By Vicki Hillhouse
What do you get when a homespun holiday kickoff in a picturesque town pairs with a celebration of world-class wine and food? A packed weekend with something for everyone.
Wend your way through new vintages and savor a slew of family-friendly activities anchored in a dazzling downtown Walla Walla for Holiday Barrel Weekend, Dec. 5-7.
The weekend’s events include an annual auction and wine reception, barrel tasting and festive downtown merchants, wine tasting and local vendor gifts in Westside tasting rooms, and Saturday night’s community tree lighting and more than 100-entry strong holiday parade.
It’s a weekend not to be missed,” notes the Walla Walla Valley Wine team. “Whether you’re a local or visiting, we have a robust schedule of events for all ages.”
Friday night brings the Barrel Full of Money community event. Its festive atmosphere will enhance the auction and wine reception, creating opportunities for guests to connect, enjoy music, and make lasting memories, all while giving back to the community through a broad range of contribution levels.
On Saturday, Westside wineries pair with local vendors selling holiday wares. And in downtown, the Farmers Market takes place in the Showroom on Colville, where local vendors specialize in food and artisan goods.
In the heart of downtown at Walawàla Plaza, First Avenue and Main Street, the tree lighting ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. The plaza is a great spot to catch the annual Holiday Parade of Lights that the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation organizes. The parade features a wide variety of lighted entries and travels east on Alder to Spokane Street and then heads to Main Street where it ends at Sixth Avenue.
In the meantime, here’s what to expect for this year’s schedule:
Additional community events be found on Visit Walla Walla’s Event Calendar:
Friday, Dec. 5:
- Barrel Full of Money auction and community event to support Blue Mountain Action Council Food Bank at The Motor Co., 64 E. Rose St., 6-9 p.m. Enjoy wines from Walla Walla Valley wineries and delicious menu items crafted by TMACS. Tickets are available here.
- The Gesa Power House Theater, 111 N. 6th Ave., welcomes Rock the Holidays at 7 p.m. This lively concert features Concert Rock Violinist Aaron Meyer, along with his virtuosic rock band, bringing familiar holiday songs as well as classical pieces to audiences. Tickets are available at phtww.org.
Saturday, Dec. 6:
- The Downtown Farmers Market offers local food, produce and artisan vendors, 70 N. Colville St., 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Tree-lighting ceremony, Walawàla Plaza, First Avenue and Main Street, 5 p.m.
- Holiday Parade of Lights, which draws 6,000 spectators and more than 100 participants, illuminaties the streets of downtown Walla Walla starting at 6 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 7:
- The Gesa Power House Theater brings two holiday focused performances. A performance of Little Watts: Holiday Reading, bringing the classic poem “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” to life in a lively reading perfect for all ages, at 1 p.m. Tickets are $8-$12 and are available at phtww.org.
- The evening brings a Celtic Christmas back to the Valley, featuring much loved Celtic and Christmas classics, including songs by Enya, music from Riverdance, some unique Irish Christmas songs, magical movie songs, toe tapping jigs and reels, and their chart topping version of O Holy Night! The performance is at 7 p.m.
