Holiday Happenings in Sonoma County 2023

Ongoing holiday attractions

See holiday events below

Nov. 17, 2023 – Jan. 16, 2024
NorthernLights at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
A Free Winter Lights Art Walk. The dazzling self-guided tour features sculptures by local artists and exciting new lighting designs to lead you through tunnels of twinkle lights and to whimsical stops along the paths. Open daily from dusk to 9:30pm
Santa Rosa

Nov. 17-Dec. 3
A Christmas Carol by SRJC Theatre Arts in The Burbank Theater
Charles Dickens’ classic gets the full Broadway treatment by the team of Alan Menken (Little Mermaid), Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime).
Santa Rosa

Nov. 17-Dec. 24, 11am-7pm
Santa Photo Experience at Santa Rosa Plaza
Experience the festive, holiday season with a series of Santa-focused photo opportunities.
Santa Rosa

Nov. 24-Dec. 17
Elf The Musical at 6th Street Playhouse
One Christmas Eve, a young orphan crawls into Santa’s bag of toys and is unknowingly transported to the North Pole. Buddy the Elf, grows up unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities make him face the truth.
Santa Rosa.

Nov. 24 through Dec. 31, Thurs., Fri., Sat., & Sun.
Winter Lights Holiday Skate Rink
Winter Lights, presented by Redwood Credit Union, is excited to bring this fun, festive opportunity to Downtown Santa Rosa! Theme Skate Nights every Thursday before Christmas, feat. special music, décor, costumes, and professional skating entertainment and instruction! Hours: Get tickets online.
Downtown Santa Rosa

Weekends, Nov. 25 – Dec. 24, 11am-3pm
Celebrate the Holidays in Railroad Square
Free horse & carriage rides (weather permitting), live music, family fun, unique shopping, international dining. Free parking on Sundays.
Santa Rosa

Dec. 1-17
The Nunsense Christmas Musical presented by Sonoma Arts Live
The Little Sisters of Hoboken are here to make your holiday season merry and bright!
Sonoma

Dec. 1 – 31
City of Lights Driving Tour
Self-guided tour of decorated homes in Petaluma

Fridays & Saturdays, Dec. 1-23, 6-8pm
Friday & Saturday Night Flurries at Hotel Petaluma
Enjoy flurries (”snowfall”), hot cocoa, and holiday music in the Courtyard.
Petaluma

Dec. 1-10
Transcendence’s Best Night Ever: Broadway Holiday
Featuring Broadway performers from such acclaimed shows as Hamilton, Wicked, Les Misérables, and more!
Sonoma

Dec. 1-17
Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical
Presented by Sonoma Arts Live at Sonoma Community Center
The Little Sisters of Hoboken are ready (most of them) to make your holidays merry and your night at the theater bright!
Sonoma

Nov. 24-Dec. 24
Cirque de Boheme 2023 Winter Show
This new show called “Consolamentum” with its international troupe of artists including: magician, trapeze dance, flying pole, contortionist, acrobat, aerial duo, dancer and more!.
Sonoma

Dec. 7 through Jan. 1; Daily
Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Grove
View the spectacular lighting displays throughout the Park and browse the more than 200 trees decorated by local classrooms, service groups, families, and businesses. Listen to holiday music, enjoy nightly “snowfall”, shop and dine at local businesses around the Town Green.
Windsor

Dec. 8, 9, 15, 16, 17
nightlight presented by The Imaginists
An immersive theater experience where spectators walk into the story. This year we explore darkness, and our relationship to the night, and to this dark time of year.
Santa Rosa

Holiday events

Sat, Nov. 18, 5-8pm
Lighting of the Sonoma Plaza
It’s the brightest evening in Sonoma Wine Country as we celebrate with food, wine, music and thousands of bright lights. Performances by Sonoma Conservatory of Dance, Transcendence Theatre Company and Sonoma’s very own singers and performers, organized by local musician John Arntz.
Sonoma

Fri, Nov. 24, 4-7pm
Winter Lights Tree Lighting Celebration in Downtown Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa’s annual celebration in Courthouse Square with family friendly activities, entertainment, photos with Santa, and more!
Santa Rosa

Sat, Nov. 25, 11:30am-1:30pm
Santa’s Riverboat Arrival & Small Business Saturday
Santa and Mrs. Claus are coming to town on the Saturday after Thanksgiving!
Petaluma

Sun, Nov. 26, 4-6pm
Forestville Tree Lighting
Celebrate the holidays under the oaks on Front Street.
Forestville

Fri & Sat, Dec. 1 & 2, 3- 9pm
26th Annual Santa Rosa Crèche Festival
A diverse display of nativities from around the world and musical performances.
Santa Rosa

Dec. 1, 2 & 9, 7pm; Dec 3, 3pm
Occidental Community Choir Winter Concert
Comfort and Joy. Enjoy festive performances of both original and well loved songs of the winter season, interspersed with spoken word.
Occidental

Fri, Sat & Sun, Dec. 1, 2 & 3
Transcendence’s Broadway Holiday
https://transcendencetheatre.org/whats-on/broadway-holiday/
Filled with seasonal songs and good tidings, this festive indoor event is perfect for the entire family.
Sonoma

Fri, Dec. 1, 4pm-8pm
Cotati Holiday Tree Lighting
Carriage rides, music, children’s activities, food and craft vendors, and more!
Cotati

Fri, Dec. 1, 4-9:30pm
Merry Healdsburg Tree Lighting & Holiday Market
Bring the whole family to enjoy a winter wonderland downtown with carriage rides, live holiday music, and much more!
Healdsburg

Fri, Dec. 1, 5-8:pm
Cloverdale Winter Festival & Tree Lighting
Holiday tree lighting, Santa, kids’ activities, refreshments, shopping, and holiday cheer!
Cloverdale

Fri., Dec 1, 6pm
Festival of Trees at Hotel Petaluma
An incredible display of trees that will be available via silent auction plus Santa on hand, hot cocoa, cookies, music and merriment.
Petaluma

Fri, Dec. 1, 6-7pm
Light Up a Life in Petaluma
An annual community event, where we gather in remembrance and celebration of the lives of those who we have loved and lost.
Petaluma

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Sat, Dec. 2, 10am-4pm
21st Annual Santa Paws benefiting Canine Companions
Get your 2023 Christmas photo with your favorite pet!
Santa Rosa

Sat, Dec. 2, 2023, 10am-3pm
Family Holiday Carnival
Kids’ activities, Santa & Mrs. Claus, and more.
Sonoma

Sat, Dec. 2, 11am-5pm
Petaluma Downtown Holiday Marketplace & Merchant Open House
Head to Downtown Petaluma to kick off the holiday season with entertainment, kids’ activities, and Santa & Mrs. Claus!!
Petaluma

Sat, Dec. 2, 4-7pm
Healdsburg Holiday Sip & Shop
Enjoy phenomenal shopping while sipping on award-winning wine.
Healdsburg

Sat, Dec. 2 & Sun, Dec. 3
Holiday Open House at Luther Burbank Home & Gardens
Visit Luther’s Home decked out for the holidays, enjoy holiday cookies, children’s activities, and shopping for unique gifts. Rosie the Trolley will shuttle between the Holiday Open House and the Handmade Holiday Crafts Fair at Finley Center.
Santa Rosa

Sat, Dec. 2, 11am-5pm
Petaluma Downtown Holiday Marketplace & Merchant Open House
Holiday Open House, entertainment, Santa & Mrs. Claus in Downtown Petaluma!
Petaluma

Sat, Dec. 2, 10am-4pm; Sun, Dec. 3, 10am-3pm
Santa Paws at Western Farm Center
Have your pets picture taken with Santa Paws! Proceeds benefit Canine Companions.
Santa Rosa

Sat, Dec. 2, 4- 7pm
Snowman Lighting at Cornerstone-Sonoma
Santa himself lights up the famous Cornerstone Snowman Tree!
Sonoma

Sat, Dec. 2, 5:30-8pm
Holiday Lights Celebration & Lighted Parade in Rohnert Park
Free Family Holiday Event – Lighted parade, tree lighting, holiday refreshments, Santa, food for sale.
Rohnert Park

Sat, Dec. 2, 5:30-7:30pm
Tree Lighting Celebration in Theater Square
Live music and performances, visit with Santa, a laser light show, and more!
Petaluma

Sat, Dec. 2, 7pm
Guerneville Parade of Lights
Parade of Lights on Main Street in Downtown Guerneville. Small town holiday fun on the Russian River, with festively lit cars, trucks, tractors, and floats in a theme of “The Spirit of Love and Light”!
Guerneville

Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, 7:30pm
Healdsburg Jazz Swingin’ Holiday Dance Party & Concert
Featuring two renowned tenor saxophonists—Patrick Wolff and the legendary Noel Jewkes, with Adam Shulman (piano), Erik Markowitz (bass), and James Gallagher (drums). Free swing dance lesson from 6 pm-7 pm.
Healdsburg

Sat–Mon, Dec 2-4
Santa Rosa Symphony – FLC Conducts Messiah!
An uplifting and joyful musical rite of the holiday season, capped off with the wondrous ‘Hallelujah’ chorus.
Rohnert Park.

Sun, Dec. 3, 3pm
Healdsburg Community Band Holiday Concert
A free concert of holiday favorites performed by a 40-piece band that goes beyond standard holiday fare.
Healdsburg

Sun, Dec. 3, 3- 9pm
26th Annual Santa Rosa Crèche Festival
A diverse display of nativities from around the world and musical performances.
Santa Rosa

Sun, Dec. 3, 4pm
Reflections of Peace
The holiday season brings the opportunity to explore both a sense of inner peace and calm through music.
Santa Rosa

Thurs, Dec. 7, 5-8pm
Windsor’s 21st Annual Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting
Bring the whole family to the tree lighting and visit the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Grove. Festivities include kids’ activities, letters to Santa, food and craft vendors and much more!
Windsor

Thurs, Dec. 7, 5-8pm
Sebastopol’s Annual Tree Lighting
Music, ballet, candle lighting, Santa, Christmas cartoons and trivia by Stellar XP, Peacetown Children’s Choir and of course, tree lighting, etc. Family fun for everyone! Sebastopol

Fri, Sat & Sun, Dec. 8, 9 & 10
Transcendence’s Broadway Holiday
Filled with seasonal songs and good tidings, this festive indoor event is perfect for the entire family.
Sonoma

Fri, Sat & Sun, Dec. 8, 9 & 10
FREE Outdoor Holiday Shows Presented by Sonoma Clean Power Produced by Redwood Ice Theatre Company
A spectacular Holiday variety show featuring professional figure skaters, dancers, and a special guest appearance from the world’s most famous Beagle, Snoopy.
Santa Rosa

Fri., Dec 8, 7:30; Sat & Sun, Dec. 9 & 10, 2pm
The Petaluma Chorale Presents – Season of Lights – A Holiday Concert
The Petaluma Chorale is a mixed vocal ensemble dedicated to the art of superior choral singing.
Petaluma

Sat, Dec. 9, 9am-5pm
Penngrove Winter Fest
Celebrate the holidays with pop-ups, music, St. Nick and Krampus!
Penngrove

Sat & Sun, Dec. 9 & 10, 1-2:30pm
The Snow Maiden at Sebastiani Theatre
Come enjoy the story of Lel, the Russian shepherd boy who falls in love with the beautiful and mystical Snow Maiden. Presented by the Sonoma Conservatory of Dance.
Sonoma

Sat, Dec. 9, 1-3:30pm
Sing Along “Messiah” in Sebastopol
An all-volunteer effort, all singers of any ability welcome, along with listeners.
Sebastopol 

Sat & Sun, Dec. 9 & 10, 3pm
Healdsburg Chorus presents “Season of Light”
Our songs this season include “Do You Hear What I Hear, Betelehemu, How Can I Keep From Singing?, and more!
Healdsburg

Sat, Dec. 9, 3-5pm
YMCA Family Fun Night: Holiday Craft Day
Please join us at the Y for a day of holiday ornament making and cheer.
Santa Rosa 

Sat, Dec. 9, 4-7pm
Christmas Tea Party: Teas from Around the World
Join us at The Ranch for an exclusive Holiday Tea Party at the lake. Endless food, wine, sweets, and live music. $80.
Geyserville

Sat, Dec. 9, 5- 8pm
Holidays on the Northern Frontier
Come stroll through the decorated historic buildings at SSHP while enjoying some holiday fun.
Sonoma

Sat, Dec 9, 7:30pm
Dianne Reeves – Christmas Time is Here
Grammy Award winning Dianne Reeves rings in the holiday season with music from her celebrated album at Green Music Center,
Rohnert Park

Sat, Dec. 9, 6-7:30pm
Petaluma Lighted Boat Parade
Bundle up and bring the family to watch the boats parade down the Petaluma River, decorated in holiday lights and decor while they steer into the turning basin where they will dock their festive boats.
Petaluma

Sat, Dec. 9, 7pm
Occidental Community Choir Winter Concert
Enjoy festive performances of both original and well loved songs of the winter season, interspersed with spoken word.
Santa Rosa.

Sun, Dec. 10, 11am-3pm
Holiday Craft Festival at Art Escape
This is a family-friendly occasion that will allow everyone to embrace the colorful tradition of this festive day.
Sonoma

Sun, Dec. 10,, 3-4:pm
Sebastopol Community Holiday SingAlong
A Participatory Community SingAlong of the Great Popular Songs of Christmas.
Sebastopol

Mon, Dec. 11, 4:30pm-7pm
Light Up The Night: Chanukah Festival
Celebrate Chanukah at The Village with the local Chabad Jewish Center
Santa Rosa

Dec. 15-17
Gingerbread Showcase at Hotel Petaluma
Display and awards. Petaluma.

Sat, Dec. 16, 4-8pm
Forestville Holiday Faire
Downtown Forestville holiday with food, music, and more!
Forestville

Sat, Dec 16, 5pm
San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus Holiday Spectacular
Amazing music, hilarious skits, and sparkling costumes. Bigger and better than ever! At Green Music Center.
Rohnert Park.

Fri, Sat, & Sun, Dec. 15 through Dec. 17
Santa Rosa Dance Theater presents “The Nutcracker”
Don’t miss this exceptional performance of The Nutcracker, by Santa Rosa Dance Theater.
Rohnert Park

Sat. & Sun, Dec. 16 & 17
Sonoma Bach Early Music Christmas: Ein Kind ist uns geboren!
A rich ensemble, complete with choir, vocal soloists, and a colorful orchestra.

Sat, Dec. 16, 7-9:30pm
Barbara Higbie & Friends Winter Solstice Concert
Join us for a magical evening of music with the incomparable Barbara Higbie and her talented friends!
Occidental

Sat, Dec. 16, 7:30-9:30pm
Forbidden Kiss LIVE @ The California
Bad Santa Party. Join us for our holiday party! “an evening of free-spirited sex-positive fun.”
Santa Rosa

Sun, Dec. 17, 1-3pm
The Holiday Concert for Compassion for AFC and Gospel Mission
The Christmas fundraiser is back for our 6th year, held this year at the Arlene Francis Center.
Santa Rosa

Sun, Dec. 17, 3-4:30pm
Historic European Songs of the Holidays In Choral Concert by The Old World Carolers
The Old World Carolers live choral concert featuring past eras vintage European songs and holiday standards.
Sebastopol

Sun, Dec. 17, 6-7pm
Penngrove Holiday Lights Parade
Penngrove Social Firemen present glammed up tractor trailers, farm vehicles, and decorated farm tractors.
Penngrove

Sat, Dec. 23, 5-7:30pm
Duke Ellington Nutracker Featuring the Marcus Shelby Live Jazz Orchestra
Dancers from SF Ballet, New World Ballet, and other companies.
Santa Rosa

Find out what else is Happening in Sonoma County!