Montclair Village Annual Holiday Stroll

20th Annual Montclair Village Holiday Stroll

Thursday, December 8, 2022

5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
2050 Mountain Boulevard, Oakland

Free | All Ages

“Visit the Village for Your Holiday Season”

The Montclair Village Association (MVA) is hosting the 20th Annual Montclair Village Holiday Stroll on Thursday, December 8, from 5:30pm–8:30pm. The heart of the event is located at 2050 Mountain Boulevard in charming Montclair Village, nestled in redwood groves unique to Oakland’s hills. Festivities include live performances from local artists, professional photos with Santa, giant puppets, childrens’ crafts and activities, Oakland Fire Department parade rig and toy drive, choirs and live music performances, feasts and libations, and holiday shopping at over forty businesses. Free admission for all ages.

The Holiday Stroll is an opportunity to support Oakland’s locally-owned businesses whose collective efforts and donations create community events that thousands of people enjoy. If you’re interested in supporting public events in Montclair, consider joining the Montclair Cares Club and help bring more arts and cultural activities to the neighborhood. 

The biggest draw for younger visitors is meeting Santa Claus himself and having their keepsake snapshot taken by professional photographer, Leah Marie (of Christmasville in Emeryville fame). Adults will enjoy delicious food and libations while visiting over forty shops open late with special offers, unique holiday gifts, and stocking stuffers.

Holiday Stroll sponsors include F&M Bank,Montclair Smile Design, California Draft Tech, ADT Security, Winter Williams Presents, Montclair Sports & Tennis, CA Draft Tech, and Lucky California.

Highlights: 

• Winter Wonderland including professional photos with Santa for the kids.
• Giant Puppets Save the World entertainment by a collaboration between puppeteers, builders, and performance artists.
• A family-friendly holiday festival presenting the ideal kick off to the holiday season. 
• Live performances with local youth and school groups including Pacific Boychoir Academy, Jazz Education Ensemble, Edna Brewer Band Carolers, and Montera Cheer Squad.
• Holiday entertainment provided by The Tap Dancing Christmas Trees, Oakland Ballet Company, Renegade Orchestra, and more. 
• Special discounts and promotions offered at over 40 locally-owned, independent merchants who stay open late to greet guests with music, food, and drinks.  
• Opportunity to donate a toy to the “Random Acts Toy Drive” hosted by the Oakland Fire Department, attending with their parade rig.

The Holiday Stroll celebrates its 20th year of transforming Montclair Village into Santa’s Winter Wonderland, a whimsical and magical holiday experience for all ages to enjoy. Decked out in bright lights and cheerful decorations, Mountain Boulevard and Antioch Court — and its many inviting boutique shops — are sure to fill you with the holiday spirit. Montclair Village provides a picturesque setting for sharing the holidays with family, friends, and community.

The biggest draw for younger visitors is meeting Santa Claus himself and having their keepsake snapshot taken by a professional photographer. Adults will enjoy delicious food and libations while visiting over forty shops open late with special offers, unique holiday gifts, and stocking stuffers. 

Jam-packed with entertainment, all ages will be elevated with joy by the youth choirs, live music, and performance artists. Pacific Boychoir Academy — a GRAMMY-winning, independent choir school for boys in grades three through eight — will perform holiday classics. Giant Puppets Save the World is a live art demonstration magically dancing overhead like large-scale mobiles. The Tap Dancing Christmas Trees are a Holiday Stroll tradition, delighting all ages with choreographic tap dance routines in tree costumes. Visit MontclairVillage.com for the full entertainment lineup.

“Our Holiday Stroll is designed to bring people together, to support the mom and pop, and community connected businesses, the community groups, artists, and Oakland schools.” Executive Director  Daniel Swafford said. “It reminds us how important the people in our lives are and what community means.”

Holiday Stroll is an ideal family tradition creating lasting memories of celebrating the holidays together. Montclair Village has everything you need to complete your shopping list with plenty of opportunities to find unique gifts that will bring joy to recipients. Shop Montclair Village during the Holiday Stroll, throughout the season, or visit the curated gift guides at MontclairVillage.com for gift ideas. If you are able, donate a new toy during the event at the Oakland Fire Department’s Toy Drive for a local family in need.

More information available at MontclairVillage.com. Please follow us @montclair.village for updates.

About the Montclair Village Association:

The MVA is a nonprofit 501(c)3 with a mission to: increase the safety of Montclair, Oakland; support Montclair’s small businesses and merchants; expand opportunities for patronage and visitorship in Montclair; develop youth training programs for Oakland high school students and college interns seeking professional work experiences; expand artist representation in unused urban spaces; catalyze Montclair’s social capital and placemaking for business improvement; and ensure the enjoyment and livability of downtown Montclair for all Bay Area visitors and residents.