OK, that may be a bad choice of words, but the point is that Santa will be arriving for the parade next Saturday — drum roll, please — by helicopter.

The Holiday parade has soared (sorry — couldn’t help it) in popularity since it became a nighttime event five years ago. It starts at 5 p.m., and organizers encourage the use of lights on parade entries with a $500 cash prize.

Similar awards are made for “most enthusiastic” and “best theme-related.” This year’s theme is Nutcracker Sweets — misspelling intended. It’s a great event for the family, whether you choose to march along or just watch. Anyone can join the fun. It’s free, and applications can be found at www.napadowntown.com.

Santa will start his journey from the North Pole to Napa when Wayne Lackey, owner of Wine Country Helicopters, flies there to pick him up. Santa will arrive at 4 p.m., Saturday and will land on the Third Street bridge. He’ll talk to everybody for a few minutes before boarding a Napa fire truck. He will be whisked away and will reappear as part of the parade. All, of course, contingent on Napans being good girls and boys …

A new place for denims

Julie Heikell and her friends got tired of having to drive to San Francisco for the jeans they wanted, so she opened her own shop. Denims on Tap, at 926 Coombs, features William Rast, Paige Premium Denim, Taverniti Denim, Monarchy, Crash ’n Burn and more.

Stop in and see her and her store manager, 3-year-old Chloe, seven days a week until 7 p.m., 252-2538.

Open for business

Downtown stores will be open until 9 p.m. on Thursday during December. The difference between shopping downtown and going to other places is chocolate, hot cider and champagne. For example, Cake Plate, at 1000 Main St., will be accepting donations of women’s clean, fabulous but no longer worn clothing, now through Dec. 4.

On Dec. 4, women can visit Cake Plate, pick out something someone else has brought in, and take it home — free of charge. Anything that doesn’t leave the shop that night will be donated to the Napa Women’s Shelter.

Regular Cake Plate merchandise will be 20 percent off. Still not enticing enough? Cake Plate owner Lindsay Kroll will be serving cupcakes and champagne all night.

Also on Dec. 4, and one block away on First Street, Miyamo will offer free gift-wrapping. Enjoy a cup of coffee and dessert while you shop. Leave a little room though — Anette’s Chocolates at 1321 First St. will be offering complimentary summer and winter cabernet wine truffles. If you like chocolate but aren’t ready to do any Christmas shopping, these are worth the trip to downtown. Trust me, I’ve been hooked on the winter cabernet wine truffles for years.

There is more and the offerings will change every Thursday night in every store. Visit www.napadowntown.com for all the information. See you downtown.

Craig Smith is the executive director of the Napa Downtown Association, and he can be reached at 257-0322, or craig@napadowntown.com.