November 19th, 2024

Merry McMinnville

The view of a retail shop from the outside. Many people are inside, sitting at tables with bottles of wine and full glasses. There are many retail display cases behind them. The shop is warmly lit. Outside there are more tables on a patio, with Christmas trees and garland along an iron fence.
Shop and sip at NW Food & Gifts.

You know that feeling you get when you turn on your favorite holiday movie for the first time of the season? That magic buzz you feel when you plug in the tree lights and everything twinkles to life. That sensation you get while wrapped in a blanket as you sip on a warm beverage next to a roaring fire.  This is what it feels like to participate in “Merry McMinnville”  a city-wide holiday experience for the entire family.

Merry events you won’t want to miss:

Santa an two elves wave from the top of a fire truck.
An annual tradition: Santa always visits McMinnville on a fire truck.

Santa’s Parade and Tree Lighting on 11/29 at 5PM is a beloved community event. Volunteer with your family (you get to watch the parade while supporting the event!) or make a reservation at one of the tasting rooms or restaurants on 3rd street for some of the best views. This also kicks off the first Santa sighting of the year. There will be 10+ opportunities to connect with Old St. Nick in McMinnville this season. Check out MerryMcMinnville.com for a list of Santa’s Seasonal Haunts. 

A large warehouse is well lit and painted white. Strings of different colored green balloons are strung through the rafters. Below, there are many tables set up with vendor's wares. Many people are gathered, shopping.
Support local and regional artists and makers at the McMinnville Holiday Market. Photo courtesy of McMinnville Holiday Market.

Tenth Annual McMinnville Holiday Market

Pop down to the Bindery for two full weekends of beautifully curated shopping from 10AM-6PM (11/29- 12/1, and 12/20-12/22)  Over 50 vendors under one roof with items ranging from locally grown hazelnuts, gorgeous artwork, gourmet pet treats, cbd infused olive oil, holiday wreaths, pottery, handmade jewelry and so much more. Did we mention you get to shop all the vendors and check out once at the end? Gift shopping made EASY. 

Glide & Gather Winter Market: Every Weekend 11/29-12/22

Nothing will make you feel more like you are in an episode of Gilmore Girls than an outdoor skating rink and winter market. Seriously, $10 for skate rental/ admission and you can be gliding around under the twinkling lights with family and friends. Want to make some core memories this season? The Glide and Gather winter market is your place to do just that. Visit mcminnville.org for more details.

A window display includes cute outfits, evergreen trees of several different sizes, a wall painted to look like the northern lights, And display shelves in the background.
The window displays in downtown McMinnville during the holidays are not to be missed. Accessory Appeal always wows passersby.

Shop Small Saturday: All Day 11/30

If you do one thing for the community this holiday season, it should be shopping at a small business. Small businesses support school fundraisers, and local non-profits. They employ locals, and show up everyday because they want YOU to have access to the items, services that matter to them.  Let’s be real, as a small business owner, I hope you are shopping small most days of the year. But Shop Small Saturday is a great day to show up and make sure that the local shops you love stay a viable and vibrant part of your community for the months and years to come. 

I can say that the dollars I bring in at Mes Amies on SSS not only go to paying my employees, but also make it so I can support local restaurants during the slower season, shop at neighboring boutiques in January when tourism is down, buy produce from local farmers, and donate to various non-profits in the area. You aren’t just supporting a small business, you are supporting the people behind the small business. 

A retail window display of holiday quilts are hung and displayed along with paper Christmas trees and cotton snow.
Boersma’s always draws people in, as the gateway to 3rd Street. Their quilt displays are always vibrant and festive, no matter the time of year.

And in McMinnville we are so lucky that we have such a diverse group of small businesses, and it’s almost guaranteed that you can find something for everyone on your list right here in town. Beer Lover? We’ve got you. Avid reader? Check. Plant and Garden enthusiast? Yup. Antique Lover? So many options. Fashionista? Heck yes. Foodie? You know it. Kids? Of course. Mothers-in-Law? Yes and Yes. Quirky stocking stuffers? Absolutely. Record aficionado? Naturally.  You get the point. Support small businesses and the people behind them, because they are the best of us, and the best of our communities. 

This is just a handful of activities to keep in mind this season. Check out merrymcminnville.com for a full list of events, promotions, shopping incentives and more.  Can’t wait to see you in downtown and beyond in the coming weeks. Merry McMinnville and Happy Everything to you and nearest and dearest.

Tayler Brisbin (she/her) is a local wordsmith and the owner of Mes Amies, a boutique full of ladies fineries in downtown McMinnville. When she isn’t at the shop you might find her with husband Doug, and pup Matilda exploring all the Willamette Valley has to offer.