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!

Winter Lights Downtown Santa Rosa Holiday Experience

Santa Rosa’s destination for season-long holiday fun, Winter Lights will hold its annual tree lighting event in Courthouse Square on Friday, November 26th. New to the Square’s festivities this year, the eco-friendly, synthetic-ice Winter Lights Rink will run through January 9th, 2022. Great holiday shopping and dining opportunities complete the scene, with something for everyone!

• Winter Lights Downtown Santa Rosa 
• Fri., Nov. 26, 2021—4:00 – 7:00pm
• Downtown – Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa

Santa’s Riverboat Cruise

Mr. and Mrs. Claus’ tugboat cruise starts at 11:00am on Saturday, November 27 at Lind Marine on D Street. The boat will sail south on the Petaluma River toward Shollenberger Park, where it will turn and sail north towards the Turning Basin, arriving about 12 noon. The tugboat will dock by the River Plaza near Taps, and Santa will disembark for photos. 

• Santa’s Riverboat Cruise
• Sat., Nov. 27—11:00am-1:00pm
• Lind Marine on D Street, Petaluma

Geyserville Lighted Tractor Parade

The 2021 Geyserville Lighted Tractor Parade won’t have its usual tree lighting ceremony, but the tree will nonetheless be lit. The only other change is that Santa won’t be posing for pictures this year, as he needs to stay healthy to deliver gifts. 

Please arrive by 5:30pm, as there will be a total road closure from 6:00 to 8:00pm.  The parade begins at 6:15pm.

Shops, tasting rooms, and restaurants will be open special hours before, during, and after the parade.  Reservations for dining and tasting are recommended.

• Geyserville Lighted Tractor Parade
• Sat., Nov. 27, 2021 – 5:30-8:30pm
• Downtown Geyserville, Geyserville Ave./Hwy 128

Chanukah Festival, Santa Rosa

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

• Chanukah Festival
• Sun., Nov. 28, 2021 – 4:00-6:00pm
• Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa

Chanukah Celebration & Drone Gelt Drop

Join Chabad of Petaluma for their 7th annual Chanukah celebration,  which will include a nine-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. 

• Chanukah Celebration & Drone Gelt Drop
• Sun., Nov. 28, 2021 – 4:30pm-6:00pm
• Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, Petaluma

 Sebastopol Tree Lighting & Holiday Celebration

Each year, a gorgeous tree is lit in Sebastopol Plaza at 7:00pm, and then Santa arrives on a fire truck. Other attractions include festive refreshments, a candle lighting ceremony, and a holiday music sing-a-long. 

• Sebastopol Tree Lighting & Holiday Celebration
• Thurs., Dec. 2, 2021 — 5:00-8:00pm
• Sebastopol Plaza, 265 S. Main St., Sebastopol

Windsor Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting

The 20th 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 will line the walkways of the Green throughout the month of December. The tree lighting itself will begin at 7:00pm. 

• Windsor Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting
• Thurs., Dec. 2, 2021 — 5:00-8:00 pm
• Windsor Town Green, 701 McLelland Drive, Windsor

Merry Healdsburg Weekend

The tree lighting ceremony in Healdsburg Plaza will be held on Friday, December 3rd at 6pm, with live music, desserts, and photos with Santa. Live music from the Healdsburg Chorus and a holiday sidewalk sale will last through the weekend. 

• Merry Healdsburg Weekend
• Fri., Dec. 3 – Sun., Dec. 5, 2021—5:00-8:00pm
• Healdsburg Plaza, Healdsburg

Guerneville Nights of Lights

On Friday, December 3rd from 6:00-8:00pm in Guerneville’s main square, pair the annual tree lighting with some hot chocolate or cider. For the kids, there will be ornament decorating and coloring tables, with special guest Santa. On both December 3rd and 4th, area businesses will have sales and special offers, and several merchants plan to stay open late for holiday shopping. 

• Guerneville Nights of Lights
• Fri., Dec. 3rd, 2021—6:00-8:00pm: Tree Lighting 
• Sat., Dec. 4th, 2021—6:00-8:00pm
• Downtown Guerneville, Main Street

For more ways to celebrate, see Great Holiday Events in Sonoma County and check out the Sonoma County calendar of events!