Settlers Green’s Bring A Friend event in November illustrates why it’s so fun to shop in-person with friends and family

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.

Bring A Friend has matured throughout the rise of Internet shopping, combatted recessions, and navigated through the pandemic. It’s next challenge? Illustrating the values that retail is rooted in: bringing people together and delivering a personal in-store shopping experience.

“You can’t find this experience on the Internet,” said Marketing and Events Director Laura Lemieux. “The anticipation of meeting up with friends and family, the joy of the perfect find for yourself or for someone else, the satisfaction of getting a good deal — there is amazing energy at Bring A Friend. It is truly retail therapy; you will feel better when you leave than when you arrived.”

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.

“Hundreds of people are lined up by the time we start distributing the bags,” Lemieux said. “The bags are usually gone within 30 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 our retailers, the ‘Big Day’ is the busiest shopping day of the year, and it typically outperforms Black Friday,” Lemieux said. “It’s a party atmosphere. Shoppers get dressed up in holiday garb, wear group tees and hats, and are here to have fun.”

One new personal touch being added to this year’s event includes the ability for shoppers that receive the free giveaway bag to personalize it with a choice of three custom designs. There will also be daily live events on social media highlighting the biggest score of the day at the shopping center.

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 through the Bring A Friend page at settlersgreen.com. Premium bags usually sell out within 24 hours.

Call 888-223-9636 to inquire more about Bring A Friend or visit settlersgreen.com/bring-a-friend.