Holidays
Updated for 2023 — Explore the holiday events in Napa Valley, CA, that are sure to add some jingles to your step and some merry to your day. Enjoy some of the season’s wonders by visiting local markets, witnessing sparkling parades, and tasting fantastic food and wine. We can’t wait to help make it a memorable getaway full of fun and special memories during your charming stay at Calistoga Wine Way Inn or Craftsman Inn.
Calistoga Holiday Village and Christmas Faire
December 1 & 2 | Pioneer Park, Calistoga, CA
An annual occasion celebrating its 52nd year, the Calistoga Holiday Village and Christmas Faire is the cheeriest weekend of December. Friday activities highlight local food and wine, lively performances from community favorites, and a Christmas Tree lighting ceremony. Saturday, plan to shop til you drop while rocking out to Christmas tunes. Wrap up Saturday night with the Tractor Parade after-party from 8 – 10pm!
Calistoga Lighted Tractor Parade
December 2 | Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, CA
This Calistoga Lighted Tractor Parade combines quirky and Christmas all into one. With a nod to Calistoga’s agricultural roots, participants decorate their trucks, tractors, and other vehicles with as much light and merriment as the season can muster. In its 26th year, you’ll want to join the crowds for the fun. Be sure to have a chair or blanket for lining the parade route, and pack your party pants for the after-party.
Hanukkah Celebration
December 7 | Silverado Resort, Napa, CA
Bring blessings and light to your holiday season at Silverado Resort’s Hanukkah Celebration. This complementary event is open to the public, where hot chocolate coffee and treats are a sweet addition. Follow up the celebration with a specially curated meal at the Grill while you reflect on the new light and the week ahead.
Holiday Candlelight Walking Tour
December 9 | Old Town Napa, Napa, CA
Part of almost everyone’s childhood dreams was to experience life in a real-life gingerbread house. In Old Town Napa, you can do just that as you meander on a self-guided tour through private homes decorated in their festive best! The Holiday Candlelight Walking Tour is $40 per person, granting you access to beautiful landmark homes, a delightful reception, and the chance to win something special at the silent auction.
Winter Faire & Marketplace
December 17 | St. Helena, CA
Former winery turned Culinary Insitute of America at Greystone is hosting its second annual Winter Faire and Marketplace. Highlights include hot drinks, holiday music, and much fun touring the site. Try out local food and wine from vendors, all while supporting small businesses and checking off items from your Christmas wishlist. You can also make a charitable donation by participating in the Toys for Tots toy drive to receive raffle tickets. It’s a win-win!
Sleigh the season when you check off holiday events in Napa Valley, CA, from your festivity list. We’ll cover every last detail of your stay while you plan some of our favorite activities. Let the lights, treats, and music fill your spirit with joy while you take a little time to slow down and take it all in at Calistoga Wine Way Inn or Craftsman Inn. Check availability now — we can’t wait to spend the holiday season with you!
Filed under: Holidays by Olivia Kite
Comments Off on 2023 Holiday Events in Napa Valley CA
A Christmas Tradition with a Purpose
It’s time to make holiday getaway plans! If top-notch dining is high on your list of vacation priorities, then you will love the Restaurant at Meadowood’s 12 Days of Christmas Dinners. This Christmas season Chef Christopher Kostow will bring in world-class chefs from far and wide to this Michelin 3-star restaurant in St. Helena. These charitable feasts will not only bring you truly exquisite dining but will also benefit the St. Helena Preschool For All, Inc. scholarship fund.
Each evening will feature a menu inspired by the chef’s unique style paired with the wholesome ingredients from the 3.5-acre farm at Meadowood. Chefs will come from as far away as Denmark, Mexico, Hong Kong, and Portugal, while others will represent the best of their region in the United States.
The World-Famous Chefs
The line-up of chefs you can expect to see this year are:
- Friday, December 6: Chef Gabriela Cámara from Mexico City, Mexico
- Saturday, December 7: Chef John Shields from Chicago, Illinois
- Tuesday, December 10: Chef Daniel Calvert from Hong Kong, China
- Wednesday, December 11: Chef Jose Avillez from Lisbon, Portugal
- Thursday, December 12: Chef Junghyun Park from New York City, United States
- Friday, December 13: Chef Jeremy Chan & Ire Hassan-Odukale from London, England
- Saturday, December 14: Chef Nicolai Norregaard from Copenhagen, Denmark
- Tuesday, December 17: Chef Brady Williams from Seattle, United States
- Wednesday, December 18: Chef Jeremy Charles from Newfoundland, Canada
- Thursday, December 19: Chef Malcolm Lee from Candlenut, Singapore
- Friday, December 20: Chef Val M. Cantu from San Fransisco, United States
- Saturday, December 21: Chef Christopher Kostow from Napa Valley, United States
This is a Christmas celebration you don’t want to miss. Expect superb service, beautiful place settings, mouth-watering cuisine, and excellent wine pairings. Guests keep coming back to this event year after year to experience unique, inventive cuisine that they would otherwise have to travel the world for.
Make Us A Part of Your Holiday Tradition
We love to make fresh, homegrown food a part of your stay at the Wine Way Inn and Craftsman Inn too. Napa Valley is a mecca of fine dining, and we are no exception. Start your day off with our gourmet breakfast and finish it by enjoying the world-class fare at the Restaurant at Meadowood. It’s a tradition you’ll love to come back for! Book a room today!
Filed under: Area Events, Food & Drink, Holidays by acorn
Comments Off on 12 Days of Christmas Dinners at Meadowood 2019
It’s that time of year again! Time to make your list and check it twice. If holiday shopping stresses you out, how about adding a little fun to it with a Christmas shopping getaway to Napa Valley? There are so many shops to visit, so many places to gather unique gifts for each person on your list, and so many ways to bring holiday cheer to what can otherwise be quite a chore. Check out our holiday gift guide with ideas for everyone on your list here in Napa Valley.
For the Wine-Lover…
- Calistoga Wine Stop — This small shop has a tasting room and offers a wide variety of local favorites.
- Enoteca Wine Shop — Find wine from all around the world at this local shop.
- Tank Garage Winery — This tasting room is right across the street from the Wine Way Inn and Craftsman Inn and takes a casual approach to wine tasting. Browse their gift selections for the perfect package for that special someone.
- Or find your new favorite winery during your getaway and bring home bottles to share with friends!
For the Foodie…
- Woodhouse Chocolate — A boutique chocolate shop in St. Helena that uses local, ethically sourced ingredients.
- Kollar Chocolates — Owner Chris Kollar was chosen as one of the top ten chocolatiers of North America by Dessert Professional Magazine. His small-batch chocolate is as delicious as it is fun to watch being made.
- Spice Islands Marketplace — Take a tour of the Greystone building in the Culinary Institute of America, and while you’re there, stop by their marketplace to find cookware, bakeware, spices, autographed cookbooks, and more!
- Oxbow Public Market — This market in Napa has a huge selection of culinary products and is an attraction in its own right. Stop in for a happy hour on Tuesday or Wednesday for some great dining, and leave with a unique selection of regional food products.
For the Unique or Quirky…
- Calistoga Pottery — Watch as veteran potters create handmade earthenware and while you’re there you can order some unique pieces for your loved ones.
- North Star Gift Shop — Local Calistoga artists offer one-of-a-kind jewelry and apparel.
- The Vintage Treehouse — One of Calistoga’s best-kept secrets for handmade jewelry, clothing, accessories and more.
- Ca’toga Art Gallery — A beautiful gallery featuring paintings, porcelain, vases, wine coolers, scarfs and more.
For the Socially Conscious…
- Global Heart Fair Trade — This shop in Sonoma carries fair-trade, handcrafted gifts from around the world.
- Wunder Boutique and Salon — Take time for yourself with a salon treatment and then shop their boutique for local and American-made items including purses, scarves, jewelry, candles, and more.
For anyone who loves a good Napa Valley getaway…
What better way to say, “I love you,” than with a gift certificate to the Wine Way Inn & Craftsman Inn? Take your loved one on a getaway to wine-country to make lasting memories together. We’d love nothing more than to host you in our beautifully appointed rooms and serve you our delicious gourmet breakfasts. So book a room today to make the chore of holiday shopping fun again!
Filed under: Holidays by acorn
Comments Off on Your Napa Valley 2019 Christmas Shopping Guide
A Night of Lights
Celebrate classic small-town America in Calistoga, CA this holiday season with our 24th annual “Lighted Tractor Parade”. All kinds of farm equipment will be decked out in its finest holiday attire and will stroll down Calistoga’s Lincoln Street. Antique and modern tractors, along with trucks, fire engines, motorcycles, and much more will be aglow with the cheer of the season. This free event is a way to honor Calistoga’s agricultural heritage and its contribution to the region’s economy.
Make It Special
Arrive in town in time to take part in the other holiday events going on in Calistoga. Friday night will feature the Tree Lighting Street Faire, a gathering downtown that kicks off the holiday shopping season. Festivities will including singing, dancing, and, of course, wine tastings. Many shops will stay open late, and live trees decorated by local elementary school students will be peppered throughout the downtown area. When the night is through, these trees are donated to local families.
Another option that same night is the Holly Trolley Holiday Lights Tour hosted by the Calistoga Welcome Center. Enjoy a cozy trolley ride around town to visit participating homes who are competing for the honor of Best Holiday Lights 2019.
Then on Saturday, enjoy the parade that follows Lincoln Street through downtown Calistoga. One unique way to enjoy the party is by visiting the August Briggs Winery Tasting Room. Just a simple RSVP (707-942-4912) will ensure your place at this complimentary event. Wine, apple cider, and snacks will be provided along with a cozy place to view the parade regardless of whatever weather we may be having.
Stay with Us!
Book a room for the whole weekend so that you can enjoy everything our delightful town has to offer! We are located right in the heart of these merry-making festivities, so you won’t have to miss a thing if you stay with us. Make sure to dress warmly and be prepared to be dazzled—the Chamber of Commerce promises 100% chance of snow!
(Pictures courtesy of the Calistoga Visitors Center)
Filed under: Area Events, Holidays by acorn
Comments Off on Calistoga, CA Lighted Tractor Parade 2019
