14 Nov 2025
Sonoma County shines during the holidays. As vineyards rest for the winter, town squares glow with lights, music, and celebration. Locals and visitors gather for menorah lightings, 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 and all year long.
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa invites guests to celebrate the holiday season in the heart of Sonoma Wine Country with a variety of 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 with limited-edition autumn and winter aromatherapy rituals or gift a signature Wine Country getaway.
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, and unwind at the Flamingo Spa & Wellness Center, which offers calming seasonal treatments throughout the winter.
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 you will remember for years. 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. Thanks to the Occidental Community Council and local businesses, the town will be glowing with holiday cheer. 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.
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, transforming the historic square into a glowing holiday scene. 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 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. The event also ties into Small Business Saturday, inviting visitors to continue the celebration downtown and support local shops and restaurants after the riverfront arrival. November 25 | 11:30 am | Petaluma
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 before the official lighting of the downtown holiday tree.
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. The tree grove remains up through January 1, allowing visitors to walk among the lights, enjoy local music, or simply soak in the festive setting.
Healdsburg presents A Season to Sparkle, the city's most dazzling lineup of 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. Ranked the No. 3 Best Christmas Town in America by Newsweek in 2024, Healdsburg's Season to Sparkle celebrates the town's creative spirit and warm sense of community, inviting travelers to experience the joy and connection of the holidays in Wine Country.
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, dazzling holiday display of illuminated 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 and avoid touching the installations. While admission is free, donations help support LBC's community arts programming.
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
New in Hotels
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa - All-Inclusive Package
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa is enhancing the resort experience with the launch of a new All-Inclusive Package. Designed for travelers seeking both luxury and simplicity, this offer combines many of the resort's most treasured experiences. Guests can now enjoy the best of Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa in one seamless stay, including farm-to-table cuisine, signature spa services, premier golf, and curated in-room amenities. Whether the goal is to unwind, reconnect, or explore, this “first in Wine Country” exclusive offer makes it easy to relax knowing every detail has been thoughtfully arranged. From soaking in the resort's historic geothermal-fed pools to gaining exclusive access to the private Sonoma Golf Club, every moment is designed to be memorable and rooted in the spirit of Sonoma County Wine Country.
Timber Cove Resort - Micro-retreats and Babymoon Getaway
The evolution of boutique hotel wellness and the rise of “micro-retreats” offering meaningful restoration in less than an hour are exemplified at Timber Cove Resort on the Sonoma Coast. The resort's new Reset & Restore Suite provides a targeted wellness experience focused on rest and recovery. Guests can book 60-minute sessions featuring a Shiftwave zero-gravity recliner that uses pulsed pressure waves to soothe the nervous system, Normatec compression boost to improve circulation, and a traditional rock sauna paired with a 37°F cold plunge tub for contrast therapy. Herbal tea, fresh fruit, aromatherapy, and sweeping views of the Sonoma County coastline enhance each session.
Timber Cove also welcomes expectant parents to unwind with its Babymoon Getaway Package, a tranquil retreat designed for comfort and connection. The experience includes a pregnancy pillow for restful sleep, a handcrafted mocktail crafted for relaxation, and a new mom's book to take home. Whether walking coastal trails, relaxing by the fire, or simply enjoying quiet moments together, guests discover calm and renewal along this rugged stretch of the Pacific.
New in Wine
Foppiano Vineyards begins a new chapter with the debut of its modern tasting room and an upgraded guest experience. Led by Courtney Benham of CMB Wines, the historic estate is being thoughtfully renewed through extensive renovations and vineyard enhancements that blend heritage with innovation. The redesigned tasting space features contemporary seating, sliding glass walls that open to vineyard views, and a welcoming patio designed for year-round enjoyment. Plans are also underway for an outdoor wood-fired kitchen and pizza service to further enhance the hospitality experience. With these updates, Foppiano is embracing a modern, approachable style that invites visitors to relax, connect, and appreciate the legacy of one of Sonoma County's oldest family wineries.
Martha Stoumen Wines has opened its first tasting room on Healdsburg's Plaza, creating a warm, modern space that reflects founder Martha Stoumen's values of nature, community, and joy. Designed with Northern California style, the new venue features redwood accents, native landscaping, and vintage ceramics, evoking the atmosphere of a relaxed European café. Beyond tastings, the space is envisioned as a hub for creativity and connection, with plans to host events highlighting women in food and beverage and showcasing locally sourced, sustainable provisions. Stoumen's collaboration with The Overshine Collective, a group of independent wine producers who share resources while maintaining creative independence, further emphasizes her commitment to sustainability and community-driven growth.
Portworks Wine Lounge in Petaluma has new owners and a fresh look. Heringer Estates Family Vineyards & Winery, longtime grape suppliers to the label, has taken over from founders Bill and Caryn Reading. The rebranded lounge continues to serve its signature small-batch ports and now features organically farmed table wines from Heringer Estates. Located in the Foundry Wharf complex, the refreshed space pairs local craftsmanship with relaxed tastings and new lounge-style seating.
Bricoleur Vineyards has partnered with Pendleton to launch Après Bricoleur, a seasonal food and wine experience inspired by après-ski traditions in the heart of Sonoma County Wine Country. Located within Bricoleur's scenic estate, the pop-up unfolds inside a winter greenhouse decorated with Pendleton's signature patterns, creating a warm, inviting space for guests to relax. The experience offers an intimate, fireside-inspired retreat that reflects Sonoma County's laid-back holiday spirit.
New in Restaurants
Folia Bar & Kitchen, the flagship restaurant at the new Appellation Healdsburg, has opened under the culinary direction of Charlie Palmer, with executive chef David Intonato and Reed Palmer leading the kitchen. Designed to reflect Sonoma County's land and seasonal rhythms, Folia features live-fire cooking that highlights local ingredients without pretense. The 204-seat space also serves as the resort's welcoming hub, where guests check in through the restaurant and can enjoy the relaxed flow between the bar, dining room, and outdoor terrace overlooking olive trees. Upstairs, Andy's Beeline Rooftop offers cocktails and small bites with views of Healdsburg's surrounding hills, creating a destination that blends hospitality, community, and the easy pace of Sonoma County Wine Country life.
Healdsburg's renowned bakery Quail & Condor is relocating to a larger space at 44 Mill Street. Founded in 2020 by husband-and-wife team of Melissa Yanc McGaughey and Sean McGaughey, the bakery has become a cornerstone of the town's creative and entrepreneurial scene. Its recognition from the New York Times and a James Beard Award nomination reflect the rising national interest in Healdsburg's small-business community. The expansion will enable the team to add seating, streamline production efficiency, and strengthen connections with local partners, supporting the collaborative spirit that defines Sonoma County's culinary and hospitality culture.
Chef-owner Dino Bugica of Diavola Pizzeria & Salumeria, recognized by the Michelin Guide as a Bib Gourmand destination, has expanded his Geyserville presence with Pastasciutta La Bodega, a new ready-to-go market offering paninis, salads, hot bar dishes, take-and-bake lasagnas, and housemade pasta and sauces. Together, Diavola and Pastasciutta strengthen Geyserville's culinary identity, attracting locals and visitors alike with an approachable yet refined expression of Sonoma County wine country dining.
New in Airlines
Alaska Airlines will start daily nonstop service between Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS) in Santa Rosa and Ontario International Airport (ONT) in Southern California beginning March 18, 2026. The route will be operated with an Embraer ERJ-175 offering 12 first-class, 16 premium, and 48 coach seats. With a flight time of just over an hour, this provides quick and convenient travel between Northern and Southern California. This new route makes it easier for Southern Californians to explore Sonoma County Wine Country and gives leisure travelers more time to enjoy their destinations.
New in Experiences
At Belos Cavalos in Kenwood, visitors can experience a truly unique and deeply restorative activity: forest bathing with horses. This guided, sensory-focused practice combines the Japanese art of Shinrin Yoku, which involves immersing oneself in nature for relaxation and healing, with equine-assisted mindfulness. Led by certified nature and forest therapy guide Jenny Harrow-Keeler, guests are encouraged to slow their pace, breathe deeply, and connect with both the natural environment and the intuitive presence of the horses. The session takes place in a tranquil ranch setting, beginning with gentle walking and sensory immersion among the trees, followed by mindful, heart-centered interactions with the horses. Without any riding involved, participants engage in reflection and sharing in ways that foster emotional awareness and connection. Horses, known for their sensitivity and ability to mirror human energy, offer a profound sense of calm and grounding. Alongside the healing presence of the land, this experience invites guests to rediscover balance, connection, and renewal.
On October 2, 1950, the first Peanuts comic strip debuted in a four-panel format in just seven newspapers. From that humble start, Peanuts expanded to appear in more than 2,600 newspapers worldwide. For 75 years, Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the gang have brought joy, laughter, and comfort to fans of all ages. To celebrate this milestone, the Charles M. Schulz Museum teams up with Peanuts Worldwide to honor the 75th anniversary of Peanuts. Central to all 17,897 comic strips is what unites them: Schulz's humor. The exhibition HA! HA! HA! HA! 75 Years of Humor in Peanuts, now on display through March 18, 2026, invites visitors to explore that legacy. Featuring original comic strip art and previously unseen correspondence between Schulz and his friends, the show highlights the timeless humor and craft that made Peanuts a lasting source of laughter across generations.
Stewards of the Coast & Redwoods will host the U.C. California Naturalist Certification course, a nine-week program combining evening Zoom classes with three full-day, in-person field trips. Participants will discover Sonoma County's diverse ecosystems, from towering redwoods to coastal prairies, while expanding their knowledge of natural history, conservation, and local stewardship efforts. Led by expert environmental educators and guest speakers, the over 50-hour curriculum features interactive lectures, journaling, hands-on field study, and a capstone presentation. Rooted in the spirit of stewardship and sustainability that is central to Sonoma County's identity, this program empowers participants to connect more deeply with the landscapes and communities that shape our region. February 17 to April 22, 2026.
A new creative hub has been officially established in Healdsburg. The NOMAD District—short for North Maker Art District—brings recognition to the cluster of home design shops, art galleries, and lifestyle boutiques located between Healdsburg Plaza and Piper Street. Marked by distinctive NOMAD banners, the area highlights the city's evolving arts and design culture while offering visitors a walkable destination anchored by acclaimed restaurants and unique local businesses. The district's founding merchants, including Buzz Korth of Maison Smith and Jim Heid of Craftwork, describe NOMAD as both a community collaboration and an evolving creative space that reflects Healdsburg's growth and artistic spirit.
The City of Santa Rosa has launched the 2025-2027 “Santa Rosa Art Walk,” a new temporary public art exhibition designed to transform Downtown Santa Rosa and Historic Railroad Square into an open-air gallery. Nine artists from across the United States, including two local artists from Santa Rosa, were selected from a competitive pool of 109 submissions. Their installations will feature sculpture, light, and interactive elements and will be displayed along key pedestrian corridors between the Museum of Sonoma County and Railroad Square, encouraging residents and visitors to engage directly with the city's creative landscape.
Barber Lee Spirits, the craft grain-to-glass distillery in downtown Petaluma, has launched a new “Nightcap Dessert Bar” concept. The after-hours venue pairs house-distilled spirits, including rye, heirloom-corn bourbon, and apple brandy, with decadent desserts like cardamom-and-cayenne chocolate cake. Aiming to expand the distillery's offerings beyond cocktails and tastings, the dessert bar combines nostalgic industrial charm with contemporary hospitality in the 1910 warehouse setting. Guests settle in among barrels and vintage décor to enjoy late-night bites, creative drink treatments, and a new dimension of Petaluma's downtown food-and-drink scene.
Accolades
· For the second year in a row, the Lodge at Bodega Bay has been voted as the #1 Best Hotel in the World by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler.
· The MICHELIN Guide has announced its 2025 U.S. hotel honors, awarding Two MICHELIN Keys to The Madrona in Healdsburg and The Stavrand in Guerneville, recognizing them as outstanding stays with exceptional character and service in Sonoma County.
· Dawn Ranch is among the first hotels in the United States to earn Green Key certification.
· In the very first edition of North America's 50 Best Restaurants, SingleThread earned the #8 spot.
· Farmhouse Inn has been named the #17 Hotel in Northern California in the Condé Nast Traveler 2025 Readers' Choice Awards.
· Jordan Winery & Vineyards was named as a featured winery in the “What to Do” category of Sunset Magazine's 2025 Travel Awards.
· All 338 acres of Gloria Ferrer's Sonoma County vineyards and olive groves are now certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). With this milestone, Gloria Ferrer becomes the only sparkling wine producer in California to be 100% certified organic.
· Travel + Leisure named Healdsburg one of the 25 Best Christmas Towns in the U.S.
About Sonoma County Tourism
Sonoma County Tourism (SCT) is the official organization responsible for destination stewardship in California's Sonoma County. Committed to cultivating a vibrant economy through inclusivity, sustainability, and community connections, SCT promotes the area as a welcoming place for all. Discover more about the organization's innovative efforts to support the local economy responsibly at sonomacounty.com/partners/about-sonoma-county-tourism/.
Media Contacts:
Birgitt Vaughan, Director, Public Relations
Chris Vomvolakis, Senior Manager, Consumer Public Relations
publicrelations@sonomacounty.com
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