One of our favorite times to visit Wine Country is in the winter. It’s less crowded, but no less gorgeous, with its serene, misty wintertime beauty. And, despite the colder weather and grapeless vines, the area has no shortage of events and no shortage of fine wines. No matter if you’re traveling for the holidays or staying local, these annual winter events in Sonoma County have just the right mix of wine, food, and festivities.

For a full list of what’s coming up this season, visit our Holiday Event page.

Sonoma Plaza Holiday

November 23 – December 31, 2024
Cost: Free

The Sonoma Plaza in the town of Sonoma is a national historic monument, an eight-acre park with stately trees and quiet, pedestrian pathways. From November 18 until the end of the year, these trees will be filled with more than a quarter-million lights (not to mention winter wonderland cheer) to usher in the holiday season. Come out for the Sonoma Plaza Holiday on November 23rd in particular, as there will be a tree lighting ceremony, musical and dance performers, plus plenty of local food, wine, hot cider, hot chocolate, and sweet treats. 

Visit: Sonoma Plaza – 453 1st Street East, Sonoma, CA 95476
Contact: (707) 938-3681

Santa Rosa Turkey Trot

November 28, 2024, 8:00 AM
Cost: $44, free for children under 5

Before some typical Thanksgiving gluttony, work up an appetite with friends and family at the Santa Rosa Turkey Trot. You can walk or run the 5k, depending on how speedy you want to be—the most important thing is that you gather your loved ones and get moving. Prizes will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers, and also given for great turkey costumes, so trot festive! In addition to getting your blood flowing (and working off some of those pumpkin pie calories), know that your entry is going to a good cause. Event benefits will go to local charities, so you’ll be spreading that holiday cheer while getting in a bit of exercise.

Visit: Old Courthouse Square – 50 Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa, CA 95404

Cirque de Bohème

Select dates November 29 through December 29, 2024, 1:00, 3:00 and 5:00 PM 
Cost: $45 for adults, $38 for kids 15 and younger

No need to go to Paris, or even Las Vegas, to see the spectacle that is a Cirque show. At Cirque de Bohème in Sonoma, you’ll find gravity-defying acrobatics, impressive balancing acts, and entertaining mimes in this performance inspired by the French circus tradition of the 1920s—think Moulin Rouge, but with a holiday twist. This fantastical event is sure to transport you to a magical world filled with enchantment, adventure, and wonder.

Visit: Cornerstone Sonoma – 23570 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, CA 95476 
Contact: (707) 933-3010

Winter Lights

November 29 – December 31, 2024

Cost: Free, ticket pricing varies for ice skating

Head to Santa Rosa this holiday season when Winter Lights descends upon downtown’s Courthouse Square. Kicking off with a Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 29th from 4 – 7 PM, complete with live entertainment, holiday drinks and treats, and photo opps with Santa, the fun continues with Skating on the Square, featuring kids’ skate clinics with Snoopy, Drag on Ice for Pride on December 1st, and even a New Year’s Eve Skating Show to close out the holiday season. Adding to the festivities is the Handmade Holiday Crafts Fair from December 7th to the 8th, as well as restaurants offering holiday specials, and more. 

Visit: 90 Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa, CA 95404 
Contact: (707) 543-3200

Holiday Tour & Tasting

December 2 – 20, 2024 (offered Monday to Saturday)
Cost: $100

Celebrate the season, Wine Country-style, at Jordan Winery with their Holiday Wine Tasting and Tour. You’ll definitely know you’re on the nice list when you kick off the day with a sampling of Jordan Cuvée by Champagne AR Lenoble, paired with Jordan’s own artisanal caviar. After exploring the historic winery and barrel room, the experience continues with a seated fireside tasting of select wines, which are served alongside a chef’s selection of hors d’oeuvres, as well as homemade holiday cookies and hot cocoa for the ultimate festive treat.

Visit: Jordan Winery – 1474 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Contact: (707) 431-5250

Merry Healdsburg Tree Lighting

Healdsburg Plaza
Dec 6, 2024, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM 

The charming town of Healdsburg is bringing the merry vibes this season when its downtown plaza transforms into a winter wonderland fit for the whole family. The Merry Healdsburg Tree Lighting kicks off with, you guessed it, a tree lighting ceremony at 6:00 PM, followed by plenty of ways to get into the holiday spirit—think family activities, carolers, live music, hot chocolate, carriage rides, and a visit from Santa, naturally. 

Visit: Healdsburg Avenue and Matheson Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Contact: (707) 431-2852

Handmade Holiday Crafts Fair

December 7 – 8, 2024, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM 
Cost: $5, free for children 12 and under 

More than 90 local artists will be on hand at the festive Handmade Holiday Crafts Fair, where quality, handcrafted holiday gifts and unique home goods will be for sale. It’s a great opportunity to get a head start on your holiday shopping while embracing all the Christmas feels. There will be live entertainment, a kids’ craft area, and plenty of snowmen and decorated trees for the perfect photo opp. 

Visit: Finley Community Park – 2060 West College Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 
Contact: (707) 543-3730

Winter Wineland

January 18 – 19, 2025, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Cost: $195

Sometimes, with all the feastly holiday events in months past, life feels a little flat on the other side of the new year. Kick the celebration back into gear with the annual Winter WINEland in Northern Sonoma County. All participating wineries will highlight a vintage, varietal, or vertical tasting for the weekend, so it’ll be a great time to meet winemakers, taste limited production wines, new releases or library wines, and restock your wine cellar. 

Visit: Various Wineries in Northern Sonoma County