Redlands Rings in 2026: New Restaurant, National Awards & Your First Weekend of the Year

Mexico City flavors arrive, U of R students make history, plus everything happening January 3-5

Happy New Year's Eve! As I'm writing this, Liz and I are getting ready for tonight's celebration we may be get a little wet.

But before we pop the champagne and watch that orange drop at Citrus and 6th, I wanted to send you one last newsletter for 2025.

What a year it's been for our city. We've watched new restaurants open their doors, celebrated our Bulldogs' achievements, and gathered together for everything from farmers markets to live music nights.

Through it all, you've been here, reading, clicking, sharing, and reminding me why I love this community so much.

This edition is all about looking ahead.

We've got some exciting news about what's coming to Redlands in 2026, plus everything you need to know about this first weekend of the new year. And yes, there's a trivia question, because what's a RedlandsNow newsletter without one?

Here's to 2026, Redlands. Let's make it our best year yet.

Carlos and The RedlandsNow.com Team

What year did the first Orange Drop celebration take place in downtown Redlands?

Mexico City Comes to Redlands: La Popular Restaurant Arrives in 2026

If you've been watching the development near Redlands Public Market, get ready for something special. La Popular, the Mexico City-born restaurant known for elevating traditional Mexican dishes and crafting agave-forward cocktails, is opening its doors at 32 Al Harris Lane.

This isn't your typical Mexican restaurant. La Popular is part of Grupo Carolo, a family-owned hospitality company that's been perfecting its craft in Mexico before partnering with Eureka!

Restaurant Group to bring their concept to the U.S. Think house-made salsas and moles, an extensive agave-focused cocktail program, and a lively modern atmosphere that celebrates Mexican culinary traditions while pushing them forward.

The restaurant already has locations in Roseville, Austin, Claremont, Porter Ranch, and Hollywood, and Redlands is next on the list. With Redlands Public Market bringing us Hokunin, Nava Sausage Co., Supernova Slice Pizza, and Nosy Neighbor Coffee & Donuts, our food scene is absolutely thriving right now.

Read more about La Popular →

U of R Political Science Students Win National Award

Here's something to make Redlands proud: University of Redlands Political Science students just led their honors society to a national award.

The achievement highlights the caliber of students and faculty we have right here in our backyard.

The University continues to rack up accolades—recently named Best Four-Year University by Press Enterprise readers and joining the prestigious "Colleges That Change Lives" designation (one of just 45 colleges nationwide).

The Common App is now open for 2026 undergraduate applications, so if you know a high school senior looking for an exceptional education without leaving Redlands, this is the place.

Explore more U of R news →

🎊 Orange Drop Recap: If you made it to the Redlands Chamber's NYE Orange Drop tonight at Citrus and 6th, you know it was a blast.

Free family-friendly fun with live music, confetti cannons, and that iconic orange drop at 9pm. This is the kind of event that makes Redlands special. Bring an umbrella it may get wet!

🥕 Morning Market Update: The Redlands Morning Market has officially partnered with The Grove School's market, meaning it won't close for winter this year—just relocating to keep serving you fresh, local produce year-round.

🎓 U of R Applications Open: The Common App is now accepting undergraduate applications for 2026. If you've got a college-bound student in the family, remind them that one of the nation's top universities is right here in Redlands.

🎨 Design Contest Launches: The 2026 Annual Redlands T-shirt Design Contest kicks off tomorrow (January 1st) at the Redlands Visitor Center, 14 N. Fifth Street. Got a creative streak? Show Redlands your vision.

🏛️ City Hall Closed: City administrative offices are closed for the holiday season, so plan accordingly if you need city services this week.

You don't need to spend hours on this. Just thirty minutes of organization today can save you weeks of stress next April. Here's what to do while everyone else is nursing their New Year's hangovers:

Create your 2026 tax folder. Whether it's physical or digital, set up a dedicated space right now. Label it "2026 Taxes" and commit to putting every tax-related document in there as soon as you receive it. W-2s, 1099s, receipts for deductible expenses, charitable donations—everything goes in one place.

Review your withholding. If you got a huge refund last year, you were essentially giving the IRS an interest-free loan. If you owed a big payment, you might need to adjust your W-4 to avoid penalties. January is the time to make those changes with your employer so your withholding is correct for the full year.

Set up quarterly reminders if you're self-employed. Estimated tax payments are due April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of the following year. Put those dates in your calendar right now with alerts two weeks before each deadline. Missing these deadlines costs you in penalties and interest.

If you're behind, make 2026 the year you catch up. Unfiled returns from previous years don't go away—they compound. The IRS gives you credit for voluntary compliance, meaning filing before they come looking for you puts you in a much better position. Starting fresh in January gives you momentum and time to work through any backlog.

The key to tax success isn't complicated accounting or secret loopholes. It's simple organization and staying ahead of deadlines. Thirty minutes today, Redlands. That's all it takes to start 2026 on solid financial ground.

For personalized guidance on resolving tax issues or catching up on unfiled returns, Tax Debt Consultants specializes in helping Redlands residents and business owners navigate complex tax situations. Learn more at TaxDebtConsultant.com

The first weekend of 2026 is here, and Redlands is ready to welcome the new year with farmers markets, live music, and all the local spots you love. Here's your guide to making the most of it:

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3

SATURDAY, JANUARY 4

SUNDAY, JANUARY 5

Business Spotlight

If you haven't checked out the Redlands Public Market yet, 2026 is your year. Located at 330 3rd Street, this food hall concept is bringing together some of the best culinary talent in the region under one roof.

You've got Hokunin for Japanese cuisine, Nava Sausage Co. for artisan sausages, Supernova Slice Pizza for New York-style pies, Nosy Neighbor Coffee & Donuts for your morning fix, Fufu's Mideast Grill for Mediterranean flavors, and Cornerstone BBQ for smoked meats done right.

Plus, they host vintage and artisan markets with live music, making it a community gathering spot, not just a place to eat. And with La Popular coming soon right next door, this whole area is becoming Redlands' culinary epicenter.

Check their events calendar →

Quick Reads

→ U of R named Best Four-Year University by Press Enterprise readers - Local pride at its finest.

→ City seeking volunteers for commission and board positions - Want to get involved in your community? Here's your chance.

→ Monthly Tree Giveaways start January 10 - Every second Saturday at 11am-1pm, 1310 E Lugonia Ave. Free trees for Redlands residents!

GRATITUDE & COMMUNITY

As we close out 2025, I want to say thank you. Thank you for reading, for clicking, for sharing, and for being part of this community.

RedlandsNow.com exists because you care about what's happening in our city, and that means everything to me.

In 2026, we're committed to bringing you the best local news, events, and stories every single week. No more "off and on"—we're going consistent, because you deserve it.

Have a safe and happy New Year's Eve, Redlands. See you in 2026.

Interested in sponsoring our newsletter and reaching nearly 1,000 engaged Redlands residents every week? 

Contact us at sponsor@redlandsnow.com

The first Orange Drop celebration in downtown Redlands took place in 2019. The Redlands Chamber of Commerce launched this family-friendly New Year's Eve tradition to give families a way to celebrate the new year at 9pm instead of midnight. It's become one of our most beloved community events!

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Contact us at info@redlandsnow.com to learn about sponsorship opportunities and tell us about your upcoming events.

That's all for this week! Thanks for reading, and we'll see you around the groves.

Stay connected, stay local,
Carlos Samaniego, EA

The RedlandsNow.com Team