Small Business Saturday is November 29
This Holiday Season: Shop Local. Shop Small. Shop Downtown Iron Mountain.
If you’re already thinking about your holiday shopping, the season is quickly approaching—with Thanksgiving landing at the end of November this year, it’s closer than you think. Small Business Saturday follows right after Thanksgiving (November 29th), making it the perfect time to get out, support local businesses, and give our local economy a boost.
Downtown Iron Mountain and the surrounding area offer so many opportunities to shop, dine, and explore throughout the holidays. And the best part? Shopping close to home means no long drives, no heavy traffic, and no trekking across massive parking lots—just a convenient, enjoyable experience right in your own community.
Small Business Saturday (SBS) was created by American Express in 2010, in response to the ongoing 2008 recession, to encourage people to shop at their local businesses. The first SBS was the Saturday after Thanksgiving, positioned between the well-known Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping days touted by mega-retailers and big-box stores. Since then, it has gained widespread acceptance, in part because nearly two-thirds of all Dollars spent at local and small businesses will stay in the local area. Shopping locally is also fun and convenient!
If you need a few ideas, check out the Business Directory and Parking Map, and remember to Shop Small!
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The Iron Mountain Downtown Development Authority (DDA) was established in 1978 with the purpose of improving and maintaining infrastructure, buildings, and public spaces within the Downtown District. Current DDA functions also include downtown beautification through gardens and public art, organizing and conducting community events, attracting and promoting businesses, and planning for continuing improvements to the Iron Mountain downtown area.
Celebrate the Magic of the Holidays at the
Downtown Iron Mountain Christmas Walk!
The holiday season is nearly here, and Downtown Iron Mountain is ready to welcome the community for one of the most festive traditions of the year—our annual Christmas Walk. Sponsored by First National Bank & Trust. Join us on Friday, December 5th, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, as downtown fills with twinkling lights, joyful music, and the warmth and excitement that only this time of year can bring. Families, friends, and neighbors of all ages are invited to come together for an evening that highlights the very best of what the holiday season means to our community.
The evening kicks off at the Dickinson County Library-Main Branch, where families can visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, participate in holiday crafts hosted by the Friends of the Library, and listen to live holiday music from the Kingsford High School Jazz Band. There will also be a live nativity scene performed by Bishop Baraga Catholic School students outside at the Downtown Stage.
At 5:30 PM, join the festive foot parade to the First National Bank & Trust Plaza, led by Santa and Mrs. Claus. Along the way, sing your heart out during our community Christmas caroling, spreading joy and cheer. Between 5:30 PM and 6 PM, the Christmas Walk concludes with the annual Downtown Iron Mountain Christmas Tree Lighting at the First National Bank & Trust Plaza, featuring a beautiful tree donated by Swanson’s Big Red Barn. This magical moment marks the official start of the season and is the perfect opportunity for festive photos and memories. Visitors are encouraged to explore local shops, many of which offer seasonal promotions and unique gifts, making it easy and enjoyable to support small businesses during the holidays.
In addition to the Christmas Walk, Downtown Iron Mountain offers holiday activities throughout the entire month of December. Children are invited to drop off their letters for Santa from December 1–25, giving families plenty of time to participate in this cherished tradition. Community members can also take part in the Downtown Window Decorating Contest, with voting open December 5–25 for those who love exploring festive storefronts and supporting their favorite displays. From December 1 to January 11, the Dickinson County Library is hosting a Winter Clothing Drive, with donations benefiting The Foster Closet, and additional non-clothing items will be delivered to The Caring House—providing a meaningful way to give back during the season of generosity.
These month-long events, combined with the Christmas Walk itself, make Downtown Iron Mountain a true destination for holiday spirit and community connection. We extend our thanks to First National Bank & Trust, Radio Results Network, Dickinson County Library, Bishop Baraga Catholic School, Swanson’s Big Red Barn, and the Dickinson County Community Chorus for helping make these holiday traditions possible.
Make plans to join us for the Christmas Walk and enjoy all the festive activities happening throughout December. Experience the joy, community, and Christmas magic that make Downtown Iron Mountain shine all season long.
For full event details, visit downtownironmountain.com/christmas-walk.
Volunteer Opportunities with Downtown Events!
Volunteer Sign-Ups are OPEN for Downtown Iron Mountain's 2025 Festivals!
Volunteering is a fun and rewarding way to get involved in the community. The DDA 2025 festival season is packed with amazing events, and YOUR help is a key element to making all Downtown Iron Mountain events a success!
This is a great opportunity for:
- Students – Earn volunteer hours & gain experience!
- Individuals – Give back and be part of the excitement!
- Businesses – Support your community & foster team building!
- Brew Fest – June 14 (21+ Volunteers ONLY)
- Italian Fest – August 9
- Oktoberfest – September 27
DDA Is Seeking Board and Committee Members
The Iron Mountain Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is currently looking for people to serve on the DDA Board of Directors and several DDA Committees. This is a unique opportunity to be involved in setting the direction of a variety of high-visibility and impactful activities including events, beautification, and business development. All of those activities are also guided by committees of the same name, consisting of Board members, business owners, residents, and other interested stakeholders.
Serving on the DDA Board and Committees is a volunteer activity that demonstrates a firm commitment to the economic potential and vibrancy of the Iron Mountain area, which is anchored by the downtown. This is an opportunity for creative and forward thinking people to guide and influence the activities leading to successful downtown events and festivals, improving public spaces, buildings, and infrastructure, and promoting businesses. All of those activities foster an attractive, vibrant, and economically growing heart of our community. To find out more about the DDA Board and committees, and to apply, go to the Board Info page.
Out To Lunch 2025 Season Was Fun For All!
The 2025 season of the Out to Lunch summer concert series concluded on August 14 with an appearance by The DayDreamers, some perfect weather, and about 280 of our friends and neighbors at the Downtown Stage. It was a perfect finale to a stretch of 10 Thursdays that begun on June 12 with perennial favorite Flagship Romance all the way from Louisville, Kentucky. Some more Out to Lunch regulars also came back to perform this season, including Carolyn Jo & the Groove Show, Datura, 141 North, Kind of Blues Band, Mark Young & The Happy Enchiladas, and of course The DayDreamers. In addition, we had a few new acts join us this year, including The Make-Believe Spurs, The Pink Violin Band, and Black Pearl – all from the Ishpeming/Negaunee/Marquette area. They were all a hit with the audiences, which generally ranged from about 150 to 300 people every Thursday.
All of this was made possible through the generosity of businesses that sponsor Out to Lunch and the performances. First and foremost, the DDA would like to thank Upper Peninsula Audiology, with locations in Iron Mountain and Houghton, as the overall “Season Sponsor” the entire concert series. Their audiologists offer diagnostic hearing evaluations and the latest digital technology in a variety of hearing aid styles. All of the 10 concerts were also sponsored by local businesses, including Linnea & Kristine, Jim’s Music, Erickson Jewelers, Grede, Iron Mountain Area Tourism, Mouw & Celello, Blomquist Architects, First National Bank & Trust, 41 Lumber, and First Bank.
We also want to thank everyone who bought raffle tickets, along with Katie and Alyssa from Upper Peninsula Audiology for their help in selling tickets to the crowd. Each concert includes a 50/50 raffle with a nice cash prize, depending on how many tickets are sold. The raffle proceeds are combined with sponsorships to support the event. All proceeds go towards musicians, sound equipment, and a sound technician.
Last but not least were the food vendors who joined us for Out To Lunch this season. We tried a new format with different vendors every week, and all of them were also well-received by the crowds. Everyone loved Sugar Jets, Millie’s Market, Mama’s Mangia Mobile, Crispigna’s Italian Market, Curious Pig, Carlos Cantina, Beck’s Cheesecakes, Harmony Hearth Bakery, and the Northwoods Garden Club Strawberry Social. We want to see them all back in 2026!
Preparation of Downtown Development and
Tax Increment Financing Plans Is Underway
The DDA has begun work on a downtown plan and tax increment financing plan (Downtown/TIF plan) for the Iron Mountain downtown district. The purpose of that effort is to develop goals, strategies, and projects to guide new development, redevelopment, housing, business growth, and public facilities within the downtown district over the next 25 years. Last fall, the staff and the DDA Business Development Committee came up with some preliminary goals, and we’re currently compiling data and information to guide the next steps of the process. We’ve created a Downtown/TIF plan page on this website with detailed information on downtown development authorities, downtown plans, and tax increment financing. That web page will be updated as the plan work progresses, and will serve as an information portal to keep everyone informed.
In tandem with the current work on the plan, the DDA is seeking 9 residents of the downtown district who are interested in helping to guide the planning effort. That group, referred to in Michigan law that guides the Downtown/TIF plan as the “Development Area Citizens Council” (DACC) would get together 3 or 4 times over the next 9-12 months. Letters were mailed in late March to all 205 residences within the downtown district, including single-family homes and apartment units, asking for their participation on the DACC. Please go to the DACC page on this website for more information, and please do let us know if you are interested.
Some of you may be familiar with the City of Iron Mountain Master Plan that was adopted a few years ago in 2021 by the City Council. That plan is essentially the City’s policy document to guide decisions related to land use, housing, economic development, public facilities, and environmental protection over the long term. The Master Plan also includes policies and recommendations pertaining specifically to the downtown area. The Downtown/TIF plan under preparation will take those recommendations into consideration, and when completed and adopted will serve as a refinement and update to the Master Plan.
Over the next few months and into summer/fall 2025, there will opportunities for everyone to get involved, as stakeholder participation in the planning process is crucial to the success of the Downtown/TIF plan. That means residents, property owners, business people, and other interested parties from anywhere in the area – not just downtown district residents – will be offered an opportunity to provide input and suggestions for the future of downtown. Stay tuned to our Facebook and Instagram pages, and also this website for more information in the coming months.
Please contact Tim McCauley, DDA Program Coordinator, if you have questions or concerns, or if you are interested in being involved. Call 906-774-8534 or email programs@downtownironmountain.com
Our Vision, Mission & Purpose
We strive to create a flourishing, historic downtown destination in Iron Mountain, Michigan.
We promote economic growth by organizing community events, attracting new businesses and advancing the beautification and historic preservation within the Downtown District.
We exist to advocate and strengthen Iron Mountain’s entire Downtown District.
The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Board of Directors and staff coordinate Downtown Iron Mountain programs and events, advance the organization’s vision, mission, and purpose, and promote downtown businesses through website, social media, print publications, and other channels. The DDA conducts roughly 20 events and festivals every year, coordinates planting of flower gardens and hanging baskets throughout the downtown area, and engages in other beautification activities such as placement of street banners. The DDA also continues its long-standing local grant program to assist in the renovation of downtown buildings and elimination of blight. All of these DDA functions bring about a more vibrant, fun, and diverse center of the community.
The DDA relies upon, and is grateful for, the participation of over 130 volunteers who serve on committees, assist in conducting events, and plant & water flowers / gardens. Downtown Iron Mountain festivals and events are attended by thousands of people every year, and are sponsored by many different organizations downtown and throughout the community. Sponsors can partner with the DDA to contribute to the economic vitality of Iron Mountain while enjoying unique opportunities for marketing exposure. Please browse the pages of this website to become familiar with DDA activities and events, and contact us if you have any questions or would like to get involved by volunteering, sponsoring, or serving on the Board or committees.
