Your ultimate guide to holiday happenings in and around Sonoma

Free or fee, fun or fundraising, lots going on this month|

Think outside the box this holiday season and try something new. Never been to the Sonoma Mission for the annual candlelight Christmas ceremony? Get tickets and give it a whirl. Haven't sat on Santa's lap in a while? Bring the kids to brunch at Ramekins and whisper in the jolly guy's ear. Or, remember our veterans at the Wreaths Across America ceremony at Veterans' Memorial Park. Maybe even venture out of town for a new experience like a helicopter fly-in by St. Nick himself. Certainly not an exhaustive guide but a good start on fun things to do here in the Valley and even, a little bit further out in the county.

F.I.S.H.

Food donation barrels will be placed at locations around the Valley (banks, grocery stores, assorted businesses) for those you otherwise wouldn't have a holiday meal. Details: 996-0111

Sonoma Valley Holiday Program

Donations and community volunteers of all ages needed for the SVHP's annual holiday community dinner, holiday 'store' and gift program that provides hundreds of local families with presents for the holidays. Details: svholiday.org or 931-4114.

Le Cirque de Boheme at Cornerstone Sonoma

Shows run through Sunday, Dec. 18

Cost: Adults $30/kids (15 years and younger) $22

Cirque de Boheme is based on the French tradition of the 1920s with unicycles, a contortionist, juggler, slack-rope, hand chair balancing and more. Cornerstone Sonoma, 23570 Arnold Drive Details: visit cirquedeboheme2016.brownpapertickets.com

Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus

Dec. 3 and 4, Dec. 10 and 11, Dec. 17 and 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Montgomery Village, Farmers Lane in Santa Rosa

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be ready for photos at Santa's Village. Details: mvshops.com

Sonoma Plaza Holiday Window Contest

Through Wednesday, Dec. 21

The fifth annual Sonoma Valley Holiday Window Contest includes ballot voting, for a crowd favorite award, as well as a panel award. Details: sonomavalley.com or 996-1090

Joy to the World from Transcendence Theatre Company

Friday, Dec. 2 through Sunday, Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Cost: $129 - $31.50

Broadway showstoppers, holiday favorites and modern twists on some of the world's most uplifting holiday songs. Luther Burbank Center in Santa Rosa. Details: LutherBurbankCenter.org or 546-3600

Model Railroad Show

Dec. 2, 3, 4 and 9, 10, 11, from noon to 4 p.m.

Cost: Free but donations gratefully accepted

Bigger and better than ever, the Depot Park Museum's Holiday train display extends across the entire museum. Kids are always welcome and are first in line to become Junior Engineers. Details: depotparkmuseum.org or call 938-1762.

Santa Comes to Sonoma Plaza

Friday, Dec. 2 at 5 p.m.

Cost: Free

Santa makes his first appearance of the season atop a bright red fire truck in the Plaza horseshoe, along with hot chocolate for the kiddos. Details: sonomavalley.com or 996-1090

Artescape Holiday Reception

Friday, Dec. 3, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Cost: Free

The nonprofit art studio in Boyes Hot Springs is hosting an opening reception with art on display and for sale. Wine and holiday nibbles and the artists in attendance. Details: artsguildofsonoma.org/store. 17474 Highway 12.

Sister Cities Holiday Party

Friday, Dec. 2, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Cost: Free

The Sister Cities annual holiday party will be held at the Sonoma Barracks and include holiday treats from each of Sonoma's seven sister cities. Details: sonomasistercitiesassociation.org

Sonoma Hometown Band Holiday Concert

Saturday, Dec. 3, at 2 p.m.

Cost: Free

The Hometown Band's annual holiday concert is held at Burlingame Hall, 252 West Spain St. Details: sonomahometownband.org

Sonoma Valley Winery Gingerbread Contest

Through Dec. 31.

Cost: Free

Vote for your favorite imaginative, edible gingerbread creation at local wineries. Details: SonomaValleyWine.com or 935-0803.

Lighting of the Snowmen

Saturday, Dec. 3, from 4 to 8 p.m.

The annual Lighting of the Snowmen has become a Sonoma Valley holiday tradition and the display remains on view through December at Cornerstone Sonoma at 23570 Arnold Drive. Details:933-3010 or cornerstonesonoma.com

Lights of Remembrance (Hospice by the Bay)

Sunday, Dec. 4, from 6 to 7 p.m.

Join in the community gathering and annual tree lighting ceremony on the Sonoma Plaza. All ages are welcome to share inspiring messages, candle lighting, music and reflection. To sponsor a tribute, call 415-526-5500.

Santa Paws to Benefit Pets Lifeline

Sunday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Take your picture with the entire family, including pets, at Santa Paws. Shop for holiday gear and enjoy hot chocolate. Cornerstone, 23570 Arnold Drive. Details: 933-3010 or cornerstonesonoma.com

Holiday Crafting with Artescape

Sunday, Dec. 4, from 1 to 4 p.m.

Cost: $15 per adult and 2 children (all ages welcome)

Hot cocoa and fun crafting projects for the entire family at 17474 Sonoma Highway. Details: ArtEscapeSonoma.com or call 938-5551

Wreaths across America

Saturday, Dec. 10, at 8:30 a.m.

Cost: Free

A national event in remembrance of our country's veterans. A brief ceremony includes the laying of wreaths. Rain or shine at 126 First St. W.

Sonoma Valley Chorale Concert

Saturday, Dec. 10 and Sunday, Dec. 11

Cost: free: $22

'Christmas is for Children' concert at 3 p.m. at 16280 La Grama Drive. Details: sonomavalleychorale.org.

Annual Ramekins Santa's Brunch

Sunday, Dec. 11, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Cost: $65 for adults, $25 for kids.

Celebrate the season with a brunch, cookies decorating for the kids and photos with Santa. 450 W. Spain St. Details: Ramekins.com or call 933-0450.

Christmas at the Mission

Saturday, Dec. 10, at 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Cost: Free but donations are encouraged, tickets required.

Sing Christmas carols and enjoy the Mission and Barracks lit by luminaries and a campfire in the courtyard, music, crafts and refreshments. 114 E. Spain St. Details: 938-9560 or SonomaParks.org.

Gingerbread Doghouse Workshops

Saturday, Dec. 10 and Sunday, Dec. 11

Assemble and decorate Snoopy's doghouse out of gingerbread complete at 2301 Hardies Lane in Santa Rosa. Reservations required. Details: Schulzmuseum.org or call 284-1272.

Sebastiani Holiday Extravanganza

Saturday, Dec. 17 and Sunday, Dec. 18

Cost: $8-$10

Show performers include Magic Man Roger Rhoten, Holly Poo and the Holly-Poo Players. Details: 996-9756

Holiday Lighted Boat Parade in Petaluma

Saturday, Dec. 17, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Cost: Free

A magical parade of beautifully decorated boats in the heart of historic downtown at 10 C St. Details: PetalumaDowntown.com or 762-9348

Holiday Wreath Making at Art Escape Sonoma

Sunday, Dec. 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

All ages can learn to make a gorgeous custom wreath from local Redwood branches

Cost: $25 per person. 17474 Sonoma Highway. Details: ArtEscapeSonoma.com or call 938-5551.

Valley of the Moon Holiday Concert

Sunday, Dec. 18 at 4 p.m.

Cost: $30

The Chamber Ensemble celebrates the start of its 10th season with a holiday concert. St. Francis Solano Church, 369 Third St. W.

Holiday Gift Making Workshop

Saturday, Dec. 17

Charles M. Schulz Museum

Make a variety of unique, fun and creative gifts to give for the holidays at 2301 Hardies Lane in Santa Rosa. Details: Register online at schulzmuseum.org (registration cannot be completed on a mobile device) or call 284-1272.

Santa Claus' Helicopter Fly-In

Saturday, Dec. 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Cost: Free

The jolly man in red will be flying in to the Santa Rosaair museum in a shiny turbo-powered 'sleigh' – a helicopter from Helio Sonoma. There will be treats for the kids, a jumpee, hot food and drinks and a chance to sit on Santa's lap. Charles M Schulz Airport, One Air Museum Way in Santa Rosa. Details: PacificCoastAirMuseum.org or 575-7900.

Hands-on Hanukkah

Sunday, Dec. 18

Celebrate the Festival of Lights by making a menorah to take home and other hands-on activities with Big Tent Judaism and the Schulz Museum at 2301 Hardies Lane in Santa Rosa.

Details: 284-1272 for times and more info or visit schulzmuseum.org.


Christmas Bird Count

Friday, Dec. 30 from dawn to dusk

Area birders of all levels are welcomed to participate in the annual winter bird census. E-mail the count compiler, Gene Hunn, at enhunn323@comcast.net, to be assigned to an area team. Details on the children's bird count are not yet available. Details: sonomabirding.com.

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