Shop Locally in Cambridge this Holiday Season

As the holiday season approaches, the City of Cambridge encourages everyone to support the small businesses that make our city vibrant, diverse, and unique.

Small Business Saturday is November 29, 2025, and it's the perfect time to explore the incredible shops, restaurants, and services across Cambridge in our squares, neighborhoods, and beyond.

Shopping locally gives you the opportunity to get to know the people behind the counter. It’s about relationships, not just transactions. Local shopping often means less packaging, less transportation, and a smaller carbon footprint. When you shop locally, you’re doing more than finding great gifts - you’re investing in your community. You can help:

1. Boost the Local Economy! For every $100 spent at a local business, $68 stays in the local economy, helping to support our city. 
2. Support Local Jobs! Small businesses are major employers. Your purchases help keep your neighbors, friends, and family members working. 
3. Strengthen Community Connections! Local businesses are more likely to support local causes, sponsor events, and give back to the community.  
4. Small Businesses Thrive! Many small businesses rely on holiday sales to stay open year-round. Your support now helps them grow for the future.

Local shops offer one-of-a-kind items and personalized service you won’t find online or in big-box stores. Find thoughtful, handcrafted, and locally made items right here in Cambridge. Shop locally to invest in a stronger, more connected community. 

Dine Cambridge. Shop Cambridge. Play Cambridge. 

News and Events by District

Check this page for updates. Events will be added periodically. Starred (*) events were supported in part through the City's Holiday Events Grant Program.  

Central Square 

Central Square Business Improvement District shops & events

East Cambridge & Inman Square

East Cambridge Business Association shops & events (ECBA)

  First Street Market Holiday Night Markets - December 5, 12, and 19

  Cambridgeside Indoor Holiday Day - December 6

  Inman Square Holiday Market - December 21 

Harvard Square 

Harvard Square Business Association shops & events

  Charles Hotel 40th Annual Tree Lighting - November 29

  Harvard Square Holiday Fair - Weekends from December 12 - 21

Kendall Square

Kendall Square Business Association shops & events

  Crafternoon at MIT Open Space - December 6

  Cambridge Arts Holiday Art Markets - December 13 and 14

  SkateKendall Holiday Ice Show - December 13 and 14

Observatory Hill & Huron Village

Observatory Hill Merchants Associations (OHMA) + Huron Village

  *Observatory Hill and Huron Village Annual Holiday Stroll - December 7

Porter Square/North Massachusetts Ave. 

Porter Square Shopping Center shops & events

  Guitar Stop Holiday Sale - Saturday, Nov 29

  Sparkle + Stroll - Wednesday, December 10, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

  South of Porter Holiday Hoedown - December 13, 4 - 7 p.m., Music on along Massachusetts Ave. between 3 - 4:30 p.m.

Cambridge-Somerville Black Business Network

Shops & events

  Black Business Holiday Market - December 12 - 14

For More Information 

Small business owners can contact city staff at edd@cambridgema.gov to share their business’ holiday events on this page or to request the “Shop Local - I’m Local” window decal. Make the most of the holiday season with our free 2025 Cambridge Small Business Holiday Season - Social Media Toolkit designed just for you. It includes ready-to-use graphics, sample posts, and AI prompts to help you promote your sales, events, and encourage local shopping. Let’s drive customers to your door!

Download now and use #ShopCambridge to get noticed.

*Please note that when you click the Download button below, a zip file will immediately download to your device. To locate the downloaded file, check the list of downloads in your web browser, or the Downloads folder on your computer. To access the file contents, right click it and select "Unzip" or "Extract."