ABILENE TOURISM ADVOCATE
December 3, 2020
Shop Small - All Season Long
Shop Small – All Season Long is the message the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau is sharing with shoppers.

“While holiday activities may look different this year, the CVB is encouraging everyone to support Abilene businesses this season,” said Julie Roller Weeks, Abilene CVB director. "With travel to Abilene limited, the CVB is redirecting its marketing efforts to encourage keeping dollars local. The CVB's Shop Small - All Season Long campaign celebrates Abilene's small businesses." 

While many businesses kicked off the holiday season in November with open houses, the annual Night of Christmas Magic event gives shoppers another opportunity to visit Abilene businesses.

Saturday activities include Christmas Tours at the Historic Seelye Mansion, Christmas Tree Lane, It's a Wonderful Life at Great Plains Theatre, and the Christmas Cruise for Food. Santa Claus will also cruise through downtown Abilene on the firetruck and stop at the Mayor’s Holiday Tree Lighting, which will begin at 6 pm at Little Ike Park. Due to COVID-19, traditional Santa visits will not take place. 

Abilene businesses can pick up Shop Small - All Season Long t-shirts, buttons, bags, and other materials from the Abilene CVB office, 201 NW 2nd from 1-4 pm on Thursday while supplies last. Masks are required for pickup. 

"We are excited for businesses to share photos in their Shop Small - All Season Long shirts to spread the message," Roller Weeks said. 

For more information about holiday activities, please visit www.AbileneKansas.org/events or follow Visit Abilene Kansas on Facebook. 

Pictured left to right: Heidi Reeves, Amanda Riffel-Collins, and Ren Kanuss of Amanda's Bakery & Bistro. 
Holiday Open Houses & Events
Abilene businesses and organizations are busy preparing for the holiday season!
Christmas Tours
Daily beginning Friday, November 27
Historic Seelye Mansion, 1105 N Buckeye Ave

The Seelye Mansion is exceptionally beautiful during the holidays. See more than 750 nutcrackers, 65 Christmas Trees and dozens of Poinsettias throughout this historic mansion.
Christmas Tree Lane
Beginning Tuesday, December 1
Buckeye Ave and NW 3rd Streets

An annual tradition! Drive Buckeye Ave and NW 3rd Streets to admire individually decorated Christmas Trees placed in the yards of residences.
It's a Wonderful Life
With George Bailey and Clarence guiding everyone through the Holiday season, you are guaranteed to be singing "Auld Lang Syne" in your seat with us. "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets it's wings."


Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the show schedule has been updated to accommodate all patrons either in person or via online streaming services.
Night of Christmas Magic
Saturday, December 5
Downtown Abilene

Join us for the annual Mayor's Holiday Tree Lighting at 6 pm at Little Ike Park and see Santa as he rides through downtown in the fire truck.

Downtown businesses may stay open late and offer special incentives for shoppers.
Christmas Cruise for Food
Saturday, December 5
Abilene Food Bank, 409 NW 3rd St

Cruise the streets of Abilene on December 5 and vote for the best decorated outside display. Bring a non-perishable food item to the Abilene Food Bank, 409 N W 3rd St. from 5:00 – 6:00 pm to receive a ballot.

There will be someone to take your food item and hand you a ballot. The cruise route will be determined by the homes that are registered for the outdoor decorating contest. A map of the route will be given with the ballot. Ballots can be turned in to Amanda’s Bakery & Bistro, 302 N Broadway St, that evening between 5:30 and 8:00 pm.
Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau