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 holiday spirit. From Christmas events to New Year’s Eve celebrations, the 2025-2026 holiday season is in full swing in Napa.
The holidays in Napa are a bustling time of year. 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. With this holiday guide, you can be sure you won’t miss any of the exciting events or exclusive shopping experiences happening all month long in Napa.
2025 Holiday Events in Napa for a Merry Christmas
Napa Christmas Parade: Dec 6
Napa’s annual holiday Christmas parade will happen on Saturday, Dec 6th at 5pm with floats, live music, dancing horses, Santa and more circling the downtown district on Second, Brown and Third streets. After the parade, take the kids to visit Santa in the Napa Valley Welcome Center in First Street Napa…
Santa @ The Welcome Center: Dec 6
After the Christmas Parade, keep the holiday magic going with a visit to Santa at the Napa Valley Welcome Center in First Street Napa. Bring the kids on from 6:45 to 7:45pm for a cheerful post-parade tradition to share their wish lists and snap a festive photo with St. Nick at 1300 First St.
Stanly Ranch Holiday Market & Tree Lighting Ceremony: Dec 6
Enjoy a complimentary holiday afternoon filled with a holiday market, meet & greets with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a tree lighting ceremony at Stanly Ranch. You can sip and savor bagels from Loveski Deli, pours by Scribe Winery, artisanal cheeses from Nova Terra Creamery and more. Available to both resort and non-resort guests.
Santa Meet and Greet: Dec 7
Step into the North Pole at First Street Napa for a holly-jolly Santa Meet & Greet the whole family will love! Kids, adults, and even furry friends can snap a magical photo with Santa in the festive holiday setup. Enjoy live carolers, hot chocolate, and sweet treats while a professional photographer captures picture-perfect moments for your holiday cards. Join the celebration on Sunday, December 7 from 12–4 PM.
Santa’s Reading Corner: Nov 29-Dec 21
Gingerbread House Workshop: Dec 5, 12 & 19
Build and decorate your own gingerbread masterpiece at the Gingerbread House Workshop at Meritage Resort’s Food & Wine Center. This hands-on workshop invites families to gather in a sweet, festive setting filled with the aroma of gingerbread and holiday cheer. Everything is on hand for you to craft your confectionery cottage. Tickets include one gingerbread house kit, all decorating supplies, mulled wine for adults, and juice for children.
Merry Meritage: Nov 25-Jan 4
Merry Meritage has returned to Napa! Head to the Meritage Resort and Spa to strap on a pair of skates at Napa’s largest ice rink. The magically festive world of Merry Meritage includes Napa’s largest outdoor ice rink, festive events, and holiday fun for everyone. 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.
Santa Train Jolly Journeys: Dec 1-31
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.
Holiday Lights Tour: Dec 5-12
For a completely free festive holiday activity, ride the Napa Valley Wine Trolley’s Hop-on Hop-off Holiday Lights Tour. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 3-6 pm throughout December, you can hop on or hop off the trolley’s four regular stops as it takes you on a joyful ride through Napa’s lighted neighborhoods.
Napa Holiday Shop, Sip, and Stroll: Dec 11
If you’re missing a few gifts for those hard-to-shop-for family members, Napa’s Shop, Sip, and Stroll event 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.
Lighted Boat Parade: Dec 12
Join the Napa Valley Yacht Club for the Annual Lighted Boat Parade as illuminated vessels light up the Napa River with holiday cheer. Local residents with seaworthy, properly lit boats and a VHF radio are invited to participate, staging at the Yacht Club dock before cruising through Downtown Napa and nearby riverfront neighborhoods.
Holiday Home Tour: Dec 13
Festive Live Music at the Blue Note: Dec 7-21
There’s nothing like a little live music to spice up a winter, and get into the holiday spirit! Head to Napa’s renowned performance lounge, Blue Note Napa, to discover the jazzy yuletide sounds happening this season. Here’s some of who’ll be playing:
- Irish Christmas in America (Dec 7)
- A Hazy Christmas with Thru The Haze (Dec 10)
- AJ Radael & Alyssa: Our Little Christmas Tour (Dec 11)
- The Funk That Stole Christmas (Dec 14)
- A Peter White Christmas (Dec 19)
- Sweet Soul Christmas (Dec 20)
- Deborah Silver Swingin’ Through the Holidays (Dec 21)
Winter Solstice Soirée: Dec 21
Celebrate the holidays tiki-style at the Winter Solstice Soirée Bar Takeover on the Napa Riverfront, where five standout bars rotate through back-to-back guest shifts for one night of world-class cocktails, island vibes, and nonstop energy. Hosted by Wilfred’s Lounge and presented by Napa Cocktail Collective, the event features DJ Rotten Robbie, Planteray Rum, and Napa’s top bartenders shaking up an aloha-filled evening in downtown Napa.
Christmas Dinners in Napa
Christmas should be a day of happy indulgences, so why not leave the cooking in someone else’s hands and head to 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.
Celebrate 2026 with a Happy New Year in Napa
Close out 2025 in true wine country style. You can also spend your New Year’s Eve 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. Grab a ticket to the Winemakers NYE Dinner, also at Meritage and indulge in a culinary odyssey within the grand Estate Cave, or the Wine Train’s special Midnight in Paris NYE dinner.
If you’re looking to dance then ring in the new year in shimmering style at the Midnight Radiance Ballroom Party, featuring live music by Entourage The Band, nonstop dancing, a dazzling midnight balloon drop, and a complimentary bubbly toast.
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.
Need a Gift? Try 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!)
Wine Tastings
Napa is the Wine Tasting Room Capital of the World. What better gift to give than a special wine tasting during the holiday season (and 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.
Cooking Classes
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.
Spa Treatments
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.
A Napa Getaway
Give the gift of a Napa escape, perfect for anyone who could use a little luxury, relaxation, and wine-country charm all wrapped into one experience. From boutique inns to full-service resorts, Napa offers unforgettable stays for every style.
Make Holiday Memories in Napa
From twinkling lights to festive events, winter in Napa is full of ways to celebrate, sip, shop, and make memories. However you spend the season, whether on the ice rink, with Santa, at a tasting room, or ringing in the new year, Napa is ready to make your holidays shine. Cheers to a joyful season in wine country!
