2026 Holiday Events & Promotions in the Whitney-Audubon District
Shop local in the Whitney-Audubon District this holiday season and warm up with a gourmet hot cocoa when you spend $25 or more at any participating retailer!
Explore the Whitney-Audubon District, a lovely pocket of Downtown New Haven filled with unique shops, creative services, and neighborhood charm. Discover antiques, jewelry, Frasier Fir diffusers, greeting cards, and more at Walker-Loden. Katahdin Furniture offers beautiful custom rugs, handcrafted living and dining room pieces, Melissa & Doug toys, and eclectic gifts. Searching for something that sparkles? Gilden’s Jewelers showcases a stunning selection of rings, necklaces, watches, and bracelets. You’ll also find knitting supplies at Knit New Haven, fashionable eyewear at Kennedy & Perkins Opticians, professional hair services at Phil’s Hairstyles and Phil’s Hair & Spa, and New Haven’s only fully vegan ice cream shop, Vía Láctea—all within a cheerful, walkable district with a true neighborhood feel.
FREE CUPCAKE OR HOT COCOA WITH PURCHASE
Present a same-day paper receipt for $25 or more from participating retailers (see Official Rules & Regulations below) in the Whitney-Audubon Retail & Arts District from Nov. 26 to Dec. 24 and receive one free hot cocoa from Willoughby’s Coffee & Tea, 258 Church St.
FESTIVE STOREFRONTS, NOV 14 – JAN 31
Free LOVE YOUR LOCAL cotton tote bags will be given out with every purchase throughout the district by participating merchants beginning on Small Business Saturday, and continuing throughout the holiday season, while supplies last. Don’t miss the Festive Storefronts holiday window art program at twenty Whitney–Audubon District merchants. Local artist Elizabeth Taylor will hand-paint select storefront windows in all white, creating elegant, festive displays that add seasonal charm to an already charming neighborhood.
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- Affinity Federal Credit Union
- Knit New Haven
- Taste of Jiang Nan
- Affinity Credit Union
- Costa Pizza
- Creative Arts Workshop
- Cristhian Shoe Repair
- Docuprint
- Gilden’s Jewelry
- Good Nature Market
- Katahdin Furniture
- Knit New Haven
- OddBins Bottle Shop
- Phil’s Hairstyles on Whitney Ave.
- The Giggling Pig
- The Salad Shop
- Taste of Jiang Nan
- Vía Láctea
- Walker-Loden
- Willoughbys Coffee & Tea
HOLIDAY PLAY/SING-IN & GINGERBREAD FUNDRAISER, (Date to be announced)
Neighborhood Music School will host their annual Holiday Play/Sing-In from 10 am – noon, which welcomes all ages, instruments (including hand-clappers!), and skill levels to make music together. Last year they hosted over 120 participants and expect even more this year! From 1:30 – 4 pm, they’ll host a Gingerbread House FunRaiser, where families can decorate houses to support their summer programs.
OFFICIAL RULES & REGULATIONS FOR FREE HOT COCOA & CUPCAKE
Spend $25 or more at one of the participating retailers in the Whitney-Audubon District listed below and receive a free regular hot cocoa at Willoughby’s Coffee & Tea, 258 Church St. Offer valid from Nov. 26 and ends on the earlier of (i) Dec. 24, 2026, (ii) the date this offer is cancelled. Limit 1 per household, per day, with same-day paper receipt from a participating merchant. Offer may be cancelled and end at any time. Participating merchants in the Whitney-Audubon District are limited to the following:
Cristhian Shoe Repair
2 Whitney Ave. | New Haven, CT 06510
203-553-2700
Gilden’s Jewelers
55 Whitney Ave. | New Haven, CT 06510
203-562-0078
Katahdin Furniture
60 Whitney Ave. | New Haven, CT 06510
203-777-5551
Kennedy & Perkins Opticians
80 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06510
203-624-3145
Knit New Haven
26 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06510
203-777-5648
Phil’s Hair & Spa on Audubon Street
71 Audubon St., New Haven, CT 06510
475-655-2994
Phil’s Hairstyles on Whitney Avenue
55 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06510
203-495-8666
The Giggling Pig
55 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06510
Walker Loden Ltd.
258 Church St., New Haven, CT 06510
203-865-8196
Willoughby’s Coffee & Tea (retail only)
258 Church St., New Haven, CT 06510
203-777-7400
Please email us at theshopsatyale@gmail.com with questions or suggestions!
