Reindeers are so last year. This December, Santa arrives by tractor, boat and helicopter.
Dec. 1, Cornerstone Sonoma's Lighting of the Snowmen Festival: See Santa in his sleigh, and catch the lighting of the snowmen at this annual Sonoma Valley event. The hundreds of decorative snowmen, salvaged from a Boston factory in 2004 and brought to Cornerstone Sonoma for just this purpose, will be lit about 6 p.m. Before and after, check out tastings of local craft beers and wines, food by the Fig Rig, Ramekins and more, and kids crafts. 4 to 8 p.m. More info: cornerstonesonoma.com
Snowmen are arranged in a high wire act circus scene during the Lighting of the Snowmen at Cornerstone Sonoma in 2013. Every year, there's a new configuration of snowmen. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
The annual lighting of the snowmen at Cornerstone Sonoma in 2016. (Photo by Robbi Pengelly)
Dylan McCrum, his wife, Katie, and son Elliot, 19-months old, visit the holiday display of lighted snowmen and red umbrellas at Cornerstone Sonoma on Tuesday, December 8, 2015. (Photo by Beth Schlanker)
Dec. 1, 23rd Annual Calistoga Lighted Tractor Parade: Enjoy a true small town tradition when Santa Claus makes his annual appearance at Calistoga's Lighted Tractor Parade. The hourlong parade will showcase vintage and modern tractors, trucks and construction equipment decked out in twinkling holiday lights. 7 to 8 p.m. More info here: visitcalistoga.com (Photo by Kent Porter)
Dec. 2, Santa Claus at Nick's Cove Boat Shack, Marshall: At Nick's Cove's 8th annual holiday open house, Santa is expected to arrive by his "water sleigh" about 3 p.m., to a Boat Shack party overflowing with complimentary cookies, hot chocolate and cider. Wish lists are encouraged, and a photographer will be on-hand to capture the magic as children meet Santa, but personal cameras are welcome, too. More info here: nickscove.com (Courtesy photo)
Santa gets a well-deserved snack at Nick's Cove in Marshall. (Courtesy photo)
Dec. 8, Santa Fly-In at the Pacific Coast Air Museum, Santa Rosa: Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be arriving by helicopter at the Pacific Coast Air Museum during this free daytime event, featuring face-painting, a jump house and — of course — lots of airplanes to climb aboard. Santa and Mrs. Claus are expected to arrive about 11 a.m., leaving them plenty of time to listen to as many Christmas lists as the crowd calls for. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. More info here: pacificcoastairmuseum.org (Photo by John Burgess)
Santa and Mrs. Claus greet the crowds of kids and parents after flying into the Pacific Coast Air Museum. (Photo by John Burgess)
Santa listens to hundreds of Christmas lists at the Pacific Coast Air Museum. (Photo by John Burgess)
Hundreds of kids line up to watch Santa and Mrs. Claus fly into the Pacific Coast Air Museum. (Photo by John Burgess)
Now that the turkey is (finally) finished, it’s time for Wine Country to turn its attention to the most wonderful time of the year. What better way to kick it off than by seeing St. Nick in the flesh? Whether by tractor in Calistoga, or boat on Tomales Bay — we have you covered on the best ways to get your Santa fix this holiday season. Click through the gallery, and let us know what we missed in the comments!
