This November and December Celebrate the Magic of the Holidays in Old Town Cottonwood!

This November and December Celebrate the Magic of the Holidays in Old Town Cottonwood!

-by Annabel Sclippa

**Old Town Cottonwood is your ultimate Holiday Dream Destination this November and December!**

Get ready for twinkling lights, jolly music, and festive fun that will warm your heart and brighten your season. “Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, joy and cheer are in the air!”

November Festivities: Wine, Art, and Jolly Times!

Kick off the holiday season with a splash of style and sparkle at the 19th Annual “Walkin’ on Main” on November 8th, 2025; 11am-5pm!
https://cottonwoodaz.gov/
https://www.azwom.com/

“Oh, what fun it is to sip and shop, in Old Town Cottonwood!”

Join us as we celebrate the Heart of Arizona Wine Country with a delightful day filled with **local wines**, colorful **art exhibits**, a thrilling **car show**, and lively **music**! Our Main Street is closed to make room for all of the wine and art tents. Wander through these, plus our charming tasting rooms and galleries, enjoy festive treats, and experience the warmth of our community.

**Highlights include:**

**Wine Tasting** sponsored by the Verde Valley Wine Consortium—sample the newly released plus special library wines! *Buy tickets NOW
https://www.strideevents.com/walkin-on-main/event-information
**Car Show** presented by Red Rock Collision—come meet the owners and snap photos of these classic beauties against a scenic historic old town backdrop!
**Live Music** from 11am to 5pm, with joyful tunes from local bands Local Honey and the Well Dressed Wolves plus more! 2025 Lineup: 11am-1pm — TBD, 1:30pm-3pm — Local Honey, 3:30pm-5pm — Well Dressed Wolves.
**Art Exhibits and Artists On-Site** – including yours truly in The Eureka Tasting Room, showing my original art, prints and merch.
https://theeurekaroomaz.com/

*“Raise your glass, sing along, share laughter, love, and holiday song!”*

“The Verde Valley Wine Consortium assists in creating, nurturing and advancing the Verde Valley as a significant and important wine region. Member wineries pouring at this years Walkin’ on Main are local to the Verde Valley. They will be sharing with you some newly released wines along with some of their very special library wines. This is your opportunity to taste them all in the one location!” — Paula Woolsey, VVWC President and Wine Educator https://verdevalleywine.org/

The City of Cottonwood celebrates the Heart of Arizona Wine Country with the 19th Annual “Walkin’ on Main” on November 8th, 2025. Showcasing local wines, art exhibits, retail vendors, a car show and live music. And don’t forget—adventure waits at every corner with local shops, galleries, and restaurants. It’s free, fun for the whole family, and a perfect way to embrace the spirit of the season, and start your exceptional Holiday Shopping.

For updates, car/vendor apps, and more, visit the City of Cottonwood’s WOM website: https://www.azwom.com/

December Delights: Christmas Parade, Chocolate, and Cheer!

**December kicks off with a flurry of festivities!**

Begin your holiday adventure on **Friday, December 5** 4pm-7pm, with the **VIP Wine & Chocolate Experience**—an indulgent evening of exquisite wines and decadent chocolates. *“Tis the season to sip and savor!”* ONLY 100 Tickets available. Buy here now: https://www.oldtown.org/vipevent.html

Then, on **Saturday, December 6**, experience the heartwarming **70th Annual Cottonwood Christmas Parade**! Starting at 11am, watch floats, horses, dancers, and Santa himself bring holiday magic to Main Street. Wrap up your day with **shopping, dining, and holiday cheer** in our charming Old Town. Starting from the parking lot at the Verde Valley Fairgrounds, the Parade will travel east on Cherry Street, turn left on Main Street and continue down Main Street into Old Town Cottonwood, ending at N Cactus Street. Pull up your lounge chair along the route and enjoy the show!
https://www.verdevalleyevents.com/event/cottonwoods-66th-annual-christmas-parade/

But the fun doesn’t stop there! Continuing on Saturday, December 6, 2025: 3pm-7pm, Join us for the **32nd Annual Old Town Chocolate Walk**—a sweet stroll through decorated streets filled with handcrafted chocolates, local eateries, and Mingus Union High School Choir’s joyful carollers singing “Jingle Bells.” The streets will sparkle, and Santa might be strolling by! ONLY 400 tickets available!
https://www.oldtown.org/chocolate.html

Last year, the Chocolate Walk featured deee-lightful home-made entries from talented local chefs. The winners of the 2024 chocolatier competition were:

    • 1st Place: Merkin Vineyards – Chef Brian: Hand-painted Tiramisu Bon Bon
    • 2nd Place: Four 8 Fried Chicken – Chef Smith: Shortbread Butter Toffee Milk Chocolate topped with a hint of Himalayan Salt
    • 3rd Place: Bocce – Chef Geno: Mint Chocolate Cheesecake topped with Dried Cranberries & Pistachios

Congratulations are also in order for J&J Antiques, voted the People’s Choice Best Decorated Storefront, for its dazzling holiday display, which added even more extra cheer to Old Town.

*“Oh, Christmas Tree, oh, Christmas Tree, your lights are glowing just for me!”*

Be sure to catch the **Old Town Light Show** at dusk, with merry music and sparkling displays—perfect for creating magical holiday memories.

**Pro tip:** Make it a cozy overnight trip! Stay in one of Old Town’s historic houses—snuggle up, sip hot cocoa, and dream of sugarplums.
https://www.oldtown.org/lodging.html

Join the Holiday Joy!

Old Town Cottonwood truly shines during the season with **Mom & Pop shops**, twinkling lights, joyful music, and community spirit. Whether you’re here for the wine, chocolates, parades, or just to soak in the holiday atmosphere, we can’t wait to welcome you! And not a Chain Store around will you find. Know that you are surely Supporting Local, when you buy your gifts here, for everyone on your lists, everywhere. See some of our shops on the Cottonwood Old Town Association website:
https://www.oldtown.org/shopping.html

Let the season of cheer begin—**Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, happy holidays to you all!**

Happy Holidays from your festive friends in Old Town Cottonwood!

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