Hosting Your Family This Holiday?

Third Street in December. Yes, it looks like a movie set. No, we never get tired of it.

.There is a specific kind of magic that settles over McMinnville in December. It’s not just the fog rolling off the Van Duzer Corridor or the lights twinkling in the sycamores on Third Street—it’s the feeling of our community coming alive.

When the harvest trucks park and the vines go dormant, the real fun begins. This is the season where neighbors catch up over hot cocoa at the parade, where we high-five Santa as he rides by on a vintage fire truck, and where "Liquid Sunshine" is just an excuse to cozy up in our favorite tasting rooms. Whether you’ve lived here for fifty years or fifty days, this is our time to celebrate.

Here is your 2025 insider’s guide to soaking up every ounce of holiday joy in Mac.

SHOP LOCAL: The “Shop Small” Strategy (Win Free Stuff While You Shop!)

We all say we’re going to be "financially responsible" this year, and then the MDA brings back the Scratch & Win tickets.

• How it works: Spend $25 at participating shops (like Hopscotch, Mes Amies, or Third Street Books), get a scratch-off ticket.

• The Reality: You will buy socks you don't need just to get a ticket. It’s fine. We all do it.

• Mark Your Calendar: Thursday, Dec 11 is "Locals Night." Stores stay open late, there’s usually free wine or cider splashing around, and the scratch-off frenzy peaks. It’s the best night to run into neighbors you haven't seen since summer

• Scratch & Win: The McMinnville Downtown Association brings back its scratch-off tickets. Spend $25+ at participating shops like Hopscotch, Mes Amies, or Third Street Books, and you could win prizes. Basically, a holiday lottery that supports local businesses.

• Locals Night (Dec 11): Stores stay open late (usually until 7 PM), scratch-off tickets are in full swing, and you might even get a free splash of wine while browsing. Bonus: it’s the perfect night to bump into neighbors you haven’t seen since summer.

Support your neighbors and maybe win a prize. The Scratch & Win tickets are back at downtown counters.

THE SANTA PARADE | November 28th

The whole town shows up for this. If you try to park on Third Street at 4:00 PM, you will be sad.

• The Pro Move: Park in the garage at 5th and Evans. It’s free, it’s covered, and nobody ever uses the top floor.

• The Coffee Play: The line at Union Block will be out the door. Hit up Flag & Wire in the Granary District first, then walk over to Third.

• The Spot: Stand near the library end of the street. Why? Because that’s where the tree lighting happens. You get to see the parade, and you’re already in position for the finale. Efficiency.

The vintage fire truck. It's loud, it's bright, and it means Santa is here.

Wearing Out the Kids (Winter Edition)

It’s dark at 4:30 PM. You need to burn off their energy somewhere that isn't your living room

• The New Routine: The ice rink (Glide & Gather) is at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum this year.

  • The win: It’s covered. Rain doesn't matter.

  • The math: $20 gets you skating and the Goose Lights walk-through. Do this on a Tuesday night when the weekend crowds are gone.

• The Helicopter Santa: Forget the sleigh. On Dec 13 (12 PM), Santa lands in a helicopter at the museum. If you want to look like a hero to your nephew, take him to this.

• Breakfast with the GRINCH: If your kids think Santa is "cringe," take them to Chehalem Valley Brewing on Dec 14 (9:30 AM). It’s burgers, beers (for you), and the Grinch. Perfect.

Skating under the wings of history. The new rink location at Evergreen is a game-changer.

SUPPORTING OUR OWN (THE ARTS)

We go to these not just because they’re good, but because our friends are in them.

• MHS "Mamma Mia!": The high school drama department punches way above its weight. Catch the show Dec 5-6 or 11-13. Tickets are cheap, and the energy is infectious.

• Gallery Theater: They’re doing The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Nov 21 - Dec 14). It’s a classic for a reason.  

• Linfield Concerts: Keep an eye out for the student concerts. They are usually free and held in the nice, warm Ice Auditorium.

EAT LIKE A LOCAL: The Restaurants Hit List

You have guests? You need to feed them. Here is the definitive breakdown of where to go based on who you are trying to impress.

The "Serious Foodie" Tier (Impress the In-Laws)

• Okta: The Resurrection. After closing briefly, they reopened in May 2025 under the Tributary group. It is high-end, tasting-menu dining. If your guests watch Chef's Table, take them here.

• Thistle: The Cool Kid. Tiny, intimate, and hyper-local. They don’t just say "farm-to-table"—they basically name the chicken. Their cocktails are the best in town. Go here for a date night away from the family chaos.

• Bistro Maison: The French Classic. This is the holiday heavy hitter. It smells like garlic, butter, and joy. Their Christmas Eve Grand Dinner is a tradition, featuring hazelnut-fed pork and oysters. It feels festive in a way nowhere else does.

Bistro Maison’s dining room: The closest you can get to Paris without leaving Yamhill County.

The "We Need Flavor" Tier (Something Different)

• Pura Vida Cocina: The Flavor Bomb. When you are tired of turkey and stuffing, go here. The Latin American menu is vibrant, spicy, and fresh. The "Mojito Monday" specials are a local survival tool.

• La Rambla: The Social Spot. Spanish tapas in a gorgeous historic building. This is perfect for groups because you can order five paellas and twenty tapas plates and share everything. The Gin & Tonic menu is legendary.

• Pizza Capo: Not Your Average Pizza. Wood-fired, blistered crusts, and incredible salads. It’s casual enough for kids but good enough that you feel like you went out to a "real" dinner.

The "Crowd Pleaser" Tier (Low Stress, High Reward)

• Golden Valley Brewery: The Reliable One. They raise their own Angus beef, so the burgers are legit. It’s loud, big, and has beer. Ideal for when you have a group of 12 and half of them are picky eaters.

• 1882 Grille: The View. Go to the third floor. Even in winter, the view from the covered deck is great. Burgers, steaks, and a massive tap list. It’s the easiest "yes" for a mixed group.

• Grounded Table: The Farm Flex. Formerly Humble Spirit. It’s the restaurant arm of a regenerative farm. It’s casual (order at the counter for lunch, table service for dinner), but the food quality is incredibly high. Great for brunch.

WHERE TO FIND THE REAL CHRISTMAS TREES

Friends don't let friends buy trees from a parking lot. We go to the source.

• Fox Ridge Tree Farm: Up on Hill Road. It’s muddy. Your car will get dirty. That’s the point. Grab a saw, cut a Noble Fir, and drink the free cider.

• Sleepy Hollow: Also great, just check their hours before you drive out there.

GIVE BACK THIS HOLIDAYS!

Mac shows up for each other. Here’s where to drop your extra cash or cans:

• Fire District Toy Drive: Drop new, unwrapped toys at Station 1 or Hopscotch Toys by Dec 12. Let’s make sure every kid in Yamhill County gets something cool.

• YCAP Food Bank: The wineries are doing "The Giving Season." Bring food donations to places like Willamette Valley Vineyards, and they might comp your tasting. Drink wine, feed people. Simple.

Enjoy The Magic Of Holidays in McMinnville!