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Holiday activities for kids around the Bay Area

  Mary Piasta-Valluzzo, better known as “Modern Mama,” blogs about all things related to parenting and raising children on the Lifestyle page at Sonomanews.com. Here, she has compiled a list of events going on throughout the holiday season that will appeal to children and families.

  Nov. 19-20 (Nov. 19, 2 and 7 p.m.; Nov. 20, 2 p.m.) “The Nutcracker,” at the Lincoln Theater, 100 California Drive, Yountville. Cost $20 to $30. Call 944-9900 for tickets

  Nov. 19, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Opening reception of “Dreams of Toyland” exhibit at Napa Valley Museum, free for members; $5 for non-members.

  Nov. 20, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Victorian Christmas Crafts Workshop at Gen. Vallejo’s Home, Sonoma. Crafts, music and food. Adults are $3, children are free, craft projects range from 25 cents to $1.

  Nov. 25, 2 to 6 p.m. Festival of Lights, Yountville. Santa, entertainment, ice carving, wine tastings and more. For more information, visit www.yountville.com.

  Nov. 25, 5 p.m. Downtown Santa Rosa Winter Lights Tree Lighting with free children's activities in the square by the Sonoma County Children’s Museum on the Go, crafts, card making and balloon animals by Silly Lilly the Clown. Free pictures with Santa at 6 p.m.

  Nov. 26, 4 p.m. Lighting of the Snowmen, Cornerstone, Sonoma. Refreshments, adoptable animals from Pets Lifeline and more.

  Nov. 27, 1 to 4 p.m. Christmas Wishes Children’s Party including decorating gingerbread houses, magic shows, Irish dancers, face painting and live music at the Lodge at Sonoma. Proceeds aid the Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation. Tickets $30 for adults, $50 for couple, children under 15 free.

Dec. 1-4 (7 p.m. Dec. 1-3; 3 p.m. Dec. 4) “A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas,” at the Nicholson Ranch. Christmas play stars children and is appropriate for children. $16/adults; $12/children and seniors. For details call 938-8822.

  Dec. 2, 5:30 p.m. Santa visits the Plaza and the city’s tree gets lit. Hot chocolate and candy canes served.

  Dec. 2, 6 p.m. Snoopy on Ice Tree Lighting and Show – Snoopy Ice Arena, Santa Rosa.

Dec. 2, 7 p.m. The Sonoma Community Center will be hosting a "Fabulous Follies" holiday musical review. It's a light-hearted evening geared to adults with holiday entertainment showcasing Sonoma’s performing artists. $20/advance at SCC; $25/at the door.

Dec. 2-3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the Sonoma Community Center offers its annual art sale with works created by local jewelers, potters, painters, multimedia artists and more. It's fun to see and great for holiday gift giving. 

Dec. 3, Corner Store Craft Faire Benefit - kids crafting event.

Dec. 3, 6 p.m. Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Petaluma River (best viewing at Petaluma Mill or Golden Eagle Shopping Center).

  Dec. 3, 7 p.m. Holiday Parade of Lights with more than 100 entries, Guerneville.

  Dec. 3, 7 p.m. Napa Valley Lighted Tractor Parade in Calistoga.

  Dec. 4 Santa’s Workshop, Tim Cain concert and raffle hosted by Sonoma Valley Mother’s Club. With a play area, crafts for little elves and libations for big elves, there is music, entertainment and food for elves of all sizes. This event is for club members only, so sign up for the club at sonomamothersclub.org and reserve a spot.

  Dec. 4, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Santa and Friends Brunch, San Francisco Zoo. For more information, visit sfzoo.worldsecuresystems.com.

  Dec. 4, noon to 3 p.m. Hanukkah Hootenanny, Judd Hill Winery, Napa. Latkes and libations. Call 255-2332 for information.

  Dec. 7, 4 to 8 p.m. Altimira Middle School Holiday Gift Faire, 17805 Arnold Drive, Sonoma.

  Dec. 9, 7 p.m. A Victorian Christmas with John Doan, 55 Presidents Circle, Yountville. Emmy-nominated guitarist and composer Doan puts a new twist on the standard Christmas concert. $10 for adults; $5 for members; $2.50 for children. Call 944-0500.

Dec. 9 and 16, 7 to 9 p.m. the Community Center will lead carols around the Plaza. Carolers will meet at SCC on Dec 8 at 7 p.m. to rehearse (optional) and then regroup to sing carols on the Plaza during the shopping season. Family’s welcome.

  Dec. 10, 4 to 6 p.m. Carolers, Sonoma Mission Inn, Sonoma.

  Dec. 10, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Santa at gazebo in front of Whole Foods Market, Sonoma.

  Dec. 10, 2 to 5 p.m. Ringing in the Seasons at the Napa Valley Museum with music by Covenant Chimers, ornament making and cookie decorating. Call 994-0500 for reservations.

  Dec. 10, 4:30, 5:30, 6:30, 7:30 p.m. Christmas at the Mission, Sonoma. Must get tickets (free) on Nov. 19. For more information, call 938-9560.

  Dec. 11, 11:30 a.m. Christmas Party and Kids Concert, Unity Church, 4857 Old Redwood Highway, Santa Rosa.

  Dec. 11, 4 p.m. Festival of Carols Concert, 1428 Spring St., St. Helena.

  Dec. 12, 3 to 5:30 p.m. Napa Valley Wine Train Santa Express. $30 to $40 for adults. Call 800-427-4124 for reservations.

  Dec. 17, 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Dream Circle Holiday Concert with Tim Cain, Judy Nee, Cindy Cohen and Christoper Smith, Discovery Museum, Sausalito. Call 415-339-3900 for tickets.

  Dec. 16-17, 4 to 6 p.m. Carolers, lobby of Sonoma Mission Inn.

  Dec. 16 to Dec. 23 Children’s Fairyland Winterland at Oakland’s Fairyland brings holiday themed storytelling, arts and crafts, and a visit from Santa. $8 for adults, children over 1.

  Dec. 21-22, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Breakfast with Santa, Big 3 Restaurant, Sonoma. Call 938-9000 for reservations.

  Dec. 23–24, 4 to 6 p.m. Carolers, Sonoma Mission Inn. Santa and Mrs. Claus visit on Christmas Eve.

  Dec. 26, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kwanzaa Celebration at the Discovery Museum. Free concert at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

  Dec. 28-30, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Free children’s activity with tastings for parents (wine, port desserts), Sonoma Mission Inn.

  Dec. 31, 9 a.m. to noon New Year’s Noon Celebration for Kids, Discovery Museum.

Ongoing Events

  Nov. 19 through Jan. 29 (Wednesday to Monday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dreams of Toyland Exhibit at Napa Valley Museum, 55 Presidents Circle, Napa. $10 for adult, $2.50 for children.

November and December Gingerbread Architecture Fundraiser, Discovery Museum. On weekends starting Nov. 26 and 27, at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.; and on weekdays the week of Dec. 19 to 23, at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. Preregister online at baykidsmuseum.org.