Salem is rolling out the welcome mat for holiday shoppers with free downtown parking and a full weekend of events aimed at boosting small businesses at the start of the 2025 shopping season.
The City of Salem, in partnership with the Salem Main Street Association (SMSA) and the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, will host Shop Local Saturday on November 29 as part of a four-day effort to spotlight downtown merchants. To make it easier for residents to visit, the City is suspending all paid on-street parking in the Downtown Parking District from November 27 through November 30.
“Small businesses are the heart of Salem’s economy and a big part of what makes our downtown unique and special,” said Salem City Manager Krishna Namburi. “We are excited to celebrate our local businesses on November 29 and kick off the holiday season by encouraging our community to shop locally, explore downtown, and support the businesses that make Salem thrive.”
The weekend begins with the Holiday Traditions Parade on Friday, November 28, at 5:30 p.m. The parade route will move along Court, High, State, and Liberty streets, leading into a community tree lighting ceremony. City leaders and organizers scheduled the parade on Black Friday to reserve Saturday as a focused shopping day for local retailers.
On Shop Local Saturday, downtown stores will feature specials and promotions to draw in shoppers. Participating businesses include CreativiTEE, The Book Bin, and Big Wig Donuts, along with other independent retailers that help define Salem’s downtown character. Organizers say they hope residents will make a day of it—grabbing coffee, browsing books, picking up gifts, and enjoying the decorated streets.
To add some extra encouragement, the City and its partners are offering an incentive program. Shoppers can pick up a “Shop Local” incentive card at participating businesses. After visiting stores and getting the card validated, they can redeem it for deals at the CreativiTEE hub, located at 110 Commercial St. NE.
The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce is layering in another reason to hit downtown: a social media-based “Holiday Thank You” contest. Shoppers who post a selfie with the Chamber’s “Thank You” decal at local businesses and use the hashtag #SalemChamberBuyLocal will be entered to win a $500 gift card. Chamber representatives said the contest is meant to highlight the people behind the storefronts. “When you support a local small business, you’re supporting your community,” the Chamber noted. “Our small businesses are counting on us now more than ever.”
National data underscores that message. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses employ 54% of Oregon’s private workforce. For Salem officials, that makes Shop Local Saturday more than a feel-good holiday event; it’s a direct investment in jobs, entrepreneurship, and a lively downtown.
With free parking, a parade, giveaways, and neighborhood businesses ready for visitors, the City hopes residents will choose downtown Salem as their first stop for holiday shopping this year.
