SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL TO RECEIVE YOUR FREE SAN FRANCISCO PLANNING GUIDE.
Sonoma Events in November: 2023 Festivals, Wine Tasting Parties & More
by Jill Loeffler •
Updated: November 5, 2023
Sonoma events in November 2023 include food and wine tastings, tree lighting ceremonies, and other holiday art fairs and events.
Read on for events throughout the county including Healdsburg, Petaluma, Rohnert Park and more.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
Wine & Food Affair
Dates: 11/4 - 11/5, 11 am - 4 pm
One of the premier Sonoma County wine and food experiences, the 25th annual wine and food affair is a two-day event that includes wine tasting, food made specifically for pairing with each wine, and the ability to taste wines from the Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys all for one price.
Many wineries offer vegan, vegetarian and gluten free treats too. This event has a reduced price designated driver ticket if our non-alcohol drinking friends want to come along. Tickets for both days of the event are priced at $125, whereas Sunday-only tickets cost $95.
>> More about this year's event
Geyserville Tree Lighting and Tractor Parade of Lights
Date: 11/25
This annual family friendly event is a joy for all. Santa arrives at 4:30 pm, the tree lighting and caroling begins at 6 pm, and the parade starts at 6:15 pm.
The Tractor Parade is always a treat as many massive tractors, and cool trucks, fully decorated with lights and other displays are on hand to amaze the crowd. Food and drink are also served before and after the event.
Lodging in Sonoma County
Booking.com: Save on your Hotel in Sonoma with Booking.com, Planet Earth's #1 Accommodation Site. No booking fees ever!
TripAdvisor: What's the #1 hotel in Sonoma County? Read reviews & find hotel deals on TripAdvisor!
VRBO: You can also find some great places to stay on VRBO. They offer apartments, houses, cottages, and rooms for rent all around Sonoma County. Find some great places to stay here.
Veterans Day Parade
Date: 11/11
Petaluma is home to this beautiful Veterans Day Parade each year. It all starts downtown at noon with live music, followed by recognition ceremonies and the parade which includes Clydesdale horses and the Marin's Sheriff's Posse.
There is a helicopter fly over that will thrill young and old alike. Food and drink will be available at local restaurants and you can do some early holiday shopping at local merchants.
It runs from 1 pm to 3 pm.
Wine Tasting Deals
Battaglini Winery & Vineyard: $5 Buys You a Coupon for $5 Off a Wine Tasting for Two Plus 20% Off a Bottle of Wine, near Santa Rosa, check for availability
Harvest Moon Estate And Winery: Save on their wine and cheese tasting plates for one, two or four people, near Santa Rosa, check for availability
*Note: Most deals last for 120 days after purchase, so make sure to check the exact terms before purchasing.
Lighting of the Plaza
Date: 11/18
One of the best family-friendly Sonoma events in November is an experience you won't want to miss. Starting at 5 pm, and continuing until 8 pm, there will be music, food and wine to celebrate the season.
Not only will the plaza be lit, but over 8 blocks of the town will also with more than 100,000 lights. Food trucks will be on site or you are welcome to bring your own drinks or purchase them at local stores and restaurants located around the plaza.
Healdsburg Turkey Trot
Date: 11/23
The quaint city of Healdsburg, well known for incredible restaurants, wineries, and festivals is home to this year's Turkey Trot. The 5K walk/run begins at 333 Center Street starting at 8 a.m. and meanders through the town.
This race will also be raising money for the "Live Like Drew" (Drew Esquivel) Scholarship, which helps Healdsburg-area student athletes achieve the dream of going to college.
Food donations are also welcome if you want to give more support. Cost is $25 for adults and $20 for kids under 12.
This is one of the Sonoma events in November on Thanksgiving Day.
>> Find additional Turkey Trots around the SF Bay Area
Cirque de Boheme Presents Consolamentum
Dates: 11/24, 11/25, 11/26
Go back in time to see the classic Cirque de Boheme at Cornerstone Sonoma. This intimate event only allows 100 people and is set in the 1920s where jugglers, clowns, acrobats, and aerialist entertain and amaze you with their skills and feats of magic. Show times for the new 2023 Circus Holiday Spectacle are 1 pm, 3 pm and 5 pm.
The circus is held under a tent so you don't have to worry about rain dampening your experience in this gorgeous garden setting. You do not want to miss this annual holiday tradition in Sonoma so make sure to book in advance.
Tickets cost $40 for adults and $30 for children 15 or younger.
A portion of all ticket sales benefit The Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance.
Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair
Dates: 11/24 - 11/25
Rohnert Park is home to one of the top free Sonoma events in November, the Holiday Arts & Crafts Faire. Now in its 44th year, this free, two-day event will be held at the Rohnert Park Community Center at 5401 Snyder Lane.
Starting at 10 am and ending at 4 pm, the faire is a great way to escape the Black Friday crowds at the mall and experience a more family-friendly atmosphere. There is also caroling, food and drink, and craft-making for kids at The Little Elves Workshop.
Santa's Riverboat Arrival
Date: 11/25
Santa and Mrs. Claus have decided to leave their sleigh at the North Pole and instead take a riverboat as they visit the city of Petaluma each year. There is live music, dancing, food and drink for all and performers from the local ballet school's Nutcracker.
Santa's cruise will dock at the River Plaza Shopping Center (50 E. Washington Street).
Afterward, you are invited to do all your holiday shopping downtown as many local merchants are offering discounts and specials. The event is free to attend for all and runs from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm.
Live Music at Gundlach Bundschu Winery
Date: 11/6
Location: Gundlach Bundschu Winery
Time: Doors open at 5:30 pm. Show starts at 7 pm
Come and enjoy a series of intimate performances by Courtney Barnett in collaboration with Stella Mozgawa.
Tickets cost $65 and you can expect to pay a $20 parking fee, unless you're a Gundlach Bundschu Wine Club member. This is an incredibly atmospheric Sonoma event surrounded by stunning scenery in and around the Gundlach Bundschu estate.
Santa Rosa Events in November
Find some fun Sonoma events in November in Santa Rosa. Click the links below for ticketing information.
Wine Events in Sonoma County in November 2023
Discover top Sonoma events in November at local wineries. Below you will find fun events to celebrate the holidays, buy wine at a discount, and sample new releases. You can also enjoy an intimate dinner with local wine makers or a more casual party with pizza and wine.
Amphora Winery: Bubbles and oysters (11/24) from 11 am to 3:30 pm
Buena Vista Winery: Stellar Cellar Wine Sale (11/4 & 11/5)
Deloach Vineyards: Stellar Cellar Sale (11/4 & 11/5)
Dry Creek Vineyard: Holiday Celebration from 12 to 4 pm (11/25)
Gloria Ferrer (11/10): Spanish Chef's Table from 6 to 8 pm
Gundlack Bundschu (11/16): Hi-Fi Happy Hour from 5 to 7 pm. Enjoy wine, records, pizza, and friends in the Barrel Room.
Jacuzzi Wines (11/18): Annual holiday market from 12 to 4 pm
Jordan Winery (11/11): Fete D'Automne French-inspired fall dinner at Jordan Winery from 6:30 to 9:30 pm
Kendall Jackson (11/9): Cooking Class Holiday Favorites at 5 pm
La Crema (11/16): Beaujolais Nouveau Day Celebration. Taste this season’s harvest wine mere weeks after we picked the fruit from 2 to 6 pm.
Landmark Vineyards (11/18 - 11/19): Holiday Open House at Hop Kiln Estate
Papapietro Perry (11/11): 25th Silver Anniversary Fall Wine Club Party from 12 to 3 pm
Rodney Strong (11/18): Fall Makers Market from 12 pm to 4 pm
More Things to Do in Sonoma in November
In addition to these fun Sonoma events in November, you will also find dozens of fun activities from hot air balloon rides over the county to food tours. These are just some of the other fun things to do this month all around Sonoma wine country.
Sonoma Wine Country Bike Tour: Ride through Sonoma Wine Country on this 4.5 hour tour, starts in Santa Rosa and takes you to visit two to three wineries, entire trip is about 16-miles (25.7 km), route is mostly flat, check for availability
Food & Wine Walking Tour: Walking and food tour of Sonoma which stops at several gourmet spots for tastings, check for availability
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
I would love for you to join me in my private Facebook group!
It's a great place to interact with me and others who know the area well.
You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. It's a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit!