Sonoma County to shine during holiday events

Sonoma County sparkles during the holidays.

As vineyards rest for the winter, town squares glow with lights, music, and celebration. This means Christmas markets and New Year’s festivities that blend long-standing traditions with new experiences.

From Gualala in the north to Carneros in the south and everywhere in between, Sonoma County fulfills its promise of Wine Country for All of Us, providing a place for people to gather, connect, and feel welcome during the holidays.

Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa

Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa invites guests to celebrate the holiday season in the heart of Sonoma Wine Country with festive experiences. Highlights include luxurious Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve dinners at Santé, the resort’s renowned restaurant, along with cozy gatherings in the Sonoma Swiss Chalets, available from November through February. The resort’s popular Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 4 welcomes guests and the community to celebrate under a century-old sycamore decorated with sparkling lights. Visitors can also relax and rejuvenate at the Fairmont Spa.

Flamingo Resort & Spa

Flamingo Resort & Spa in Santa Rosa embraces the holiday season with a fun retro-tropical vibe. Each year, the resort transforms into a “Sippin’ Santa” holiday wonderland, featuring tiki-inspired decor, palm trees wrapped in twinkling lights, and festive cocktails served in themed mugs. The festivities kick off in late November with the Flamingo Christmas Spectacular and the Toys for Tots launch event, followed by a month of lively activities, including live music and DJ nights in Vintage Space, as well as cozy evenings around the poolside firepits. Guests can also reserve private holiday dinners or parties through the resort’s private dining program.

Christmas in the Redwoods

Celebrate the season with a drive-through holiday experience at Alliance Redwoods Conference Grounds along Sonoma County’s scenic Bohemian Corridor in Occidental. Your yuletide adventure begins beneath the towering coastal redwoods, illuminated by a dazzling light display. After the drive-through, head five minutes down the road to Occidental. Meet Santa and Bigfoot, sip hot cocoa, and stroll through streets lined with festive lights and ornaments. Explore local shops, enjoy seasonal treats, and experience the charm of small-town festivities. Christmas in the Redwoods takes place the first three weekends in December, Thursday through Sunday, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., rain or shine. Advance reservations are required. Admission is $10 per car, and the drive-through lasts about 15 minutes.

Lighting of the Sonoma Plaza

The Lighting of Sonoma Plaza 2025 invites visitors to the historic eight-acre Sonoma Plaza in Sonoma for the official start of the holiday season in Wine Country. The event features the illumination of hundreds of thousands of lights draped across trees, the plaza, and the façade of City Hall. Attendees enjoy live performances by local and regional artists, food truck menus, seasonal treats, such as hot cocoa and cookies, and beverage options including wine and cider. The event is designed to be family-friendly and serves as a gathering spot for community, dining, holiday shopping, and a festive atmosphere. November 22 | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm | Sonoma Plaza

Santa’s Riverboat Arrival

Santa’s Riverboat Arrival in Petaluma marks the official start of the city’s holiday season at the River Plaza Shopping Center. The festivities begin with live performances by the Pacific Empire Chorus and appearances from costumed entertainers. At noon, Santa and Mrs. Claus make their grand entrance aboard a tugboat operated by Linde Marine, sailing up the Petaluma River and docking at the Turning Basin before joining the celebration. Once ashore, they’re greeted by dancers from the Petaluma School of Ballet performing scenes from The Nutcracker. After handing out candy canes and greeting families, the Clauses settle into a festive grotto for holiday photos. November 25 | 11:30 am | Petaluma

Winter Lights Tree Lighting Celebration

The Winter Lights Tree Lighting Celebration is returning to downtown Santa Rosa on Friday, November 28, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Old Courthouse Square. This free, family-friendly event kicks off the holiday season with live performances by the School of Rock, Transcendence Theatre Company, and Santa Rosa Ballet. Attendees can enjoy festive treats, holiday drinks, and photo opportunities with Santa and Snoopy.

Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Grove

The Holiday Celebration 2025 at Windsor Town Green features the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Grove, where over 200 individually decorated trees line the pathways of the green space. This installation is a project of the nonprofit People 4 Parks Windsor, inviting community groups, local businesses, and families to “adopt” a tree and decorate it as part of the display. The broader Holiday Celebration also takes place on Thursday, December 4, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and includes children’s crafts and activities, youth performances, holiday treats, and warm community engagement.

A Season to Sparkle

Healdsburg presents A Season to Sparkle, with holiday events, activities, offers, and menus. From mid-November through December, the downtown Plaza and surrounding businesses come alive with lights, decorations, and festive energy. On December 5, the annual tree lighting ceremony illuminates the Plaza with over 5,000 lights, accompanied by live music, horse-drawn carriage rides, photos with Santa, and holiday crafts. Throughout the season, local shops, wineries, and restaurants host special experiences such as “Breakfast with Santa” and the “Nutcracker’s Holiday Feast” at Costeaux French Bakery, the Holiday Bazaar at Bacchus Landing, and a series of winery open houses. Highlights include the kickoff Sparkle Party at Barndiva, themed dinners, and artisan pop-ups.

Luther Burbank Center for the Arts: Northern Lights Winter Lights Art Walk 

The Northern Lights Winter Lights Art Walk at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts is a free, self-guided outdoor experience that transforms the center’s Sculpture Garden into a glowing holiday display of art. The event features light sculptures, twinkle-lit scenes, and creatively lit bridges and pathways designed to celebrate the season while showcasing local artists. For the 2025–26 season, Northern Lights runs nightly from November 20, 2025, through January 19, 2026, from dusk until 9:30 pm. Visitors can stroll through the garden, enjoy the atmosphere, and take photos at their own pace. Pets on leashes are welcome, though guests are asked to stay on the paved paths.

Sonoma Botanical Garden: Gardens Aglow

This December, Sonoma Botanical Garden transforms into a twilight wonderland for three enchanting weekends. Gardens Aglow invites families and friends to stroll through a dazzling tunnel of lights, visit a Winter Workshop filled with festive crafts, enjoy live music, play lawn games, and have their faces painted. As evening falls, cozy fireside spots await, ideal for making s’mores, sipping hot chocolate, or sampling local wines beneath the holiday lights of Sonoma Valley. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from December 5 to December 21 | 5:00 pm and 6:30 pm

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