Sonoma Plaza to Light Up at Annual Holiday Kickoff
Free Lighting of the Sonoma Plaza features Broadway performers, live music and dance, food trucks, and a livestream for those who can't attend in person
SONOMA, Calif. (November 6, 2026)– The Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau invites the community and visitors to the annual Lighting of the Sonoma Plaza on Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. The free celebration kicks off the holiday season in Sonoma Valley.
“The Lighting of the Plaza is a reminder that the best things in Sonoma Valley are powered by our community. Neighbors, artists, families and local businesses all come together for one bright evening,” said Tim Zahner, executive director of the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau. “We can't wait to flip the switch with everyone, whether you're standing on the Plaza or watching from home.”
The evening's lineup features performers from across Sonoma Valley and the Bay Area:
· Marina Crouse, singer-songwriter whose new album, Canto de mi corazón, is her first all-Spanish-language release
· Clairdee, San Francisco jazz-soul vocalist known for her tribute album A Love Letter to Lena
· Spike Sikes and His Awesome Hotcakes, the Sonoma County band playing soul, jazz, jump blues and R&B
· Transcendence Theatre Company, offering a preview of its Broadway Holiday production, which returns to Sebastiani Theatre in Sonoma December 16 to 20
· Grupo Folklórico Quetzalen, Sonoma Valley's official ballet folklórico ensemble, sharing the traditional dances, music and costumes of Mexico
· A local children's choir led by Tim Curley
Between performances, guests can enjoy cookies, cider and a lineup of food trucks, and pick up a free book courtesy of the Sonoma Valley Author's Festival. Then comes the main event, the lighting of the Plaza's large palm tree and the historic Plaza.
For those unable to attend in person, the celebration will be livestreamed on YouTube and SonomaTV.
Event Details
· What: Lighting of the Sonoma Plaza
· When: Saturday, November 21, 2026; 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
· Where: Sonoma Plaza, Sonoma, CA 95476
· Cost: Free and open to all
· Livestream: YouTube and SonomaTV
· Parking: Parking near the Plaza fills quickly, so early arrival is recommended.
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