News

Appleton Downtown, Inc. (ADI) is bringing festive holiday cheer to Downtown Appleton with Light the Night Market: Holiday Edition, presented by Fox Communities Credit Union, on Saturday, November 14, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Transforming Houdini Plaza and a portion of College Avenue into a festive open-air market, the event will feature local artists and entertainers, holiday shopping with local vendors, food trucks, hands-on activities, and seasonal experiences for all ages. Admission is free and open to the public.

Appleton Downtown will honor the legacy of world-renowned illusionist and escape artist Harry Houdini on Saturday, October 31, 2026, with the formal dedication of an official Wisconsin State Historical Marker in Houdini Plaza.

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Appleton Downtown invites wine lovers, shoppers, and community members to enjoy an evening of shopping, wine sampling, prizes, and fun during the Shop, Sip & Stroll Wine Walk on Thursday, October 1, from 5 to 8 p.m. Ticket holders will receive a commemorative wine glass to enjoy wine samples at participating Downtown businesses, along with a swag bag filled with goodies, exclusive offers, and special promotions from local retailers and event sponsors.

Appleton Downtown, Inc. (ADI) is excited to welcome the community to another vibrant Light the Night Market, presented by Fox Communities Credit Union, in Downtown Appleton. On Friday, August 28, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., ADI will transform Downtown Appleton into an open-air market filled with performances by local artists and entertainers, local vendors, cultural performances, food trucks, hands-on activities, and more. College Avenue will come alive with excitement, entertainment, and fun for all ages!

Appleton Downtown, Inc. (ADI) thrives during the summer season. We have an amazing lineup of community-favorite events and opportunities to shop, dine, and explore.

Featuring the Heid Music Summer Concert Series, Downtown Appleton Farm Market, and Fun Summer Experiences

Appleton Downtown, Inc. (ADI) is thrilled to kick off the 2026 summer season with an expanded lineup of community‑favorite events and opportunities to shop, dine, and explore. Downtown Appleton is ready to come alive with live, local music, outdoor dining, summer sales at our boutiques and specialty stores, educational camps for kids, classes, and special events!

Appleton Downtown, Inc. (ADI) is excited to bring the Light the Night Market, presented by Fox Communities Credit Union, back to Downtown Appleton to kick off the summer season. Appleton Downtown, Inc. transforms Downtown Appleton into an open-air market this Friday, May 15 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Performances by local artists and entertainers, local vendors, cultural performances, food trucks, hands-on activities, and more will fill College Avenue with excitement and fun!

Downtown Appleton is bringing the charm and excitement of Derby Day to the heart of the city with the Sip & Stroll Wine Walk – Kentucky Derby Edition. Ticketholders are invited to shop, sip, and stroll through their favorite boutiques and shops while enjoying Derby‑inspired wine samples, festive experiences, fabulous hats and great sales.

Appleton Downtown Inc. (ADI) is excited to announce the return of Mini Golf on the Town this April 2026, bringing a fresh round of fun to participating establishments along College Avenue and nearby side‑street locations. The event will take place Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 5 p.m., offering an afternoon of playful competition and creative costumes.

Appleton Downtown Inc. is thrilled to bring back the Cultural Cuisine Walk this spring, inviting the community to celebrate global flavors right in the heart of Downtown Appleton. The event will take place on Saturday, April 25, from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., offering participants the chance to explore 13 different Downtown restaurants, each serving a unique sample representing cultures from around the world.

Due to forecasted weather conditions, Downtown Appleton’s Avenue of Ice Carvings will now begin on Saturday, February 21 at noon.

Downtown Appleton is putting a frosty spin on state pride as Avenue of Ice returns with a brand-new theme: Things We Love About Wisconsin. Beginning Friday, February 20 at noon, the beloved annual event will feature 26 handcrafted ice sculptures placed throughout Downtown, each one highlighting iconic Wisconsin favorites.

Appleton Downtown, Inc.’s annual Death by Chocolate walk takes place on February 7, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Attendees will visit 12 stops, indulging in chocolate treats and drinks at each. When purchasing, buyers can choose from two routes, an east and a west. Tickets are $25 each.

Creative Downtown Appleton, Inc. invites the community to an evening of entertainment and philanthropy at the “Dueling for Dollars” Dueling Pianos Fundraiser on Friday, January 23, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. This high‑energy event promises a memorable blend of music, humor, and community spirit.

As the holiday season kicks off, Appleton Downtown, Inc. invites the community to shop, dine, and explore local businesses during Small Business Saturday on November 29, 2025. This annual nationwide event, held the Saturday after Thanksgiving, highlights the vital role small businesses play in our community and the impact of shopping local.

Appleton Downtown, Inc. (ADI) is excited to bring the Light the Night Market: Holiday Edition, presented by Fox Communities Credit Union, to Downtown Appleton. Appleton Downtown, Inc. transforms Houdini Plaza and part of College Avenue into an open-air market Saturday, November 15 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Performances by local artists and entertainers, local vendors, food trucks, hands-on activities, and more will fill the Downtown with excitement and fun!

Appleton Downtown, Inc. (ADI) is proud to announce a new partnership with the Appleton Area School District (AASD) to launch the Downtown Student Advisory Committee, officially kicking off on November 10, 2025.

Appleton Downtown Inc. is excited to announce the return of an indoor market. The Indoor Fox Den Mini Market will take place at Fox Commons in the heart of Downtown Appleton, beginning this Saturday, November 1, and running through March. This cozy community market will be open every Saturday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with the exception of December 6 where a different event is taking place in Fox Commons, not associated with ADI.

The City of Appleton Parades Committee is now accepting applications to participate in the 54th Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.

Appleton Downtown, Inc. (ADI) is excited to once again, bring the Light the Night Market, presented by Fox Communities Credit Union, to Downtown Appleton to round out the summer season. Appleton Downtown, Inc. transforms Downtown Appleton into an open-air market this Friday, August 22 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Performances by local artists and entertainers, local vendors, cultural performances, food trucks, hands-on activities, and more will fill College Avenue with excitement and fun!

Appleton Downtown, Inc. (ADI) is excited to bring the Light the Night Market, presented by Fox Communities Credit Union, back to Downtown Appleton to kick off the summer season. Appleton Downtown, Inc. transforms Downtown Appleton into an open-air market on Friday, May 30 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Appleton Downtown, Inc. (ADI), in coordination with the City of Appleton, is working to reschedule the Light the Night Market, originally planned for this evening, due to the forecast of severe weather, including wind gusts over 40 mph and potential thunderstorms. The event is planned to take place on Friday, May 30 from 5 – 10 p.m. in Downtown Appleton.

Appleton Downtown, Inc. (ADI) is excited to bring the Light the Night Market, presented by Fox Communities Credit Union, back to Downtown Appleton to kick off the summer season. Appleton Downtown, Inc. transforms Downtown Appleton into an open-air market on Friday, May 16 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Performances by local artists and entertainers, local vendors, cultural performances, food trucks, hands-on activities, and more will fill College Avenue with excitement and fun!