Events & Festivals

Celebrate Summer 7 Days a Week in Sonoma County

Green Music Center

It’s not hard to find something going on somewhere on the weekends, but what about when your trip stretches into Monday or Tuesday, or you purposely schedule a mid-week vacation? In Sonoma County, that’s not a problem, especially in summer when warmer weather welcomes a host of outdoor activities Monday through Sunday.

In Sonoma County, you’ll find something fun to do every single day. We’ve mapped out a few ways to celebrate your summer during the week from live music and dance lessons to wine tastings.

While we list activities here by day of the week, you’ll find many happenings in Sonoma County that continue all week long. For example, find a place to bask in the sun, perhaps with a day pass at Rio Nido Roadhouse, where you can take a dip in the pool while live music plays. Or, learn something new, like kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding at the Floathouse Petaluma’s “Summer Camp.” 

You’ll also want to check out the event schedule at Rusty Hinges Ranch in Petaluma, and discover workshops including Silent Disco, Art Journaling, and more. 

Vagabond Opera at Hopmonk Tavern (Photo by Sassy Monkey Media)

In summertime, the bar music scene is as vibrant as ever: Lagunitas Brewing Company is known for its “Live at Lagunitas” music series, featuring the likes of Ozomatli, Thundercat, North Mississippi AllStars, and others. For more options, check out the schedule at venues like Hopmonk, Mystic Theater, and Brewsters. Whatever you do this summer, don’t sit at home bored!

Monday

At the newly opened California Theater in Santa Rosa, you’ll find a revolving showcase of talent. Every Monday night is Blues Night, highlighting some of the top blues musicians from the West Coast and beyond. The show starts at 6 p.m.; doors open at 5 p.m.

Each week at Enoteca Della Santina, you’ll find a local winemaker behind the bar, which is  located adjacent to one of the town’s most popular Italian restaurants. Gather from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. for great wine, food and camaraderie.

Tuesday

If you’re an avid cyclist, you’re already savvy to the nationwide Taco Tuesday Bike Ride, held in cities from Los Angeles to Baltimore. Uniting the cycling community in spirited two-wheeled pride, the weekly event includes a bike ride followed by a taco feast. Bring your bike to Humboldt Park (172 Humboldt St., Santa Rosa) at 5:45 p.m. and join in the ritual!  

Think trivia is not for you? Think again! Sonoma County offers a time and place for everyone to nerd out. On Mondays at The Rialto in Sebastopol, for example, film buffs can join Movie Trivia Night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Winners get free drinks and snacks; all ages welcome.

 As a heavily agricultural region, Sonoma County is blessed with farmers markets galore, and summer is the perfect time to enjoy the bounty of the region. Come out to find some fresh locally grown treasures and bask in the sense of community. On Tuesdays, you’ll find seasonal markets all over the county:

Wednesday

Looking for a little culture? At the Sonoma Valley Art Museum, located just off the Sonoma Plaza, admission is free every Wednesday. Go, see, explore!

 Winery events pack every day on the calendar here in Sonoma County, but not all offer views as spectacular as  Paradise Ridge. The “Wine & Sunset” series, which takes place monthly on Wednesdays from June through October, offers wine, live music, and gourmet food trucks in an idyllic Wine Country setting.

Meanwhile, on select Wednesday evenings at Sante, located at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, you’ll find a winemaker dinner series that features local gems including  Smith Story Wines, Duckhorn, and Highway 12. Don’t miss the opportunity to dine with top area winemakers and oenophiles.

Did you miss market night on Tuesday? No worries. On Old Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa, the Wednesday Night Market hosts live bands, food, drinks, games, and kids ‘activities from 5 to 8:30 p.m. each Wednesday through August 9.

Peacetown in Sebastopol is another fun place to spend your Wednesday evening. Created for “lovers of peace” to “gather as a community to incubate and promote peaceful coexistence, kindness, love and joy,” the festival aims to keep visitors inspired and fill their hearts and minds with beauty, love and joy. From June 14 to August 16, you can catch live music on six different stages set up within The Barlow. The summer series picks up at Ives Park in Sebastopol for three more Wednesday performances, August 23 through September 6.

You’ll also find live music every Wednesday (and Friday and Saturday) night in Petaluma’s Theater Square District from May 31 through August 30.

 Thursday

The town of Windsor is bustling on Thursday evenings in summertime: On the Windsor Town Green (701 McClelland Dr.), starting at 5 p.m., the Farmer’s Market opens, then at 6 p.m., summer concerts kick into action. 

You can also find live music at Bluewater Bistro in Bodega Bay from 5 to 7 p.m. While the room is cozy, the views are massive, with windows overlooking Doran Beach.

Want to find a whole new way to connect with the great outdoors?  Join the Russian River Fly Fishers for free fly casting instruction in Galvin Community Park (3330 Yulupa Avenue, Santa Rosa) from 4:30 to 7 p.m. No experience is necessary, and equipment is available.

Friday

At the end of the week, the winery event scene really heats up, so expect plenty of options:

Anaba Sunset Sessions, Sonoma
Sangiocomo Sunset on the Terrace, Sonoma
Sebastiani Friday Night Music Series, Sonoma
Soda Rock Winery Summer Music Series, Healdsburg
Truett-Hurst Live on the Lawn, Healdsburg
Mazocco Summer Music Series

The Charles Schulz Museum delivers its “Summer Nights” series on Fridays as well (June-August), including trivia, painting, and other creative programming catered to an adult crowd.

Saturday

Gundlach Bundschu Winery (Photo by Amy Bess Cook)

The nostalgic, relaxed feel of an outdoor movie can’t be beat. Several different venues in Sonoma County offer the opportunity on select summer Saturdays: The beautiful Green Music Center at Sonoma State University opens up its lawn for family films every summer. Meanwhile, at Gundlach Bundschu, tickets go fast for “Hot Summer Movie Night,” held at the winery’s historic amphitheater overlooking stunning views of Carneros. Entry to the kid-friendly film includes popcorn and candy.

In the mood for some music? Check out the Cornerstone Sonoma Summer Music Series, which serenades visitors and invites them to visit Meadowcroft Winery, Folktable Restaurant, and adjacent shops. Lounge, sip, and enjoy.

Sunday 

Did you bring your dancing shoes? You’ll need them for “Salsa Sundays” at Flamingo Resort. Arrive early (7 p.m.) for the beginner’s lesson, later (at 8 p.m.) for the intermediate lesson. Salsa and DJ dancing starts at 9 p.m. and continues into the night. No partner is necessary; 21+ only.

 Over in Sebastopol, you’ll find the weekly farmers market on the town plaza from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., year-round.