December 6-8, 2013: Solvang’s “Shop, Mingle & Jingle” Weekend Presents Unique Gifts Galore, Deep Discounts, and Delights

Solvang, the California Central Coast’s answer to “Christmas Town”, is welcoming holiday shoppers from both near and far, with multiple merchant-driven events and happenings during the month of December. The town will, for the first time, host a three-day holiday shopping extravaganza, “Shop, Mingle & Jingle”, Friday through Sunday, December 6 through 8, 2013, in addition to the monthly Solvang Third Wednesday event on Wednesday, December 18, 2013, turning Solvang into a veritable holiday shopping wonderland.

Both of the December shopping and entertainment opportunities will encompass discounts and deals at Solvang merchants of all sorts, such as art shops and galleries; book-sellers; wine tasting rooms; wine and beer bars; clothing and accessories boutiques; home furniture, décor and hardware purveyors; restaurants, bakeries and specialty food stores; and pet supply shops.

During Solvang’s inaugural “Shop, Mingle & Jingle”, December 6-8, 35 of the town’s merchants will open their doors to celebratory shoppers, with extended hours. Most of the participating businesses will remain open until at least 7:00 PM all three days, with some open as late as 11:00 PM (The Good Life – Craft Beer & Wine Cellar, Friday and Saturday; Randy’s Taproom, Friday and Saturday).

“We’ve collaborated with 30-plus local businesses to ensure that both visitors and locals, see that Solvang’s sidewalks do not roll up at five o’clock,” says Susan Williams, who heads up the Solvang Third Wednesday efforts, the force behind “Shop, Mingle & Jingle”.

Most “Shop, Mingle & Jingle” participants are offering exclusive “Shop, Mingle & Jingle” deals – like Carivintâs Winery’s Tasting Room, which will award shoppers who buy a case of wine with a case of Rosé, for just $20.00 – while some are also offering free gift wrapping with purchase. (Design Alternatives, Gaveaesken – The Gift Box, Parts Unknown, Rasmussen’s, Valley Hardware, Wandering Dog Wine Bar, ZFolio Gallery).

As added shopping fuel, many of the “Shop, Mingle & Jingle” participants will offer guests free goodies, like mulled wine, sweets, and even a free olive oil tasting from a selection of more than nine varietals, at the Olive House. And as always, Solvang boasts ample free parking, the perfect accompaniment to a day and night of savvy savings.

In an effort to entice visitors to “Sip. Sparkle. Shop Solvang.” – well into the evening – a number of “Shop, Mingle & Jingle” participants will feature live music during the three day event.

“Shop, Mingle & Jingle” music options abound, with a Spun Honey performance at Cali Love Wine; live blues/rock at Kabuki Japanese Restaurant; a Spanish guitarist at Lions Peak Vineyard’s Tasting Room; Sweet Adelines singers at The Mole Hole; live harp music at ZFolio Gallery; and other live music performances spread throughout the weekend at The Good Life, Randy’s Taproom, The Home Connection, and Sort This Out Cellars. The full “Shop, Mingle & Jingle” music line-up, is available at www.solvangthirdwednesday.com/shop-mingle-jingle.

Other “Shop, Mingle & Jingle” activities include a Gingerbread House Workshop at The Solvang Bakery (Saturday, December 7, 10:30 AM-8:00 PM); a beaded earring class at Kandra’s Beads (varying class times, December 6, 7 and 8); a sushi-making demo – including samples – at Kabuki (Saturday, December 7, 6:30 PM); and a special “Sparkling Flight” wine tasting menu with cheese and chocolate, at Wandering Dog Wine Bar, which will also offer 50% off of wine flights with a bottle purchase (open until 10:00 PM Friday and Saturday; 8:00 PM, Sunday).

Wandering Dog Wine Bar will also host a “Wine Apothecary Wine Blending Seminar” on Saturday, December 7, 2:00 PM-4:00 PM, where guests will be able to craft their own custom wine blend. Local Sommelier and Wine Apothecary creator, Billy Dim, will be guiding seminar participants through the blending process, while helping them to find the perfect wine for their palate. Guests’ custom blends, which make spot-on holiday gifts, will be available to order as 750ml bottles in quantities of three, six or twelve. The seminar runs $25.00 per person, and will include all materials needed for blending.

The Wildling Art Museum will help “Shop, Mingle & Jingle” guests to keep their creative holiday juices flowing, with a Saturday, December 7 Open House and Craft/Art Fair, featuring face painting (12:00-3:00 PM), ornament making (12:00-5:00 PM), and live music (3:00-4:00 PM).

Susan Williams continues, “During the ‘Shop, Mingle & Jingle’ weekend, there will be music emanating from open doors all over our light-filled, pedestrian-friendly village; holiday scents wafting through the air; and Solvang will be full of life – even after dark. We have great shopping. We have twinkling lights. We have fun.”

Visitors and locals who miss Solvang’s “Shop, Mingle & Jingle” festivities, can catch up on last-minute holiday gift-buying during the December edition of Solvang’s monthly “Third Wednesday”, Wednesday, December 18, which will include regular Third Wednesday discounts at local merchants and restaurants, the weekly Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market, the popular Third Wednesday Wine & Beer Walk and deals at Solvang hotels, as well as another Third Wednesday “Cash Mob” (further details TBA).

For a detailed rundown of businesses participating in Solvang’s “Shop, Mingle & Jingle”, their associated offerings or deals, and a schedule of live music and events set to occur during the December 6-8 promotion, please visit: www.solvangthirdwednesday.com/shop-mingle-jingle.

More information about all Solvang Third Wednesday happenings, and a complete listing of discount offers and events, is available at www.solvangthirdwednesday.com or via the free “Experience Solvang” app for iPhone. Solvang Third Wednesday is on Facebook and Twitter at www.facebook.com/SolvangThirdWednesday and twitter.com/CityOfSolvang. Free brochures are also available at the Solvang Visitors Center, 1639 Copenhagen Drive, Solvang, CA 93463.