www.montereycountynow.com DECEMBER 11-17, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 35 Monterey Bay Marquee Press Bring a toy. Bring your family. Bring your holiday spirit. Walk the property, meet the shop owners, enjoy the food and music, say hello to Santa, and help brighten the season for local children. The Barnyard Holiday Toy Drive celebration is more than an event — it’s a reminder that small businesses, when united, can make a big impact. Toys can be dropped off now through December 13th at participating Barnyard locations. Vol. 1 Issue 2 December 11, 2025 in concert with Monterey Mattress Gingerich-Built Dreams...Dreams Shared...Dreams Realized Holiday Magic at The Barnyard: Toy Drive, Live Music, Local Businesses, and a Season of Celebration This December, the Barnyard Shopping Village isn’t just hosting a single holiday event. It’s becoming the center of a full month of festivities for families, locals, and visitors drawn to the charm of the “mouth of the valley.” The highlight takes place on December 13, when Santa arrives at the Barnyard from 11 AM to 3 PM, escorted by CalFire and joined by the Monterey Firefighters Community Foundation. Children will have the chance to explore the fire engine, meet local firefighters, and enjoy holiday surprises throughout the day. Families are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys to help support local families in need. Throughout the Barnyard, more than a dozen businesses have volunteered as Toy Drive Drop-Off locations, while others will participate in a Sticker Scavenger Hunt guiding guests through the property. Completed scavenger cards may be entered to win age-appropriate prizes and one of two $1,000 gift certificates from Monterey Mattress Gingerich-Built. The company is also donating a brand-new mattress to a family chosen by the Monterey Firefighters Community Foundation, which is a continuation of its longstanding support for local fire stations. “Our mattresses are designed to help people wake up with reduced pain. When customers tell me their back or joint issues have eased, that’s what gives this work meaning. We’ve supported our local fire stations for years because their crews live with the physical toll of the job every day. Offering the holiday prizes this year is just a small continuation of that relationship and a way to give back during the season,”said Brian Gingerich, owner of Monterey Mattress Gingerich-Built. Brian’s mattresses are also at The Carmel Mission Inn, located just steps from the Barnyard. This makes it an ideal destination for anyone looking to enjoy a holiday weekend on the Peninsula. Guests can shop the Barnyard by day, enjoy wine and entertainment nearby, and then settle into a cozy, comfortable room at night. The message is simple: As guests wander through the village, they’ll encounter holiday energy woven through boutique shops, family-owned restaurants, and seasonal promotions. The Monterey Bay Marquee will have complimentary appetizers, in partnership with Barnyard eateries and LadySomm, where holiday entertainment will include live piano performances, from respected local musician Nicholas Fettis on a concert piano he personally restored and is contributing his time to the Toy Drive effort. The Barnyard’s goal is simple: bring the community together in a way that feels festive, local, and uniquely Carmel. The Carmel Mission Inn is preparing for its own seasonal highlight, NYE 2026: The Bond Ball. This upscale New Year’s Eve celebration will feature themed cocktails at a premium open bar, a photo booth, a best-dressed contest, late-night bites, and live music by Scarlet. Scarlet is a high-energy, five-piece Monterey Bay dance band known for strong vocal harmonies and a crowd-pleasing mix of classic hits and modern favorites. They have a reputation for filling dance floors and bringing a polished, vibrant sound to local events, which makes them a perfect fit for a glamorous Bond-themed celebration. Visitors who plan to attend the Bond Ball are encouraged to arrive early, enjoy the Barnyard’s holiday shopping and dining, and turn the experience into a full weekend at the mouth of the valley. Across the entire month of December, Barnyard businesses will offer special promotions, festive treats, extended hours, and community-driven fun, all contributing to the property’s evolving role as a local gathering place. Bring a toy. Bring your family. Bring your holiday spirit. Whether you’re here for the Toy Drive, exploring the shops, enjoying a wine tasting, staying for the weekend, or ringing in the New Year, the Barnyard welcomes everyone to celebrate the season and support families across Monterey County. Meanwhile, The Barnyard’s merchants are embracing the chance to welcome new visitors. Shops like Home by Julie Brown, Jewel Boutique, ModFruit, Pieces of Heaven, Post No Bills, and Lafayette Bakery will be open throughout the day, many offering specials, tastings, or activities to bring people inside.
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