10 Fun Things To Do This Weekend in Northwest Indiana: Shop Local and Kickoff to Christmas


Each week we will be bringing you 10 fun things to do in Northwest Indiana over the weekend, so you are never without something to do! This weekend a celebration of local business, Christmas parades, visit with Santa, an open house, holiday lights, holiday shows, an adoption special, a Christmas craft show, and more are all on tap for a fun weekend in Northwest Indiana!

{valpo}Celebrate Local Businesses on Small Business Saturday! {/valpo}{portage}Celebrate Local Businesses on Small Business Saturday! {/portage}{laporte}Celebrate Local Businesses on Small Business Saturday! {/laporte}{nwindiana}Celebrate Local Businesses on Small Business Saturday! {/nwindiana}
Northwest Indiana has some wonderful small businesses that dot the area. From unique restaurants to mom and pop shops that have been around for decades to the new businesses that stem from a good idea, there are some hard working people out there who put their hearts into these establishments. Small Business Saturday is November 30, 2013. We've compiled a list of specials, deals, and events that many of the local businesses will be offering this weekend so you can shop local!

{valpo}Twilight Christmas Parade to be Held Nov. 29 {/valpo}{portage}Twilight Christmas Parade to be Held Nov. 29 {/portage}{laporte}Twilight Christmas Parade to be Held Nov. 29 {/laporte}{nwindiana}Twilight Christmas Parade to be Held Nov. 29 {/nwindiana}
To kick off the holiday season, the Twilight Christmas Parade will step off from Chesterton Middle School at 5:30 pm on Friday, November 29. More than 40 floats will populate this night-time parade. Following the parade, there will be free carriage rides through downtown Chesterton, and visits with Santa.

{valpo}Visit with Santa at the Indiana Welcome Center {/valpo}{portage}Visit with Santa at the Indiana Welcome Center {/portage}{laporte}Visit with Santa at the Indiana Welcome Center {/laporte}{nwindiana}Visit with Santa at the Indiana Welcome Center {/nwindiana}
Santa will begin visiting the Indiana Welcome Center on Friday, Nov. 29 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Visitors will be able to get their photo taken atop Santa’s Mountain from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays leading up to Christmas. While you are there, take a stroll through the "A Christmas Story" Comes Home exhibit!

Don Quijote to Host Open House
Want to bring Spain to your loved one? Come out to the Don Quijote Imports Open House on Saturday, November 30th! There will be a free wine tasting from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm and plenty of unique gifts to shop!

{valpo}White Friday, Small Business Saturday at Martin Binder Jeweler {/valpo}{portage}White Friday, Small Business Saturday at Martin Binder Jeweler {/portage}{laporte}White Friday, Small Business Saturday at Martin Binder Jeweler {/laporte}{nwindiana}White Friday, Small Business Saturday at Martin Binder Jeweler {/nwindiana}
It’s White Friday, not Black, at Martin Binder Jeweler this season. We are celebrating this year’s shopping holiday with white…white pearls that is! Any in-store purchase of $499 or more will receive a FREE white Freshwater pearl necklace. Then on Small Business Saturday, purchase a Tissot timepiece and receive a free Tissot special edition water bottle!

Taltree Arboretum & Gardens Holiday Celebration Weekend Fun
The Holiday Lights event held every Friday and Saturday night is a winter celebration of solar power. Taltree’s prairie will come to life at night utilizing solar-powered LED lights and fiber optics. Santa will be on hand to visit with little ones -- including the canine variety.

Santa Comes to Downtown La Porte November 30th
The 2013 La Porte Santa Parade comes downtown on November 30, 2013 starting at 12:00pm. As the parade arrives, there will be a tree lighting ceremony featuring over 15 of La Porte High School’s Show Choir performing Christmas Carols. The parade arrives at Santa’s Village, which includes vendors, train rides, the Santa Parade Coloring Contest and face painting inside the Chamber building, free Small Business Saturday giveaways, and visits with Santa in his Chalet.

CST Puts On A Naughty or Nice Double Feature for the Holidays
Chicago Street Theatre is providing audiences with twice the fun this holiday season with two shows guaranteed to give the gift of laughter. Santaland opens November 29, with Junie B. Jones opening the next morning on the 30th. On November 30, Chicago Street is also offering children and their parents a chance to meet the cast while enjoying games, activities, and a special sack lunch with their “Lunch with Junie B. Jones” event at 1 PM.

{valpo}Homes For The Holidays Feline Adoption Program {/valpo}{portage}Homes For The Holidays Feline Adoption Program {/portage}{laporte}Homes For The Holidays Feline Adoption Program {/laporte}{nwindiana}Homes For The Holidays Feline Adoption Program {/nwindiana}
The Porter County Animal Shelter will kick-off their Homes For The Holidays feline adoption program on Black Friday, November 29th. The first thirty qualified adopters who will give a homeless cat or kitten a forever home will receive a $15 Pet Supplies Plus Gift Card! The gift card can help make your cat's new home ready with litter, litter trays and food!

Portage 2013 Christmas Craft Show
The Portage Parks Department is hosting their annual Christmas Craft Show on Saturday, November 30th and Sunday, December 1st from 9am to 3pm. There is also an opportunity to give back at the craft fair. Please bring a nonperishable food item for the Portage Food Bank.

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