Gettysburg is rolling out a festive new way to support small businesses this holiday season with the Gettysburg Merry Markets Digital Passport, a free mobile pass that rewards shoppers for exploring local stores across Adams County. The passport encourages residents and visitors to check in at participating shops, unlock deals, and collect points toward prizes while enjoying the town’s seasonal charm.
Holiday trail highlights
The Gettysburg Merry Markets Digital Passport is a limited-time holiday trail featuring more than 25 independently owned shops, boutiques, markets, and specialty businesses throughout Gettysburg and Adams County. Participants can use the passport to discover unique gifts, local goods, and seasonal experiences that capture the spirit of small-town shopping.
With each check-in at a participating location, shoppers earn points that count toward prizes and can access exclusive discounts and special offers along the way. The experience is designed to be free, fun, and festive, encouraging visitors to stroll downtown streets, sip cocoa, and take in twinkling holiday lights while supporting local merchants.
How the passport works
The Merry Markets experience begins when shoppers sign up for the mobile-exclusive digital passport, which serves as a curated collection of participating shops, boutiques, markets, and more. Once registered, participants can browse locations, plan their route, and prepare to redeem deals and collect points during their visit.
After sign-up, the passport is delivered instantly via text and email and is ready to use right away, with no app download required. Users can save the pass to their phone’s home screen for one-tap access as they explore Adams County during the holiday season.
Redeeming deals in-store
When visiting a participating business, shoppers simply present the digital passport on their phone to a staff member or attendant to redeem available discounts and offers. Each stop allows visitors to check in, accumulate points, and unlock additional incentives as they continue along the trail.
The point-based system encourages shoppers to visit multiple locations, turning a day of gift hunting into a gamified experience that rewards engagement with local storefronts. Organizers say the initiative aims to strengthen the local economy during a critical shopping period while creating merry memories for families, friends, and visitors alike.
