Sonoma Valley Showcases a Full Year of Signature Annual Events Celebrating Community, Culture, and Wine Country Living
Sonoma, Calif. — There’s always something happening in Sonoma Valley — and that’s exactly the point. You may know about the harvest celebrations and farmers markets, but what about a major film festival, heart-pounding motorsports, live music, and charming holiday celebrations. Each month, Sonoma Valley hosts marquee events that make the Valley a year-round destination for arts, food, wine, and outdoor experiences.
“Sonoma Valley’s annual events reflect who we are as a community — creative, welcoming, and deeply connected to our land and traditions,” said Tim Zahner, Executive Director of the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau. “No matter the season, there’s always something happening here that brings people together and invites visitors to experience Sonoma Valley like a local.”
The year in Sonoma Valley begins with Winter Wellness in January, followed by Sonoma Sips in February, inviting visitors to slow down, recharge, and savor the season with $15 tastings at more than 50 wineries and restaurants.
Spring heats up in March and April with internationally recognized events including the Sonoma International Film Festival. During five days of world-class cinema, including independent films, documentaries, shorts, and special presentations, the festival celebrates diverse storytelling and creative voices from around the globe, paired with local wine, food, and engaging community events.
The Ferrari Challenge, and spring racing at Sonoma Raceway, featuring historic motorsports, GT World Challenge, and endurance racing.
May brings a lively mix of local and cultural celebrations, including Cinco de Mayo, the, Mother’s Day Wine Country events, BottleRock Music Festival, and Pink Sonoma Saturday.
The Sonoma Valley Author’s Festival brings together acclaimed and emerging writers for a weekend of readings, discussions, and community. Each year the festival celebrates the joy of storytelling across genres, with events for adults and families alike.
May also marks the return of the beloved Tuesday Night Farmers Market on the historic Sonoma Plaza, as well as the second-annual “Battle of the Bands,” a youth band competition open to Northern California youth performers.
Summer is packed with energy and entertainment. June features NASCAR Race Weekend at Sonoma Raceway, including the Toyota/Save Mart 350, along with Broadway Under the Stars, Bear Flag Weekend and Gay Wine Weekend (back in Sonoma for its 15 anniversary!).
Summer also means Broadway Under the Stars, a Sonoma favorite. This year, Transcendence Theater Company’s lineup includes “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” “Radio Recall,” and “Mamma Mia!” The upcoming 15th season promises unmatched performances and the magic of community spirit.
And speaking of the performances, Music In Place brings back “Sonoma Sundays on the Plaza” from June through the first weekend of October, featuring regional and national acts for free concert outdoors at the Grinstead Amphitheatre.
The excitement continues in July with the Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Parade & Celebration, Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon and 5K, Valley of the Moon Music Festival, and NHRA Nationals. The Harvest Bell Ringing in August will mark the beginning of Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers’ 201st winegrape harvest
Also in August, Sonoma visitors can enjoy Shakespeare plays performed outdoors by Sonoma Shakespeare, which has put on classics like Much Ado About Nothing, Twelfth Night and, of course, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Fall highlights Sonoma Valley’s agricultural roots and creative spirit. September welcomes the Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival – in its 129th year – and the Sonoma Plein Air Festival that attracts artists from around the country. October’s calendar will be full of Fall Harvest events, along with Oktoberfest on the Plaza, and Weekend Along the Farm Trails, which offers a free opportunity to visit local farms, ranches, and producers at their autumn peak and enjoy tastings, pick produce and visit with the farm animals.
Holiday traditions, including November’s Holiday Lighting of the Plaza and Tractor Parade, and December favorites such as Holiday Spectacular and Santa on the Plaza prove that Sonoma Valley is where you can be home for the holidays – no matter where you live!
The Lighting of the Plaza is an annual spectacle and heartwarming small town holiday festival. Thousands of lights will be illuminated around the historic plaza, including City Hall, while local dancers and musicians perform for the crowd. Visitors can also eat, shop and taste around the Plaza.
In addition to these annual highlights, Sonoma Valley hosts ongoing and recurring events that you can find online at www.SonomaValley.com.
About Sonoma Valley, California
Located in the heart of Northern California wine country, Sonoma Valley is a 17-mile-long area within Sonoma County, and which encompasses the city of Sonoma and the villages of Carneros, The Springs, Glen Ellen, and Kenwood. The birthplace of the state of California, as well as the state’s wine industry, the year-round destination is home to more than 100 premium wineries, 85 percent of which are family owned. For more information, visit SonomaValley.com, or follow us on Instagram at @sonoma_valley, and on Facebook at @ExperienceSonomaValley.
Note to editors: Photos of many of the businesses mentioned are available at https://sonomavalley.smugmug.com/. If you need something else, let us know and we will do our best to get it for you.
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