Shop Small This Holiday in Dubuque
The holidays in Dubuque feel a little brighter when you shop local.
From cozy boutiques to creative makers and sweet treats around every corner, downtown is packed with places to find the perfect gift while supporting the small businesses that make this community one-of-a-kind.
Kick Off the Season with the Shop Small Crawl
The Shop Small Crawl is back—your chance to bundle up, grab a warm drink, and spend the season exploring downtown Dubuque’s local gems. Starting November 29, pick up a crawl card at any participating business and visit each stop by December 31 to collect signatures. Fill your card, choose your favorite prize, and redeem it right at that shop.
Stops include Planted, Candle Ready Cakes, Dimensional Brewing Co., ReveLuna, Travel Dubuque Visitor Center, ByzanTEAum, CHAIN Vintage, Elevated Images, A Ripple Effect, Jubeck New World Brewing Co., River Lights Bookstore, Phoebe’s Dressing Room, Freddie’s Popcorn, and Midwest Girl.
Completed cards earn prizes like cupcakes, popcorn, beer, tea, discounts, pizza, smoothies, and more—making it a fun way to revisit favorite spots and discover new ones.
Celebrate Local Makers With Gifts That Tell a Story
One of the things that makes Dubuque so special is celebrating the people who create here. Our Made-in-Dubuque Gift Guide showcases the city’s locally crafted treasures.
Grab a bag of Freddie’s Popcorn, popped fresh downtown, or share a sweet treat from Betty Jane Candies, handcrafted since 1938. Art lovers can explore River Lights Bookstore for handmade cards and crafts from local artists, or visit Outside The Lines Art Gallery to see ceramics, prints, and jewelry that capture Dubuque’s creative spirit.
Add a Little Treasure Hunting to Your Crawl
Looking to shop smart while enjoying a little treasure hunting? Dubuque’s thrifting scene is full of hidden gems where you can discover unique pieces without breaking the bank.
Check out our article, A Thrifter’s Guide to Dubuque, to explore vintage boutiques, sprawling indoor flea markets, and consignment shops. While on your shopping adventure, stop by one of the city’s many consignment or carefully curated stores for eclectic finds and statement pieces. Or hunt through racks and bins at places like Mission Thrift, where every purchase supports local nonprofits—and your finds feel like a win for both your style and your wallet.
Keep the Cheer Local With Home for the Holidays
Holiday shopping is about more than what’s in the bag — it’s about supporting the people and businesses that make Dubuque feel like home. Through Home for the Holidays, presented by the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Dubuque Main Street, shoppers can explore a digital holiday catalog filled with gift ideas from local businesses and take part in a festive gift card giveaway happening throughout the season.
And the impact goes beyond great gifts: for every $100 spent locally, $68 stays in Dubuque, helping support jobs, creativity, and growth across our community.