Shop Local 2025!
Every dollar you spend at an Alameda shop, or service, supports local business owners and workers, and improves our neighborhoods by contributing to vital City services like police, fire, road repairs, and parks. Let’s make the holiday season shimmer with community cheer!
This Holiday Season: “12 Days of Alameda” Campaign Kicks Off November 29
The City of Alameda in partnership with Downtown Alameda Business Association (DA) and West Alameda Business Association (WABA) is excited to announce the of the “12 Days of Alameda” holiday marketing campaign, a festive initiative designed to promote shopping and dining at local businesses during the holiday season. Running from Small Business Saturday, November 29, through Wednesday, December 10, the campaign highlights Alameda’s vibrant shopping districts, celebrates local entrepreneurs, and offers shoppers a chance to win one of 12 themed prize baskets
Celebrating Alameda’s Local Businesses
The campaign aims to encourage Alameda and Bay Area residents to shop local, discover new businesses, and support the community during the busiest shopping season of the year. Participating businesses span a variety of categories—from wellness and dining to fashion, entertainment, home goods, and more.
Each day of the campaign will spotlight a different theme, featuring businesses that match the day’s category. Shoppers will have the opportunity to collect campaign tickets with every purchase (or upon request) and enter those tickets online for a chance to win the daily themed basket.
Themes include:
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Nov 29: Wellness & Self-Care
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Nov 30: Dining Around Alameda
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Dec 1: 21+ (Bars, breweries, dispensaries, wineries)
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Dec 2: Style & Fashion
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Dec 3: Entertainment & Experiences
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Dec 4: Gifts & Home
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Dec 5: Vintage & Handmade Art
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Dec 6: Kids & Family
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Dec 7: Pet Lovers
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Dec 8: Professional & Practical Services
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Dec 9: Recreation
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Dec 10: Local Love: Alameda Pride
How the Campaign Works
1. Shop local between November 29 and December 10 at participating Alameda businesses.
2. Receive a ticket.
3. Submit a picture of your ticket numbers here for a chance to win.
4. Entries will be accepted through December 14.
5. Winners for all 12 baskets will be announced on Thursday, December 18 and can pick up their prize baskets at select participating businesses.
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How Tickets Work
1. Get a Ticket When You Shop: Every time you shop or dine at a participating business, you’ll receive a ticket and a postcard (one per person, per visit). Each ticket has a unique number that links to the daily prize themes.
2. Enter Online Anytime: Submit your ticket number(s) here for a chance to win. Note* Ensure you keep your tickets to confirm numbers, if prize is won.
3. More Shopping = More Chances to Win: Each business starts with 100 tickets—so the earlier you shop, the better your chances!
4. Prize Drawings by Theme: Each theme has its own prize drawing. For example, Theme 1 or day 29 covers ticket numbers 1–400, the winner will be drawn from that range.
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Campaign Highlights
Leading up to the event, the City and businesses partners are rolling out marketing materials, including posters, postcards, ferry ads, social media content, and Alameda-themed swag. Through the 12 days, residents can expect daily social media spotlights, videos, and photos showcasing local businesses and the lively holiday atmosphere around town. After the 12 days, promotion of Alameda's businesses will continue through the end of December with features on winners, holiday shopping scenes, and "thank you" messages from the community.
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Measuring Success
The City will track the number of tickets distributed, website visits, and social media engagement, and will survey businesses after the campaign to assess impact. Last year's campaign generated strong community participation, and this year aims to build on that momentum.
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Get Involved
Local businesses interested in participating are encouraged to sign up by November 2 using and selecting the themes that best match their offerings. Participation is free and provides excellent exposure during the holiday rush.
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Let’s support our local shops and make this holiday season shine! ✨
Keep My Sales Tax Dollars Here in Alameda
Keeping sales tax dollars in Alameda helps to provide for needed City services. Part of the sales tax on goods and services bought in Alameda goes to the City’s General Fund, which pays for police and fire protection, street repairs, parks and recreation, libraries, and other City services.
Contribute to a Healthy Environment by Minimizing Car Travel
Because Alameda merchants are right here in vibrant, compact, walkable shopping districts, residents save on gas and reduce their carbon footprint.
Support Local Jobs and Local Merchants
Many Alameda merchants are self-employed and hire primarily local residents. Local business owners often live in our community and are invested in our community’s future. They need our continued support as they regain their footing post-pandemic.
Strengthen Our Sense of Community
Local businesses build strong neighborhoods and contribute more to community projects, nonprofit organizations, fundraising efforts, and local causes. Many locally owned businesses have become favorite gathering places or destinations in the community with broad and loyal customer base. Their success helps to attract other quality businesses to Alameda.
Keep Alameda’s Small Town Atmosphere
Our independent, locally owned stores offer a distinctive shopping experience, stock unique products, and create a genuine sense of place. Our local merchants provide better, personalized customer service and have a higher level of knowledge about their products and services.
Shopping in Alameda is Fun
We are fortunate to have beautiful, historic buildings lining our main streets, with many well-known and well-loved locally owned restaurants and stores. Shopping locally means you are supporting local businesses as well as the larger community. Be proud to shop local!
Email Econdev@alamedaca.gov with any questions about this event.