For Chris Gentry, this year’s Jingle Eve event is a homecoming of sorts.
The annual event will be held from 4:30pm to 9pm on November 22nd and will welcome more than 8,500 attendees to shop, stroll and drink in the neighborhood as a district-wide celebration marks the start of the holiday season.
“Jingle Eve has a special place in my heart because when I opened Gentry’s Barbecue General Store on Ivanhoe Road many years ago, (Jingle Eve) was when my store really got noticed and we took off. People knew who I was and where I was,” Gentry says. “Not only did we have a great night financially, but we also got to interact with our neighbors, and people started showing up afterward.”
Gentry closed his restaurant a few years ago, but that allowed him to return to his first love, cooking. He has brought his newest BBQ trailer and is looking forward to seeing and feeding lots of familiar faces.
Alex Englett, executive director of Ivanhoe Village Main Street, also hopes local businesses will benefit from the neighborhood-wide celebration.
“Our local restaurants are the most visited of the year, and food trucks provide an additional option for visitors who want to explore and enjoy events outdoors,” Englett said. “Jingle Eve’s economic impact will be felt most strongly in small businesses, where many welcome new customers they might not otherwise be able to reach.”
One of the best ways to attract newcomers is definitely the wine walk ($50), which Englett says traditionally sells out.
This large-scale event is free, but participants who stroll through the “12 Wines of Christmas” will receive a souvenir wine glass and enjoy tastings from a selection of red or white wines hand-picked by Tim’s Wine Market at 20 locations throughout the village.
But beyond the liquid cheer, people of all ages will enjoy the local makers and shops on the high street, as well as the many stalls whose tents sparkle with holiday cheer (and great unique gift options). Some places also hold raffles. Entertainment and family activities such as crafts, bounce houses, bubble baths, music, photography and other seasonal programs will be spread out across Virginia Drive, Orange Avenue and Gaston Edwards Park.
What is Engrett’s favorite part of the celebration?
“Cheers!” she says.
“The entire district is alive with lights, laughter and genuine community connection. With most businesses participating in some way, there is an undeniable sense of joy and togetherness that makes Ivanhoe Village feel like your own little holiday village at night.”
Featuring holiday fireworks over Lake Ivanhoe, this event marks the beginning of the season, reinforcing the district’s cultural identity and showcasing the creativity of its art and management, as well as demonstrating its walkability and reminding those from other parts of the city that spending time in Ivanhoe is a one-stop playground for shopping, brunch, date nights, and more.
For Gentry, who is entering a new phase of catering, pop-ups, events, and more (check out Gentry’s website — gentrysbbq.com — for the schedule), bringing his brand of Southern barbecue back to the place that made him is a joy, and a great place not only to revisit old ones, but also to make new friends.
“It’s a really important event for all the small businesses, restaurants and bars here because people are coming out in droves and supporting it. It’s the spirit of the season. It’s a great event.”
Jingle Eve is a free event. For Wine Walk tickets, visit ivanhoevillage.org/shop/limited-time/jingle-eve-12-wines-of-christmas-2025-wine-walk-tickets. For parking, Englett encourages carpooling, ride-sharing, biking, or the Lake Highlands parking lot on Alden Road ($10).
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