Every year on the first Friday in December, Murphys celebrates the start of the holiday season with a Community Open House from 5 to 8 pm. Admission is free, the streets are closed, and we are ready to celebrate. Open House is a great time to peruse Murphys’  shops, tasting rooms, and restaurants, see what’s new, visit with old friends, admire the community tree, and appreciate our small-town spirit.

A favorite of locals, the annual event is an old-fashioned community celebration featuring a holiday parade, treats, and entertainment hosted by Main Street merchants, restaurants, wineries, and the Murphys Business Association.

Musicians and carolers fill the streets with the sounds of the seasons; Santa arrives with the parade and stays for photos with the kids. Parking can be a little tricky at Open House.  Please remember that the Black Bart Parking Lot will be unavailable until after the parade.  Free public parking, including accessible parking, is available at the Masonic Hall Parking lot (corner of Church, Church & Surrey near the Pourhouse), the Old School House Parking lot (60 Jones Street), and in the parking lots of businesses, and on the streets.  Main Street is closed to traffic during this event, and we ask that all cars be moved before the start of the event to allow for the parade.  Please be considerate and don’t block driveways or park in areas marked with No Parking signs.  Our streets are narrow, and parking along the sides could prevent our public safety vehicles from getting through in the case of an emergency.

2022 Details – 2023 Information coming in October/November
Those folks wishing to participate in the parade this year should contact Jody Jurgens Garcia at murphysopenhouseparade@gmail.com after October 26th to obtain an application or keep an eye on this page, and our home page, where we’ll post the Rules and Regulations for Open House Parade 2022 and Murphys Open House Parade 2022 Application just as soon as they are available.  Everybody is welcome, and we’d love to see your organization, musical group, or children’s group participate. Space is limited, though, so don’t wait too long to get those forms back to us!

Carolers, and other entertainers, are welcome to join us on the street throughout the event; just contact us in advance, so we know to expect you.

Santa and Mrs Claus will be hanging out at V Bistro again this year. Bring the kiddos, bring a new unwrapped toy to donate, and take pictures with Santa! They will have cookies, hot chocolate, cider, and special goodie bags for the kids. If you choose to donate a bike, they will give you a coupon for 20% off your next visit! Let’s see what we can do to help the less fortunate families in our community!

V Restaurant, Bistro & Bar is a proud sponsor of Toys For Tots. They will be collecting toys for local families in our county who could not otherwise afford to give their children a special Christmas. They will be collecting toys until December 5th, and there’s no need to wait until Open House to drop off your donation, do it anytime between now and December 5th.  You may also drop toys off at Jane & Jean and Chloes while doing a little clothes shopping.

Cedar Creek Realty will be offering a photo booth and collecting canned goods for the Resource Center Food Bank this holiday season.  Make a donation anytime during the holiday season, and make sure to stop by during Open House to have a bit of fun with the photo booth.
The Murphys Fire Department & Firefighters Association will have their usual booth on the corner of Church and Main near the town tree at the Hovey Tasting Room.  Support our local public safety folks by purchasing a warm sweatshirt or just making a donation.  They help keep us all safe year-round.
Many of our wineries and restaurants offer live music on weekends and during events…times may be slightly impacted by the parade this Friday.
Jazz Cellars will be hosting live music at their tasting room featuring Ras Beeken Dan from 7-8pm.
Murphys Irish Pub will feature Nick Lefler from 6-9 pm with more live music throughout the weekend and beyond!
Boyle MacDonald hosts live music at the tasting room on their rooftop deck every Friday from 6-8pm.
Newsome Harlow may have a surprise guest in the courtyard starting at 8pm….locals know it’s the place to be after Open House.
Murphys Creek Theatre will be performing It’s A Wonderful Life Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of Open House weekend.