Fall and holiday activities in Napa Valley
As fall gives way to the holidays, Napa Valley offers a lovely invitation to linger. An afternoon spent creating something by hand, or an evening beneath the glow of holiday lights, gives us time to enjoy the season in good company.
I hope you’ll find something to look forward to among the Napa Valley holiday events ahead. Our towns have their own ways of welcoming the season. At Azur, we’re opening our doors for creative gatherings and our Clinton District Christmas Market. Come spend a little of the season with us. I’d love to welcome you to our lounge on Clinton Street.
Fall celebrations in downtown Napa
For families choosing fall events in Napa Valley, I’d start with Hometown Halloween on October 31. Downtown Napa’s trick-or-treating runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the associated craft activities at First Street Napa continue from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The daytime schedule gives children a chance to enjoy Halloween before the evening begins, with time for a craft project after collecting their treats.
On November 7, Napa Dia de los Muertos brings its own celebration to Veterans Park and Brown Street, from 3 to 8 p.m. The program includes music, dance, art and food, with performances on stages at both locations.
I’d give this one time beyond a quick stop. With performances at two stages and art included in the program, there is more to take in than a single performance. The city’s event page has the program details if there is something you especially want to see.
Holiday lights in Yountville and St. Helena
Town tree lightings are a lovely way to begin the holidays together. In Yountville, the Town & Tree Lighting takes place Sunday, November 22, the opening date of Holidays in Yountville. The broader celebration runs through January 1, 2027.
Within that season, the 12 Days of Yountville Cheer runs from November 28 through December 9. I like that the town’s holiday calendar extends beyond the opening celebration: there are dates to consider whether you’re here in late November or spending part of December in the valley. The town’s holiday page brings those details together.
The Tree Lighting Ceremony in St. Helena is scheduled for November 25. It’s another occasion to join a town celebration before December arrives; the St. Helena Chamber’s calendar is the place to check the event information.
December events in Yountville and Calistoga
For holiday shopping, the 3rd Annual Yountville Holiday Artisan Faire takes place December 5 and 6 at Yountville Community Center, 6516 Washington Street. Erin Gennow, who will also be leading our ornament workshop at Azur, includes the faire on her events calendar. If her work catches your eye at our Christmas market, this is another date to know.
Calistoga’s December celebration takes a different form. The Lighted Tractor Parade takes place Saturday, December 5, from 7 to 8 p.m., with decorated tractors, construction and utility vehicles, and floats in the procession.
The appeal is in those working vehicles becoming a holiday display. I’d choose this for an evening when the outing itself is the celebration: an hour to watch the procession and enjoy what each entry has done with lights.
Fall and holiday events at Azur
At our lounge on Clinton Street, we’re bringing the season into our lounge with four events across November and December. I want our gatherings to give you something to take part in, whether that’s a painting project or an evening browsing an artist’s work. You’ll find us at the Azur Wine Lounge, 1014 Clinton Street in downtown Napa.
We begin November 1 with Painting a Wine Cork, from 2 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $85. If you’d like to spend an afternoon painting with us, join us for this November gathering.
On November 15, artist Erin Gennow will lead our Watercolor Ornament Workshop, from 1 to 3 p.m. The $55 ticket includes two watercolor ornament squares, two frames and gift wrapping supplies, along with a glass of our Azur Rosé or a mocktail.
You can keep your finished ornaments or wrap them as gifts. I like that the painting and framing are part of the same afternoon, so the pieces you make have a place to go when you bring them home. Ticket purchases for this November 15 workshop are nonrefundable.
Our 4th Annual Clinton District Christmas Market follows on Friday, December 4, from 4 to 8 p.m. Erin will have cards, prints and gifts at the market. Come by to see her work and spend part of your evening with us on Clinton Street.
We also have a second Watercolor Ornament Workshop on December 10, from 5 to 7 p.m., with tickets at $55. This evening date gives you another opportunity to join us as the holidays draw closer.
Wherever the season takes you around the valley, I hope it brings you a few unhurried hours in good company. We’d love to share some of that time with you at Azur, whether you join us with a paintbrush in hand or stop by our Christmas market. Come settle into our lounge on Clinton Street and let a little of the holiday season unfold with us.
Explore our workshops on Tock.
Got something special in mind? Host your own Holiday Party with Azur.
Warmly,
Elan Fayard