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Winter lights in downtown Santa Rosa: On Friday, November 25, Santa will arrive via fire truck to the downtown area to kick off the festivities: music performances, jumpy houses, free hot chocolate for kids, and a competition to find the ugliest sweater in town. Participating stores on 4th street and the surrounding area will be open, offering savings through "passports" available at the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce, the Welcome Center and local hotels. The discounts are available until mid-January. Santa Rosa Firefighters Local 1401 will have a Toys for Kids drive. Friday, November 25, 4 p.m.- 8 p.m., Old Court House Square, Santa Rosa, 707-543-3800. (courtesy photo)
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Snowmen and skating at Cornerstone Sonoma: A destination for shops with clothing, home and garden and novelty items, Cornerstone Sonoma will hold their yearly holiday festivities on December 2. The star attraction will be the 13th annual Lighting of the Snowmen wherein 200 large plastic snowmen, staged in a scene, will be lit and remain in place for the month of December. Photo-ops with Santa, crafting for kids, and guest food vendors will be present. And beginning Saturday, November 25, an ice skating rink will open for the holiday season. Overflow parking at the Sonoma Valley Airport will be available for a suggested $10 donation.
November 25 through end of December, Ice Skating, $20 (adults), $10 (children) for a two-hour session.
December 2, 2 p.m.- 4 p.m., Lighting of the Snowmen, Cornerstone Sonoma, 23570 Arnold Dr., Sonoma, cornerstonesonoma.com (courtesy photo)
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Lights at Sonoma Plaza: A historic town square, thousands of lights and local businesses selling beautiful Sonoma-inspried wares. That's an impressive setting to shop by. Historic Sonoma Plaza, 453 1st St E, Sonoma, 707-996-1090, sonomaplaza.com. (Photo courtesy sonomavalley.com)
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Ride the carriage at Railroad Square: Right off the SMART Train line, Railroad Square is home to historic charm, furniture stores, vintage shops and other retailers. On weekends through the holidays, Railroad Square will be offering free hot cider and horse-drawn carriage rides. Carolers and the tree at Hotel La Rose are yours to behold for added holiday cheer. Weekends at the Train Depot, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Historic Railroad Square, 135 4th St, Santa Rosa, railroadsquare.net (courtesy photo)
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Luther Burbank Open House: Take part in a 38-year tradition, Luther Burbank Home and Gardens annual Open House takes place the first weekend in December. Shop the store for Luther Burbank items including books, cards and calendars. Ride "Rosie the Trolley" to Finley Community to shop the Handmade Holiday Crafts Fair. December 2 and 3, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Santa Rosa & Sonoma Avenues, Downtown Santa Rosa, 707-524-5445, burbankhome@lutherburbank.org. Entry: 12 and older, $3.00 (courtesy photo)
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Tugboat Santa: Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive in downtown Petaluma, Saturday, November 25, via tugboat along the Petaluma River. The Clauses will dock at noon at the River Plaza Shopping Center, greeted by dancers from Petaluma Ballet’s Nutcracker. Photos with the couple will be available, and Pacific Empire Choir will be performing with Petaluma Pete as Master of Ceremonies. Just a short walk away are the shops of historic downtown, many of which will have special holiday offers and activities. November 25, before noon, River Plaza Shopping Center, 72 E. Washington St., Petaluma. (courtesy photo)
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Holidays Cheer in Healdsburg Plaza: Downtown Healdsburg is a great choice for holiday shopping with its high-end boutiques and restaurants (for those needing a sumptuous recovery from all the retailing). Their holiday party on Black Friday (November 24) will include Santa photo-ops, carolers and horse-drawn carriage rides. Individual stores will be offering various discounts, treats, tastings and music. The Healdsburg Museum will be open late for their debut of the Model Trains Spectacular exhibit featuring two running trains and vintage toy trains. November 24, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Santa photos from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m) Healdsburg Plaza, 298 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg. (courtesy photo)
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Wine Country Open House: If going to stores right out of the Thanksgiving gate is just too much for you, you might want to break up the spending with a little wine sipping. The 20 wineries of Heart of Sonoma Valley Wine Association are having their Holiday Open House November 24 and 25. These special days will allow visitors to meet winemakers, visit caves and cellars, and enjoy special discounts. Cross a few lucky people off your Christmas List by shopping the gifts shops at many of the wineries, especially Benziger, Chateau St. Jean, Imagery Estate and Valley of the Moon at Madrone Estate. Designated drivers are available for $10-$15. $45 (advance) $55 (door) November 25 & 26, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., heartofsonomavalley.com/holiday-open-house, 707-431-1137 (courtesy photo)
