Shop Cambridge this Holiday Season

This holiday season, the City is partnering with local businesses and business associations to encourage residents and visitors to shop local! 

Celebrate small businesses and shop in Cambridge on Small Business Saturday (November 25, 2023) and all season long. You can also view and download maps detailing small business retail and restaurants in each commercial district. Don't forget to shop local art the Cambridge Holiday Art Market happening on December 1-3. 

News and Events by District

Click a Cambridge commercial district to learn more about small businesses specials and upcoming events:

• Central Square
• East Cambridge & Inman Square
• Fresh Pond/Alewife
• Harvard Square
• Huron Village & Observatory Hill
• Kendall Square
• Porter Square/North Massachusetts Ave.
• Citywide - Cambridge Local First 

Starred (*) events were supported in part through the City's Boosting Business Blocks Grant Program. 

Central Square

• Download the Central Square Retail and Restaurants Map
• Central Square Business Improvement District
• Found in Central Square - Vintage Market and Block Party, Saturday, December 2, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., 5 Columbia St, Cambridge, MA. 

East Cambridge & Inman Square

• Download the East Cambridge Retail and Restaurants Map
• Download the Inman Square Retail and Restaurants Map
• East Cambridge Business Association (ECBA)
• ECBA Retailer
• Cambridge Street Holiday Stroll - Thursday, December 14
• Inman Holiday Market* - Sunday, December 17
• Multi-Cultural Arts Center Events

Fresh Pond-Alewife

• Download the Fresh Pond-Alewife Retail and Restaurants Map

Harvard Square

• Download the Harvard Square Retail and Restaurants Map
• Harvard Square Business Association
• Harvard Square Giving Tree Lighting & Concert - Saturday, December 2
• Everyone Loves Latkes - Celebration of Hanukkah - Saturday, December 9
• Cambridge-Somerville Black Business Network Pop Up Event - December 15 -17
• Outside Holiday Concert* - Friday, December 22
• Harvard Square Holiday Fair (multiple weekends)
• The Christmas Revels

Huron Village & Observatory Hill

• Download the Huron Village and Observatory Hill Retail and Restaurants Map
• Annual Observatory Hill and Huron Village Holiday Stroll* –Sunday, December 3, 3 - 6:00 p.m.

Kendall Square

• Download the Kendall Square Retail and Restaurants Map
• Kendall Square Association
• Cambridge Holiday Art Market, Friday, December 1- Sunday, December 3 
• Canal District Winter Market 2023 - Saturday, December 9 - Sunday December 10

Porter Square/North Massachusetts Ave. 

• Download the Porter Square and Massachusetts Ave. Retail and Restaurant Map
• South of Porter Square Holiday Stroll* - Saturday, December 9, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• NoCa Blocks Holiday Stroll (Massachusetts Ave. between Haskell St. and Rice St.) - Saturday, December 16, 12 - 4:00 p.m. tastings, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. carolers. Stop by North Massachusetts Ave. for a window decorating contest, carolers, Santa, and more!

Citywide 

Cambridge Local First Holiday Shopping Guide features Cambridge businesses, products or promotions as well as curated holiday shopping, entertaining, and gift recommendations. Shoppers can sort through the guide by location and category in order to visit you online or in person. 

For More Information 

Business owners can contact City staff at at edd@cambridgema.gov or 617/349-9122 if interested in sharing their business specials on this page, or to request the Holiday Social Media Tool Kit,  "Small Business Saturday" poster or “Shop Local - I’m Local” window decal.