Ready for holiday excitement, Rohnert Park? Our guide has everything you need to celebrate the season. From hometown heroes to first-time visitors, this guide is your ticket to the holiday magic of Rohnert Park.
Popular events include the enchanting Northern Lights at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, featuring stunning light displays that capture the warmth of the season. Another highlight is the Lighting of the Sonoma Plaza, where festive cheer fills the air with dazzling decorations and community spirit. And you definitely don't want to miss the Santa Photo Experience at Santa Rosa Plaza, which offers families a chance to capture memorable moments with Santa Claus. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Rohnert Park
- Lighting of the Sonoma Plaza (Sonoma)
- NorthernLights at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts (Santa Rosa)
- Santa Rosa Dance Theater presents “The Nutcracker”
- Holiday Lights Celebration & Lighted Parade
- Winter Lights Tree Lighting Celebration (Santa Rosa)
- Elf The Musical at 6th Street Playhouse (Santa Rosa)
- Santa Photo Experience at Santa Rosa Plaza (Santa Rosa)
- Holiday Arts & Crafts Faire
- Celebrate the Holidays in Railroad Square (Santa Rosa)
- Tree Lighting Celebration in Theater Square (Petaluma)
See these and even more events listed below!
Rohnert Park Holiday Light Displays
NorthernLights at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
What to Expect:
Dazzling self-guided tour with new sculptures and lighting designs.
Description:
NorthernLights at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts is a free, self-guided winter lights art walk through the Sculpture Garden, featuring new sculptures by local artists and exciting lighting designs. The event includes whimsical stops and tunnels of twinkle lights, perfect for making new winter season memories and taking family photos.
Where: Santa Rosa | More Info: NorthernLights at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
Lighting of the Sonoma Plaza
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday lighting event with live music and local food vendors.
Description:
Thousands of lights illuminate Sonoma's historic plaza, accompanied by musical and dance performances, hot cocoa, cookies, beer, wine, and hearty fare from favorite food trucks.
Where: Sonoma | More Info: Lighting of the Sonoma Plaza
Winter Lights Tree Lighting Celebration
What to Expect:
Season-long holiday fun with a skating show and Santa photos.
Description:
Join us for the 40th Annual Tree Lighting Celebration in Downtown Santa Rosa's Old Courthouse Square. Enjoy free family-friendly activities, live entertainment, delicious holiday drinks and treats, and photos with Santa. The evening culminates with the official lighting of the Courthouse Square tree and a skating show by Redwood Ice Theatre Company featuring Snoopy on skates.
Where: Santa Rosa | More Info: Winter Lights Tree Lighting Celebration
Snowman Lighting at Cornerstone-Sonoma
What to Expect:
Santa lights up the iconic Snowman and Christmas tree.
Description:
Join Santa at Cornerstone Sonoma for the Snowman Christmas Tree Lighting, featuring festive lights and holiday cheer in a beautiful Wine Country setting.
Where: Sonoma | More Info: Snowman Lighting at Cornerstone-Sonoma
Holiday Lights Celebration & Lighted Parade
What to Expect:
Free event with kids activities and holiday treats.
Description:
The Holiday Lights Celebration & Lighted Parade at Rohnert Park Community Center features free kids activities, holiday treats, and a well-lit tree. Enjoy free pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus while exploring the festive atmosphere.
Where: Rohnert Park | More Info: Holiday Lights Celebration & Lighted Parade
Tree Lighting Celebration in Theater Square
What to Expect:
Live music and performances including Santa's Mailbox and a laser light show.
Description:
Join an evening of fun and welcome the Holidays with the Tree Lighting Celebration in Theater Square. Enjoy live music and performances, including Santa's Mailbox and a laser light show.
Where: Petaluma | More Info: Tree Lighting Celebration in Theater Square
Rohnert Park Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Arts & Crafts Faire
What to Expect:
Supporting local art and crafts vendors.
Description:
The 45th annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Faire at Rohnert Park Community Center features local art and crafts vendors, offering a great opportunity to shop for loved ones while staying warm. The event is free and open from 10am to 4pm on both days.
Where: Rohnert Park | More Info: Holiday Arts & Crafts Faire
Rohnert Park Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Elf The Musical at 6th Street Playhouse
What to Expect:
High-energy contemporary music and vintage comic style.
Description:
Elf The Musical at 6th Street Playhouse is a box-office-record-breaking holiday musical based on the 2003 hit film starring Will Ferrell. The story follows Buddy the Elf, who grows up unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities make him face the truth. With Santa's blessing, Buddy travels to New York City to discover his true identity and find his birth father, determined to win over his family and help New York rediscover its Christmas spirit.
Where: Santa Rosa | More Info: Elf The Musical at 6th Street Playhouse
Santa Rosa Dance Theater presents “The Nutcracker”
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with new choreography.
Description:
Santa Rosa Dance Theater presents "The Nutcracker," a family-friendly holiday favorite featuring Tchaikovsky's beloved music and new choreography by Artistic Director Christa Christianson and Mary Puart.
Where: Rohnert Park | More Info: Santa Rosa Dance Theater presents “The Nutcracker”
Barbara Higbie & Friends Winter Solstice Concert
What to Expect:
Collaborative harmony by renowned musicians celebrating the winter solstice.
Description:
Join Barbara Higbie and her talented friends for a captivating evening of music, featuring a mesmerizing blend of folk, jazz, and classical influences. Expect virtuoso performances that will leave you spellbound with soul-stirring compositions and remarkable versatility.
Where: Occidental | More Info: Barbara Higbie & Friends Winter Solstice Concert
Rohnert Park Other Holiday Activities
Santa Photo Experience at Santa Rosa Plaza
What to Expect:
Socially-distanced photo opportunities with Santa.
Description:
Capture cherished holiday moments with Santa at Santa Rosa Plaza, where families can take photos with the jolly old man in a variety of settings.
Where: Santa Rosa | More Info: Santa Photo Experience at Santa Rosa Plaza
Celebrate the Holidays in Railroad Square
What to Expect:
Free horse and carriage rides with live music.
Description:
Celebrate the holidays in Historic Railroad Square with free horse and carriage rides, live music, and family fun weekends through December 24. Enjoy unique shopping and international dining around Railroad Square, with free parking on Sundays.
Where: Santa Rosa | More Info: Celebrate the Holidays in Railroad Square
Santa’s Riverboat Arrival & Small Business Saturday
What to Expect:
Santa's unique riverboat arrival and family photo opportunities.
Description:
Santa and Mrs. Claus make a unique Petaluma arrival by sailing up the Petaluma River on a Lind Marine tugboat. Families enjoy live entertainment from the Pacific Empire Chorus while waiting for the Christmas couple to arrive. Santa and Mrs. Claus are welcomed by costumed dancers from the Petaluma School of Ballet’s "Nutcracker" and are available for family photos in their festive tent outside Taps Restaurant.
Where: Petaluma | More Info: Santa’s Riverboat Arrival & Small Business Saturday
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Santa Rosa (7 miles)
- Petaluma (8 miles)
- Windsor (16 miles)
- American Canyon (26 miles)
- San Rafael (27 miles)
- Vallejo (29 miles)
- Hercules (32 miles)
- San Pablo (32 miles)
- Richmond (34 miles)
- Benicia (36 miles)
- El Cerrito (36 miles)
- Fairfield (36 miles)
- Suisun (37 miles)
- Martinez (38 miles)
- Vacaville (39 miles)
- Berkeley (40 miles)
- Chinatown (41 miles)
- San Francisco (42 miles)
- Mission District (43 miles)
- Noe Valley (43 miles)
- Oakland (44 miles)
- Pleasant Hill (44 miles)
- Concord (44 miles)
- Lafayette (45 miles)