Welcome to the official 2025 Holiday Events & Promotions site for The Shops at Yale — located in the Chapel Street Historic & Broadway Districts of Downtown New Haven.

Join us this holiday season for fun & festive experiences that are free and open to the public, along with exciting shopping rewards!

FREE GOURMET HOT COCOA or COOKIE WITH PURCHASE, NOV 28 – DEC 24

Present a paper or digital receipt for $50 or more from participating retailers (see retailer list and rules & regulations below) at The Shops at Yale from November 28 to December 24 and receive one free gourmet hot cocoa from Claire’s Corner Copia, 1000 Chapel Street or one free cookie from Cookie39, 39 Broadway. See our official rules & regulations at the bottom of this page.

FREE 2-HOUR PARKING, NOV 28 – DEC 24

Free 2-hour parking with a same-day purchase of $50 or more from any retailer or restaurant at The Shops at Yale from November 28 to December 24. Participating locations include the following surface lots; 56 Broadway and 255 Crown Street. Simply show your paper or digital receipt to the parking lot attendant in the booth when exiting the lot.

STORYTELLING & SELFIES WITH SANTA & MRS. CLAUS

Join Santa and Mrs. Claus at The Shops at Yale, where they will read stories to children and take photos with families. This event is free and open to the public with complimentary snacks!
–Saturdays, November 29 & December 6, 1:00-3:00pm – B Natural Kitchen, 260 College Street
–Saturdays, December 13 & 20, 1:00-3:00pm – Barnes & Noble/The Yale Bookstore, 77 Broadway (lower level)

CHAPEL STREET ICE CARVING DEMONSTRATIONS

A professional ice carver will be transforming two 300-pound blocks of ice into holiday-themed works of art in the Chapel Street Historic District on the following days. Enjoy complimentary fresh kettle popcorn from The Kettle King on Nov. 29!

–Saturdays, November 29, December 13 & 20, 1:00-3:00pm – in front of Üni-Home Life, 1046 Chapel Street

Elm City Elf – 11/29
Reindeer – 12/13
Holiday Bear – 12/20

STROLLING CONNECTICUT YULETIDE CAROLERS 

Festive carolers will be performing in the Broadway and Chapel Historic Districts wearing traditional garb. Great photo opportunities!
–Chapel Street Historic District on Saturdays, November 29, December 6, 13 & 20, 12:00-3:00pm
–Broadway Shopping District on Sundays, November 30, December 7, 14 & 21, 12:00-3:00pm

WEEKEND OF HOLIDAY CHEER — ICE CARVING COMPETITION & A CAPPELLA CONCERT

12:00-4:00PM, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, BROADWAY ISLAND

5 professional ice carvers from all over New England will each transform 900lbs of ice into a spectacular sculpture in only 4 hours on Broadway Island (56 Broadway), across from Apple/J.Crew/lululemon. Great photo opportunities with the sculptures after the event. Vote on your favorites and automatically be entered to win one of five $50 gift cards! You’ll also be treated to performances by eight accomplished Yale a cappella groups.

12:00-12:30 PM: Proof of the Pudding
12:30-1:00 PM: The New Blue
1:00-1:30 PM: Out of the Blue
1:30-2:00 PM: Whim ‘n Rhythm
2:00-2:30 PM: Cadence of Yale
2:30-3:00 PM: Spizzwinks
3:00-3:30 PM: Something Extra
3:30-4:00 PM: Doox of Yale

Come early to join the Hot Cocoa Competition from 12-3pm, while supplies last. Receive your tasting cup at The Shops at Yale table and vote on your favorite to win gift cards! Don’t forget to stop by The Shops at Yale table during the event for exclusive Event Shopping & Dining Offers!

Free all-day parking is available at the 150 York Street Garage (Chapel-York Garage). Please bring your parking ticket to The Shops at Yale table under the big tent during the event to be validated. This event is free and open to the public and will take place rain or shine.

WEEKEND OF HOLIDAY CHEER — COMMUNITY CHORAL CONCERT AND BABY TOY & COAT DRIVE WITH UNITED WAY OF GREATER NEW HAVEN

12:00-3:00PM, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, BROADWAY ISLAND

Donate NEW toys (ages 0-3) and NEW coats (all ages) to benefit your neighbors in need this holiday season while enjoying seasonal songs from local high school and community choruses.

Free activities include photographs with Santa & Mrs. Claus on their holiday throne under the big tent with a professional photographer, complimentary fresh kettle popcorn from The Kettle King, and a craft activity. Join the Hot Cocoa Competition from 12-3pm, while supplies last. Receive your tasting cup at The Shops at Yale table and vote on your favorite to win gift cards!

Free all-day parking is available at the 150 York Street Garage (Chapel-York Garage). Please bring your parking ticket to The Shops at Yale table under the big tent during the event to be validated. Don’t forget to stop by The Shops at Yale table during the event for exclusive Event Shopping & Dining Offers! This event is free and open to the public and will take place rain or shine.

FREE CUPCAKE OR HOT COCOA WITH PURCHASE IN THE WHITNEY-AUDUBON DISTRICT

Enjoy 1 Free Hot Cocoa from Willoughby’s Coffee & Tea at 258 Church Street or 1 Free Cupcake from Katalina’s Bakery at 74 Whitney Avenue when you show a same-day receipt for $25 or more from participating retailers from November 28 through December 24, 2025. Learn more, click here https://theshopsatyale.com/holidaysonwhitney/

OFFICIAL RULES & REGULATIONS FOR FREE HOT COCOA

Spend $50 or more at one of the participating retailers at The Shops at Yale listed below and receive a free regular hot cocoa at Claire’s Corner Copia (1000 Chapel Street) or a free cookie from Cookie39 (39 Broadway). Offer valid from November 28 and ends on the earlier of (i) December 24, 2025, (ii) the date this offer is cancelled. Offer valid only at Claire’s Corner Copia, 1000 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT or Cookie39, 39 Broadway, New Haven, CT. Limit 1 per household, per day, with a paper receipt from a participating merchant. Store employees at any retailer at The Shops at Yale are not eligible. Offer may be cancelled and end at any time. 

Participating retailers at The Shops at Yale are limited to the following:

• 2nd STREET
• Any Occasion Creation Florist
• Apple
• Atticus Bookstore Cafe (retail only)
• Barnes & Noble – The Yale Bookstore
• Bluemercury
• Book Trader Cafe (retail only)
• Campus Customs
• Derek Simpson Goldsmith
• dwell New Haven
• Grails
• Grey Matter Books
• Hull’s Art Supply & Framing
• idiom Boutique
• J. Press
• J.Crew
• Lou Lou Boutiques
• lululemon
• More Amour Boutique
• Neville Wisdom Design Studio
• Paper Source
• Raggs for Men & Women
• Sneaker Junkies
• Soap-edi
• Soulful Threads
• Üni-Home Life
• Urban Outfitters
• Warby Parker
• Zongozon

OFFICIAL RULES & REGULATIONS FOR FREE 2-HOUR PARKING

Spend $50 or more at one of the participating retailers listed above or one of the restaurants listed below at The Shops at Yale to receive up to 2-hours of free parking at the parking lots located at 56 Broadway and 255 Crown Street in New Haven, CT. Offer valid from November 28 and ends on the earlier of (i) December 24, 2025, (ii) the date this offer is cancelled. Limit 1 per household, per day, with same-day paper receipt from a participating merchant. Store employees at any retailer at The Shops at Yale are not eligible. Offer may be cancelled and end at any time. Participating restaurants at The Shops at Yale are limited to the following:

• Anchor Spa
• Arethusa Farm Dairy
• Ashley’s Ice Cream
• Atticus Bookstore Cafe
• Ay Arepa
• B Natural Kitchen
• Bobbi’s Pizza
• Book Trader Cafe
• Casanova New Haven
• Claire’s Corner Copia
• Common Grounds
• Cookie39
• Good Nature Market
• Harvest Wine Bar & Restaurant
• Heirloom at The Study at Yale
• Heybings & Loose Leaf Boba Company
• J&B Deli
• Maison B Café
• Midpoint Istanbul
• Nice Day Chinese
• Old Heidelberg at Graduate New Haven
• Pacifico
• Pedals Smoothie & Juice Bar
• Pokémoto Hawaiian Poké
• Shah’s Halal Food
• Shake Shack
• Sherkaan Indian Street Food
• South Bay
• Strega
• Sweetgreen
• Tomatillo Taco Joint
• Tropical Smoothie Cafe
• Union League Café
• Villa Lulu
• Willoughby’s Coffee & Tea
• Yamasaki Teriyaki
• Yorkside Pizza and Restaurant
• ZINC New Haven