa's workshop.
Then, volunteers will provide visitors with a map including your business and paper bag to encourage them to visit all the locations on the hunt, where they will find your fun event, activity, or special. At each stop, we would ask businesses to provide an item to be included in the bag - whether a candy cane, an ornament, a small toy, a coloring book etc. Individuals who complete the hunt will be eligible for a grand prize pack.
Last Year, 80% of Holiday in the Patch visitors said that they were more likely to visit additional businesses if they hosted their own events, activities, or specials!
Option 2 - Decorate Your Windows for the Holidays: By creatively decorating your storefronts for the season, you help beautify and add holiday cheer to Cabbagetown. All windows decorated by Dec 2 will be entered into the Cabbagetown Best Dressed Holiday Window Contest! The winner will receive advertising space at our Carlton + Parliament Astral transit shelter in 2024. Prize value: $3,500 each. Daily exposure: 32K+ people.
The more your business gets involved, the more foot traffic you'll see from this event!
Please click the button below to let us know of your plans to participate in Holiday in the Patch! The earlier you let us know about your activities and specials, the more promotion we'll be able to provide you! The deadline to complete the form is Friday, November 15.
Questions? Need help coming up with an idea? Reach out to Hazel Campbell, Operations Coordinator
Marketing Benefits for Your Business
For businesses that are participating in our Scavenger Hunt, are setting up Activities & Events at their location, or are Decorating their Windows, your company will receive the following promotion:
Mention in various event promo
One thank you in our feed
3 stories
Photographs that can be shared across your social channels
