Biggest Annual Sonoma County Festivals

Taste of Sonoma, Santa Rosa

Wine, food, music, and art celebrations — Sonoma County has you covered with a wide array of fun happenings all year. Find your favorite event or discover a new activity to look forward to. Every season is a good time in gorgeous Sonoma Wine Country! 

Below is a round-up of Sonoma County’s best events and festivals this year. For all of our event information, including days and times, check out our events page.

January

Winter Wineland

People enjoy wine around a table overlooking a vineyard at the Winter Wineland event, Sonoma County
Winter Wineland

Join more than 100 wineries for this fun and educational weekend. Meet winemakers, tour wineries, and sample wine throughout the Russian River, Alexander, and Dry Creek valleys.

Chowder Day Bodega Bay

Sample chowder at quaint seaside restaurants, tour the coast, and receive a commemorative spoon! This driving event spans multiple towns along the beautiful Sonoma Coast.

February

Cloverdale Citrus Fair

Come for everything you love about a small-town fair, including live, local music, a carnival, a petting zoo, and agricultural shows, plus culinary demos and wine tasting!

Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival

Steelhead pushing upstream and leaping out of the water as they climb the fish ladder at the Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival
Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival

Celebrate the return of the Steelhead Trout at this free event featuring live music and fun activities for the whole family. Beer, wine, and food are available for purchase.

Sonoma County Restaurant Week

Try some of the finest Sonoma County restaurants as you sample the culinary talent on display in specially prepared tasting dishes — all for an amazing price.

March

Wine Road Barrel Tasting

For two weekends, sample wine directly from the barrel at more than 100 wineries throughout Sonoma Wine Country. Purchase ‘futures,’ meet winemakers, discover new wineries, and visit your favorites.

California Artisan Cheese Festival

Samples of cheese ready to enjoy at the Artisan Cheese Festival, Sonoma County
Artisan Cheese Festival, Sonoma County, California

Meet celebrated cheese makers and sample artisan cheeses at this tasty festival, held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. Seminars and farm tours are available.

Sonoma International Film Festival

This five-day film festival showcases the best in independent film from around the world, plus food and wine in one of the most intimate settings on the film festival circuit.

April

Alexander Valley Film Festival 

The Alexander Valley Film Festival highlights indie films, including diverse talent from and about underrepresented artists and communities.

Passport to Dry Creek Valley

Enjoy a variety of world-class wine, food, education, and revelry throughout this fun-filled spring weekend. Dry Creek Valley wineries pour their best current releases for this can’t-miss event.

Apple Blossom Festival and Parade

Enjoy an old-fashioned parade down Main Street. The colorful festival features music, arts, crafts, and more.

Butter and Egg Days Parade and Festival

Watch floats and groups march through Downtown Petaluma and enjoy food and drink, music, arts and crafts, and an area just for the kids.

Battle of the Brews

Celebrate all things craft beer at Sonoma County’s biggest beer event. Sample beers and food offerings, and check out the winning brews.

Levi’s Granfondo 

Ride your bike along the continent’s edge, where it meets the sea. This is America’s premier Gran Fondo, a cycling event unlike any other. Options range from an easier 9 miles to a challenging 117 miles for experts.

May

Bodega Bay Fisherman’s Festival

The blessing of the fleet at the Bodega Bay Fisherman’s Festival, Sonoma County
Bodega Bay Fisherman’s Festival, Bodega Bay, California

The salmon season kicks off with a blessing of the fleet, along with entertainment for the whole family, wine and beer tasting, and a wooden boat challenge.

Castles & Kites Kite Festival

People sit on the beach watching kites fly in the sky at Doran Regional Park at the Castles & Kites event, Bodega Bay
Castles & Kites, Bodega Bay, California

Join the celebration of sandcastle building and kite flying at Doran Beach in Bodega Bay. Bring your kite or sit back and watch. Sand sculptors build elaborate creations, and free sandcastle tools and molds are on loan.

Crusin’ the Boulevard

Petaluma's Salute to American Graffiti
Downtown Petaluma

Petaluma’s Salute to American Graffiti is an annual celebration of the film, with classic American cars, cruising the “main drag,” and rock ‘n roll music celebrating the 1950s and early ’60s.

June

Taste of Sonoma

Enjoy the finest wine and food in Sonoma County at the annual, Taste of Sonoma. Purveyors gather at the gorgeous Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens for a day of tastings and entertainment.

Country Summer Music Festival

A performer jumps and plays guitar on stage at the Country Summer Music Festival, Sonoma County
Country Summer Music Festival

Northern California’s biggest country music festival features three days of top country artists, Western-themed attractions, country-inspired foods, and libations for every palate.

Toyota SaveMart 350

Wine Country becomes the ultimate racing destination as NASCAR returns for its only trip to Northern California.

July

All American Zin Day

Celebrate Independence Day with some of the best Dry Creek Valley Zins from participating wineries, along with great food.

Red, White, and Boom!

Santa Rosa’s annual Independence Day celebration at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, features food, live music, and kid’s activities, concluding with an amazing fireworks show.

Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic

Hot air balloons soaring above Sonoma County
Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic, Santa Rosa

A family-friendly two-day event promotes the beauty of hot air ballooning in Sonoma County. Embrace the magic of balloons up close, with a fun Glow Show and morning launch.

Gay Wine Weekend

Three days of LGBTQ+ celebration in Sonoma Wine Country. Festivities include winemaker dinners, wine tours and the signature event of the weekend, The Twilight T-Dance at La Crema Winery Estate. Other events include a drag queen brunch & wine auction, after parties and a closing pool soirée.

Lazy Bear Week

A long, lazy weekend of LGBTQ+ celebrations in the heart of Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley that include pool parties, dance parties, campfires and live entertainment and amazing DJs.

Fort Ross Festival

People dance in costume at the Fort Ross Festival, Sonoma County
Fort Ross Festival

This annual celebration features historical re-enactments, militia cannon firings, music, crafts, a multicultural food court, children’s activities, and dancing, such as a balalaika ensemble and Alaska Native drumming.

August

Gravenstein Apple Fair

Apple display at the Gravenstein Apple Festival in Sebastopol
Gravenstein Apple Festival

Showcasing the best in arts, crafts, food, wines and brews, games, entertainment, and farm life activities, this country fair celebrates the Gravenstein apple.

Petaluma Music Festival

This intimate, relaxed, and upbeat celebration features an exceptional variety of music for people of all ages, fine beers, premium wine tasting, and specialty food vendors.

Art in the Redwoods Festival

More than 400 works are displayed in Gualala, along with food and craft vendors, live entertainment, and children’s activities.

September

Sonoma County Wine Celebration

Formally known as the Sonoma County Wine Auction, this celebration was named one of the top charitable wine auctions by Wine Spectator, bringing wine superstars, local celebrity chefs, and honored guests together to invest in the community. The event features imaginative and indulgent auction lots, highlighted by exquisite wine and cuisine.

October

Sonoma County Harvest Fair

People sample wine at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair, Santa Rosa
Sonoma County Harvest Fair

This Sonoma Wine Country harvest extravaganza is three days of wine tasting from over 100 wineries, plus craft beer and cider tasting, food pairing, chef demonstrations, workshops, and the World Championship Grape Stomp. Enjoy live music, a classic car show, a pumpkin patch, harvest games, and more.

Pinot on the River

Enjoy some of the best Pinot Noirs that California has to offer as more than 40 small-production wineries join artisan food vendors to celebrate all things Pinot Noir. Meet the winemakers and fellow Pinot lovers.

Healdsburg Crush

Sample limited-production West Coast Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sparkling Wines, and some longtime favorites. A silent auction boasts a large collection of locally produced bottles, and there are raffles for premium large-format bottles and instant wine cellars.

Hitchcock Film Fest

Not only does this event allow you to celebrate perhaps the most well-known film of one of cinema’s greatest artists, Alfred Hitchcock, but it’s a rare opportunity to watch the movie in Bodega Bay, the place where much of the film was shot, a privilege not to be missed. Enjoy themed food, drinks and photo opportunities, then visit the exact spots seen on the big screen.

November

Wine & Food Affair

People enjoy wine around a table at the event Wine and Food Affair, Sonoma County
Wine and Food Affair

Over 75 wineries in Alexander, Dry Creek, and Russian River valleys participate in this much-anticipated event. Each winery posts a favorite winery recipe online, which you can sample at this event, along with the perfect wine.

The Lighting of the Sonoma Plaza

City Hall and the palm tree in front are decorated with lights in Sonoma
City Hall on the Sonoma Plaza in Sonoma, California

The annual lighting of the plaza celebration is the first official holiday event in Wine County, and a beloved Sonoma tradition! Come see thousands of lights in Sonoma’s historic plaza, enjoy musical and dance performances, and treat yourself to holiday goodies and spirit.

December

Luther Burbank Holiday Open House

The lovely Luther Burbank Home and Gardens will be decked out in Victorian-style holiday decor. Enjoy festive music, spiced tea, and cookies. Listen to carolers and let the kids make festive crafts.

Check for current dates and details on the Sonoma Wine Country Calendar of Events

Find places to stay and restaurants to enjoy in Sonoma County. 

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