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View and learn more about the Russian River's most popular events.
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| January |
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| Entertainment
Guide
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View night life, entertainment venues,
bars, clubs, theaters and more.
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| Whale Watching Season Begins |
Sonoma Coast - Whale watching season opens
this month. The whales can be seen all along the sonoma coast. Bodega Bay and
the Overlook above Jenner are great viewing locations.
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| Winter
Wineland |
Wine Country - This is a
great opportunity to visit, meet winemakers and taste limited production wines
at wineries not generally open to the public. Make it a three-day weekend of wine
tasting, meeting winemakers, touring wineries and participating in seminars.
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| February |
 |
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| Entertainment
Guide |
View night life, entertainment venues, bars, clubs,
theaters and more. |
| Crab Feed |
Bodega Bay - Bodega Bay crab
feed festival. (707) 875-3616
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| Whale Watching |
Sonoma Coast - View the migrating
whales as the pass close by the coast.
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| Citrus Fair |
Cloverdale |
| Sweetheart
Tasting |
Alexander Valley - Taste delicious
treats of luscious chocolates paired with succulent, red wines.
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| March |
 |
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| Entertainment
Guide |
View night life, entertainment
venues, bars, clubs, theaters and more. |
| Barrel
Tasting |
Wine Country - There are no tickets required
for Barrel Tasting Weekend, simply purchase a glass at your first winery for $5.00
and prepare to spend a GREAT weekend tasting wine. Over 100 wineries opening their
cellar for your tasting pleasure.
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| Whale Watching |
Sonoma Coast - View the migrating whales as
the pass close by the coast.
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| Bluegrass & Old Time
Music Festival |
Sebastopol - Held in Sebastopol
yearly. The event starts at noon and goes to 9pm. (707) 829-8012
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| Crab and Fennel Festival |
The Russian River Valley Winegrowers Crab & Fennel
Fest gives guests a chance to roll up their shirt sleeves, crack fresh, local
Dungeness crab, quaff Russian River Valley wine and experience culinary creations
of fennel made by local chefs in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.
|
| Amgen
Tour of California |
Sonoma County - The Amgen Tour of California
will bring the drama and excitement of a professional bicycle stage race to the
California coast. The world's top professional teams will compete over an eight-day,
700-mile race on a route that includes the California redwoods, wine country and
the Pacific Coast. |
| April |
 |
|
| Entertainment
Guide |
View night life, entertainment venues, bars, clubs,
theaters and more. |
| Passport
Weekend and
here |
Dry Creek - Wineries
up and down Dry Creek Valley celebrate the magic of their valley with wine, food,
entertainment, and the hospitality for which Dry Creek Valley is famous during
Passport to Dry Creek Valley. Many of the wineries involved in Passport create
a theme around which they showcase their wine, paired with food and entertainment.
|
| Dachshund
Festival |
Guerneville - "It's one thing to own a
dachshund and love it and take it to the park. It's an entirely different bowl
of kibble to suddenly find yourself standing over 50 dachshunds in the brutal
spring heat, encouraging the four-inch-legged love of your life to get in there
and bob for weenies."
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| Apple Blossom
Festival |
Sebastopol - Sebastopol's celebration
of apples dates back to 1910, when the first great Apple Shows capped the annual
harvest with all the excitement of a state fair.
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| Abalone Season |
Sonoma Coast - Although abalone are found in
temperate nearshore waters throughout much of the world, California's indigenous
"Red Abalone" (Haliotis rufenscens) is the largest species found anywhere
in the world.
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| Fisherman's
Festival |
Bodega Bay - The Festival began as a celebration
of the opening of the Salmon fishing season. Boats are decorated and parade out
of the harbor on Sunday morning, gathering outside the jetties to receive blessings
of the fleet by a local clergyman. The festival is packed with music, food and
entertainment. |
| May |
 |
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| Entertainment
Guide |
View night life, entertainment venues, bars, clubs,
theaters and more. |
| Russian River Rodeo
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| Abalone Season
|
See above |
| Luther Burbank Rose
Parade |
Each year the Luther Burbank Rose Parade & Festival
draws more than 3,500 participants to downtown Santa Rosa with over 120 entries.
After the parade, the festival kicks into high gear with music, food booths, Italian
Street Painting and dozens of activities for kids.
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| Women's Weekend
|
Guerneville |
| California
Herdeljezi Festival |
Sebastopol - Herdeljezi is a traditional Romani neighborhood
celebration announcing the end of the cold, indoor season and the renewal of outdoor,
nomadic life. |
| June |
 |
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| Entertainment
Guide |
View night life, entertainment venues, bars, clubs,
theaters and more. |
| Russian
River Rodeo
|
|
| Blues Festival |
Guerneville - Gear up for the best
blues experience! Gates open at 10AM on Saturday and Sunday. Get there early and
stake out your special spot on the beach before the crowds arrive. The Blues starts
flowing at 11AM and goes until 6PM.
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| Jenner Festival of the Arts
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| Healdsburg
Lavender Festival |
Healdsburg - Discover why noted food
and wine expert, Michele Anna Jordan, calls this "Sonoma County's prettiest
farmers' market" while you enjoy the fragrant bouquets and products produced
by members of the North Coast Lavender Guild.
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| Art at the Source
and here |
Sebastopol - Art at the Source and
Sebastopol Center for the Arts have a commitment to making our open studios a
premier county event. We have 109 first-rate artists exhibiting in studios throughout
western Sonoma County.
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| Taste
of the Valley |
Alexander Valley - During this two
day gala event enjoy themes from around the world. Visitors are invited to indulge
in tantalizing food, barrel-making demonstrations, tours of vineyards, caves and
cellars, live music, discounts on purchases, and much more!
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| Parade and Youth Park BBQ |
Forestville - The Forestville Youth
Park BBQ kicks off with a parade in downtown Forestville, ending at the Forestville
Youth Park on Mirabel Road. There the fun and excitement of "a professional
carnival," BBQ, and music from local bands for dancing continues through
Sunday. Also don't miss the games, food, wine, beer, crafts, and other booths.
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| Harmony Festival |
The Harmony Festival embodies leading-edge
artistic and musical expression, environmental trends, new social ideas, emerging
sustainable business models, and progressive cultural movements, to name a few.
|
| Fitch
Mountain Foot Race |
The run takes place in the Heart of
Sonoma County's Wine Country. Both the 10K and 3K courses begin and end at the
Historic Downtown Plaza. Come and enjoy a day in the wine country with great restaurants,
world class wineries and the beautiful Russian River.
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| July |
 |
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| Entertainment
Guide |
View night life, entertainment venues, bars, clubs,
theaters and more. |
| Civil War Days |
Duncan's Mills - In July the quaint north
coast town of Duncans Mills, California, will become the fields of Virginia circa
1863. Civil War Days will once again be on tap as one of the largest re-enactments
west of the Mississippi. Over a thousand re-enactors will converge to ensure a
very memorable experience for all who attend.
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| Fort
Ross Living History Day |
Fort Ross - Gates open at 10 am. Features
music, food, canon and musket demonstration, fort tours and step back in time.
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| Half Vineman Triathlon |
Guerneville - The point-to-point event begins
at Johnson's Beach in Guerneville and takes entrants past literally hundreds of
vineyards and dozens of wineries before it finishes up in at Windsor High School
(just north of Santa Rosa).
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| Hot Air Balloon Classic |
Windsor - We will wake up before dawn, dress
warm, grab our blankets and chairs and once again head to Keiser Park for the
spectacular colors and light of the majestic Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic!
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| Independence Day Fireworks Celebrations
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County Wide |
| Sonoma
County Fair Starts |
Santa Rosa Fairgrounds
- The biggest fair of the year. The Fairgrounds is located in Santa Rosa, just
east of the Freeway (101) on Bennett Valley Road. |
| Showcase
of Wine & Food |
Appellation Experience, Winery Dinners, Winery
Lunches, Sonoma County Live, Wine Auction and Dinner, The Taste of Sonoma County
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| Gualala Patriot
Days |
The Brigade of the American Revolution brings
the history of the American War for Independence to life, for children and adults
alike. It helps to create interest in the Revolution by a variety of demonstrations.
The visitor may look at, touch, hear and talk to the soldiers and camp followers;
thus bringing to life in three dimensions and full color, the Revolutionary War
scene.
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| Little
Yellow Bus: Wine, Music, Food |
Summer Rendezvous Al Fresco. A day of fun
on the beautiful Russian River Please join us for this fun river side event. All
done with a 1930"s theme. Taste some of Sonoma County's best wines. Enjoy
Jazz and swing music. Gourmet Food tasting. Fortune teller and games. Silent auction. |
| Old
Grove Festival |
Armstrong Redwoods - Enjoy music and theatrical performances
in the midst of the Old Growth Redwoods at Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve in
the historic Redwood Forest Theatre. Performances include music from different
genres and a Shakespeare performance. |
| August |
 |
|
| Entertainment
Guide |
View night life, entertainment venues, bars, clubs,
theaters and more. |
| Sonoma
County Fair |
Santa Rosa Fairgrounds
- The biggest fair of the year. The Fairgrounds is located in Santa Rosa, just
east of the Freeway (101) on Bennett Valley Road. |
| Grape to Glass |
Live like a local and indulge in world class
Russian River Valley Wines, one of a kind Vineyard and Winery experiences and
gourmet wine country dining – event includes a Winery Poker Run, “Sip
n’ Cinema” at MacMurray Ranch, Lifestyle Activities (Ballooning over
the valley, Kayaking down the river or the Tour de Vine Bike Ride), informative
Behind the Wines Tours and Panel Discussions, “Hog in the Fog” Elegant
BBQ & Silk Purse Auction and finish the weekend with “Wings, Wine and
Wind-down” at the Wings over Wine Country Air Show.
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| Full Vineman Triathlon |
Guerneville - The oldest ironman distance
triathlon held in the continental United States. The experience which Ironman
Vineman athletes have will be unmatched, as they swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles
and run 26.2 miles through beautiful Sonoma County California's wine country.
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| Gravenstein
Apple Fair |
Sebastopol - The Gravenstein Apple Fair showcases
the best in arts, crafts, food, wines and brews, games, entertainment and farm
life activities. Brimming with tradition, visitors come every year to experience
the unique flavor of an old-time country get-together and to celebrate the Gravenstein
apple.
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| Bodega
Bay Seafood, Art and Wine Festival |
Bodega - This ever popular festival showcases
the best of California’s wineries, breweries, artists, and craftspeople.
This event also features outstanding regional musicians and a delicious selection
of seafood.
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| Wings
over Wine Country |
Santa Rosa Airport - Antiques, war-birds,
and contemporary aircraft will do flybys and will be parked on the ramp, as in
years past, for an up close and personal look. One of the exciting features of
the PCAM Airshow is the opportunity to touch and feel the awesome power and might
of these historic machines which have meant so much to our history.
|
| Old
Grove Festival |
Armstrong Redwoods - Enjoy music and theatrical performances
in the midst of the Old Growth Redwoods at Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve in
the historic Redwood Forest Theatre. Performances include music from different
genres and a Shakespeare performance.
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| Wine
Road - Road Trip |
Russian River Area - Sample Wines, Nibble
on Hors d’oeuvres, Toe Tapping Music, Tour The Vineyards, Bid on Auction
Items |
| September |
 |
|
| Entertainment
Guide |
View night life, entertainment venues, bars, clubs,
theaters and more. |
| Jazz on the Russian River |
Guerneville - Gear up for the best blues experience!
Gates open at 10AM on Saturday and Sunday. Get there early and stake out your
special spot on the beach before the crowds arrive. The Jazz starts flowing at
11AM and goes until 6PM.
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| Healdsburg Antique Fair
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|
| Old
Grove Festival |
Armstrong Redwoods - Enjoy music and theatrical performances
in the midst of the Old Growth Redwoods at Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve in
the historic Redwood Forest Theatre. Performances include music from different
genres and a Shakespeare performance.
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| Celtic Music
Festival |
Sebastopol - Fairgoers will find the familiar array of
Celtic crafts and wares, fine foods, workshops, sessioning, dancers, children's
activities, micro-brewed ale, and choice wines.
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| Cajun / Zydeco Festival |
Sebastopol - Plenty to do for the kids, gumbo, beer and
wine. 2500 square foot shaded dance floor. |
| October |
 |
|
| Entertainment
Guide |
View night life, entertainment venues, bars, clubs,
theaters and more. |
| Sonoma County
Harvest Fair |
Santa Rosa Fairgrounds - Come join
us at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair for premier wine-tasting, food-tasting, art
show and sale, pumpkin carving, hay rides, Haunted Room, jazz stage, and many
more events and fun activities for the whole family - and don't miss our renowned
World Championship Grape Stomp competition! |
| ARTrails Open Studio
Tours and
here |
Russian River Area - Respected as one of the first and
finest open studio programs, ARTrails artists have been inviting the public into
their work spaces since 1985. This Sonoma County Open Studios program continues
to educate visitors to the creative processes of professional artists. It also
provides the opportunity to purchase unique fine arts and crafts.
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| Calabash! |
Forestville - A Celebration of Gourds Art and the Garden.
A silent auction of fine gourd art benefiting Food for Thought Sonoma County Aids
Food Bank.
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| Harvest Market
Festival |
Occidental - Celebrate the last day of the farmers market
season. Scarecrow contest, Dia de Los Muertos shrine, Taiko performance, pumpkin
painting & carving, paella, chef's demonstrations, live music and family activities.
Occidental Y's annual Halloween carnival, and more! 4pm 'til dusk. |
| Mermaidfest |
All-day concerts, face painting, tail making, dance troupe,
drum circles, weaving, fresh seafood, wine tasting, exhibitors and vendors. Mermaidfest
promotes communal synergy focusing on ecology, education and action in stream
restoration and bringing awareness of small commercial fishermen struggling to
survive and maintain their vanishing way of life.
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| “Howl-O-Ween” Pet Party |
Santa Rosa - Annual Howl-O-Ween Pet Party. Both dogs
(on leash) and people are invited to come in costume and spend the afternoon enjoying
howloween treats & games, like bobbing for hotdogs, pet psychic, prize drawings,
canine demonstrations and more! Enter your pet in our Dog Costume Contest for
a chance to win fabulous prizes! Proceed benefit the Humane Society.
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| Pinot Festival |
Russian River Valley - Pinot On The River is a full-immersion
weekend of Pinot Noir, featuring a full program of in-depth tastings and seminars,
vineyard tours and sumptuous food.
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| Wine Country Marathon |
Healdsburg - Wine Country Marathon and Half Marathon
start and finish in beautiful historic downtown Healdsburg. |
| November |
 |
|
| Entertainment
Guide |
View night life, entertainment venues,
bars, clubs, theaters and more. |
| A
Food and Wine Affair |
Join us this weekend that
has become the premier event for the Russian River Wine Road… Two fun-filled
days of wine and food pairing in the Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys.
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| Festival of the Trees |
Gualala - Gualala Arts’ Festival of Trees. Festival
includes Gingerbread lane houses, the Fantasy Forest, food and drink, live entertainment,
shoppers extravaganza raffle, art boths and more. A Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
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| Gualala
Trucker's Light Parade |
Commercial big rig Gualala Trucker's Light Parade! The
parade route stretches over a mile along Hwy. 1 south through downtown Gualala
past the judging stand on the porch of the historic Gualala Hotel, turns the corner
and circles back to Bed Rock, so spectators will see the entries twice, both coming
and going! Great for kids and adults.
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| Dining
Out For Life |
Join Food For Thought - Sonoma County AIDS Food Bank,
for our Annual Dining Out For Life. Dine out at a participating restaurant and
25% of your food bill will be donated to Food For Thought. |
| December |
 |
|
| Entertainment
Guide |
View night life, entertainment venues, bars, clubs,
theaters and more. |
| Parade of Lights
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Guerneville |
| Russian River Christmas Crafts Fair |
Guerneville |
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