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Quick answer: Small Business Saturday 2026 is Saturday, November 28, the day after Black Friday. Shop a walkable downtown like Morristown, Madison, Chatham, Denville, Boonton or Chester. The same day brings Santa’s Arrival and the Lighting of the Morristown Green at 5 p.m., the Boonton Fire Department Christmas Parade at 1 p.m., The Holiday Market Art and Craft Fair in Chatham from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Santa’s Holiday Market at Netcong’s Palace Theatre from noon to 4 p.m. Morristown Partnership gift certificates come with a bonus $10 for every $50 purchased, while supplies last.
Updated November 2026 by the Shop Morris County team
Small Business Saturday falls on the Saturday after Thanksgiving every year, and in 2026 that is November 28. The U.S. Small Business Administration, which has cosponsored the day since 2011, encourages people to spend it with independent shops. In Morris County, it is one of the best days of the season to walk a downtown, support the businesses that keep our towns going, and ease into the holidays. Our Small Business Saturday Morris County guide covers where to shop, the events that towns and organizers have posted for 2026, and how to stretch a Morristown gift certificate.
Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, and Black Friday is November 27. For holiday hours at stores, banks and the post office, see our guide to what is open and closed over Thanksgiving in Morris County. For the rest of the month, start with our November things to do in Morris County guide.
Where to Shop in Morris County on Small Business Saturday
Morris County’s downtowns are made for a day of shopping on foot. Below we focus on promotions and events that downtown groups, towns or organizers have actually posted for 2026. If a town has not published a special yet, it can still be a great place to shop. Check hours before you go, because independent shops often keep shorter weekend hours than the malls.
Morristown
Downtown Morristown is the busiest Small Business Saturday stop, with independent shops along South Street, Washington Street and around the Green. Our local guide to Morristown and our list of the best boutiques in Morris County are good starting points. The day also brings Santa’s Arrival and the Lighting of the Morristown Green at 5 p.m. on East Park Place, which opens the Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green. Programming continues from 5:30 to 8 p.m. If you want to make a night of it, see our guide to the best restaurants in Morristown.
Madison
Madison’s Main Street and Waverly Place are lined with independent shops and places to eat, which makes the downtown an easy Saturday walking loop. See our guide to things to do in Madison for more in town. The night before, Friday, November 27, the Madison Christmas Parade steps off at 5:30 p.m. from the Madison Ambulance Corps building on Prospect Street, and the downtown Christmas tree on Waverly Place is lit around 6:30 p.m. Then come back Saturday to shop.
Chatham
Chatham’s Main Street and South Passaic Avenue make another easy walking loop. Our guide to things to do in Chatham covers the downtown. The same day, The Holiday Market Art and Craft Fair fills Chatham Middle School at 480 Main Street from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with more than 65 vendors. Admission and parking are free.
Denville
Downtown Denville packs shops, cafes and restaurants onto Broadway and Diamond Spring Road. Our guide to things to do in Denville can help you plan a loop. As of mid November, we have not seen a 2026 Small Business Saturday promotion posted by Downtown Denville, so check each shop’s hours before you go.
Boonton
Boonton’s Main Street is lined with independent shops and restaurants, and Small Business Saturday is also parade day. The Boonton Fire Department’s 32nd annual Christmas Parade steps off at 1 p.m. from 816 Main Street (the Upper Plane Street parking lot) and heads to Santa Land at 124 North Main Street. Main Street closes to traffic at noon, so arrive early and park off Main. The rain or snow date is Sunday, November 29. After the parade, families are invited to Santa Land for free treats, activities and a visit with Santa until 3 p.m. See our guide to things to do in Boonton and our roundup of Christmas parades in Morris County.
Chester
For a smaller town feel, head west to Chester’s Main Street, which has gift shops, home stores and places to eat. Our guide to things to do in Chester covers the downtown and nearby farms. As of mid November, we have not seen a confirmed 2026 Small Business Saturday promotion from the Historic Chester Business Association, so treat Saturday as a regular shopping day and confirm hours. Mendham’s East Main Street is another nearby option; see our guide to things to do in Mendham.
Saturday Events on November 28, 2026
These are the November 28 events we have confirmed with organizers or official town pages. Pair one with a downtown shopping stop, and leave extra time for parking on parade day.
- The Holiday Market Art and Craft Fair at Chatham Middle School, 480 Main Street, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free admission and parking. Details are in our Chatham holiday market guide.
- Santa’s Holiday Market at the Palace in Netcong, 7 Ledgewood Avenue, noon to 4 p.m., with photos with Santa, a Brady Rymer concert and craft vendors. Details and ticket information are in our Netcong market guide.
- Boonton Fire Department Christmas Parade at 1 p.m., from 816 Main Street to Santa Land at 124 North Main Street, with a rain or snow date of Sunday, November 29.
- Santa’s Arrival and the Lighting of the Morristown Green at 5 p.m. on East Park Place, with programming from 5:30 to 8 p.m. See our Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green guide.
- Mannheim Steamroller Christmas at Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. More holiday shows are in our Christmas shows guide.
Stretch Your Budget: Morristown Partnership Gift Certificates
Morristown Partnership gift certificates are one of the best confirmed deals of the season. With every $50 gift certificate purchase, you get a bonus $10 gift certificate free, up to $100 in free certificates per transaction, while supplies last (restrictions apply). Certificates come in $5, $10, $20, $25 and $50 denominations and can be used at participating downtown Morristown businesses. Buy them online or in person at the Partnership office, 14 Maple Avenue, Suite 201. The office is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., so plan to purchase before Saturday or place an online order. Details are on the Morristown Partnership gift certificate page.
Parking and Shopping Tips
- Check hours before you go. Many independent shops keep shorter hours than malls, and some open later on weekends.
- In Boonton, Main Street closes to vehicles at noon on parade day. Park off Main and arrive early.
- Downtown parking fills quickly when a parade or tree lighting is underway. In Morristown, leave extra time if you are staying for the 5 p.m. lighting of the Green.
- Bring a reusable tote and plan to walk once you park.
- Ask about gift wrap. Many local boutiques will wrap a purchase if you ask.
- Buy gift cards from local restaurants. They make easy gifts and help businesses through the slower winter months.
- We have not confirmed official 2026 Black Friday hours from Simon for Rockaway Townsquare. Check the mall’s website before you go if you are shopping there on Friday.
More to Do Thanksgiving Weekend
- Friday, November 27: A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage at MPAC in Morristown at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., and the Madison Christmas Parade at 5:30 p.m.
- Saturday, November 28: The markets, parade, Green lighting and Mannheim Steamroller shows listed above.
- Sunday, November 29: The Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green continues with Santa visits. This date is also the rain date for Santa’s Arrival. Choose-and-cut season is underway at our Christmas tree farms.
- For every holiday parade route, see our guide to Christmas parades in Morris County. For the full season, see our Christmas events in Morris County hub, plus our guides to holiday craft fairs and Christmas markets in NJ.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Small Business Saturday 2026?
Small Business Saturday 2026 is Saturday, November 28, the Saturday after Thanksgiving and the day after Black Friday.
Which Morris County downtowns have events?
On Saturday, November 28, Morristown hosts Santa’s Arrival and the Lighting of the Morristown Green at 5 p.m., Boonton holds its Fire Department Christmas Parade at 1 p.m., Chatham has The Holiday Market Art and Craft Fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Netcong hosts Santa’s Holiday Market at the Palace Theatre from noon to 4 p.m. Madison’s Christmas Parade and tree lighting are the night before, Friday, November 27.
Is Rockaway Townsquare open early on Black Friday?
We have not confirmed official 2026 Black Friday hours from Simon for Rockaway Townsquare. Check the mall’s website before you go, since store hours can differ from mall hours.
Is there a Morristown gift certificate deal for the holidays?
Yes. The Morristown Partnership gives a bonus $10 gift certificate with every $50 gift certificate purchase, up to $100 in free certificates per transaction, while supplies last. Restrictions apply. The Partnership office is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., so plan to buy in advance or order online.
Supporting local businesses is what we do every day at Shop Morris County. If you own a shop with a Small Business Saturday special, let us know.
Featured photo by Kader D. Kahraman on Pexels.
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