News Worth Mentioning – December 4, 2025
Shop and celebrate locally! Holidays in Yountville events are in full swing and continue through Jan. 1. More than 100 events are planned, including wine tastings, holiday treats, crafting workshops, gift shopping, cooking classes, open houses and opportunities to give back. For a complete schedule of events visit this link.
Yountville Holiday Artisan Faire this weekend
There are plenty of opportunities to shop right here in town at the free Yountville Holiday Artisan Faire this Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Yountville Community Center.
Art, handmade goods, creative gifts are for sale, and on Saturday attendees can “Sip and Shop” from 2:30 to 4 p.m. with Orin Swift and Ballentine providing complimentary tastes.
Holidays with Hope’s Chest this Sunday
Inimitable style will be in abundance at the Hope’s Chest Holiday sale at Hotel Yountville this Sunday, Dec. 7, from 3 to 6 p.m. A selection of vintage and contemporary purses, jewelry and accessories will be available for purchase. Refreshments will also be served. Hotel Yountville, 6462 Washington St., Yountville
Old Mill Holidays at Bale Grist Mill
Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park hosts a festive morning of holiday crafts on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Folk music and carols will fill the air and hot apple cider will simmer on a wood-burning stove. Activities include crafting letters to Santa using quill pens and wax to seal letters and creating wreaths and garlands to adorn homes. Guests can try making pomanders, a sweet-scented, clove-studded citrus; icing and decorating gingerbread men; stringing cranberry and popcorn decorations; weaving wheat ornaments and cutting paper snowflakes.
Admission is $5 per person and free for children ages 2 and under. On-site parking is available, and no advance registration is required. For more information, visit www.napavalleystateparks.org/upcoming-events/. Bale Grist Mill is at 3369 St. Helena Highway, St. Helena.
Calistoga Lighted Tractor Parade
The 30th annual Calistoga Lighted Tractor parade will take place Saturday, Dec. 6, from 7 to 8 p.m. The dazzling holiday tradition brings thousands of spectators from near and far to admire beautifully decorated tractors, trucks, floats and farm equipment, all aglow with festive lights. Experience the joy of the season as local farmers, businesses and community members showcase their creativity in this uniquely Calistogan celebration.
For more information, visit: https://visitcalistoga.com/lighted-tractor-parade/.
IDOL Instrumental competition
E & M Presents introduces IDOL Instrumental, a spin on its previous IDOL competitions. Student ages 12 to 17 residing in Napa County are invited to audition and showcase their talents in a solo format on an instrument of their choice.
Auditions are:
- Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 4 to 6 p.m. (Tonewood & Courage, 1300 First St. #212, Napa).
- Wednesday, Dec. 17, from 4 to 6 p.m.: Tonewood & Courage.
- Monday, Jan. 5, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Brannan Center (1407 Third St., Calistoga).
- Wednesday, Jan. 7, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Lucky Penny (1758 Industrial Way, Napa).
- Thursday, Jan. 8, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Lucky Penny.
Semifinals and finals are at the Napa Valley College Performing Arts Center, 2277 Napa Vallejo Highway, Napa.
- Semifinals are Saturday, Jan. 17, at 2 p.m.
- Finals are Sunday, Jan. 18, at 2 p.m.
There is no cost to apply and participate. Applications are available online in English and in Spanish. Top prizes include tickets to BottleRock 2026, cash, gift cards and opportunities to perform at special events in Napa Valley.
Tickets to attend the semifinals and finals are $25 for adults and $15 for kids ages 12 and under. For more information, or to apply, visit: www.eandmpresents.org/idol/. For questions, email [email protected].
Yountville’s Gather and Watch: six- week viewing of Ken Burns’ ‘The American Revolution’ continues
A free big-screen viewing of Ken Burns’ new documentary series, “The American Revolution,” continues for an additional five sessions at the Yountville Community Center. Each screening is followed by an informal group discussion.
The six-part series explores how America’s founding turned the world upside-down, providing an expansive look at the virtues and contradictions of the Revolutionary War and the birth of the United States of America. More information can be found at https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-american-revolution/about-the-film
Each week attendees gather at 5 p.m. for a two-hour episode beginning at 5:15 p.m. The 45-minute informal discussion will follow. Attendees are encouraged to bring snacks and beverages to share. The remaining viewing dates are Wednesdays: Dec. 10 and 17, followed by Tuesdays, Dec. 23 and 30.
Bardessono to host Latke Throwdown
Bardessono Hotel & Spa’s 5th annual Latke Throwdown is set for Thursday, Dec. 11, from 5 to 7 p.m. Guests can watch top local chefs, including Bardessono’s executive chef, Rick Edge of Lucy Restaurant and Bar, compete in a latke-making contest. Competitors have approximately 30 minutes to create the ultimate latke, which guests can sample. The winner will be awarded the Golden Spatula. This year’s judges panel is composed of past Latke Throwdown winners, alongside local chefs and tastemakers, who will judge competitors in three categories: creativity, presentation and taste.
Tickets to the event are $20 per person, with all proceeds benefiting Parents CAN, a Napa-based nonprofit supporting families of children with special needs. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.
Napa Humane Community Mixer at Priest Ranch
An evening for people to celebrate pets is set for Thursday, Dec. 11 from 4to 6 p.m. at Priest Ranch in Yountville. Toast to the season and celebrate another impactful year for Napa Humane. This humans-only mixer is limited to 60 guests, so reserve your spot early. Priest Ranch Tasting Room, 6490 Washington St., Yountville
Cal Fire Yountville set to host Toy Drive
Cal Fire Yountville is hosting the second annual Toy Drive to benefit Toys for Tots on Thursday, Dec. 18, from 6to 8 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring a new, unwrapped gift.
The event is a partnership between CAL FIRE, the Napa Valley Wine Train, Bring It! Karaoke, Costco, Shake Shack, Bring It! Karaoke and Toys for Tots to provide gifts for local children in need.
The Christmas light and decoration filled evening will include fire engines, a live violin performance by Gia Matchak, karaoke, pizza and hot chocolate. Station 12 is at 7401 Solano Ave., Yountville.
Glow Pickleball Night returns
Calling all pickleballers to get ready to light up the indoor court at the Yountville Community Center on Friday, Dec. 19, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Snacks, drinks, and music will fill the game-filled evening, which is perfect for all skill levels. Neon, glow-in-the-dark apparel and accessories are encouraged. Visit www.yvilleparksandrec.com to register.
2025 Give!Guide campaign
The 13th annual CanDo Give!Guide campaign launched on Nov. 1 and will run through Dec. 31. The community’s end-of-year giving campaign features a record 91 nonprofit organizations, offering donors the broadest range of choices in the program’s history.
Since Napa Valley CanDo founded the Give!Guide in 2013, it has raised more than $7.3 million for 154 Napa County nonprofits, which includes $1.14 million in donations collected in 2024.
Participating nonprofit partners work in key community sectors including health, education, environment, animal care, youth, seniors, arts and social services. Donors can browse participating organizations online and make contributions to one or many nonprofits in a single, secure transaction.
The Give!Guide accepts donations by credit card or check starting at $10. All participating nonprofits are carefully screened and all money raised stays in Napa County.
For more information and to access the guide online, visit www.CanDoGiveGuide.org/. For questions, email [email protected].
Arnold joins Bottega to run wine program
Rich Frank and John Hansen, owners of Bottega Napa Valley, have added new wine director, Stephen Arnold, to the team. Arnold will build upon Bottega’s wine program, which has a long tradition of offering compelling wines from around the world.
Originally from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Arnold most recently served as sommelier at Press in St. Helena, where he worked closely with extensive collections of Napa Valley wines. He has also worked as a wine director and sommelier on the East Coast and in Los Angeles at establishments including Ristorante Massimo in New Hampshire and Wally’s Wine & Spirits in Beverly Hills.
Bottega’s leadership team also includes Executive Chef Alex Espinoza, a Culinary Institute of America alum and Tra Vigne veteran, and General Manager Edgar Antonio, a veteran of Michelin-starred restaurants including The Restaurant at Meadowood. To learn more about Bottega’s new wine menu visit this link.
Honor Market hot dogs featured on LA’s 4KNBC
4KNBC Los Angeles featured Honor Market this Thursday on the program California Live! “California Live’s Jobeth Devera takes us to a humble gas station in Yountville that has transformed into Honor Market, a foodie hotspot famous for its all-beef hot dogs. Served on freshly baked brioche buns with house-made relish and mustard, these dogs have locals and visitors lining up daily. Many are calling it the best hot dog in Napa Valley — and one bite might just convince you too!” Check out the video here.
