Sonoma County Wine Country sprawls from the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains all the way to the Pacific Ocean in Bodega Bay—and the region’s annual celebrations are as diverse as its landscapes.

The most beautiful things in life are memories and moments.

Dive into the divine world of cheese at the California Artisan Cheese Festival or make wine the old fashioned way by grape stomping during the Sonoma Harvest Fair. Whatever your interest, there’s an annual Sonoma Valley event to suit anyone and everyone. Get your calendars ready for a memorable time in Northern California this year!

WINTER (JAN – MAR)

Winter Wineland

January | Wine

Winter Wineland is a beloved winter celebration held over two days every year in mid-January. Over 100 different wineries around the Sonoma area participate, and each location provides a minimum of three different premium wines to taste, so you can really cover some ground in just one weekend.

Sonoma County Restaurant Week

January – March | Culinary

Calling all gourmands and foodies! Over 100 different restaurants participate in Sonoma County Restaurant Week each February, creating prix fixe menus that feature everything from French cuisine to gourmet pizzas.

Cloverdale Citrus Fair

February | Culinary

The Cloverdale Citrus Fair is an annual event featuring live music, carnival rides, exhibits displaying agricultural heritage, wine tastings, and more, all in the name of Sonoma County citrus.

Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival

February | Arts & Culture

Celebrate the next generation of Sonoma trout at the annual Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival. The community rallies around this endangered trout, teaching locals and visitors about conserving the species and environmental preservation through fun activities like live music, fish-themed games, arts and crafts, and more.

California Artisan Cheese Festival

March | Culinary

Delight in the wonderful world of artisan cheese during the California Artisan Cheese Festival. Eat your way through Sonoma classics like Laura Chenel goat cheese, Point Reyes blues, and countless others—all paired with delicious wines, of course.

Sonoma International Film Festival

March | Arts & Culture

Cinephiles descend on Sonoma every March to soak up all things film during the four-day Sonoma International Film Festival. As its name suggests, films are submitted in all genres (including food and wine) from across the globe and feature both popular stars and unknowns.

SPRING (APRIL – MAY)

Battle of the Brews

April | Culinary

Sonoma might be best known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but excellent craft beer brews here, too. The Battle of the Brews is the ultimate showcase for Sonoma brewers to display their craft through beer tastings, raffles, games, and delicious bites to eat.

Levi’s Granfondo

April | Wellness

An annual cycling event that zooms across the Sonoma countryside, Levi’s Granfondo is a collection of road races that travel through the mountains and vineyards of Northern California. Races range from the kid-friendly Family Fondo and the 22-mile Piccolino to the grand-daddy of them all, The Growler, a brutal, 138 mile course.

Passport to Dry Creek Valley

April | Wine

Tucked between the mountains and the sea, Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley is a bite-sized AVA widely known for its Zinfandel. April’s annual Passport to Dry Creek Valley is dedicated to this notoriously bold wine, made amid its diverse landscape by top producers.

SUMMER (JUNE – AUG)

Country Summer Music Festival

June | Music

The Country Summer Music Festival is Sonoma’s very own slice of the CMAs. This three-day music extravaganza, featuring famous country stars like Sam Hunt and Dustin Lynch, delights with country tunes, sunshine, and delicious food and drink vendors.

Taste of Sonoma

June | Culinary

Ever wanted the chance to try Sonoma’s incredible wines and restaurants all in one place? The Taste of Sonoma is like a magic genie, here to grant your wish! Roam through the sprawling Kendall Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens to sample Sonoma’s top wines, craft beer, and bites from local food trucks.

Toyota/Save Mart 350

July | Arts & Culture

Come July, the annual Toyota/Save Mart 350 descends on the Sonoma Raceway for a weekend of thrilling races and tailgating fun. Passes vary from VIP treatment to $25 college tickets, so everyone can partake.

Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic

July | Arts & Culture

Rise and shine bright and early to watch as hundreds of colorful hot air balloons soar into the Sonoma clouds. The Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic takes place every July in the town of Santa Rosa, with food vendors and local artisans adding to the fun!

Gravenstein Apple Fair

August | Culinary

During the (very) dry years of Prohibition, many Sonoma vintners turned to growing fruit, including apples, to make ends meet. The Gravenstein Apple Fair celebrates the sweet yet tart Gravenstein apple, a favorite of acclaimed local horticulturist Luther Burbank, through a weekend of live music, cider tastings, apple products, farm exhibitions, and plenty of food and drink.

FALL (SEPT – OCT)

Sonoma County Wine Celebration

September | Wine

The largest fundraiser in Sonoma, the Sonoma County Wine Celebration is a three-day celebration that focuses on unique, insider events. The highlight of the weekend is the Live Auction, which draws wine collectors from around the world, with proceeds benefitting the local community

Healdsburg Crush

October | Wine

Celebrate the annual harvest with over 60 of Sonoma’s acclaimed wineries in one, convenient location! Healdsburg Crush is one of the most special events of the year, showcasing top California wine producers, gourmet cuisine, live music, and a Silent Auction for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin.

Sonoma County Harvest Fair

October | Culture

Harvest is a magical time in Sonoma. The grapes have been safely collected, and it’s time to celebrate the hard work of the vineyard and winery crew. Visitors can get a rare sneak peek into the winemaking process and take part in cherished traditions like the World Champion Grape Stomp, an amateur winemaker competition, the judging of over 900 wines, and a Grand Tasting.

Wine & Food Affair

November | Culinary

Similar to the Winter Wineland event, Sonoma’s annual Wine & Food Affair brings together over 100 wineries from the region. Each participating winery offers a minimum of three wines for sampling and a gourmet food pairing from local chefs.

HOLIDAYS IN SONOMA (NOV – DEC)

Lighting of Sonoma Plaza

November | Holiday

Get in the holiday spirit with the Lighting of Sonoma Plaza! Gather in the city of Sonoma’s historic town square for hot cocoa, cookies, food trucks, performances, and, of course, the official lighting of the Sonoma Plaza to celebrate the holiday season.

Luther Burbank Holiday Open House

December | Holiday

Step inside the home of renowned American botanist, Luther Burbank, bedecked in festive decor. The Luther Burbank Holiday Open House is the perfect opportunity to see a 19th-century property, perfectly preserved with antique furnishings and holiday finery.