The weather outside is frightful, but the wine is so delightful!
The holiday season is in full swing, and what better way to celebrate than by joining one of Southern California’s most festive wine walks or pub crawls? Whether you’re exploring holiday lights, sipping seasonal wines, or donning your ugliest sweater, these sip-and-stroll events bring people together for a good time and a great cause.
From charming local neighborhoods to festive party atmospheres, here are 10 events that offer a unique way to spread cheer this December.
Temecula Wine & True Crime Tour: Nothing pairs as well as with wine as a good old-fashioned scandal and superstition. This two-hour tour offers local wines to sip at popular wine bars while including the histories of Temecula’s serial killers, notorious murders, and wine country’s dark side. Admission includes wine tastings at three locations and a Haunt sticker.
Where: Old Town Temecula, 28601 Old Town Front St., Temecula.
When: 4 & 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 1-29.
Admission: $95 for a sober tour and $105 for a tasting tour via thehauntghosttours.com.
Admission: $20.
Malibu Wine Hike: If you’re looking for something more scenic to pair with your wine, check out the Vineyard Hike in Malibu. The hike is about 2.5 miles and loops around the property through the grapevines, providing plenty of photo-ops in nature and with some of its animal inhabitants. Hikers will also get a taste of history with a focus on Chumash Native American cave paintings along with wine tasting mid-way through the tour.
Where: 32111 Mulholland Hwy., Malibu.
When: Select dates and times from Dec. 1-29.
Admission: $49 at malibuwinehikes.com.
Covina Charity Wine Walk: The biannual wine walk, which supports local charity organizations such as the Second Start Literacy Program, Covina Lions Club and the Yellow Ribbon Committee, is back for its winter edition. Guests can taste wine, pick up free samples, and check out the shops in Downtown Covina.
Where: Downtown Covina, 124 E. College St., Covina.
When: 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14.
Sip & Stroll at SoFi Stadium: Who said you can’t enjoy football with a glass of wine? Guests at this wine walk will explore SoFi Stadium in a behind-the-scenes tour with stops at premium spaces including The Hilt Wine Bar and more. JONTA, The Hilt and The Pairing, will curate a selection of wines paired with delicious flatbreads and macarons for tour.
Where: 1001 Stadium Drive, Inglewood.
When: 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14.
Admission: $149 at sofistadium.com.
Riverside Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl: If you’re pulling out your ugly Christmas sweater you might as well make the most of it. The Riverside Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl invites all who don an ugly sweater to proudly flaunt it a bar crawl in the city’s downtown. The trek includes access to over four venues, including Killer Queen Social House, holiday-themed drinks, up to 50% off drink specials, 20% off select food specials and more. Additional details for the event are finalized once admission is purchased.
Where: Multiple locations in Downtown Riverside.
When: 4- 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21.
Admission: Tickets start at $13.99 at pubcrawls.com.
Ventura Winter Wine Fest: Sip and stroll through the holiday charm of downtown Ventura. This festive event invites wine and beer enthusiasts to explore local wineries and breweries, with tastings hosted at various downtown businesses. Guests receive a tasting cup and map to guide them on their merry journey. Before the wine walk, enjoy the free holiday street fair from noon to 8 p.m., where Main Street will be lined with hundreds of local vendors selling crafts, goods, and food.
Where: Downtown Ventura, 420 E Santa Clara St, Ventura
When: Holiday street fair: 12-8 p.m.; wine tasting: 4-7 p.m.; snowfall: 6:45-8 p.m., Dec. 16.
Admission: $57-$129 at venturawinterwinefest.com; street fair is free.
Santa Monica Pub Crawl: Join thousands of holiday revelers at the annual Santa Monica Pub Crawl, raising funds for the Westside Food Bank. Choose from multiple routes and enjoy free entry to bars, exclusive drink and food deals, and festive activities like Santa’s Scavenger Hunt. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes, and the night ends with an exclusive after-party—all while supporting a great cause.
Where: Bars and restaurants throughout Santa Monica.
When: 4 p.m. – 2 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 9.
Admission: $25-$45 at Eventbrite.com.
SantaCon Bar Crawl: Get ready for a festive day of holiday cheer at the SantaCon Bar Crawl in Bixby Knolls. Dress in your best holiday costume and enjoy a self-guided crawl through breweries, wine bars, and restaurants, all within walking distance. In between drinks, explore holiday shopping, live music, entertainment, and family-friendly activities.
Where: Bixby Knolls, starting at Expo Arts Center, 4321 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach.
When: 1-5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 15.
Admission: $37.05 at Eventbrite.com.
Coastal Christmas: New this year, the Coastal Christmas Holiday Light Spectacular is now offering an evening wine walk in Del Mar. Stroll along the Holiday Light Trail while sampling 2-ounce tastings of wines or beer at designated locations. Your ticket includes admission, a souvenir tasting cup, a holiday map, and access to live entertainment. Beyond the wine walk, enjoy ice skating, the Frosty Fun Zone, and a meet-and-greet with Santa.
Where: 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar
When: 5-8 p.m. on Dec. 13, 14, 20-21
Admission: $49.99 at coastalchristmasdelmar.com.; must be 21+ to participate.
Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl: It’s time to embrace your tackiest holiday attire at the Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl. Gather your friends, don your most outrageous sweaters, and enjoy free entry to over four participating bars. Your ticket includes exclusive drink and food specials, a pub crawl wristband, and a custom digital map to guide you.
Where: Starting at 72 N Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena
When: 4 p.m. – 11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16
Admission: $13.99 at pubcrawls.com.
