Looking for something “different” to do this holiday season? Do you like art, music, pizza, a few drinks and maybe bowling? Need some unique gifts for that weirdo in your life? Well, well, well, Winter Thunderland is for YOU!

Be transported into a Winter Thunderland and enjoy the talents of local artisans with a FREE Artist Market, where you can shop a crazy range of items from jewelry and clothing, to fine art prints and more. After you’re done buying all the cool stuff, you can learn your future by getting your palm or tarot cards read. Marvel at the Thunderland scenery, stop by the record shop, play some pinball at the new arcade and after ALL THAT, you can grab a pizza, go bowling or have a specialty cocktail.

Because its the holiday season, you’re also encouraged to participate in the charity raffle and get a picture with Heavy Metal Santa. 100% of the proceeds go to The Yellow Brick Place, a cancer wellness center. In the past few years Winter Thunderland has raised thousands for people in the Youngstown area who are in need.

If all of the above is just not enough excitement, as evening sets in, Winter Thunderland music starts. Regional and local bands set the stage on fire.  

The brains and passion behind this event are none other than Rusty Waters Apparel, a local t-shirt company that has been celebrating the Rust Belt’s heritage since 2005. Their unique designs, inspired by the history, celebrities, and quirks of Youngstown, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland, have garnered attention from platforms like the NY Times, Pittsburgh City Paper and the Youngstown Business Journal.

Collaborating with Westside Bowl, a venue committed to fostering a safe and welcoming space  for the creative economy of Youngstown since 2018, the event also stands as a testament to the city’s thriving arts and entertainment scene. Their motto: ”Our way forward as a community is linked directly with us embracing what we have always been, a city of creatives.”

Winter Thunderland is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of community, creativity, and the festive spirit. So, for anyone in and around Youngstown, mark your calendars for December 7th and get ready to experience the most “Thunderful” time of the year!

Here’s the current Deets for the 4th year of Winter Thunderland:

Vendors Market and Raffle Start at 3pm and go into the entire night. Entry to the vendors market is FREE! 

If you’ve been naughty, you better watch out for Krampus and to stay on the nice list, visit Heavy Metal Santa to take a commemorative photo for $5, participate in the raffle where the proceeds go to The Yellow Brick Place.

Raffle winners are called at 7:30pm. You do not need to be in attendance but please write your name and number on the tickets so we can get you your prizes.

Beginning at 7:30 a cover fee of $10 for the show will be charged at the doors.  You might even get a free gift! Here’s the lineup: Papers ( Youngstown, OH), Kelsie Badgrammer (Findlay, Oh) Tommy Magik and The Wonderfulls ( Pittsburgh, PA) and The Battle ( Cleveland, Oh).

Follow on facebook or email at RustyWatersApparel@gmail.com