Sonoma County Wine Country sprawls from the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains all the way to the Pacific Ocean in Bodega Bay—and the region’s annual celebrations are as diverse as its landscapes.
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Top Annual Events in Sonoma County
Taste of Sonoma, Photo courtesy of Bob McClenahan
The most beautiful things in life are memories and moments.
Dive into the divine world of cheese at the California Artisan Cheese Festival or make wine the old fashioned way by grape stomping during the Sonoma Harvest Fair. Whatever your interest, there’s an annual Sonoma Valley event to suit anyone and everyone. Get your calendars ready for a memorable time in Northern California this year!
WINTER (JAN – MAR)
Photos courtesy of CA Artisan Cheese Festival
Winter Wineland
January | Wine
Winter Wineland is a beloved winter celebration held over two days every year in mid-January. Over 100 different wineries around the Sonoma area participate, and each location provides a minimum of three different premium wines to taste, so you can really cover some ground in just one weekend.
Sonoma County Restaurant Week
January – March | Culinary
Calling all gourmands and foodies! Over 100 different restaurants participate in Sonoma County Restaurant Week each February, creating prix fixe menus that feature everything from French cuisine to gourmet pizzas.
Cloverdale Citrus Fair
February | Culinary
The Cloverdale Citrus Fair is an annual event featuring live music, carnival rides, exhibits displaying agricultural heritage, wine tastings, and more, all in the name of Sonoma County citrus.
When is the best time to visit Sonoma?
The best time to visit Sonoma County is considered to be fall (September – November), when harvest is in full swing and the vineyards showcase autumnal hues. However, we love winter for its fewer crowds and lodging deals, spring for its stunning wildflowers, and summer for the year’s warmest weather and ample outdoor activities. View Our Seasonal Guide
Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival
February | Arts & Culture
Celebrate the next generation of Sonoma trout at the annual Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival. The community rallies around this endangered trout, teaching locals and visitors about conserving the species and environmental preservation through fun activities like live music, fish-themed games, arts and crafts, and more.
California Artisan Cheese Festival
March | Culinary
Delight in the wonderful world of artisan cheese during the California Artisan Cheese Festival. Eat your way through Sonoma classics like Laura Chenel goat cheese, Point Reyes blues, and countless others—all paired with delicious wines, of course.
Sonoma International Film Festival
March | Arts & Culture
Cinephiles descend on Sonoma every March to soak up all things film during the four-day Sonoma International Film Festival. As its name suggests, films are submitted in all genres (including food and wine) from across the globe and feature both popular stars and unknowns.
SPRING (APRIL – MAY)
Battle of the Brews
April | Culinary
Sonoma might be best known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but excellent craft beer brews here, too. The Battle of the Brews is the ultimate showcase for Sonoma brewers to display their craft through beer tastings, raffles, games, and delicious bites to eat.
Levi’s Granfondo
April | Wellness
An annual cycling event that zooms across the Sonoma countryside, Levi’s Granfondo is a collection of road races that travel through the mountains and vineyards of Northern California. Races range from the kid-friendly Family Fondo and the 22-mile Piccolino to the grand-daddy of them all, The Growler, a brutal, 138 mile course.
Passport to Dry Creek Valley
April | Wine
Tucked between the mountains and the sea, Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley is a bite-sized AVA widely known for its Zinfandel. April’s annual Passport to Dry Creek Valley is dedicated to this notoriously bold wine, made amid its diverse landscape by top producers.
Where to stay in Sonoma
From luxury resorts to quaint boutique inns, Sonoma County has a plethora of accommodations to suit a wide range of priorities and budgets. Discover the best places to stay in Sonoma with our lodging guide. Find Sonoma County Hotels
SUMMER (JUNE – AUG)
Photos courtesy of Gravenstein Apple Fair
Country Summer Music Festival
June | Music
The Country Summer Music Festival is Sonoma’s very own slice of the CMAs. This three-day music extravaganza, featuring famous country stars like Sam Hunt and Dustin Lynch, delights with country tunes, sunshine, and delicious food and drink vendors.
Taste of Sonoma
June | Culinary
Ever wanted the chance to try Sonoma’s incredible wines and restaurants all in one place? The Taste of Sonoma is like a magic genie, here to grant your wish! Roam through the sprawling Kendall Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens to sample Sonoma’s top wines, craft beer, and bites from local food trucks.
Toyota/Save Mart 350
July | Arts & Culture
Come July, the annual Toyota/Save Mart 350 descends on the Sonoma Raceway for a weekend of thrilling races and tailgating fun. Passes vary from VIP treatment to $25 college tickets, so everyone can partake.
Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic
July | Arts & Culture
Rise and shine bright and early to watch as hundreds of colorful hot air balloons soar into the Sonoma clouds. The Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic takes place every July in the town of Santa Rosa, with food vendors and local artisans adding to the fun!
Gravenstein Apple Fair
August | Culinary
During the (very) dry years of Prohibition, many Sonoma vintners turned to growing fruit, including apples, to make ends meet. The Gravenstein Apple Fair celebrates the sweet yet tart Gravenstein apple, a favorite of acclaimed local horticulturist Luther Burbank, through a weekend of live music, cider tastings, apple products, farm exhibitions, and plenty of food and drink.
Looking for more events?
There’s much more to discover in Sonoma outside of these top annual events, from winemaker dinners and cooking classes to live music at wineries. Explore Sonoma County’s upcoming events all year by visiting our Events Calendar.
FALL (SEPT – OCT)
Photos courtesy of Healdsburg Crush
Sonoma County Wine Celebration
September | Wine
The largest fundraiser in Sonoma, the Sonoma County Wine Celebration is a three-day celebration that focuses on unique, insider events. The highlight of the weekend is the Live Auction, which draws wine collectors from around the world, with proceeds benefitting the local community
Healdsburg Crush
October | Wine
Celebrate the annual harvest with over 60 of Sonoma’s acclaimed wineries in one, convenient location! Healdsburg Crush is one of the most special events of the year, showcasing top California wine producers, gourmet cuisine, live music, and a Silent Auction for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin.
Sonoma County Harvest Fair
October | Culture
Harvest is a magical time in Sonoma. The grapes have been safely collected, and it’s time to celebrate the hard work of the vineyard and winery crew. Visitors can get a rare sneak peek into the winemaking process and take part in cherished traditions like the World Champion Grape Stomp, an amateur winemaker competition, the judging of over 900 wines, and a Grand Tasting.
Wine & Food Affair
November | Culinary
Similar to the Winter Wineland event, Sonoma’s annual Wine & Food Affair brings together over 100 wineries from the region. Each participating winery offers a minimum of three wines for sampling and a gourmet food pairing from local chefs.
HOLIDAYS IN SONOMA (NOV – DEC)
Lighting of Sonoma Plaza
November | Holiday
Get in the holiday spirit with the Lighting of Sonoma Plaza! Gather in the city of Sonoma’s historic town square for hot cocoa, cookies, food trucks, performances, and, of course, the official lighting of the Sonoma Plaza to celebrate the holiday season.
Luther Burbank Holiday Open House
December | Holiday
Step inside the home of renowned American botanist, Luther Burbank, bedecked in festive decor. The Luther Burbank Holiday Open House is the perfect opportunity to see a 19th-century property, perfectly preserved with antique furnishings and holiday finery.
Conclusion
You might notice a theme to Sonoma’s annual events—great wine and food. Distinctive to this region, Sonoma’s yearly festivities showcase the obvious dedication to quality that each farmer, vintner, and artisan has. One thing’s for sure, you’ll leave any of these gatherings with a better understanding of what makes Sonoma such a uniquely welcoming place and why locals are so devoted to preserving the region’s traditions. Cheers!
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