Upcoming Vallejo Events — The holidays are here!

VALLEJO — The holiday season begins in full force this weekend, with Winter Wonderland and Festival of Lights celebrations at Children’s Wonderland Park, photos with Santa during the farmers’ market, a tree lighting party on Mare Island, tree sales at Loma Vista Farm, several holiday-themed craft fairs and markets, and of course, the Mad Hatter Holiday Festival and Parade this Saturday.

For more on the annual Mad Hatter festival, check out our preview story from last week. And see the listings below for a full rundown of all the different holiday events this weekend.

There are plenty of non-holiday themed events to attend too.

This weekend, the Vallejo Choral Society will perform “American Luminaries,” a musical exploration of work by preeminent composers and poets of the 20th century, featuring a poignant cantata by Margaret Bonds, an acclaimed American Black female composer who collaborated with Langston Hughes during the Civil Rights movement. 

Two performances are scheduled, Saturday at the Community Congregational Church in Benicia at 7 p.m., and Sunday at the Springbrook Masonic Temple in Vallejo at 3 p.m.

The World AIDS Day commemoration this Friday will begin at 4:30 p.m. with a walk from the waterfront to the Vallejo Museum, where there will be live entertainment, a community memorial, awards and a wine bar. 

Bay Area Comics has two shows in the next week. Comedy Uncensored at the Empress Lounge on Thursday will be headlined by Josef Anolin, and a family friendly comedy show will take place at Bambino’s next Tuesday. Both shows start at 7 p.m.

A new art exhibit titled “Apostrophe” will open at Personal Space Art Gallery on Sunday at 2 p.m. The exhibit features nine artist’s renderings of human vulnerability, identity, and intimacy through a mix of photography, sculpture, painting, and collage. 

Check the list below for event details, live music and other community events.

Wednesday, November 29

California Forever "Town Hall"

California Forever founder and CEO Jan Sramek will give a brief presentation about their plans for a new city in Solano County and answer pre-submitted questions, followed by an opportunity for the public to meet with Jan, Gabriel Metcalf, Jay Primus, and Anye Spivey from California Forever, and Bronson Johnson from NEXT Infrastructure. Email questions in advance to contact@californiaforever.com with the town hall date and location in the subject.

• Wed, 5 to 7 p.m.
• Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
• 734 Marin St.

Willy Jordan Band

Drummer and vocalist Willy Jordon has a varied musical background in blues, zydeco, rhythm and blues, soul, funk, rock, and jazz. He has performed and/or recorded with Elvin Bishop, Frank Morgan, Charlie Musselwhite, Carlos Santana and blues legend John Lee Hooker.

• Wed, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Empress Theatre Lounge
• 324 Virginia St.

Thursday, November 30

Sip and Paint "Winter Wonderland"

Local artist Jena Webber will guide you through, step-by-step, as you paint your very own "Winter Wonderland" themed image on canvas. The class will be held inside The Great Room of the mansion.

• Thurs, 6 to 8:30 p.m.
• Vino Godfather
• 1005 Walnut Ave.

Comedy Uncensored

Headliner this month is Josef Anolin from Oakland who has performed at huge festivals including Clusterfest, Sketchfest, and Outside Lands. With comics Guile Mosher; Luis Perez; Jonny Rios and Ryan Rodriguez

• Thurs, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
• Empress Theatre Lounge
• 324 Virginia St.

Friday, December 1

Loma Vista Farm’s Christmas Tree Sales

Loma Vista Farm’s Christmas trees and poinsettias are cheaper than local stores and the sales help support the farm. And as a bonus, you get to see all the animals while you’re there.

• Fri, noon to 5 p.m.
• Loma Vista Farm
• 150 Rainier Dr.

The Makery: Open Use Hours & Make it Fridays!

Come experience Solano County Library's maker space- The Makery! Equipment includes: 3D printer, vinyl cutter, digital production equipment, and much more! Drop-in and discover what we have, or make an appointment to use specific equipment

• Fri, 2 to 4:45 pm
• John F. Kennedy Library
• 505 Santa Clara St.

AIDS Walk Vallejo

We will walk from the Ferry Building to the Vallejo Museum, where we will have informational tables, free HIV and STI testing, public recognition of community members who have helped the Solano AIDS Coalition fulfill our mission. We will also have public speakers and entertainment.

• Fri, 4 to 4:30 p.m.
• Vallejo Ferry Terminal
• 289 Mare Island Way

20 years of World AIDS Day

Join us after SAC’s first annual AIDs walk to congregate and celebrate 20 years of World AIDS Day here in Vallejo. We will have live entertainment, a community memorial, the AIDs Quilt, wine bar, and awards honoring community heroes. We, of course, will be taking donations of unopened, unwrapped toys and monetary donations for SAC’s annual toy drive.

• Fri, 4:30 to 8 p.m.
• Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
• 734 Marin St

Mare Island Light Night - Holiday Tree Celebration

Join us for a festive evening as we light the tree. Enjoy free hot chocolate and cookies. The Greg Chapkis Dance company will be with us for an inspiring youth dance program. Guests 21 or older who donate a new or gently used coat will receive a seasonal cocktail or mocktail, compliments of The Mare Island Company.

• Fri, 5 to 7 p.m.
• Savage & Cooke
• 1097 Nimitz Ave.

Winter at Wonderland

Join GVRD as we ring in the holiday season at Children's Wonderland Park. Papa Joe and the New Deal will kick off the holiday event hitting the stage at 5pm followed by the tree lighting ceremony beginning promptly at 6:30pm. You don't want to miss out on our food vendors, hot cocoa bar, and a special visit from Santa. Friday, December 1st 5pm at Children's Wonderland For more [...]

• Fri, 5 to 7:30 p.m.
• Children’s Wonderland
• 360 Glenn St.

Live Music with Remi Moulder

Remi Moulder is a Bay Area singer songwriter and guitarist taking influences from pop-rock, jazz, R&B, and indie rock flavors. He and his wife Rachel write and sing together as a power couple music duo. Show free with dinner. Arrive early to get a seat near the stage.

• Fri, 6 to 9 p.m.
• Bambino’s
• 301 Georgia St. #122

Reflection - A Gothique Experience

A special Lady Lurid's Birthday Soiree with DJ Owen Owington Owensford presented by Its Danse Macabre. Classic Goth - Nu Goth - Industrial - Goth Metal - EBM - Synth Pop - CyberPunk - Dark Wave - New Wave - Post Punk - 80s - 90s and more. All ages,no cover. A Lady Lurid Production.

• Fri, 9 p.m. to midnight
• IntegriTea Art + Event Space
• 717 Marin Street

Saturday, December 2

Mesai's Merry Toy Drive

More than ever, our kids in need, need to know how much they are loved and cared for. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to help brighten a child’s spirit this Holiday Season.

• Sat, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Java Jax
• 1700 Sonoma Blvd

Community Coffee Tasting

Sample coffees from around the world! Now carrying holiday-themed coffee cans and organic eggnog. Made-to-order crêpes available from the outdoor grill.

• Sat, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Moschetti Coffee
• 11 Sixth St. (Curtola Pkwy. & Solano Ave.)

Farmers' Market

Shop here for a great selection of California-grown greens, fruits & veggies, ethnic varieties, as well as some nice specialty booths with baked goods and such at  down-to-earth prices.

• Sat, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Downtown Vallejo
• Georgia and Marin

Photos with Santa

Bring your pets, kids and family! Get your photo for $25. and support the Humane Society of the North Bay. Mask please without vaccination for COVID-19 and flu.

• Sat, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Tony’s Cakes
• 418 Georgia St

The Global Holiday Faire

The First Christian Church will be selling items from around the world, plus baked goods, crafts, gift baskets and re-gifted items, to raise money for several non-profit organizations. Jewelry, gifts, art, ornaments, crafts & gift baskets, baked goods, and lunch. Enjoy musicians all day

• Sat, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• First Christian Church
• 1035 Indiana St.

Holiday Market

A holiday craft market featuring local artisans will dovetail with the Mad Hatter event. Artisan market on Marin Street and a Hatter-themed Wonderland marketplace indoors at 418 Georgia St. 

• Sat, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Tony’s Cakes
• 418 Georgia St

Loma Vista Farm’s Christmas Tree Sales

Loma Vista Farm’s Christmas trees and poinsettias are cheaper than local stores and the sales help support the farm. And as a bonus, you’ll get to see all the animals while you’re there.

• Sat, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Loma Vista Farm
• 150 Rainier Dr.

Vallejo Project Unity Garden Water Workshop

Join us in the Vallejo Unity Garden to learn about a variety of irrigation tools including swales and drip irrigation and help the Vallejo Project prepare their garden space for the new year.

• Sat, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Unity Garden
• 2160 Sacramento St.

Mad Hatter Holiday Festival and Parade

The Queen’s Court kicks off festivities at the intersection of Georgia and Sacramento Streets at noon, with a Tea Party, contests and a crowning ceremony. The larger festival will begin at Unity Plaza at 2 p.m. The Parade starts at 4:30 p.m. (Georgia St. and Sonoma Blvd.) Tree Lighting Ceremony starts at 6 p.m. behind the JFK Library, the Lighted Boat Parade starts at 6:30 p.m.

• Sat, noon to 6:30 p.m.
• Unity Plaza
• Santa Clara and Georgia Streets

Festival of Lights

Bring the kiddos or friends down to Children's Wonderland to enjoy the free holiday festivities, music, and hot cocoa! Friday through Sunday, December 2 to 30 except Christmas Eve and Christmas.

• Sat, 4 to 7 p.m.
• Children’s Wonderland
• 360 Glenn St.

Vallejo Veterans Memorial Crab Feed

All you can eat crab, pasta, salad and garlic bread. No host full service bar, raffle. All tickets must be purchased in the Veterans Building or by phone at 707-644-3097.

• Sat, 6 to 9 p.m.
• Vallejo Veterans Memorial Building
• 420 Admiral Callaghan Lane, Vallejo, CA 94591

Live Music with Ron McGee

Enjoy dinner, drinks and dancing to the contemporary jazz of Ron McGee. Show free with dinner. Arrive early to get a seat near the stage.

• Sat, 6 to 9 p.m.
• Bambino’s
• 301 Georgia St. #122

Lighted Boat Parade

Lighted Boats cruise from the Vallejo Yacht Club past the Waterfront Promenade. Participants include Vallejo Yacht Club, Cal Maritime Cadets, and U.S. Coast Guard.

• Sat, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Barbara Kondylis Waterfront Park
• 301 Mare Island Way

Live Music Saturday with Hattie Craven

Hattie Craven is a multidimensional artist whose fan base transcends age and genre. She actively pushes the envelope in soul/folk/Americana music.

• Sat, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Mare Island Brewing Co. Taproom
• 289 Mare Island Way

Mad Hatter After Party – Andy Santana and West Coast Playboys

Continue partying after the Mad Hatter Parade at the Empress Lounge. Andy Santana is a smooth, dynamic vocalist and harmonica player with a sophisticated urban style. He is also an accomplished songwriter/guitarist with an unusual gift for lyrics and is proficient at creating powerful melodies.

• Sat, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Empress Theatre Lounge
• 324 Virginia St.

American Luminaries

Vallejo Choral Society presents a musical exploration of work by preeminent composers and poets of the twentieth century: Randall Thompson's “Frostiana: Seven Country Songs,” featuring poetry by Robert Frost, and Margaret Bonds' “The Ballad of the Brown King,” written in honor of the African king, Balthazar, with text by Langston Hughes.

• Sat, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
• Community Congregational Church UCC
• 1305 West 2nd St.

Serve it to 'Em Saturdays

Ava LaShay hosts Serve it to 'Em Saturdays drag show,  1st & 3rd Saturdays, with Queera Nightly and Avery Night.  

• Sat, 10:30 to 1:00 am
• Townhouse Cocktail Lounge
• 401A Georgia St.

Sunday, December 3

Loma Vista Farm’s Christmas Tree Sales

Loma Vista Farm’s Christmas trees and poinsettias are cheaper than local stores and the sales help support the farm. And as a bonus, you’ll get to see all the animals while you’re there.

• Sun, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Loma Vista Farm
• 150 Rainier Dr.

2023 Holiday Open House

Enjoy s'mores, brews, music, and holiday food specials around our outdoor fire pits, snap some photos with Santa, and pick-up some great gifts for yourself or your favorite craft beer lover. Unique holiday items & limited-edition brews. Free gift bags ‍Fun Stuff (1-4pm) Kids Craft Table - Let the kiddos loose [...]

• Sun, 1 to 6 p.m.
• Coal Shed Brewery Community Space
• Nimitz Ave & Connolly Streets

"Apostrophe" art exhibit opening reception

Drawing inspiration from the title’s connotations of fragmenting and condensing language, as well as its suggestion of possession, the nine artists presented here collect traces of memory. Their poetic, and often mysterious, tendencies capture fragments to suggest a whole, rendering and recording aspects of human vulnerability, identity, and intimacy through a mix of photography, sculpture, painting, and collage.

• Sun, 2 to 5 p.m.
• Personal Space Art Gallery
• 1505 Tennessee St.

American Luminaries

Vallejo Choral Society presents a musical exploration of work by preeminent composers and poets of the twentieth century: Randall Thompson's “Frostiana: Seven Country Songs,” featuring poetry by Robert Frost, and Margaret Bonds' “The Ballad of the Brown King,” written in honor of the African king, Balthazar, with text by Langston Hughes.

• Sun, 3 to 4:30 p.m.
• Springbrook Masonic Temple
• 101 Temple Way

Festival of Lights

Bring the kiddos or friends down to Children's Wonderland to enjoy the free holiday festivities, music, and hot cocoa! Friday through Sunday, December 2 to 30 except Christmas Eve and Christmas.

• Sun, 4 to 7 p.m.
• Children’s Wonderland
• 360 Glenn St.

Monday, December 4

Townhouse Ramblers

Acoustic Evening of Americana, Folk and Blues featuring Don Bassey, Pato Milo, Jeff Campitelli, Rich Adams, Mark Reed, Eric Wood, Erin Bakke, plus some very special guests. The Ramblers are switching their gig schedule from weekly to every other Monday night.

• Mon, 7 to 10 p.m.
• Townhouse Cocktail Lounge
• 401A Georgia St.

Tuesday, December 5

Family Friendly Comedy

Bay Area Comics - Family Friendly comedy and Italian inspired cuisine - No cover with dinner.

• Tues, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
• Bambino’s
• 301 Georgia St. #122