A visit to Napa Valley during the Christmas season isn’t complete without a stop to the charming town of St. Helena. If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind wine country experience, this is it! Every year this storybook destination transforms into a wonderland of wineries with twinkling lights, unique festivities, and unforgettable dining experiences. So, grab a mug of mulled wine and get ready to explore these fun Christmas happenings in California wine country!
P.S. – If you’re staying in St. Helena during the holidays, you may also like these tips on where to get breakfast in St. Helena, and the best St. Helena coffee shops to cozy up with a cup of Joe!
St. Helena Wine Barrel Christmas Tree
November 27 to January 1
St. Helena’s Wine Barrel Christmas Tree is something straight out of a wine country-themed Hallmark movie. Located downtown, this 36-foot Christmas tree constructed entirely from used Beringer wine barrels is the centerpiece of the town’s holiday festivities. It’s the perfect backdrop for holiday photos (don’t forget to bring your pup!). When it comes to Christmas in Napa Valley, it doesn’t get more quintessential than this.
Pro Tip: Take your holiday pictures in front of the wine barrel Christmas tree, throw it on your Christmas party invites, add a Christmas wine pun on there and call it a day!
Located at Hunt and Main St. in downtown St. Helena.
Ehlers Estate Holiday Open House
December 7
Head to Ehlers Estate on December 7th for a holiday open house that’s got all the trimmings. Sip on signature wines, shop for unique holiday gifts from local vendors, and listen to old-fashioned Christmas carols courtesy of the Napa High Choir. It’s a chance to enjoy Ehlers’ estate charm with just a little added holiday sparkle.
Old Mill Holidays at Bale Grist Mill
December 7
Step back in time at the always charming Old Mill Holidays event, hosted by the Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park. If you’re looking for a fun holiday activity to take the kids, this is it. Families can create holiday crafts, decorate Christmas cookies, make wreaths and garlands from fresh rosemary, fir, and toyon berries, and listen to Christmas music while sipping warm cider. This is one of Napa’s most family-friendly holiday activities.
Holiday Cooking Class at Cakebread Cellars
December 13 & 14
If you’re looking for a fun, experience-driven wine gift, Cakebread Cellars has got you covered. On December 13th and 14th, from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm, join their festive cooking class that puts a fresh twist on holiday classics—paired, of course, with an array of Cakebread’s incredible red and white wines. Cakebread is one of St. Helena’s most popular wineries, so this class should be a real treat!
St. Helena Chamber Singers Winter Concert
December 14
For an afternoon that hits all the right notes, the St. Helena Chamber Singers’ Winter Concert on December 14th is a must-attend. Held at the St. Helena Performing Arts Center, this concert offers a perfect blend of classical mastery and festive cheer—from Haydn’s “The Lord Nelson Mass” to the familiar strains of Handel’s “Messiah” and classic holiday carols. Expect to leave with a full heart and a soundtrack of the season in your head.
Holidays Dining in St. Helena
During the entire month of December, PRESS is offering a four-course menu featuring locally inspired favorites like Musquée de Provence pumpkin soup, whole roasted duck, and an indulgent chocolate Bûche de Noël. PRESS is one of the few restaurants in St. Helena with a Michelin star, you be prepared for an exceptional meal.
Celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at Violetto with a traditional Italian Feast of Seven Dishes: Some of Which Are Fishes’. This seven-course tasting menu—paired with beverages—is a beautiful nod to the Italian heritage that adds to the rich, multicultural spirit of Napa Valley. The holiday season is about indulgence, after all.
Pro Tip: When a dinner is listed as “paired with beverages”, this could mean some courses are paired with wines, but there will also be beverages like teas, ciders, sake, or even beers.
The Charter Oak Yurt Experience
If you choose just one St. Helena restaurant to celebrate the holidays, my recommendation is to go for the Yurt Experience at Charter Oak. Every winter the courtyard at this phenomenal restaurant transforms into a cozy Yurt Village with private, heated yurts – and let me tell you, it is truly a unique dining experience.
Not only will you enjoy a seasonal multi-course menu curated by former three-Michelin star chef Christopher Kostow, but a portion of the proceeds dedicated to The Cameron Thompson Legacy Scholarship. For more information on what its like to dine in the Charter Oak Yurts, check out my blog post here.
Gingerbread Cookie Decorating & Brunch at Long Meadow Ranch
December 15
Get into the holiday spirit with Gingerbread Cookie Decorating & Brunch at Long Meadow Ranch’s Farmstead. On December 15, from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm, families can gather in the barn to decorate gingerbread cookies shaped like farm animals—cows, pigs, chickens, and horses—to add to the Farmstead Gingerbread Ranch (don’t worry, you can take some home, too!). The event includes brunch, a photo booth, face painting, and a special appearance by Santa Claus.
Tips
- Traveling to St Helena with your pup during the holidays? Make a stop at Fideaux, a pet boutique with beautiful collars, treats, and toys. They also have a location in Healdsburg right off the Square.
- Vintage Napa Valley Home has some of the most beautiful Christmas ornaments I’ve ever seen! Including some gems designed just for St. Helena and Napa. Buy a keepsake or two to relive those holiday memories every season!