Last updated: November 11, 2024
Experience the festive magic of Petaluma with our holiday event guide. From longtime Petaluma residents to temporary visitors, our guide is your passport to yuletide adventures.
One of the highlights of the season is the Lighting of the Sonoma Plaza, where the community gathers to witness the enchanting illumination of the plaza, creating a warm holiday atmosphere. Another captivating experience is the Winter Lights Tree Lighting Celebration in Downtown Santa Rosa, where lively festivities and cheerful entertainment turn the downtown streets into a winter wonderland. And the Santa’s Riverboat Arrival & Small Business Saturday is something you definitely don't want to miss, as Santa arrives by riverboat, kicking off the holiday shopping season. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Contact information and details below.
Vibrant light display with live music and local food vendors.
Thousands of lights illuminate Sonoma's historic plaza, accompanied by musical and dance performances, hot cocoa, cookies, beer, wine, and hearty fare from local food trucks.
Where: Sonoma | More Info: Lighting of the Sonoma Plaza
Season-long holiday fun with a skating show and Santa photos.
Join us in Downtown Santa Rosa for the 40th Annual Tree Lighting Celebration at Old Courthouse Square. Enjoy family-friendly activities, live entertainment, delicious holiday drinks and treats, photos with Santa, and the official lighting of the Courthouse Square tree with a skating show by Redwood Ice Theatre Company featuring Snoopy on skates.
Where: Santa Rosa | More Info: Winter Lights Tree Lighting Celebration in Downtown Santa Rosa
Commemorative lighting ceremony honoring loved ones.
Light Up a Life in Petaluma is an annual community event where hundreds of bright, clear lights illuminate the Light Up a Life tree at Walnut Park. Each light symbolizes the life, hopes, and dreams of loved ones remembered over the past year.
Where: Petaluma | More Info: Light Up a Life in Petaluma
Live music and laser light show.
Join Theater Square for a lively holiday celebration featuring live music performances, Santa's Mailbox, and a laser light show. Enjoy the evening with family and friends in a festive atmosphere.
Where: Petaluma | More Info: Theater Square Holiday Celebration
Holiday light display with live music and Santa visit.
Ghirardelli Square transforms into a holiday spectacle with festive lights, a performance by the SF Boys Chorus, and a visit from Santa. Enjoy holiday-themed activities and decorations throughout the square.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Ghirardelli Square Christmas Lights
Live holiday music and local vendors selling unique gifts.
The Petaluma Downtown Holiday Marketplace & Merchant Open House features live holiday music, face painting, and Santa & Mrs. Claus for photos. Local vendors and businesses showcase unique gifts, and downtown restaurants offer delicious meals.
Where: Petaluma | More Info: Petaluma Downtown Holiday Marketplace & Merchant Open House
Historic home tours with old-fashioned holiday finery.
Visit Luther Burbank Home & Gardens for a holiday celebration featuring historic home tours, unique gift shopping, and family-friendly activities.
Where: Santa Rosa | More Info: Holiday Open House at Luther Burbank Home & Gardens
Seasonal revelry with St. Nick and Krampus.
Penngrove Winter Fest is a holiday celebration in downtown Penngrove where merchants, makers, and restaurants offer cookies, cocoa, photos with St. Nick and Krampus, and giveaway gift baskets. Enjoy local maker pop-markets while sipping and shopping.
Where: Penngrove | More Info: Penngrove Winter Fest
Broadway-style production with local food and wine.
Transcendence Theatre Company presents a spectacular Broadway Holiday event, featuring a night of joyous and uplifting performances in the picturesque setting of Sonoma Wine Country. The evening includes a pre-show picnic experience, live music, and local food and wine, all set against the backdrop of Jack London State Park.
Where: Sonoma | More Info: Transcendence’s Best Night Ever: Broadway Holiday
Professional holiday ice skating show with Snoopy.
Enjoy a spectacular holiday variety show featuring professional figure skaters and dancers, including a special guest appearance by Snoopy, at the historic Snoopys Home Ice rink.
Where: Santa Rosa | More Info: FREE Outdoor Holiday Shows Presented by Sonoma Clean Power
A mixed vocal choral group performing a holiday concert with a collaborative pianist.
The Petaluma Chorale presents a holiday concert featuring a diverse repertoire of songs, showcasing the ensemble's musical excellence.
Where: Petaluma | More Info: The Petaluma Chorale Presents – Season of Lights – A Holiday Concert
Santa's unique riverboat arrival in Petaluma.
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive in Petaluma by sailing up the Petaluma River on a Lind Marine tugboat, docking at River Plaza Shopping Center. Families enjoy live entertainment while waiting for the Christmas couple, who are welcomed by costumed dancers from the Petaluma School of Ballet’s “Nutcracker.” Santa and Mrs. Claus are available for family photos in their festive tent outside Taps Restaurant. The event concludes with a short walk to historic downtown Petaluma for Shop Small special offers and activities.
Where: Petaluma | More Info: Santa’s Riverboat Arrival & Small Business Saturday
Traditional holiday tea service with fine loose-leaf tea and house-made scones.
Savor the sophisticated charm of Laurel Court with family and friends over steaming pots of fine loose-leaf tea, house-made scones, tea sandwiches, luscious pastries, and sweets.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Fairmont San Francisco Holiday Tea
