As if you needed this reminder, we all know that the holidays have a way of sneaking up on us. And just like that, it’s time to schedule office parties, Friendsgiving and family Thanksgiving dinners, holiday gatherings, and long-overdue get-togethers. And of course, someone has to figure out where everyone will gather, what they will eat, and who is going to take care of all the details.

 

Fortunately, creating a memorable holiday gathering does not mean you have to do it all yourself.   Whether you are planning an intimate dinner, a lively company celebration or a catered event at home, our favorite local restaurants, caterers, and winery are ready to help you bring people together … and give you the chance to enjoy the celebration, too.

 

Let’s explore some of your options.

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A Holiday Welcome, Poured Locally

Tasting room: 1212 18th Street in downtown Bakersfield

Wednesday - Saturday 2-8 pm

Call 661-864-7086 to order wine for pickup.

 

It seems only fitting to begin any celebration with a welcoming glass of wine. And for that, we love turning to our favorite local winery, Tlo Wines.

 

For 18 harvests, the Zaninovich family has been creating wines meant for the very moments the holidays bring, friends arriving at the door, family gatherings around the table and conversations that linger long after dinner is finished.

 

Handcrafted in Paso Robles from sustainably farmed Central Coast vineyards, Tlo’s boutique wines reflect the family’s Croatian heritage and its belief that sharing wine reminds us to be grateful for life … and one another. 

And this year, there is even more reason to raise a glass.

 

At the 2026 Central Coast Wine Competition, Tlo’s 2023 Reserve Syrah and 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon each earned an extraordinary 99 points, Double Gold medals and Best in Class honors. In a blind tasting of more than 450 Central Coast wines, both rose to the top of two highly competitive categories. Tlo’s Mourvèdre, Visko Blend, Tempranillo, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay also brought home medals.   

 

The two 99-point wines are still aging and extremely limited … just 100 cases of Syrah and 40 cases of Cabernet … making Tlo’s Wine Club the best way to secure access when they are released.

 

In the meantime, stop by Tlo’s downtown tasting room to discover a bottle, or several, to welcome your guests, complement your holiday table or even as a gift for someone special.

 

After all, every memorable gathering deserves a great beginning. At Tlo, it begins with a pour and a heartfelt Živjeli! to family, friendship and the season ahead.

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Boards That Bring Us Together

Call Mina at 661-565-1941 to order the perfect solo box, platter, or grazing table for your gathering.

 

Mina Calvillo, owner of Charcuterie by M, may be one of the most naturally creative people I know. She has an uncanny ability to look at an occasion and envision the perfect, and perfectly delicious, arrangement to go with it.

 

For a small office party, girlfriend gathering or wine pairing … yes, perhaps with Tlo Wines … Mina can create individual cups or beautifully arranged boxes. Her boards have become such a favorite with my own family that my in-laws now expect me to arrive at Thanksgiving dinner carrying one. Apparently, my presence alone is no longer enough.

 

Whether you are planning an intimate dinner for two, a festive brunch or a large corporate celebration, Mina can create everything from a charming box or board to an elaborate grazing table. Think cheeses, meats, breads, crackers, olives, vegetables, sweets, brunch-worthy bites and just about anything else you can imagine.

And don’t forget those holiday-season tailgating parties. Mina can customize your order with your team’s colors, mascot or even its logo.

 

When you want to impress your guests, and actually enjoy your own gathering, call Mina. She’ll make it look beautiful, taste incredible and leave everyone asking, “Who made this?”

 

 

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Let Sonder Handle the Gathering

3321 Buena Vista Rd Ste 700 (in Belcourt Village)

To reserve a table, call: 661-412-4382

To book your party or event at Sonder, visit: sonderbakersfield.com/parties

For catering, visit: sonderbakersfield.com/catering

 

Sonder Belcourt may be relatively new to the neighborhood, but it certainly didn’t take long for it to feel like part of our story.

 

With its creatively inspired food, craft cocktails and lively-but-relaxed atmosphere, Sonder has become the kind of place where neighbors gather for just about anything … a casual dinner, a milestone celebration, a big game on the screens or simply a good conversation that lasts well beyond dessert. And when the weather cooperates, the outdoor patio is especially inviting, with live music drifting over from Belcourt’s Center Court.

 

But here’s something many neighbors may not know: Sonder can bring the party to you.

 

Sonder offers catering for everything from birthdays, weddings and graduation celebrations to corporate gatherings, holiday parties and family reunions. Menus can include shareable appetizers, charcuterie, bruschetta, fresh salads, pastas and other satisfying Sonder favorites designed to serve a crowd.

 

Best of all, they make it easy. You can choose from simple pickup, have everything delivered or arrange fully staffed service, allowing you to spend less time worrying about the food and more time enjoying the people you invited. Sonder can accommodate catered events of up to 200 guests. 

 

Prefer to host your gathering at the restaurant? Sonder also welcomes private parties and group events, including birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, retirements and corporate celebrations. Their inviting, modern space can accommodate your group, complete with great food, a full bar program and plenty of room for conversation and celebration.

 

Whether you gather at Sonder or invite Sonder to come to you. Owners Ryan & Desi, along with their team, are ready to make your next event deliciously easy.

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Celebrations With a Lot of Sol

11420 Ming Ave. (in Grand Island Village)

To reserve a table, and book your party or event at Sol y Luna, call: 661-412-4939

Visit: solylunabakersfield.com

 

There are plenty of places where you can enjoy a good Mexican meal. But Sol y Luna has always been about something more … the entire experience.

 

From the black tablecloths and beautifully presented dishes to the attentive, black-vested servers who seem to notice what you need before you ask, everything feels just a little more special. Yet for all that polish, Sol y Luna never feels stuffy. Owner Nieves Rubio and her staff welcome you as if you were entering their home. Here, you aren’t simply another table. You’re family.

 

Of course, the food is what keeps everyone returning. House-made chips, signature salsa, authentic tamales and hand-pressed flour and corn tortillas are prepared fresh each day. The menu combines traditional Mexican flavors with inspired touches and carefully selected ingredients, complemented by signature margaritas, cocktails, beer and wine. 

 

That combination of great food, thoughtful service and warm hospitality also makes Sol y Luna a wonderful choice for your holiday gathering.

 

Perhaps over the coming holidays, old classmates will be back in town, family may be visiting for Christmas, your company needs a place for its holiday dinner, or you’re organizing a business luncheon, pharmaceutical presentation, reunion or milestone celebration. Sol y Luna offers flexible, separate banquet rooms as well as its inviting patio, accommodating groups from eight to 80.

 

The team can arrange anything from light appetizers to a full dinner buffet or customize the food and beverage selections for your guests. They can even help coordinate audiovisual support for business presentations. 

 

Best of all, the conversation begins with creating a memorable experience, one that is sure to impress your guests.

 

And when the celebration ends? You can head home with wonderful memories, while someone else handles the dishes.

 

 

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Celebrations, Served Chef Lino Style

For catering call: 661-885-8006

For Chef Lino’s Prime call: 661-412-4550

 

When it comes to gathering around a table, Chef Lino and his wife, Frances, know how to make the occasion feel just right.

 

Together with their dedicated team, they have built Chef Lino Creates into one of Bakersfield’s best-known catering companies, bringing creativity, experience and plenty of memorable food to celebrations of nearly every size. From an intimate holiday dinner at home to a company party, family reunion, wedding or large community event, Chef Lino can shape the menu and the service around the occasion.

 

And “creative” truly is the right word. Chef Lino’s cooking moves comfortably across cultures and styles, with everything from beautifully prepared steaks and seafood to Italian favorites, Mexican-inspired dishes, Mediterranean flavors and signature creations such as his famous braised pork belly. His food has a way of looking impressive without becoming too fussy to enjoy, which is precisely what you want when friends, family or coworkers gather around the table.

 

Of course, sometimes the best way to host a holiday party is to let someone else provide the setting, the service and, most importantly, the cleanup.

 

Located right here in our Seven Oaks neighborhood, Chef Lino’s Prime offers an inviting place for holiday lunches, dinner parties, business functions and family celebrations. Its broad menu makes it easy to please a crowd, whether guests are craving filet, lamb, seafood, pasta, comforting classics or one of Chef Lino’s more imaginative specialties. The restaurant also offers a private dining room, along with a full selection of cocktails and wine.

 

Whether Chef Lino and his team bring the celebration to you, or welcome your guests at Prime, Lino and Frances offer something every holiday host can appreciate: wonderful food, thoughtful hospitality and the experience to make gathering together feel wonderfully easy.

 

 

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Celebrate like a Balloonaire.

 

Instagram: @balloonairebash
 Phone: 661-565-6734

 

There is no rule that says holiday décor has to stop with a wreath on the door. Sometimes, a celebration calls for something a little bigger, brighter and far more fun.

 

That is where Patricia “Ms. Patty” Lopez, owner and designer of Balloonaire Bash, comes in. For more than two decades, Ms. Patty has used her creativity to make people feel special. Today, she brings that same artistic eye, attention to detail and personal care to custom balloon décor, statement backdrops and personalized event designs throughout Bakersfield.

 

And balloons are not just for children’s birthday parties anymore.

 

Imagine a festive balloon garland welcoming guests to your company Christmas party, an elegant backdrop for holiday photos, or a custom installation that transforms an ordinary room into a place that feels ready to celebrate. From family gatherings and milestone birthdays to showers, anniversaries, corporate events and everything in between, Ms. Patty designs each creation around the occasion, the setting and the people being celebrated.

 

Balloonaire Bash grew from Ms. Patty’s lifelong love of creating, connecting with people and helping important moments feel even more memorable. She especially enjoys seeing a client’s reaction when the finished design is revealed … and knowing her work will become part of the photos and memories they keep.

 

So, as you plan your next holiday gathering, or any celebration worth making special, don’t forget the décor. A creative backdrop, personalized display or beautifully designed balloon installation may be exactly what your event needs to bring everyone together … and give them the perfect place to take a picture while they’re there.