Those whose notion of Napa and railways begins and ends with the Wine Train should know there’s local locomotion in another direction—the arts.
Rail Arts District Napa (RAD) invites visitors all aboard its annual Holiday Market, which features enough distinctive handcrafted gifts like pottery, scarves and other textiles, handmade soap, small prints and paintings, sculptures and succulent wreaths to make a porter wear a weight belt.
The market brings together unique creations from artists based in Napa, Sonoma and the surrounding region. This year, the festivities kick off with a fundraising party at 4–7pm, Black Friday, Nov. 29, followed by two weekends of continued fun—11am to 6pm, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, and Dec. 7 and 8, at Action Avenue Projects, located at 1621 Action Ave., Napa, in the Rail Arts District.
“Our second annual Holiday Market not only highlights the incredible talents of our local artists but raises vital funds for the Rail Arts District. This year, funds will support the redevelopment of the RAD near Action Ave. or ‘Action Junction,’” says Shelly Willis, executive director of RAD.
This year’s Holiday Market will feature over 30 regional artists offering unique creations such as soap from J&L Soapworks, porcelain trays by Ianna Frisby, small sculptures by Gale Hart, mosaics from Mary Wilson, ceramics by Dania Lukey and jam from Napa Velo.
Early-morning shoppers can enjoy coffee from Ohm Coffee Roasters and breakfast breads courtesy of Kitchen Door to fuel their gift-hunting adventures. Likewise, local favorites such as St. Clair Brown Winery & Brewery, Tannery Bend Beerworks, Napa Palisades Saloon and Kollar Chocolates will be on hand.
Proceeds from the market will directly benefit the redevelopment of the area near Action Avenue. Since its inception in 2016, Rail Arts District Napa (RAD) has been on a mission to “radically enrich” the community through public art. Spanning two miles from Napa’s Oxbow District along the Napa Valley Wine Train tracks, RAD showcases nearly two dozen works of art, including murals, sculptures and installations. With the funds raised from the Holiday Market, the district takes another step toward transforming semi-industrial spaces into thriving cultural hubs.
For shoppers, this market is more than an opportunity to find the perfect gift—it’s a chance to contribute to the local arts scene and help shape Napa’s creative future.
Visit radnapa.org or follow RAD on Facebook and Instagram to learn more about the event and its vision for the community.
