Get in the holiday spirit with these events coming up. Enjoy Christmas carols, carriage rides and shopping fun at the Holiday Merchant Open House in Railroad Square. Burn off those cookie calories at the Santa Rosa Santa Run. See the magical sight of dozens of lit-up snowmen at the Lighting of the Snowmen Festival at Cornerstone Sonoma. All this and more is in our list of things to do.
Dec. 2-3
Petaluma Festival of Trees: View over 50 decorated trees and bid on the one you want in this fundraising event benefiting local non-profits. Hosted by The Fabulous Women of Sonoma County and The Petaluma Woman’s Club, this event will include live music, gifts for purchase, baked goods, a raffle and more. The fun kicks off at 6 p.m. at the Petaluma Women’s Club, and admission is free. Find out all the details at thefabulouswomen.com.
Through Dec. 18
Peter and The Starcatcher: Spreckels Theatre Company presents the swashbuckling tale of Peter Pan and the Lost Boys, and their pre-Neverland story, based on the popular book by Dave Barry. Tickets are $16-$26. Find out all the details at spreckelsonline.com.
Friday, Dec. 2
Hospice of Petaluma Light Up a Life: Remember loved ones at Center Park in downtown Petaluma with music, candles and tree lights. The event starts at 6 p.m. Find out more at hospicelightupalife.org, or call 707-778-6242.
Friday, Dec. 2
Cotati Tree Lighting: From 5-8 pm., enjoy an evening of the annual tree lighting ceremony, live holiday music, storytelling, carriage rides, crafts and more. Plus, Santa will be making an appearance. Be sure to also take part in the Holiday Cheer bar crawl on Dec. 1, and the Shop and Stroll on Dec. 3. Find out all the details at cotati.org.
Friday, Dec. 2
Cloverdale Tree Lighting: Starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Cloverdale Plaza, enjoy an evening of seasonal treats, a visit with Santa, caroling and the traditional tree lighting ceremony. Find out more at cloverdalechamber.com.
Saturday, Dec. 3
Santa Rosa Santa Run: Practice your “Ho-Ho-Hos” for this annual holiday run/walk, starting and ending at Juilliard Park. Participants will receive a Santa suit and an event t-shirt, and everyone gets milk and cookies at the end. The 5K run/walk kicks off at 9 a.m., and the “Merry Mile” starts soon after. Cost is $30-$40 to participate. Find out all the details at santarosasantarun.com.
Saturday, Dec. 3
Holiday Merchant Open House: Head to Historic Railroad Square in Santa Rosa this Saturday for a day of holiday shopping, horse-drawn carriage rides, Christmas carols and more. Every Saturday until Dec. 24, there will also free holiday fun, including carriage rides and holiday carolers. Find out all the information at www.railroadsquare.net.
Saturday, Dec. 3
Mercatino di Natale: This Saturday, bring the whole family for an Italian-styled Christmas festival with local crafts, food vendors, artisan gifts and more. This family event is a joint fundraiser of the North Bay Italian Cultural Foundation and Slow Food Sonoma County North. Tickets are $5 in advance, or $10 at the door. 12 and under are free. Purchase tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2667032.
Saturday, Dec. 3
Free Standup Paddleboarding: Desolation Outdoors and Petaluma Standup Paddle are hosting a free standup paddleboard demo day this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Interested participants should reserve their spot ahead of time by calling 800-383-1430. Find out more information at www.desolationoutdoors.com.
Saturday, Dec. 3
Russian River Parade of Lights: Head over to downtown Guerneville from 5-9 p.m. for the annual parade of lights. Get in a little Christmas shopping during the Merchant Open House, and stay for the tree lighting at 6 p.m. The parade begins at 7 p.m. Find out all the details at russianriver.com.
Saturday, Dec. 3
North County Hospice Light Up a Life: Honor those who have passed away at this annual tree lighting event at Healdsburg Plaza. The event starts at 5 p.m. Find our more at hospicelightupalife.org, or call 707-568-1094.
Saturday, Dec. 3
Cornerstone Sonoma’s Lighting of the Snowmen: From 4-8 p.m., take part in the celebration at Cornerstone Sonoma with Santa visits, hot soup and cocoa, kids activities and more. Along with the festival is the annual lighting of the snowmen, creating a mesmerizing scene on the Cornerstone property. Find out more at cornerstonesonoma.com.
Saturday, Dec. 3
Rohnert Park Holiday Lights Celebration: In its 34th year, Rohnert Park kicks off the holidays with a tree lighting, kids activities, holiday music and more. The event takes place at city Center Plaza from 5-7 p.m., and the tree lighting is at 6 p.m. Find out more rohnertparkchamber.org, or by calling 707-584-1415.
Sunday, Dec. 4
Memorial Hospice Oakmont Light Up a Life: Starting at 6 p.m. at the Star of the Valley Parish Hall in Oakmont, remember those you love with music, candles and a tree lighting ceremony. Find out more at hospicelightupalife.org, or call 707-568-1094.
OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS:
Friday, Dec. 2
Joe Craven and The Sometimers: Americana and ‘no genre left behind,’ 8 p.m., Sebastopol Community Cultural Center. $20-$23. 823-1511, seb.org.
Carlos Varela: Cuban singer-songwriter and his band, benefit for a Havana daycare center, 7 p.m., Barn at Tyge William Cellars, Sonoma. $50. cornerstonesonoma.com/events.
‘Joy to the World’: Transcendence Theater Company, holiday favorites, Broadway showstoppers, 7:30 p.m., Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. Through Dec. 4. $35-$129. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.
Desert Dwellers: Global sounds with Amani Friend and Treavor Moontribe, 9 p.m., Mystic Theatre, Petaluma. $18-$23. 765-2121, mystictheatre.com.
‘Santaland Diaries’: Naughty one-man tale of a Macy’s Christmas elf, opens 8 p.m., 6th Street Playhouse, Santa Rosa. Through Dec. 18. $10-$26. 523-4185, 6thstreetplayhouse.com.
Cantiamo Sonoma: Candlelight Christmas concert with popular Sonoma County a cappella choral ensemble, 8 p.m., St. Seraphim Church, Santa Rosa. $10-$25. 539-5377, cantiamosonoma.org.
Saturday, Dec. 3
Calistoga Lighted Tractor Parade: Tractors, antique trucks and construction equipment decked with lights, 7 p.m. Saturday, Lincoln Avenue, downtown Calistoga. Free. 942-6333, visitcalistoga.com.
Occidental Community Choir: ‘Sing the Long Nights’ winter concert, 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, Occidental Center for the Arts. $15. 874-9392, occidentalcenterforthearts.org.
Luther Burbank Holiday Open House: Home and garden tours, old-time festivity, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Luther Burbank Home & Gardens, Santa Rosa. $3. 524-5445, lutherburbank.org.
Wine Country Winter Festival: Art, fine crafts, entertainment, tastings, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa. $8-$15. winecountrywinterfestival.com.
Sunday, Dec. 4
‘In Search of Israeli Cuisine’: Sonoma County Jewish Film Festival culinary documentary, 3 p.m. Sunday, Rialto Cinemas, Sebastopol. $18. Dinner sold out. 528-4222, jccsoco.org/filmfestival.
Charlie Hunter Quartet: Blues, rock, jazz and Latin-influenced guitarist, 8 p.m. Sunday, HopMonk Tavern, Sebastopol. $17-$20. 829-7300, hopmonk-sebastopol.ticketfly.com.
Monday, Dec. 5
Santa Rosa Symphony: ‘Poetic Bells,’ annual holiday choral concert, 8 p.m. Monday, Weill Hall, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $20-$80. 546-8742, srsymphony.org.
The Steel Wheels: Soulful Americana folk musicians from the Blue Ridge Mountains, 8:30 p.m. Monday, Mystic Theatre, Petaluma. $22. 765-2121, mystictheatre.com.
Tuesday, Dec. 6
Pink Martini: ‘Holiday Spectacular’ with festive songs from around the globe, 8 p.m. Tuesday, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $45-$69. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.
Wednesday, Dec. 7
Westside Stories: ‘GrandSlam’ personal storytelling competition and crowning of this year’s champion, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Mystic Theatre, Petaluma. $18. westsidestoriespetaluma.com.
Thursday, Dec. 8
Gary Allan: Platinum-selling country music star, 8 p.m. Thursday, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $65-$79. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’: Live radio broadcast staging, opens 8 p.m. Thursday, Raven Performing Arts Theater, Healdsburg. Through Dec. 18. $10-$25. 433-6335, raventheater.org.
Doyle Bramhall II: Rock and blues guitar virtuoso, 8 p.m. Thursday, HopMonk Tavern, Sebastopol. $20-$23. 829-7300, hopmonk-sebastopol.ticketfly.com.
Friday, Dec. 9
Tommy Emmanuel: Program of ‘Classics & Christmas’ with the Australian-born guitarist, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9, Green Music Center Weill Hall, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $25-$45. (866) 955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.
Posada Navideña: Folk culture of Mexico and traditional posada, 7 p.m. Dec. 9, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $2-$10. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.
Saturday, Dec. 10
Angélique Kidjo: Grammy Award-winning singer, Africa’s ‘premier diva,’ 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10, Weill Hall, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $25-$75. (866) 955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.
Gingerbread Doghouse Class: Create Snoopy’s gingerbread doghouse, plus crafts, 10 a.m. Dec. 10 (ages 3-6) and 1 p.m. Dec. 10 and 11 (grades 1-6), Schulz Museum, Santa Rosa. $10-$32. 284-1272, schulzmuseum.org.
‘Sing-Along Messiah’: Singalong with a string quartet, soloists and a chorus, 2 p.m. Dec. 10, Sebastopol United Methodist Church. $6, $15 per family. 829-4797, sebarts.org.
Sunday, Dec. 11
Symphony Pops: ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas Concert,’ featuring songs from the 1965 holiday classic, 3 p.m. Dec. 11, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $37-$80. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.
‘A Chanticleer Christmas’: San Francisco-based male chorus, program of holiday songs, 5 p.m. Dec. 11, St. Vincent de Paul Church, Petaluma. $35-$75. chanticleer.org.
Zoë Keating: Cellist and composer, 3 p.m. Dec. 11, Schroeder Hall, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $30, sold out. (866) 955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.