SOLVANG, Calif., Oct. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alisal Ranch, the storied 10,500-acre working ranch and luxury resort in California’s Santa Ynez Valley, has announced its 2026 winter holiday schedule running Nov. 21 through Dec. 31. Located minutes from Solvang, widely recognized as one of the top Christmas towns in the U.S., the ranch serves as the region’s premier home base for Western-style holiday traditions, seasonal programming, and multi-generational travel.
2026 Holiday Event Schedule
- Saddle Claus: Letters to Santa (Dec. 4-31): Drop letters to Santa at the Front Desk and receive personalized replies in-room. Saturday Breakfast Rides transform the Adobe into Santa’s Workshop with Santa, photos, and letter delivery.
- Hanukkah Weekend Under the Western Sky (Dec. 4-6): Celebrate with nightly menorah lightings, a special dinner by guest chef Burt Bakman, a latke bar, gelt s’mores, sufganiyot and a hands-on menorah candle-making class.
- Craft & Botanicals: The Art of Spirit Infusions (Dec. 10 & 17): Create custom-infused spirits using garden herbs, spices and seasonal fruits to take home.
- Winterlight Dinner (Dec. 13): The first of a three-part series, this intimate candlelit dinner is illuminated by hundreds of candles and features a multi-course menu paired with wines from Stolpman Vineyards. The series continues with dinners on Jan. 10 and Feb. 21, 2027.
- Reindeer Scavenger Hunt (Dec. 21-28): Search the ranch for 10 hidden reindeer and return to the Spa for a special gift.
- Little Reindeer Yoga (Dec. 26): A playful 30-minute holiday yoga adventure with festive poses, games, and music.
- Family NYE Party: East Coast Ball Drop (Dec. 31): Ring in the New Year with music, karaoke, games, drinks, festive favors, and an East Coast countdown.
- Old World vs. New World Blind Tasting: Fridays in December; a guided blind tasting exploring how geography, climate, and winemaking traditions shape classic varietals.
- Christmas Week Highlights: Decorate gingerbread houses from Solvang Bakery and transform horses into festive reindeer for a holiday parade.
- Daily Seasonal Activities: Candle-making workshop (Dec. 6, 7, 14, 20, 21, 28), Western hat making, holiday hot cocoa and s’mores nights, festive horseback rides with Santa’s elves, holiday eggnog at the Oak Room, Christmas caroling and winter programming at the Library.
For a full list of holiday programming, click here. To reserve a stay and experience Alisal Ranch’s exclusive holiday offerings, visit alisalranch.com or call (800) 425-4725.
Media Assets: Holiday Images | General Property Images
About Alisal Ranch
Alisal Ranch is a historic, family-owned 10,500-acre working cattle ranch and luxury resort located in California’s Santa Ynez Valley, 30 minutes north of Santa Barbara. Established as a guest resort in 1946 and recognized as a member of Historic Hotels of America, the property features 73 "unplugged" guest cottages intentionally free of TVs and telephones. Alisal Ranch offers premier Western amenities, including a 50-mile horseback riding program, a private 100-acre spring-fed lake, 36 holes of championship golf, a full-service spa, and a ranch-to-table live-fire culinary program.
Media Contact
J Public Relations
310-722-7066
alisalranch@jpublicrelations.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b168fe3d-063e-4c00-9efc-1d1b4c3f9c4d
