Mayor Thomas M. Menino today kicked off the holiday season by announcing the first annual Holiday Market in Downtown Crossing starting on November 28 and the Boston Main Streets annual holiday shopping campaign, Holidays on Main Streets. Mayor Menino also launched the Mayor’s Holiday Special website – mayorsholidayspecial.com – where shoppers can find great deals to enjoy all that Boston’s entertainment and restaurant scene has to offer this holiday season.

The Downtown Crossing Holiday Market will be located in an enclosed tent on Summer Street between the current Macy’s and former Filene’s building, and will host local artists and food vendors who are interested in sharing their products with the citizens of Boston. The Holidays on Main Streets campaign is designed to encourage residents to support local merchants through a series of neighborhood events and business-oriented activities that celebrate the holidays in historic Boston and highlight unique gifts and services that can be found in particular neighborhoods.

A schedule of Holidays on Main Streets happenings will be distributed throughout all 19 Main Streets districts during the first week in December and posted to the Mayor’s Holiday Specials website.

“Boston is such a great place to enjoy the holiday season,” said Mayor Menino. “With the website, the Holidays on Main Streets campaign and the Holiday Market in Downtown Crossing, there are plenty of deals and activities for everyone to enjoy in our historic city. We’ve made it easy and affordable to get in the spirit this holiday season!”

The Holiday Market, a joint partnership between the Boston Redevelopment Authority and the Boston Public Market, will be open from November 28th through December 24th, Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 7 PM and 12 PM to 6 PM on Sundays. Vendors are invited to display their items each week and this year’s items will include unique and local handcrafted jewelry, pottery, clothing and house wares. There will also be holiday themed items and delicious food. For more information on the Holiday Market, visit: Downtown Holiday Market. You can also follow Downtown Crossing on Twitter at DowntownXing.

For the Christmas holiday, patrons can find everything for everyone on their list ranging from holiday ornaments to oil paintings, and from pet items to ceramics. Many of the vendors will be local and are featured in Boston throughout the year.

In addition to the happenings inside the tent, there will be live performances everyday on the Macy’s Performance Stage, also located on Summer Street. Performers include local school and theater groups, thriving musicians, dancers and singers. Over 55 artists are signed up to participate, and they will hit the stage Monday through Sunday from 12 PM to 2 PM and again Sunday afternoon from 5 PM – 7 PM.

Media Contact: Downtown Crossing Holiday Market, Jessica Shumaker, BRA, 617.918.4446.

Holiday Special & Main Streets, Chris Loh, Mayor's Press Office, 617.635.4461.

Release Date: November 24, 2009