Uptown Holiday Shop Hop – Tripping the Christmas Light Fantastic

Every year, the Uptown business district hosts an event that has become a social adventure where you may find an exciting discovery or reconnection is waiting just around the corner.

This annual Uptown Holiday Shop Hop brings together the vibrant retail districts of East Fulton, East Hills, Eastown, and Wealthy Street.  .  I always find a great gift or two — or three — while attending this event that often offers numerous in-store promotions. If you need help getting in the spirit, make sure to catch a performance from the carolers who stroll along the corridors.  Even Scrooge would break under their spell.

Uptown has recently become known as one of the city’s greenest districts, with  one of the highest retail occupancy rates in all of Grand Rapids.

If it becomes too cold or snowy, guests who do not wish to walk along the neighborhood sidewalks that connect the shopping centers are encouraged to ride the Shop Hop trolley that connects all four districts from 4-9 PM.  Look for the 5-foot tall candy canes that dot the streetscape to find a trolley stop.