Looking for something fun to do in May and June? Click through the gallery above for some of our favorite picks.
The Top 10 Things to Do in Sonoma in May & June
Looking for something fun to do in May and June? Here are some great ideas!
MAY 18-20: Cruisin’ the Boulevard - Petaluma
The high point of this annual three-day tribute George Lucas’ classic 1973 film “American Graffiti,” filmed in Petaluma, is the cruise through the same streets featured in the movie. You can be part of it — just go to the website to sign up. americangraffiti.net/event-info. (Video by Joshua Dylan Mellars: Cruisin' the Boulevard 2016)
MAY 20: Luther Burbank Rose Parade & Festival - Santa Rosa
Now here’s an event with staying power. The tradition began in 1894 and continued until the death of worldfamous horticulturist and Santa Rosa resident Luther Burbank in 1926. Revived in 1950, the parade and festival have become an annual tradition. The parade starts at Sonoma Avenue and E Street and winds through downtown with marching bands, clowns, floats and more, followed by the downtown festival. Free. roseparadefestival.com. (Photo by Erik Castro)
May 20-21: Sunset Celebration Weekend - Sonoma
Sunset Celebration Weekend returns to Cornerstone Sonoma for the second year, inviting fans of the lifestyle magazine to mingle with Sunset editors, celebrity chefs and vintners. Guests to the event will be able to check out Sunset Test Gardens, the Sunset Smart Cottage; a high tech mini home, and Camp Sunset; safari tents filled with glamping inspiration - and s'mores. There will be outdoor cooking demos on two stages and plenty of wine to sip. More information and tickets here: sunset.com/cw. Sonoma Magazine readers enjoy a special discount, buy-one-get-one-free, with this discount code: BOGO2017. (Video by Joshua Dylan Mellars: Sunset Celebration Weekend 2016)
MAY 25: Healdsburg Twilight Parade - Healdsburg
Arrive early to stake out a choice piece of curb for this iconic, old-fashioned event in downtown Healdsburg. The free 68th annual parade, themed “The World’s Biggest Little Fair” this year, starts at 6 p.m. and kicks off the three-day Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair, running May 25-27. healdsburgfair.org. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
JUNE 2-11: The Healdsburg Jazz Festival - Healdsburg
Dedicated to giving true fans of authentic jazz exactly what they crave, this 19th annual event stars the Heath Brothers Band this year, featuring saxophonist-composer Jimmy Heath and drummer Albert “Tootie” Heath. Other acts will include saxophonist Joe Lovano, the Kenny Garrett Quartet, guitarist Dave Stryker, saxophonist Harvey Wainapel, and the Russian River Ramblers. There also will be a tribute to the late vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson. $20- $75, with some free events. 707-433-4644, healdsburgjazz.com. (Photo by Jeremy Portje)
JUNE 3: The Great Russian River Race - Guerneville
The seventh annual canoe, kayak and stand-up paddling race includes two separate events: a 4-mile race for recreational paddlers, and an 8-mile race for experienced paddlers and professionals. Both begin at 11 a.m. and both end at Johnson’s Beach, where there will be a free River Race party with live music, food trucks, beer, costume contest and awards ceremony, running from noon to 4 p.m. Johnson’s Beach, 16215 First St., Guerneville, 707-433-1958, greatrussianriverrace.com. (Photo by John Burgess)
JUNE 3-4 AND JUNE 10-11: Art at the Source - Sebastopol
See original art up close and meet the artists, when more than 150 local artists open up their work spaces to visitors during this annual west county open studios tour, sponsored by the Sebastopol Center for the Arts. Use the Art at the Source website to select the artists you want to visit and map out your own customized tour. Take a picnic and make a day of it. Free. 707-829-4797, artatthesource.org
JUNE 9-10: Huichica Music Festival - Sonoma
Sonoma’s Gundlach Bundschu Winery presents 30 bands performing on four stages, including Beachwood Sparks, Robyn Hitchcock, Avery Tare of Animal Collective and Allah Las, plus Dean Wareham performing Galaxie 500 hits. Passes cost $40 for June 9, $65 for June 10 and $95 for both days. Free admission for children under 12. 2000 Denmark St., Sonoma, 707-938-5277, huichica.com. (Photo by John Capone)
JUNE 10: North Coast Wine & Food Festival - Rohnert Park
The North Coast Wine & Food Festival returns to SOMO Village on June 10 with 90 award-winning wines to sip and tasty pairings prepared by 18 Sonoma chefs. The event, hosted by The Press Democrat, will feature gold medal wines from the North Coast Wine Competition and the participation of the executive chefs from popular local restaurants, including SHED, Dry Creek Kitchen, Valette, El Dorado Kitchen, The Spinster Sisters, Zazu Kitchen and Silverado. All tastings are included in the ticket price. Tickets and more information: northcoastwineandfood.com.
JUNE 10-11: Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic - Windsor
Early risers will be rewarded by a gorgeous sight when the “Dawn Patrol” of glowing, colorfully decorated balloons rise up into the sky, followed by the annual festival in Windsor’s Keiser Park. 4-10:30 a.m. both days. $10-$20 per day for adults; $5 for ages 3-12; free under 3. 700 Windsor River Road, Windsor, schabc.org. (Photo by John Burgess)
JUNE 21-25: The Sonoma-Marin Fair - Petaluma
Home of the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest and the North of the Gate Wine Competition, Petaluma’s own annual summer fair also features live concerts included in the price of admission. This year’s lineup includes Tower of Power, Jana Kramer, Loverboy and John Michael Montgomery. $10-$15 in advance; $12-$18 at the gate; children under 4 free. Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, 175 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma, 707-283-3247, sonoma-marinfair.org. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
JUNE 22-25: Kate Wolf Music Festival - Laytonville
Dar Williams, Rising Appalachia, Brandi Carlile and many more will perform at this year’s festival, founded in 1996 to celebrate the memory of beloved Northern California folk singer and songwriter Kate Wolf, who died of leukemia in 1986 at age 44. Visit the festival’s website for a full lineup and ticket prices. Black Oak Ranch, Laytonville, katewolfmusicfestival.com. (Video by etown: Dar Williams live)