This year for Christmas in the Redwoods, Santa and Bigfoot will be hosted in the charming town of Occidental, just five minutes down the road from Alliance Redwoods. We are partnering with the Historic Union Hotel, the Occidental Community Council, and many other business partners to go all out decorating the town, and we’d like to bring the participating businesses and what they’re offering to your attention as an additional festive option for you and your family!

Occidental Community Council

The Occidental Community Council is an all-volunteer, non-profit corporation with federal and state tax-exempt status. Their purpose is to meet the unmet needs of people living in and around Occidental, California. They have been excellent partners in organizing this year’s collaboration between Christmas in the Redwoods and Occidental’s Holiday Lights Celebration!

Please check out the Occidental Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday and Sunday December 14th and 15th at the Occidental Community Center from 10am to 5pm (Sat) and 4pm (Sun). The Occidental Community Choir will be having their holiday concerts at the Occidental Center for the Arts on December 6th, 7th, 8th, and 14th, and tickets can be purchased at https://www.occidentalchoir.org/.

Union Hotel (Historic Restaurant, Italian Dining)

The Union Hotel has been a community staple since the 1800s. The Gonnella family have operated this spot for its entire existence, and for the last ten years owner Barbara Gonnella has been a huge partner to Alliance Redwoods and Sonoma Zipline Adventures. Partnering with her for Christmas in the Redwoods was no question! Stop into this spot for rich history, Barbara’s incredible hospitality, and . . . Santa!

Stop by the Union Hotel for Santa Claus and cookies! The Hotel will be serving complimentary hot cocoa and cookies on the 8th thru the 18^th hoping to inspire a European Christmas market vibe in Occidental. They will have the likes of wreaths, swags, gingerbread cookies, minestrone soup, sourdough bread…and more for sale! Gien will slip in the Bocce Ballroom to play piano as time allows throughout the season.

The Inn at Occidental (Lodging and Wine Bar)

They are offering a “Christmas in the Redwoods Getaway Package” with a 15% discount on room stays throughout the Christmas in the Redwoods event (Dec 8th -18th), for participants travelling from afar for the festivities.Guests can book online using the promo code: CHRISTMASINTHEREDWOODS.

The Inn at Occidental’s Wine Bar will remain open to the public Dec 8th -18th from 4pm to 8:30pm. Stop by for a photo opportunity with some Christmas Elves (and maybe even the elusive Bigfoot!)

Their special Holiday Wine Bar Menu on these nights will include mulled wine and hot chocolate to warm guests on chilly Christmas nights. As a gift to the town, they will donate 20% of the proceeds from the sale of these special holiday menu items to the Occidental Town Council Christmas Lighting Fund to help build this tradition into the future!

On these event nights owners Matt and Vicky also plan to serve a warm comfort food options in the wine bar, along with Christmas tunes on the piano They have other live music every Wednesday night in the Wine Bar from 5:30 – 7pm, so make sure to stop by!

Hazel Restaurant

Jim & Michele Wimborough have been cooking in kitchens in the Bay Area (Zut! on Fourth, Grand Café, and Boulevard to name a few) for the past 15 years. They are committed to using local, seasonal and sustainable produce, meats, and fish to create memorable food & baked goods. Hazel will have cookie decorating kits, holiday sugar cookies, homemade christmas candy, and jams. They are offering free corkage to ticket holders on Wednesday & Thursday. Stop by their patio for extra Christmas cheer! Reservations available at their website (linked above).

Altamont General Store (Coffee Bar, Restaurant, Wine Shop, Retail Market Space)

A place to eat, drink, and shop! Stop by for a Sonoma County snowfall, the Occidental Christmas tree, and much more! Enjoy farm-to-table excellence, handmade goods and gifts, and warm handcrafted beverages in a historical Occidental landmark. Owners Jenay and Andzia Hoftin care deeply about the community of Occidental, and have been some of the key figures in Occidental holiday celebrations over the years.

They will be setting up their Photo Backdrop and will have Bigfoot available for photo ops on Friday, the 13th through Sunday, the 15th.

Cypress Bazaar and Gallery (Handmade Goods and Apothecary)

Make sure to visit Cypress Bazaar for a one-of-a-kind shopping adventure in West County. Cypress offers an extensive array of gifts that are locally made, U.S.-made, and crafted by small businesses, ensuring there’s something for everyone on your list. In addition, you’ll find a diverse selection of high-quality new, secondhand, and vintage clothing. Cypress rejuvenates the holiday shopping experience! They will be open each night until 8:30, spreading good cheer along with homemade chai spiced apple cider and rice crispy treats. Cozy up by the fireplace and enjoy some great music while you shop.

Galleria Occidental (Eclectic Gift Shop)

The Galleria will be open! Anyone in town for Christmas in the Redwoods will receive 10% off products in the store, and proprietor Gina will have the shop decked out for Christmas as well as offer candied walnuts to patrons!

Western Hills Garden (Botanical Refuge)

Western Hills Garden will be providing wreath-making services and other crafts along with Open Door Insurance Services in front of the old Barley and Hops building from Thursday the 12th to Sunday the 15th. Stop by for fresh evergreen fronds and all your other wreath needs and make some holiday cheer of your own with owners Hadley and Kent!

Open Door Insurance Services

In partnership with the Occidental Community Council and Western Hills Gardens, Open Door Insurance will be hosting the crafts tent in front of Barley and Hops for a gift-wrapping station and wreath-making!