For close to 40 years, BagDay® has not only kicked off the holiday shopping season – it’s become a festive and cheery event that brings together families and friends from across generations.


Held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the First BagDay® was inaugurated in 1988. Businesses and restaurants will again be teeming with shoppers during this year’s BagDay® on November 21. This is a great opportunity for shoppers to enjoy exclusive discounts from local small businesses and eateries.


Thornes Marketplace will be a hub of activity that day, with stores and eateries stocked up and ready to go. For most of them, this is not their first rodeo.


“We have so much fun on BagDay®,” said Cathie Walz, owner of the Blue Marble and Little Blue, located in Thornes. “It’s one of our top five sales days of the year. Shoppers are in a good mood and we all have a blast. People happily stroll through the store and shop for all kinds of fun stuff.”

Learn how to participate and where to get your bag!


Every year, Walz is amazed to see the number of people that come to BagDay® from places like New Hampshire, New York, Maine, Rhode Island and other neighboring locales.


“People come into Northampton from far afield to enjoy BagDay®,” she said. “It blows my mind that people drive from places like Albany and Boston just for this day.”
Jody Doele, co-owner of Thornes Marketplace, said even though BagDay® draws a sizeable crowd it still “feels very small townish. It’s a unique and legitimate downtown shopping experience. It reflects the community’s commitment to support local businesses. It’s a stake in the ground to start the holiday season.”


Dancers from the Pioneer Valley Ballet will perform selections from The Nutcracker inside Thornes throughout the day. The Princesses of Power, one of the top fundraising teams for the Hot Chocolate Run, will also be wrapping gifts inside Thornes to raise money for Safe Passage.


Lauren Gunther, owner of the Cedar Chest, Stay Golden and Middle of Somewhere, all located in Thornes, said BagDay® is one of the only events where businesses and restaurants participate on the same day. She’s noticed that many people make an outing of it, meeting up with family and friends to shop and take a break for a snack or lunch.
“BagDay® really resonates with local people,” Gunther said.


Will Brideau, proprietor of Jackson & Connor, the men’s apparel store in Thornes, said the event is one of his biggest shopping days of the year, but “you see people that you might not see during other parts of the year.”


While Thornes Marketplace will be bustling, other businesses will be just as busy.
Devon Boulay, owner of A2Z Science & Toys at 57 Kings Street, said as a beloved local tradition, BagDay® gets folks into the holiday spirit.


“We make sure the store is decorated for the holidays and fully stocked to get ready for this exciting day,” she said. “People love to go out in groups with their bags and explore town to buy holiday gifts and are happy to be supporting local businesses. It’s such a fun community event.”


Justin Brown, owner of ASSEMBLE: Made and Curated, at 164 Main Street, said he loves the vitality the event brings into downtown. A collection of art, handmade furniture, gifts and more, ASSEMBLE is a truly unique shopping experience.
“It’s fast-paced, and we love seeing all of our regular customers and meeting new friends,” Brown said of BagDay®. “It’s the only day of the year our entire store is on sale.”

NEW THIS YEAR!

We’re thrilled to share a shuttle service has been implemented during BagDay®.
Park at one of the three locations: WEBS/Daily Hampshire Gazette, Senior Center or Sheldon Field. Then enjoy the festive, fun and Northampton experience BagDay brings to the community. The shuttle will be running from 9am to 9pm providing visitors and BagDay® shoppers alike a new adventure. Park. Shuttle. Experience everything Northampton.

Bag Day is a registered trademark of H.S. Gere & Sons, Inc.