From Fiestas to Tequila Trains: 9 Ways to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Sonoma and Napa

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Attend a seriously cinco event in Santa Rosa: The 13th annual Roseland Cinco de Mayo Festival happens from 3-9 p.m. on May 5, with an estimated 10,000 plus people in attendance. The event features awesome live music, mariachi, Ballet Forklorico, plus nearly 100 booths to visit with children’s activities, local organizations, and Latin eats including tacos, pupusas, pambazos, turkey drumsticks, fruta, paella, and kettle corn. The celebration is non-smoking, no alcohol, and family-friendly. Rosie the Trolley will shuttle guests to and from the event. santarosacincodemayo.org.

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Celebrate with fine wine at Robledo Family Winery in Sonoma: One of Sonoma Valley's most recognized wineries, Robledo Family Winery will celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Mexican food and signature handcrafted wines at their Carneros-based winery. The expansive picnic area and grounds will serve as the celebration site, featuring folk dancing, Mariachi music, and traditional food. Make sure to grab a glass of sauvignon blanc - and a dance partner. The event is Saturday, May 5. Tickets start at $55. robledofamilywinery.com. (Photo by John Burgess)

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Support local at-risk youth by attending the Mad Hatter Ball in Petaluma: Mentor Me, a Petaluma-based nonprofit that provides mentoring and advocacy programs to at-risk youth, will host their annual "Mad Hatter Ball" on May 5. This year, the event takes on Cinco de Mayo flair and is named "La Fiesta de los Sombreros Locos." Colorful costumes are encouraged - especially hats - as there will be prizes for the best headwear. Dinner comprising tamales, pozole, tacos and all the fixings will be served, as well as beer, wine and live music from Grupo Gitano. All proceeds benefit Mentor Me. The event is Saturday, May 5. Tickets start at $125. wearementorme.org.

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Enjoy a fun run in Roseland to support local youth: The community of Roseland will host their first Cinco de Mayo fun run through the neighborhood, which starts and ends at the Bayer Neighborhood Farm and Garden. Co-organized by Movimiento Roseland Runners, a running group for Latino youth grades K-12, the morning starts off with an all-ages, family-friendly run (5k and 10k), which includes age-division awards. After the race, there will be a celebration of Latino culture with healthy food and health and wellness activities, including yoga. The event is Saturday, May 5. Tickets $5-$20. landpaths.org. 

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Toast with a margarita and help farm animals rescued during the fires: Only in Sonoma County can you sip a margarita, eat vegan food, and help displaced goats. Goatlandia, a small Santa Rosa-based nonprofit animal sanctuary will raise funds with a Cinco de Mayo party featuring Mexican-inspired vegan small bites, margaritas, wine, and beer. They'll also have a silent auction. All proceeds benefit their animal rescue efforts, including the many rescued animals they are caring for in the wake of the 2017 North Bay wildfires. Goat snuggling included. The event is Saturday, May 5. goatlandia.org. (Photo by John Burgess)

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Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a pig roast in Healdsburg: Mateo's Cocina Latina is a popular spot for margaritas, tequila and flavorful farm-to-table Latin food, but the restaurant also knows how to throw a good party - including a pig roast. Join Chef Mateo for a Cinco de Mayo feast with $2 oysters and a multi-course meal, including seasonal salad, Ritual Farms roasted pig, seasonal vegetables, potato salad, and salsas for $38. And those margaritas we love so much? They're only $10 a pop. The event is Saturday, May 5. Reservations recommended, 5 pm-9 pm, 707-433-1520, 214 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, mateoscocinalatina.com. (Photo by Jeremy Portje)

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A fiesta full of food, wine and fun in Napa Valley: Spend the afternoon celebrating Cinco de Mayo with a fiesta at Mi Sueño Winery in Napa Valley. Owners Rolando and Lorena Herrera will welcome guests to a winery party featuring live mariachi music, Mi Sueño wines, and a feast of traditional Mexican food including tacos, tamales, ceviche, grilled street corn and plenty of rosé! The event is Saturday, May 5. Reservations required; (707) 258-6358, misuenowinery.com. (Photo courtesy of Mi Sueno Winery)

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Dine at a Michelin-starred La Toque, or "El Toque," in Napa Valley: On May 5, La Toque, the Michelin-starred Napa restaurant, will transform into "El Toque" for a five-course Mexican dinner created by Chef Ken Frank. The dinner, which benefits Puertas Abiertas Community Center, a Latino family resource center located in Napa, includes a unique array of dishes that showcase the best of Mexico, from chips and salsa, ceviche and tamales, to tacos, duck mole, and bread pudding. Margaritas and beer will also be available, paired with live music by Florante Aguilar. The event is Saturday, May 5. Reservations required, tickets $50. latoque.com.

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Hop on the Tequila train: The famous Napa Valley Wine Train transforms into the Tequila Train during the Cinco de Mayo "Wine Train Takeover." Hosted by Tequila Casa Dragones, a small batch tequila producer from Jalisco, Mexico, the experience includes a three-hour train ride through Napa Valley, a tequila tasting, craft tequila cocktails, and a four-course gourmet Cinco de Mayo-themed dinner. Latin performers Trio Solea will provide the soundtrack of the ride. The event is Saturday, May 5. $295 per person. winetrain.com.

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Enjoy fun in the sun on the Sonoma Plaza: La Luz Center, a nonprofit that serves Sonoma Valley's vibrant immigrant community, hosts their annual Cinco de Mayo event at the historic Sonoma Plaza. The event, which draws over 1,000 annually, includes local food (look for the tamales lady!), a beer garden, live music and dancers, a kid zone, and interactive contests. Stay cool in the sun with ice cream and aqua frescas from Sonoma's famed La Michoacana and beer provided by Lagunitas. The event is Sunday, May 6, 12 pm to 7 pm. It is free. Sonoma Plaza, Sonoma. (Photo by William B. Murray)