The holidays are one of the most magical times to experience Downtown Kentville — twinkling lights, local shopping, festive music, and the return of our annual tree lighting celebration!

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In previous years, Holly Days Festival has been a one-weekend event in partnership with the Town of Kentville, but this year, we’re extending the celebration all season long!

From November 3 right up to December 21, we’ll be creating more reasons for people to visit, explore, and shop downtown.

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Just like Pumpkin People Festival, this new approach gives our community time to soak in the holiday spirit — and gives your business more opportunities to shine. 

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We’ll be running four festive activations designed to draw visitors, boost local shopping, and build that cozy small-town magic we’re known for. Businesses can participate in one, a few, or all of them — whatever fits your schedule and style.

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Scroll down to explore what's happening and sign up to be part of Holly Days 2025!​

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Here’s how you can get involved:

Activation 1: ShopLocal2Win 🎁

 

We’re joining ShopLocal2Win, a Canada-wide contest made specifically for BIAs that rewards customers — and local businesses — just for shopping local! When someone makes a purchase at a participating Downtown Kentville business, they can enter to win up to $10,000 in weekly prizes, and the winning shopper’s business also wins $2,000!

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That’s a total of $72,000 in prizes being given out over six weeks — just for supporting local!

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It’s an easy, high-impact way to spark excitement, drive sales, and remind customers that every local purchase makes a difference.

All businesses in Kentville are automatically included — retail, restaurant, and services alike. 

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How It Works



Sign up below to receive your free promotional kit — includes posters, entry info, and digital assets to share online.


Encourage your customers to enter when they shop in-store or visit your business between November 3 and December 14.


Each week, one lucky shopper from across Canada wins up to $10,000, and their chosen local business wins $2,000!


Downtown Kentville will help promote the contest businesses through our website, social media, & radio — the more noise we collectively make about this, the more likely we are to have a winner in Kentville! So help us by spreading the word to your network!

Activation 2: Find the Downtown Elf 🧝

There’s a sneaky little elf hiding in Downtown Kentville — can you guess where? 👀

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From November 17 to December 21, we’ll be running a local social media contest featuring an Elf on the Shelf making surprise appearances at 10 downtown businesses! Every few days, we’ll post a close-up photo of the elf on Downtown Kentville’s social channels — and followers will have to guess which business he’s hiding in.

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Everyone who guesses correctly will be entered into a draw for a chance to win $50 in Downtown Dollars. 

If someone visits your business, snaps a selfie with the elf, and tags us in their post, they’ll earn 50 bonus entries into that week’s draw! 

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How It Works



Sign up to host the elf. We’ll drop off your elf three days before your scheduled dates.


Plan your hiding spot! Get creative — design a little scene or set-up that offers clues to help people guess.


We’ll visit your business to take a close-up photo of your elf, which will be posted to our social media.


The elf will move on Mondays & Thursdays, and draws will take place on Wednesdays & Saturdays.


Each winner receives $50 in Downtown Dollars to spend locally. (Total $500 over 5 weeks)

Activation 3: Late-Night Shopping 🛍️

 

Let’s bring back the magic of slow shopping nights — the kind where you wander downtown with a warm drink in hand, chat with familiar faces, and discover thoughtful gifts without the rush.

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This year, we'd like to propose moving late-night shopping to Thursday nights from November 27 to December 18. Participating businesses are encouraged to stay open until 8 p.m. and create a calm, cozy atmosphere that helps customers unwind while they shop.

Think soft music, warm lighting, friendly conversation, and a little something extra to make the night feel special — maybe a sample of holiday-scented hand cream, a live acoustic set, a warm cider station, or a small gift with purchase.

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Our goal is to help people rediscover the simple joy of downtown shopping — like stepping back into the 90s, when holiday shopping felt more like an experience than a task.

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How It Works



Opt in below to let us know which nights you’ll be open late.


Decide how you’d like to make your shop feel extra special. This could be a small treat, a mini experience, or something creative that makes shoppers smile. (If you’re not sure what to do — we’re happy to brainstorm ideas with you!)


You’ll take the lead on setting up and covering your own in-store activity — we’ll handle the promotion to help spread the word.


Downtown Kentville will feature your business in our weekly late-night lineup on social media, and our website to help bring people through your doors.

Activation 4: Window Painting 🎨

 

We’re offering free professional window painting by a local artist for downtown businesses to help create a warm, festive atmosphere throughout Kentville. Whether you’d like something classic, whimsical, or wintery, we’ll coordinate an artist to bring your storefront to life.

 

How It Works



Sign up below to request window painting for your business.


Artwork will be completed between November 12 - 16


Downtown Kentville will match you with an artist and cover the full cost.


Once complete, your window or display will be featured on our website and socials to help promote

​Your Business Benefits:

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Featured in a full-colour print mailer (like this) sent to Kentville residents


Included in paid online ads and social media content


Increased foot traffic + a reason for people to explore your storefront



 

Participation is free and we will handle all of the logistics. We just need your engagement!

 

Deadline to submit your completed form: October 10, 2025 👇