New Ulm is the OG when it comes to Shopping Openers! Lots of towns have been getting in on the action in recent years, but we've been hosting our shopping opener since before boutique shopping was cool.

While some are deer hunting, shoppers are hunting in New Ulm for the best finds! Check out our annual Shopping Opener in New Ulm, November 7-9, 2025.

Shoppers make it a tradition to kick off the shopping season here in New Ulm. Eat, stay, shop, and play! The New Ulm Specialty Shops have joined together for open houses, tasty treats, events, and more.

Check out the New Ulm Women's Expo and Craft Fair – over 100 vendor booths, crafts, wellness, home businesses, and more. This event is sponsored by the Early Childhood Family Education Program and grows every year. 

The GnomeMade Market will host open houses throughout the city on the weekend of the Shopping Opener.

Don’t miss all of the creative energy that this town has to offer! Grab your gear, polish up your charge card, and plan a visit to New Ulm for Shopping Opener. Some of our shops are offering their own 'hunts' and activities for shoppers! Click here for a downloadable PDF of participating businesses!



Shopping Opener Food Drive
This year, the New Ulm Shopping Opener is adding a special community twist - a Food Drive to support the New Ulm Area Food Shelf! While you shop your favorite local stores November 7-9th, bring along a non-perishable food item (or a few!) to donate. Participating businesses will be collecting throughout the weekend, making it easy to give back while you shop local. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our neighbors and celebrate the spirit of community that makes New Ulm so special!

Drop off donations at these participating businesses: 

• A to Zinnia Floral & Gifts
• The Backerei & Coffee Shop
• Gallery 512 Boutique
• Mabel's Merkantil
• State Street Theater Co. 
• Ulm Sweet Ulm
• Wunderberg Collective

Annual Holiday Shopping Opener
Location: Downtown and all around town.
Date/Times: Follows Deer Opener - November 7-9, 2025
Contact: 507-233-4300, chamber@newulm.com