Everything You Need to Know About the Burbank Winter Wine Walk

Wine walks -- downtown strolls visiting local stores, wine bars and bodegas to sample lots of different flavors, bouquets and vintages -- are massively popular across the whole of the US.

But when they include a whole raft of other activities, celebrations, great shopping and a free public street fair, we must be talking about the third annual Burbank Wine Winter Walk.

Coming up on Saturday (November 17) in the heart of Downtown Burbank's shopping and dining neighborhood, it's been called the city's social event of the season. And with good reason.

On the heels of last year's successful event and October's magnificent Beer Festival, this year's Wine Walk, showcasing world-class wineries and breweries, is set to be another sellout kick-off to the Holiday season.

In other words, it's a great opportunity not only to sample some of the region's best wine offerings but also to get an early start on your Holiday gift shopping.

This exciting afternoon and evening of celebration and entertainment runs across two blocks, with tasting stations inside 30 shops, restaurants and businesses, along with the free street fair.

Entertainment includes live musical acts and a magical "snowfall" creating a true seasonal ambience from the main stage. The whole area will feature attractive holiday lighting.

A star attraction -- new this year -- is Santa's VIP Lounge, a limited-entry, 21+ area where guests can enjoy wine, champagne, beers and food catered by chef Jason Collins from festival food specialists Plated Events.

The Lounge will feature additional tasting and exclusive access to a VIP area at The New Terrace at The Burbank Town Center.

Don’t worry either if wine isn’t your thing. The festival includes lots of local craft beers and gourmet foods -- mainly from local wineries, brewers and other merchants.

Many stores will be specially decorated for the event and some of the products on offer include hard-to-find wines and other gifts.

How Much Are Tickets for the Burbank Winter Wine Walk?

Attending the event, including entertainment and the street fair, is free and you don't need a ticket. It's open to the public.

If you want to sample the wines, tickets cost between $50 and $80, which includes two-ounce samples at the 30 tasting stations.

Each guest gets a tasting cup, wristband and a map showing the tasting stations, which will all have an area set aside for imbibers. You have to check-in at a specified location, shown on your ticket.

(VIP ticket holders check in at 201 E Magnolia).

At the time of writing, there were still some available but the organizers say the event is heading to be another sellout.

Check availability here: https://www.burbankwinterwinewalk.com/

Burbank hotels were offering two free tickets if you book your room via www.visitburbank.com but, again, you'll need to check if the deal is still active when you book.

Even if you can’t get hold of tickets, remember that the entertainment and street fair are free and open to the public -- you can still go and have fun. The street fair will feature shop artists, crafters, non-profit organizations as well as many local merchants.

Burbank Winter Wine Walk Times and Locations

The day's events such as the street fair run from noon until 8pm.

The ticketed Wine Walk Itself operates from 4pm to 7pm (check-in from 3pm to 6pm). Later times tend to be the busiest.

The Street Fair will be at San Fernando Boulevard between Magnolia Boulevard and Orange Grove Avenue. The Main Stage and Snowfall will be on Palm Avenue and San Fernando Boulevard.

The wintry snowfall, at Orange Grove, is scheduled to run between 6:45pm and 8pm.

7 Rules and Safety Tips

This year's Burbank Winter Wine Walk promises to be a great, festive day. Proceeds from the event go towards maintaining the attractiveness of Burbank's Downtown

But don’t let exuberance get the better of you.

Here are a few simple tips to enjoy yourself without risking safety.

• Don’t drink and drive. Of course, you knew that, didn't you? But when you're visiting multiple sampling stations, it's easy to lose count of how much you've consumed. Ideally, take a designated driver with you who isn’t going to drink at all. Or book a hotel.
• If you plan to drink, ensure you have a valid ID.
• Park safely in designated areas. You can find a map highlighting public parking here: https://www.burbankwinterwinewalk.com/rules Memorize the location so you can find your auto at the end of the day! And don't leave valuables visible in your car.
• Arrange a meeting point, an agreed and shared location where you can hook up with friends and relatives if you get separated.
• Protect your cell phone and wallet. There are plenty of ATMs in town -- and you may need more cash for some of the great gifts on offer -- but keep a watchful eye around you while you get your money.
• Don't get impatient. The event promises to be very busy. If you find a long line at a particular tasting station, move on to another one and return to this place later.
• Stay within the designated areas when you're actually tasting the wines. You can only consume the drinks inside the tasting stations.

With a mostly sunny day forecast for Saturday's event (though it goes ahead come rain or shine say the organizers), there's a great time in prospect for visitors to this year's Burbank Winter Wine Walk.

Following these simple tips will help ensure it's memorable for all the right reasons!