Recently, Sonoma County has been reveling in the accolades of being bestowed “Wine Region of the Year”. But as the holidays roll in, Santa Rosa Christmas events will be what the area has to boast about
. This year’s holiday gatherings are jam-packed with good cheer and festive community fervor. It’s a holiday season that is sure to be a joyous celebration of art, music, and good ol’ St. Nicholas. Updated for 2022!
Santa Rosa Christmas Events in 2022
Celebrate the holidays, wine country-style, this year in Santa Rosa, California. Festivals, open houses, craft fairs, tree lighting ceremonies, and more abound throughout the city. Not just known for great wine, Santa Rosa is also the home to the Peanuts Museum (created by hometown hero Charles M. Schultz) and plenty of kid-friendly activities to help make this a great “Charlie Brown Christmas”.
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Tree Lighting & Santa Visits in Santa Rosa
“I Believe in SANTA Rosa!”
In 2022 Winter Lights will take place November 25 – December 31, 2022. There will be photo opportunities, entertainment, ice skating as well as a Winter Wonderland and Holiday Maker Market. Check the Winter Lights webpage for updates.
Perhaps there is not a more magical background to the holiday than twinkling lights wrapped around the Ol’Tannenbaum. Don’t miss the Winter Lights Downtown Tree Lighting on November 25, 2022.
Located in the Old Courthouse Square, this event will include family friendly activities, live entertainment, holiday drinks and treats, and photos with Santa. There will also be a skating show by Redwood Ice Theatre Company and an appearance by Snoopy.
Before the tree is lit, the beloved tradition of the Rememberance Candle Lighting happens in the sqaure. When all the candles are lit for those who are no longer with us, the crowd counts down for the lighting of the central grand tree that is illuminated with the thousands of LED lights.
Santa will be at Montgomery Village after Thanksgiving and throughout the the holiday season. You can schedule your photos with Santa in advance.
There will be kids ice skating clinics at Snoopy’s Home Ice and The Growlers as well as the New Years Eve Skating Show with Redwood Ice Theatre Company.
Find more fun in Santa Rosa! See what made our list of the top 10 things to do in Santa Rosa with kids.
Shop for Gifts at a Craft Fair
WinterBlast is an annual street festival located in the SOFA (for South (of) A Street Arts District) area. The bash promotes over 40 artist studios and galleries and culminates around the infamous Sofa Parade (an actual parade of sofas!).
Be sure to join in the winter celebration with a procession of jazz musicians, circus-style performers, and artists. The festival is free and local food vendors will be there selling their goodies. It takes place December 10, 2022.
The 46th Annual Handmade Holiday Crafts Fair at Finley Community Center will be held December 3-4, 2022. Come and experience over 90 local artist’s hand-crafted holiday décor and craft items.
From the craft fair, take the FREE “Rosie the Trolley” to the historic home and gardens of Luther Burbank. In its 41st holiday open house, come tour the gardens and charming home of Santa Rosa legendary Luther Burbank. Entrance is $3 for 12 and older and will occur rain or shine.
Find more Christmas events across Northern California with our helpful guide.
Celebrate Chanukah
The Chabad Jewish Center invites guests to their Chanukah Festival, December 18, 2022 from 4pm to 6pm at Montgomery Village. Activities include a menorah lighting celebration, along with hot latkes, dreidels, gelt, and more.
Santa Rosa Christmas Art & Entertainment
Cirque de Boheme’s 2022 Holiday Show “Gypsy” pops up in Cornerstone Sonoma from November 25 to December 25, 2022. This 1920’s French-style circus takes place in a traditional circus tent (with no more than 150 guests at a time) and promises enchantment and wonder for all ages.
Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
At the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, the offering of Santa Rosa Christmas events are filled with spectacular shows. Irving Berlin’s White Christmas the Musical and The Maverick’s Very Merry Christmas Tour are just some of the highlights for 2022.
The Great Russian Ballet is still not returning to the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts this year but the Petaluma School of Ballet and North Coast Ballet California will be presenting The Nutcracker December 9-11, 2022 at the Spreckels Performing Arta Center in Rohnert Park.
More Santa Rosa Christmas Events
While there may not be snowfall in Santa Rosa, but there IS ice! Plan a day during the holiday vacation to go ice skating at Snoopy’s Home Ice Arena.
You won’t want to miss Sparky’s Ice Spectacular on November 26, 2022, a skating spectacular to celebrate the 100th Birthday of Charles Schulz, hosted by Olympic Champion Scott Hamilton. There will also be a tree lighting show December 3, 2022 (6:30 or 8:30pm). There will be holiday exibitions throughout the season.
Assemble and decorate Snoopy’s Doghouse out of gingerbread December 17-19, 2022 at the Schultz Museum. Please note that advanced reservations are required.
Happy New Year, Charlie Brown! Looking for some kid-friendly fun for New Year’s Eve? Ring in the New Year December 31st (from 10am to 4pm) at the Charles M. Schulz Museum with crafts for the kids; the baby balloon drops at noon and 3pm with a root beer toast!
In nearby Petaluma, you won’t want to miss the lighted boat parade. Lighted boats, kayaks, and paddle boards will leave the Petaluma Marina on December 10, 22 at 6pm arriving at the Downtown Turning Basin at 6:30pm.
Look for the best prices on family-friendly hotels in Santa Rosa.
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