11/18/2025
Get your Claus on at Hometown Holiday Celebration in Downtown Chesterton on Saturday Nov 29
The annual Hometown Holiday Celebration will bring the joy of the season to Downtown Chesterton on Saturday, Nov. 29, the Saturday after Black Friday.
The Duneland Chamber of Commerce—in collaboration with the Chesterton Police, Fire, Park, and Street departments, along with the Chamber’s member organizations and their volunteers—is excited to host this festive day filled with holiday spirit, local shopping, and community cheer.
The celebration will feature the Chesterton European Christmas Market and a bounty of vendors offering holiday gifts, festive foods, Christmas trees and wreaths, as well as hot chocolate, spiced cider, or mulled wine. After shopping, take a leisurely stroll through business district (or take a horse-drawn wagon ride!).
In addition, the Chesterton Branding & Leadership Corporation (CBLC) will be kicking off its annual Holiday Window Decorating Contest on Saturday, Nov 29. While enjoying the festivities, be sure to visit the beautifully decorated storefronts and cast your vote for your favorite display!
The day will conclude with the lighting of the Christmas Tree in Thomas Centennial Park, followed by the traditional Twilight Parade, culminating with a special visit from Santa Claus! As always, the event is open to the public and free of charge!
HOMETOWN HOLIDAY CELEBRATION SCHEDULE, SATURDAY, NOV. 29
*7 to 10 a.m.: Pancake Breakfast with Mrs. Claus at George’s Gyros Spot (sponsored by the Chesterton-Porter Rotary).
*8 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Hometown Holiday Market.
*10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides.
*10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Shop Small Saturday in Downtown Chesterton.
*5 p.m.: Hot Cocoa with the Duneland Kiwanis.
*5 p.m.: Park and Tree Lighting.
*5:15 p.m.: Twilight Parade commences.
*After the Parade: Visit with Santa in the Park.
*7:30 p.m.: Grant Fitch in A Christmas Carol at the 4th Street Theater.
In partnership with Jacob’s Ladder Pediatric Rehab Center, this year’s parade will also include a Quiet Zone in the parking lot of St. Elizabeth Orthodox Church, 545 W. Indiana Ave., where marchers will turn off sirens, horns, and loud music to provide a sensory-friendly viewing area.
The parade will step off from the old middle school on West Morgan Ave., then head north on Sixth Street, east on Broadway, south on South Calumet Road, and finally west on West Porter Ave.
The Duneland Chamber encourages everyone to continue the celebration by supporting local businesses throughout the day, as many Downtown shops and restaurants will be offering Small Business Saturday specials.
Sponsors: 1st Source Bank; Allegius Credit Union; Arrested Sounds; ATG Real Estate-Easton Park; Avalon Springs Health Campus; Berglund Construction; Centier Bank-Chesterton South Branch; Chesterton Physical Therapy; CLH CPAs & Consultants; Cleveland-Cliffs; Everwise Credit Union; Family Express; Franciscan Health Michigan City; Giving Tree Chiropractic; Hopkins Ace Hardware; Horizon Bank; Ivy Tech Community College; Kenwal Steel; McColly Real Estate-Paul Boyter; Mojo Video; First State Bank of Porter; NIPSCO Public Affairs; NITCO; Northwest Health-Porter, Tethan’s Candy & Confections; T-Mobile US; Thrivent Financial; Tudor Floors & More/Kiba Studios; Urschel Laboratories Inc.; Wellsand Landscaping & Hardscapes Inc., and WIMS 95.1 FM/AM 1420/106.7 FM.
For more information about the Town of Chesterton’s Hometown Holiday Celebration, contact the Duneland Chamber of Commerce at 219-926-5513 or [email protected]
