Settlers Green has built a reputation for hosting one of the most exciting shopping events in New England. Bring A Friend happens every November right around Veterans Day. As it has grown, it has expanded from a single day event into a 10-day extravaganza. This year it takes place from November 1-11, 2024.
The event brings thousands of shoppers, primarily women, to North Conway for a girls’ getaway with extended family and friends for a multi-day shopping experience. It is a tradition for many, with 80% of shoppers reporting they have attended the event multiple times since it began in 2001.
The core of activities from the original single day event remains the biggest draw. Referred to as the “Big Day,” it all kicks off with a free bag giveaway where 1000 bags, stuffed with coupon books, exclusive offers, and gifts, are distributed to a line of eager shoppers at 8 a.m. Typically, hundreds of people are lined up by the time we start distributing the bags at 8 a.m. and the bags are usually gone within 30-60 minutes. One bag includes a $500 gift card for one lucky shopper to kick off their shopping spree. Stores have extended hours, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the day is filled with entertainment and festivities. The “Big Day” this year is Saturday, November 9.
For those that can’t make it on November 9, store deals and lodging specials are available throughout the entirety of the 10-day event. Additionally, shoppers can reserve a shopping bag for $10, which gives them the liberty of picking up the bag any time during the 10-day event. The reserved bag, referred to as the premium bag, goes on sale on October 1. It is an online sale only, sold exclusively on this page (scroll down to the Premium Bag information). Premium bags usually sell out within 24 hours.
Key Dates and Times
- Tuesday, October 1 - Premium Bag Sale starts at 10 a.m. - SOLD OUT
- November 1-11, 2024 - Exclusive Bring A Friend deals and lodging discounts are in effect
- Saturday, November 9, 2024 - The Big Day
- 8 a.m. - Free Bag Giveaway
- 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. - Extended Shopping Hours
- Scroll down for complete details on all festivities or View Schedule of all happenings over the big weekend, November 8-11.
Save The Date
Save the date for the 25th Annual Bring A Friend taking place November 7-16, 2025. The Big Day will be Saturday, November 8!
Stay In Touch
Sign up for our Exclusive Bring A Friend E-mail List to get first alerts on information. Call 888-667-9636 x100 to inquire more about Bring A Friend or email info@settlersgreen.com.
Key Event Highlights
Free Bag Giveaway
We give away 1000 shopping bags at 8 a.m. on Saturday, November 9. All bags include a Settlers Green Coupon Book with over 35 store offers, exclusive coupons beyond the Bring A Friend deals, a gift from The Soapery Off Main, and more. One of the 1000 bags has a $500 Settlers Green Gift Card hidden in it to get one lucky winner's shopping spree started!
New! Everyone that receives a Free Shopping Bag at the 8 a.m. giveaway is eligible to upgrade their bag with a custom print. Limited supply of 300 custom prints available, while supplies last. Live Printing is presented by Two Pines Creative. It will be open starting at 9 a.m. on The Green.
Bring A Friend Exclusive Deals
Over a dozen stores are offering deals exclusive for the Bring A Friend event. Pick up a Pin or Sticker at either Customer Service or at one of the participating stores - this activates the deal.
Daily Raffles
We have over $2000 of product and gift cards to giveaway! Enter using a QR code only available when you attend the event. QR codes are located at Customer Service, outside of the bathroom area by Timberland and outside of kate spade new york. Someone at Customer Service can help get you entered if you have any issues.
Raffles are drawn daily at noon. We'll also have Raffle Headquarters* open on Saturday, November 9, with a full display of everything available to win that day. Raffles are every hour on Saturday, November 9. Note: This is the same raffle that you can enter using the QR code. It is not be separate raffle.
In celebration of next year's 25th anniversary event, all entries are eligible for the Grand Prize Raffle that includes a $500 Shopping Spree and a $500 Marriott Gift Card to use toward the 2025 event. The Grand Prize will be drawn at the conclusion of Bring A Friend.
Raffle Rules
- You can only enter once
- We will call and email you if your name is drawn
- If there is no response within 24 hours of a name being drawn, we will draw another name for that prize
- There is a drawing every day at 12 p.m.
- There is a drawing every hour on the Big Day, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- All raffles must be collected by the winners by 12 p.m. on Monday, November 11, 2024
- The Grand Prize is drawn at the end of business on November 11.
- Product is non-returnable unless otherwise noted
- We do not ship product if you have left the area and cannot return to claim your prize, but we will mail a gift card if it is the prize you won.
Entertainment
DJs, parades, karaoke and more will keep you entertained while you shop. See the schedule below and check back frequently for updates leading up to the event.
Where To Eat
Whether you plan to tailgate or grab lunch during Bring A Friend, here are details on who is open when for our eateries. On Saturday, November 9, the big tent on The Green has heated seating available for anyone to use.
The Met Coffeehouse
Open Daily, 9am-5pm
Barley & Salt
Open Daily at 11:30am
Black Cap Grille (located at Settlers Crossing next to REI)
Open Tues-Sun, 12pm-8pm
Mountain Moose Asian Noodles
Open Daily at 11am
Cheese Louise
Open Nov 9-10 - 11am-5pm
Coffee is available at The Met, Lindt Chocolate and Boba Beach Bubble Tea.
See Food Directory with links to restaurant websites and menus.
Premium Bags
SOLD OUT
Can't make it to the Free Bag Giveaway on Saturday, November 9? You can still get a bag! We sell 1000 premium bags prior to the event! Each bag costs $10. All bags include a Settlers Green Coupon Book with over 35 store offers, a gift from The Soapery Off Main, and more. Ten of the 1000 bags have a $50 Settlers Green Gift Card hidden in them to get lucky winners a head start on their shopping spree.
The premium bag is now on sale! Hit "Add to Cart" button and you will be taken to PayPal where you can change the quantity and complete payment information. PayPal accepts all major credit cards. Note: Once the bags are sold out, everyone that purchases a bag will receive an email from the Event Director with directions on how and where to pick up premium bag orders.
Premium Bag FAQs
Why should I buy a premium bag? Premium bags allow shoppers to get a bag regardless of the day they plan to shop during the 10-day Bring A Friend event. Premium bags can be picked up daily between November 1-11. They are not the same style bag as the Free Bag Giveaway bags. Premium bags include more swag and gifts then the Free Bag Giveaway bags.
What is the free shopping bag? We have a Free Bag Giveaway on Saturday, November 11 at 8 a.m. in the Courtyard. The bags are free to the first 1000 shoppers in line.
What is the difference between the two bags? The Premium Bag includes additional swag and gifts that don't get included in the Free Bag Giveaway. One of the 1000 Free Bag Giveaway bags has a $500 Settlers Green Gift Card hidden in it; Ten of the 1000 bags have a $50 Settlers Green Gift Card hidden in them.
What is the same about the two bags? Both the premium and free bags come with a Settlers Green Coupon Book.
Do you ship the premium bags? No. All bags can be picked up between November 1-11 during Bring A Friend.
How do I know where to go to get my bag? Once all bags are sold out, an email will be sent from the Event Director, laura@ovpmanagement.com.
How long does the premium bag sale run? It starts at 10 a.m. on October 1, 2024 and we usually sell out within hours of the start of the sale. Set a reminder on your phone!
Can I buy more than one bag? Yes, you can buy for yourself and anyone that you plan to shop with during Bring A Friend. Simply change the quantity one you hit the Add To Cart button during the Bag Sale.
We use PayPal to as our Point of Sale. I don't have PayPal? You can use your PayPal account or any major credit card to purchase the card on the PayPal website.
I just found out I can't come, can I get a refund? Sorry, we do not refund bag purchases. We do not ship bags either. But, we will hold a bag if you suddenly cannot make the event, but plan to come at a later date.
Daily Schedule
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Mall Shopping Hours
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Premium Bag Pick-Up
8:00 AM
Free Shopping Bag Giveaway
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Live Screen Printing
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Early Bird Event
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Free Gift with Purchase
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Free Gift with Purchase
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Free Gift with Purchase
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Spin To Win
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Early Bird Coffee Special
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Raffle Headquarters & Concierge
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Oracle Card Readings
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Donut Giveaway
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Live Broadcast with Conway Magic 104.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Photos with Santa
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Pop-Up Art Show
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
A.C.T.S. Dogs
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Dave's New England Food Co. Foo Truck
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Veterans Remembrance Walk
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Live DJ
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Costume Parade
12:30 PM
Dance Performance
1:36 AM
Play Elf on the Shelf
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Mall Shopping Hours
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Premium Bag Pick-Up
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Free Gift with Purchase
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Free Gift with Purchase
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Veterans Remembrance Walk
1:36 AM
Play Elf on the Shelf
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Mall Shopping Hours
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Premium Bag Pick-Up
11:00 AM
National Anthem
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Veterans Remembrance Walk
1:36 AM