Winter in the Napa Valley might look a little different than you’re used to, but what we lack in snow, we make up for in enthusiasm. In Downtown Napa, the holiday season is in full swing. Everywhere you turn, you’ll find holiday decorations glittering in the wine country sunshine. Even the rainy days have a kind of festive charm, as Downtown’s lights provide a soft glow to the air and shops all along the street beckon visitors in for a warm drink, a cozy shopping experience, a bite to eat or all of the above. The holidays in Napa are a bustling time of year, and with this guide, you can be sure you won’t miss any of the exciting events or exclusive shopping experiences happening all month long.
Holiday Events in Napa For a Merry Christmas
Downtown Napa takes seasonal celebrations very seriously. All through December and into January, we have a wide range of holiday events, from themed photo opportunities to late-night New Year’s Eve dance parties.
For families wanting to create some treasured holiday memories, the Napa Wine Train offers Jolly Journeys all through December. While the Wine Train is normally an adults-exclusive experience, these yuletide train rides offer kids tickets, so the whole family is able to enjoy warm cider, Christmas caroling, pictures with Santa, kid-friendly gourmet dining menus, Christmas cookies and more. Or, for a completely free festive ride right through Downtown, ride the Wine Trolley’s Hop On Hop Off Holiday Loop. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 3-6 pm throughout December, you can hop on or hop off at any of the trolley’s four regular stops — Oxbow Public Market, Historic Napa Mill, First & School Streets and Main & Pearl Streets — and enjoy holiday tunes as you cruise through Downtown.
Merry Meritage has returned to Napa through January 11th! Head to the Meritage Resort and Spa to strap on a pair of skates at Napa’s largest ice rink. In between your time on the ice, you can unwind at one of Meritage’s rinkside tasting rooms, or go all out and rent a private igloo or fireplace for your group to chill at by the rink. Firepit rental also includes a s’mores kit for five people, so you’ll have the snacks covered — all you need to bring is your best holiday cozy wear.
Join Napa County Landmarks for their 33rd annual Holiday Home Tour on December 14th. A Napa staple, this event takes place right where festivity meets history — which, in this case, is Downtown Napa St. John’s Historic District (Main, Brown, and Hayes streets between 1st Street and Lincoln). The event is, of course, centered around the stunning historic homes available to tour, but that’s not all — you can also enjoy live music, shop the wares of local vendors, check out stylish vintage cars and more.
The next day, December 15th, brings Napa’s Shop, Sip, and Stroll event, which, if you’re missing a few gifts for those hard-to-shop-for family members, is the perfect place to find unique presents made by Napa’s local artisans. Retailers across Downtown Napa will be partnering with various tasting rooms for special offers, discounts and more.
Whiskey lovers will surely enjoy celebrating the holidays at Sky & Vine’s new whiskey bar experience, Peace, Love and Whiskey Bar. This rooftop hangout is decked out in stunning holiday decor throughout the holiday season, combining with the panoramic valley views to create a photo opportunity you won’t find anywhere else. Enjoy wood-fired pizza straight from their stone pizza oven alongside seasonal cocktails and other thoughtfully paired light bites.
There’s nothing like a little live music to spice up a winter weekend! Head to Napa’s renowned performance lounge, Blue Note Napa, to discover the jazzy yuletide sounds of Kellie Fuller and the Mike Greensill Trio on Thursday, December 19th. Grab a cocktail, order a few appetizers and sit back to enjoy the show.
Christmas should be a day of happy indulgences — so why not leave the cooking in someone else’s hands and head to a Christmas Brunch at the Meritage Resort and Spa? Perfect for the whole family, Meritage will be offering a wide range of options sure to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters, from avocado toast stations and made-to-order omelettes to waffles and homemade spaghetti-os.
And A Happy New Year
Close out 2024 in true wine country style and dance the night away at the NYE JaMParty hosted by JaM Cellars. This annual New Year’s Eve bash is back and better than ever, featuring a live DJ, a disco ball-lit dance floor and wine Jell-O shots, complete with a champagne toast at midnight.
You can also spend your New Year’s Eve at dining at the Meritage Resort and Spa, where two restaurants, Ember Steak and Olive & Hay, are hosting exclusive dinners for the occasion with pre-fixe menus, offering items such as wagyu steak, lobster, caviar and more. Or, grab a ticket to the Winemakers NYE Dinner, also at Meritage. Indulge in a culinary odyssey within the grand Estate Cave — and the best part? Tickets to dinner also include tickets to the after party, Meritage’s Glitter & Glam New Year’s Eve Party, a 21+ event featuring a live band, a live DJ, drinks and all the glitter you could ask for. After all the New Year’s Eve celebrations, keep the party going at Meritage’s New Year’s Day brunch — the perfect remedy to a late night out.
Napa’s Exclusive Experiences
As much as Mom loves the cardigans you keep buying her every year, why not pivot your holiday shopping to include some Napa-exclusive experiences your friends and family will never forget? (Forewarning: you’ll be raising the bar with these gifts, so be prepared for the family to expect big things from you in years to come!)
There is no better place to take a wine enjoyer than Downtown Napa — aka, the Wine Tasting Room Capital of the World. Offer to cover — or better yet, accompany them on — a wine tasting during the holiday season, so you can knock out your Christmas gift list before the holiday is even over. If you head to tasting rooms such as Wine Girl before the month is over, you’ll also be able to take advantage of their totally Instagrammable, totally stylish Christmas decorations. Even if you hit this tasting room post-holiday, there’s sure to be a themed event happening (they’ve hosted everything from birthday parties for Taylor Swift to drag brunches). Or, for a wine tasting experience that is truly out of this world, send your loved one to Outer Space Wines, a wine shop and tasting room that offers carefully curated varietals from both Northern California and across the globe. With over 55 tasting rooms to choose from, you can’t go wrong. Explore the full list of Downtown tasting rooms here.
For a hands-on experience, consider giving the gift of a cooking class at the CIA at Copia. It’s a great way to learn a new skill, try some fabulous food and of course, pair it all with chef-selected wines. No matter your tastes or level of expertise in the kitchen, the culinary artists at this world-renowned school will provide you with an approachable, interactive food experience. Copia also often hosts exclusive events, a ticket to which would make a great surprise for under the tree. For instance, rom-com fans would be thrilled at the chance to attend Copia’s upcoming Flavors of Film event, a screening of Always Be My Maybe accompanied by a themed menu and paired drinks taking place on January 25th.
It might be the most wonderful time of the year, but the holidays do come with their fair share of stress. For anyone in your life who might be feeling the strain of hosting or are simply overwhelmed by a busy social calendar, give them the gift of a relaxing getaway to Downtown Napa. A stay at the Meritage Resort and a trip to their in-house spa, Spa Terra, is sure to soothe any residual post-holiday stress. Or, book them a weekend at the Napa River Inn, where guests can enjoy world-class service and unmatched luxury in the form of soul-nourishing spa treatments.
‘Tis the Season to Shop Til You Drop
Aside from numerous exclusive Napa experiences available to you, Downtown Napa is the premier shopping destination for knocking out the rest of your holiday shopping. Not sure where to start? Let us point you in the right direction with our insider’s guide to shopping in Downtown Napa.
It’s the Most Wonderful Wine of the Year
It’s not too late to book your Napa getaway to catch all of these holiday events. No matter what time of year you decide to visit, Napa offers laid-back luxury, world-class dining, wine for every palate and so much more. Whether it’s for the holidays or into the new year, you’re always meant to be here.
