Find Yourself in Downtown McMinnville
Holiday shopping in McMinnville is a joy with Third Street’s charm fully aglow and local stores, markets and eateries fully embracing the spirit of the season.
Downtown McMinnville has a bit of everything, from arts and crafts to records. Treat the bookish people in your life to something from local favorite Third Street Books an indie bookstore paradise. Music enthusiasts can easily get lost in The Vortex, the county’s only truly independent music store. A great selection of flowers and plants can be found at Incahoots while La Bella Casa, stationed in the historic Wright Building, offers an abundance of beautiful gifts for hearth and home.
Drop by a local art gallery like Zach Hixson Studio or the Marilyn Affolter Gallery for an original painting to spruce up your walls or grab a gift certificate from one of the many spas in town. Check out Found Objects for outstanding home decor or Peirano & Daughters for gourmet food items. With so many options, the shopping in McMinnville is easy. It’s settling on a single gift that may prove impossible.
Holiday Shopping Events
The Yamhill Valley Heritage Museum plays host to the Handmade Holiday Bazaar the first weekend of December. More than fifty vendors assemble under a single roof, offering trinkets ranging from pottery and soaps to jewelry and wood carvings. A smaller-scale seasonal market will take place at Elizabeth Chambers Cellar the following weekend. The downtown McMinnville winery is a delightful spot to spend a chilly afternoon, with a thawing glass of Pinot Noir in hand.
The Holiday Stroll commences Saturday, December 15th. Downtown McMinnville brings together carolers, carriage rides hot cocoa and snacks for a day devoted to the cheerful holiday spirit. For those who tend to leave it until the last minute, 3rd Friday on 3rd Street has you covered. On December 21st, music, art, nibbles and wine mix it up along McMinnville’s famous main drag. It’s a great chance to discover a new favorite local craftsperson or grab a bottle for the Willamette Valley wine lover in the family.
The McMinnville Holiday Market runs from December 21-23rd, with about 30 local vendors descending on The Bindery event space downtown. This year’s lineup includes Type A Press, One Fork Farm, Mitch Horning, Durant Olive Mill and Flaneur Wines, just to name a few
Visit the Surrounding Areas
McMinnville’s many reasons to visit in December extend beyond our historic downtown stretch. The Wildcats of nearby Linfield College will be in the midst of hoops season, welcoming opponents to the 1,924-seat Wilson Gymnasium. This year’s squad is especially entertaining, boasting a deep roster and high-flying offense. Check out the schedule here.
Late fall and early winter are great times to visit the many surrounding vineyards and tasting rooms. Producers like Soter Vineyards, Vista Hills Vineyard, Lange Estate Winery & Vineyards and Adelsheim are especially inviting, with crackling fireplaces to combat the cold. Others, like Red Ridge Farms in the nearby Dundee Hills, sell specialty food and nursery items that make for one-of-a-kind holiday gifts.
Shopping in and around McMinnville is a joyous ritual suitable for all tastes. Come see for yourself!
