Holiday Celebrations and Tree Lightings in Sonoma County

Spending the holidays in Sonoma Wine Country is a wonderland of lights and cheer. Each city and town is decked out for the holidays, and many magical events and activities await visitors of all ages.

These are some of Sonoma County’s best holiday celebrations and tree lightings to help you ring in the season! For more information on these events, check out our events page.

Winter Lights Holiday Experience

Santa Rosa kicks-off its holiday festivities with an annual tree-lighting event in Courthouse Square, paired with an eco-friendly, synthetic-ice Winter Lights Rink that welcomes guests into the new year. Great holiday shopping and dining opportunities complete the scene, with something for everyone!

Northern Lights

This self-guided tour of the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts’ illuminated sculpture garden exhibition leads you through tunnels of twinkle lights, plus colorful lighted sculptures by local artists.

Christmas Tree Lighting at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn

At this annual, family-friendly event, the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa lights up the iconic sycamore tree while visitors enjoy hot cocoa and cider, festive carolers, and photos with Santa. 

Santa’s Riverboat Cruise

Mr. and Mrs. Claus arrive in Petaluma via tugboat cruise. The boat sails south on the Petaluma River toward Shollenberger Park, where it will turn and sail north toward the Turning Basin. The tugboat will dock by the River Plaza near Taps, and the couple will disembark for photos. 

Geyserville Lighted Tractor Parade

The Geyserville Lighted Tractor Parade is a holiday event like no other. Shops, tasting rooms, and restaurants will be open special hours before, during, and after the parade. Reservations for dining and tasting are recommended.

Santa Rosa’s Chanukah Festival

Celebrate Chanukah at Montgomery Village in Santa Rosa with the lighting of a huge ice menorah, plus live music, latkes, dreidels, and more.

Chanukah Celebration & Drone Gelt Drop

Join Chabad of Petaluma for its annual Chanukah celebration,  which includes a 9-foot-tall menorah, a gelt drop from a drone, a spectacular fire-juggling act, latkes and jelly donuts, a live DJ spinning Chanukah music, face painting, and the world’s largest dreidel. 

 Sebastopol Tree Lighting & Holiday Celebration

Each year, a gorgeous tree is lit in Sebastopol Plaza, and then Santa arrives on a fire truck. Other attractions include festive refreshments, a candle lighting ceremony, and a holiday music sing-a-long. 

Windsor Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting

The annual lighting of the main Christmas tree in the central Windsor Town Green will kick-off a party around the square, highlighted by the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Grove. Designed and individually decorated by local students, families, groups, and businesses, these 200 lighted holiday trees line the walkways of the Green throughout the month of December and is an event you don’t want to miss.

Merry Healdsburg Tree Lighting

Healdsburg’s downtown plaza (Healdsburg Avenue & Matheson Street) transforms into a winter wonderland fit for the whole family. The fun kicks off with a tree lighting ceremony and is followed by family activities, carolers, live music, hot chocolate, carriage rides, and a visit from Santa.

For more ways to celebrate, check out our Sonoma County Holidays page.