Holiday events in Sonoma

December's holiday events continue Saturday with Lighting of the Snowmen, more|

Friday, Dec. 1

Cocoa with Santa: Soroptimist International of Sonoma Valley is holding its 41st annual Hot Chocolate with Santa beginning at 5 p.m. on Dec. 1, on the Plaza. They will serve hot chocolate while waiting for Santa to arrive on the antique fire truck at 5:30 p.m. (rain or shine). Sonoma Valley High School students will carol, and cookies and brownies will be provided by the Lodge. Santa will also pose for photos.

Lighting of Springs: From 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 1, the Springs Boyes lot (next to the old Church Mouse) will come alive with lights thanks to the Sonoma valley Visitior's Bureau and PG&E. Picazo Food Truck will be onsite as well as Art Escape's Mobile Van. Hot chocolate will be provided free of charge.

Sister Cities party: The Sister Cities is hosting a free community holiday party from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 1. at Vintage House. There will be traditional holiday specialties from China, Egypt, France, Hungary, Italy, Mexico and Ukraine, served with a selection of local and international wines, as well as a raffle and games. RSVP requested; walk-ins are also welcome.

Saturday, Dec. 2

Kenwood fun: The community is invited to a Kenwood School holiday open house at Chateau St. Jean winery from 4 to 6 p.m. on Dec. 2. The $10 entrance fee will be donated to the Kenwood Education Foundation to benefit the school families and staff affected by the North Bay wildfires. Book online at chateaustjean.com/visit/events-winery.

Holiday party: The Sonoma Valley Mothers Club's holiday party and raffle will be held at the Woman's Club from 4 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 2, and 20 percent of proceeds will go to La Luz Center's Sonoma Fire Relief Fund. The party is free and will feature kid entertainment, music, Picazo Food truck, wine, beer and pictures with Santa. sonomamothersclub.com

Ornament workshop: The Community Center is hosting a family-friendly, all-ages holiday ornaments clay workshop from 10 a.m. to noon and from 2 to 4 p.m. on Dec 2. Kids can make handmade gifts for those who are hard to shop for. Register at sonomacommunitycenter.org.

Lighting of the Snowmen: On Dec. 2, you'll have the opportunity to see hundreds of lit up snowmen at Cornerstone Sonoma's annual event. Starting at 4 p.m., the event will include music, family activities, refreshments and more. cornerstonesonoma.com.

Cookies with Santa: Tracy Reynes of Live Love Sonoma Real Estate, Mangiantini Construction, Peter Lyons Photography and Nick Dolata of Peoples Home Equity are co-hosting Cookies and Milk with Santa from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 2 at Sonoma Valley Woman's Club, 574 First St. E. Kids will get to meet Santa, get their picture taken, and give him their Christmas lists which they can drop off in the North Pole Express mail box. This event is free, but attendees are asked to bring a toy to donate to the Sonoma Valley Holiday Program or a nonperishable food item for FISH.

Winery Bazaar: Gundlach-Bundschu is holding its annaual Bacchus Holiday Bazaar & Toy Drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 2. Shop for holiday gifts from local, curated vendors, dance to DJ Golden Gram and the Fig Rig will be offering lunch.

Winery open house: Enjoy holiday shopping and take your own photos with Santa 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 2 and 3, at Larson Family Winery.

Sunday, Dec. 3

Glen Ellen dinner: Valley of the Moon Winery will be hosting a free holiday meal on Dec. 3 from noon to 5. The Glen Ellen Forum has organized the event as a 'community social,' and Costco has donated 117 frozen turkeys to be barbecued in 30 donated Weber grills. Afterward there will be a raffle to win a frozen turkey and one of the Weber grills.

Wednesday, Dec. 6

G3 Holiday Marketplace: G3 is co-hosting a Holiday Marketplace with the Sonoma chapter of Polka Dot Powerhouse. On Dec. 6, the two local organizations will be 'encouraging local and conscientious consumerism' with an event at the Barn at Tyge William Cellars, Cornerstone Sonoma. Vendors will donate 10 percent of sales to Sonoma Strong-The Rotary Fund for Fire Victims. Tickets are $20 and include a glass of wine, passed hors d'oeuvres and music. Bring lightly-used coats for the YMCA Women's Shelter of Sonoma County and Glide Memorial Church.

Saturday, Dec. 9

Christmas at the Mission: Sonoma State Historic Park is hosting Christmas fun on Dec. 9. Its downtown buildings will be open, festively lit, and free to visitors, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. There will be live music, photos with Santa, refreshments, and a small Victorian crafts workshop in the Blue Wing Inn. A winter campfire will take place in the Barracks Courtyard. The sing-along in the Mission Chapel is sold-out.

Gingerbread fun: From 2 to 4 p.m. on Dec. 9, the community is invited to a gingerbread decorating 'Extravaganza' at Kenwood Community Church at 9637 Channing Row. RSVP to 833-1087.

Community Festivus: A new community party, fundraiser and toy drive will take place on Dec. 9. The idea came from a 'Festivus for the Rest of Us' Seinfeld episode. The event will feature live music by Rich Little and the Mighty Creatures, drinks (first drink is free) and a holiday photo booth. Ticket sales will be donated to the 14 Sonoma Valley firefighters who lost homes and other property. Bring an unwrapped new toy for the Secret Santa program. The Reel has donated its space, come early and enjoy dinner before the party. (thereelfishshop.com/) Tickets at goo.gl/DRqG29.

Train exhibit: The Depot Park Museum has reopened and its holiday train show runs from noon to 4 p.m., on Dec. 8 to 10 and Dec. 15 to 17.

Friday, Dec. 15

LGBT fun: LGBT seniors are hosting a holiday gathering and white elephant gift exchange from 10 a.m. to noon on Dec. 15 at Vintage House, 264 First St. E. All are welcome. After the meeting, everyone is invited to a no-host lunch at Palms Grill. For more information, call Gary 'Buz' Hermes 227-6935 or Janice Farrell 415-608-5792.

Saturday, Dec. 16

Caroling: The 16th annual Caroling with the Clydesdales will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 16. Meet at the Jack London Saloon in Glen Ellen. Santa will be in attendance and there will be cookies and hot chocolate.

Santa: Santa will be at Sonoma Marketplace on West Napa St. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 16.

Holiday productions

Ballet: 'The Magic Toy Shop' is being performed by Sonoma Conservatory of Dance on Dec. 9 and 10 at 1 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Building. SonomaConservatoryofDance.org.

Theater: The Sonoma Arts Live production of 'Inspecting Carol' is on stage at Sonoma Community Center through Dec 10. sonomaartslive.org/showtickets.

Music: The Free Spirits Gospel Choir, vocal trio The Quixotics and hula guest, Betty Ann Bruno will perform at Sonoma Community Center at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 17.

If you would like an event added to this list, email lorna.sheridan@sonomanews.com.

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