Looking for a spooky good time this week? We’ve scared up some fun events for you to enjoy. This weekend, take the family to the Bay Area Science Festival’s North Bay Discovery Day at the fairgrounds, watch a procession of giant puppets in the Day of the Dead Parade, enjoy some 21-plus fun at the Halloween LGBTQI dance – and more!
FRIDAY, Oct. 28
Petaluma International Film Festival: In its 8th year, this annual festival will feature 40 films from 18 countries, shown over 3 days at the Petaluma Boulevard Cinemas. Tickets are $12 for individual films, $60 for a day pass and $180 for a festival pass to see all screenings. Find out all the details at www.petalumafilmfestival.org. (Oct. 28-30)
SATURDAY, Oct. 29
Green is Easy Expo: This Saturday and Sunday, learn new ways to be kind to environment with this planet-friendly expo at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. The event will feature vendors and activities that encourage practices that benefit the earth. Admission is free from 10 a.m. to noon each day, and $10 after. Find out more at www.thenewworldexpo.com. (Oct. 29-30)
Sonoma County Farm Trails: Fall Feast Fundraiser, Dinner and Auction, featuring the 4-H Heritage Turkey Auction
Tresch Barn at Olympia’s Valley Estate in Petaluma. The event takes place this Saturday, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets start at $150. www.farmtrails.org
North Bay Discovery Day: This Saturday, take part in the annual festival of science and technology at the Bay Area Science Festival taking place at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. The event takes place 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will feature 90 hands-on science exhibits, games, experiments and shows. Admission is free. Find out more at www.bayareascience.org.
Halloween LGBTQI & Friends Dance: Scare up some fun for an evening of dancing, costume contests, appetizers and wine at the Sebastopol Senior Center. Come in costume. Admission is $10 at the door for 21-plus. Find our more at sebastopolseniorcenter.org.
Sebastopol Halloween Party: Starting at 7:30 p.m., dance the night away to Frobeck and Mr. Music & Love Choir at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center. Come in costume. Admission is $12-$15. Purchase tickets at seb.org.
Midnight of the Day Mad Monster Party: Kids 5 and older are invited to Sebastopol Regional Library for pumpkin decorating, costume fun and more, noon to 2 p.m. Find out more at sonomalibrary.org.
Halloween at Howarth Park: Come in costume for an afternoon of trick-or-treating around the park. Families are invited to register for a time slot, and then travel through the park to treat stations hosted by local businesses and organizations. Admission is $5 for a basic pass, and $12 to include additional park fun. Register at pd2go.net/HalloweenAtHowarth.
Pumpkins on Pikes: This annual event at Tara Firma Farms has become a beloved tradition for Sonoma County families. Carve a pumpkin, then display it on a pike in the corn field. When the sun goes down, watch the magical glow while enjoying delicious food, music and more. Admission is $15-$20, and kids 6 and under are free. Purchase tickets at tarafirmafarms.com.
Dogtoberfest: Why should humans have all the fun? Dogs and their people are invited to Topel Winery in Healdsburg for a day all about them, with a costume contest, a pet psychic, pet portraits and more. Information at facebook.com/topelwinery.
Candlelight Procession with Giant Puppets: Watch as giant puppets make their way through Petaluma, starting at the Water Street Bistro and ending at the Petaluma Museum. Along with the parade, the event will include Aztec dancers, live music, food and art vendors, altars and more. More information at petalumamuseum.com.
Apple Blossom Halloween Carnival: Wear your costume to Apple Blossom Elementary School’s Halloween Carnvial for an afternoon of carnival games, face painting, a pumpkin carving contest and more, plus the 5th grade hosted haunted house. This free event is 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Apple Blossom Elementary School, 700 Watertrough Rd. Sebastopol. Proceeds benefit the Twin Hills Apple Blossom Education Foundation.
SUNDAY, Oct. 30
Halloween Carnival at Coppola: From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., enjoy a day of games, crafts and costume fun at Francis Ford Coppola Winery. Tickets are available for purchase until Oct. 17. Admission is $12 per child, 14 and under. Purchase tickets at francisfordcoppolawinery.com.
Through Nov. 13
Live performance of Rocky Horror Picture Show: The 6th Street players present a live-action performance of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Every line and song is true to the original for this Santa Rosa tradition. Performances are Thursdays through Sunday. Admission is $10-$26. Purchase tickets at 6thstreetplayhouse.com.
More Upcoming Events…
Friday, Oct. 28
Ice-T: ‘Overcoming the Impossible’ lecture with the gangster rapper, 7:30 p.m., Weill Hall, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $40. (866) 955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.
HopMonk Cirque du Sebastopol: Vintage circus acts, live music and entertainment, 8:45 tonight and 9 p.m. Saturday, HopMonk Tavern, Sebastopol. $15-$35. 829-7300, hopmonk-sebastopol.ticketfly.com.
Supernatural Soiree: Sea-bound voyage theme, live music, 9:30 tonight, Bergamot Alley, Healdsburg. $50. 433-8720, bergamotalley.com.
‘Zombie Town’: Mockumentary play presented by YAS Teen Ensemble, 7 tonight, 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Raven Performing Arts Theater, Healdsburg. $10-$15. 433-6335, raventheater.org.
Saturday, Oct. 29
‘Bouquets to the Dead’: Artistic displays honoring late ancestors, dawn to dusk, Saturday and Sunday, Sonoma Mountain Cemetery. Free. facebook.com/bouquetstothedead.
Sunday, Oct. 30
Zak Hussein Niladri Kuma: World musicians on the tabla and sitar, 3 p.m. Sunday, Weill Hall, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $35-$85. (866) 955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.
Will Durst: ‘Elect to Laugh’ standup comedy and theater show poking fun at the presidential election, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma. $25-$30. 763-8920, cinnabartheater.org.
Monday, Oct. 31
Trick-or-Treat Trail: Goodies for costumed kids under 12 from 60 downtown Petaluma merchants, 3-5:30 p.m. Monday. Free. 762-9348, petalumadowntown.com.
‘Phantoms and Fugues’: ‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’ movie, organ music, treats. Costumes encouraged. 6:30 p.m. Monday, Schroeder Hall, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $8. (866) 955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.
Tuesday, Nov. 1
Dia de los Muertos: Decorative altar honoring late Sonoma Valley citizens, reception 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sonoma Community Center. Costumes encouraged. Free. 938-4626, ext. 1, sonomacommunitycenter.org.
Wednesday, Nov. 2
Tony Bennett: Beloved longtime recording artist, now 90, with daughter Antonia Bennett opening the show, 8 p.m. Wednesday, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $89-$149. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.
Thursday, Nov. 3
Fall Dance Show: Original Sonoma State University student performances, ‘Heart’ and ‘Soul,’ alternating times, opens 7:30 p.m. Thursday, through Nov. 6, SSU, Rohnert Park. $5-$17. 664-4246, sonoma.edu.
‘Frankenstein’: National Theatre Live’s screened stage production of the classic gothic tale, 1 and 7 p.m. Thursday, Rialto Cinemas, Sebastopol. $18-$25. 829-3456, rialtocinemas.com.
Jack London Classic Film Fest: Three-day festival opens with ‘The Call of the Wild,’ 5 p.m. Thursday, Sonoma Community Center. $25. 938-4626, ext. 1, sonomacommunitycenter.org.
Friday, Nov. 4
The Sam Chase plus The Crux: Rock and folk, New Orleans brass to jazz, 9 p.m. Nov. 4, Mystic Theatre, Petaluma. $17. 765-2121, mystictheatre.com.
Sonoma State High School Choral Festival: Angel Vázquez-Ramos, adjudicator, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 4, Schroeder Hall, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. Free, $5 parking. 664-2324, sonoma.edu.
Fly by Train: Rocking folk Americana band, two sets, 8 p.m. Nov. 4, Twin Oaks Roadhouse, Penngrove. Free. 795-5118, twinoaksroadhouse.com.
One Grass Two Grass: California string band music, 9 p.m. Nov. 4, HopMonk Tavern, Sebastopol. $13. 829-7300, hopmonk-sebastopol.ticketfly.com.
Saturday, Nov. 5
Wine & Food Affair: Wine tasting and food pairing, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 5-6 at various wineries along northern Sonoma County Wine Road. $30-$80. wineroad.com.
Botanical artist demonstrations: Artists of various mediums demonstrate their work, 1-4 p.m. Nov. 5, Petaluma Arts Center. Free. 762-5600, petalumaartscenter.org.
‘Whose Live Anyway?’: Improv comedy scenes and songs with Ryan Stiles and crew, 8 p.m. Nov. 5, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $39-$59. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.
Noche de los Muertos: Windsor Bloco dancers and drummers, food, music, Calavera-style face painting, costumes encouraged, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 5, Wndsor Town Green. Free. windsor-bloco.org.
Sunday, Nov. 6
The Ocean: Heavy metal show with synchronized lights, 7 p.m. Nov. 6, Phoenix Theater, Petluma. $14-$16. 762-3565, thephoenixtheater.com.
Agent Orange: Punk rock band, first one mixing punk with surf music, 8:30 p.m. Nov. 6, Mystic Theatre, Petaluma. $17. 765-2121, mystictheatre.com.
Looking for more things to do in Sonoma County? Click here