‘Tis the Season Downtown kicks off Friday in Iowa City

IOWA CITY - Holiday events starting this week will lead to the debut Dec. 12 of the Downtown Winter Market.

'The more events that we have like this, the more of a destination downtown becomes, and the better it is,” said Joni Schrup, owner of Discerning Eye, 119 E. Washington St., and a member of the Downtown District board.

'Tis the Season Downtown kicks off Friday with the return visits from Santa at FilmScene, 118 E. College St., horse-drawn carriage rides and the downtown Elf on a Shelf scavenger hunt.

New this year is a free gift-wrapping station at Old Capitol Town Center on Black Friday and Saturdays through Dec. 19.

This Saturday spotlights small businesses, with free parking in downtown ramps and promotions and special deals.

Downtown businesses will host open houses Dec. 5, and the new Downtown Winter Market is Dec. 12.

Betsy Potter, Downtown District operations director, said the district, with a sponsorship from University of Iowa Community Credit Union, will set up a tent on the Black Hawk Mini Park, which will be heated and decorated. Sixteen retailers will operate holiday booths from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The tent also will feature a bar with specialty drinks, beer and wine.

After the market, the tent will host a gingerbread house competition until 11:30 p.m.

'It will be a really fun, festive event,” Potter said. 'That weekend is a whole celebration in itself for downtown.”