Guide to jolly holiday fun in Petaluma

The holiday season is drawing near, and there are plenty of options for festive fun in Petaluma.

Santa's riverboat arrival

A Lind Marine tugboat will bring Mr. and Mrs. Claus to the River Plaza shopping center at noon Nov. 26. The festivities for Santa's riverboat arrival begin at 11:30 a.m. with entertainment from the Pacific Empire Chorus and Petaluma Pete. Costumed dancers from the Petaluma School of Ballet's “Nutcracker” production will hand out candy canes and escort Santa and Mrs. Claus to his workshop in front of Taps Restaurant for photos.

Boy Scouts will be at the event making custom forged metal ornaments, the Petaluma Panthers will have freshly-made donuts and the Fabulous Women of Sonoma County will represent its Festival of Trees event. For more information, head to visitpetaluma.com.

The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District will also host a “Stuff the Bus” event to collect new, unwrapped toys for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation from 1-3 p.m. at the shopping center.

River race

The River Town Racers “Random Turkey Ruckus and Paddler Pandemonium” race takes off Nov. 26 from the North Bay Rowing Club at the end of Second Street. The race is open to K1, SS, OC and SUP paddlers of all ages and abilities. Registration is from 8:30-9:30 a.m. with a race meeting at 9:45 a.m. and the first race at 10:15 a.m. Santa will arrive in the middle of the race. Find more details at facebook.com/events/1199016146795616.

The Nutcracker

Petaluma's North Bay Performing Arts Association and Contessi Ballet present “The Nutcracker” at 7 p.m. Nov. 26 at Spreckels Performing Arts Center, at 5409 Snyder Lane in Rohnert Park. Tickets in advance are $25 for adults; $20 for seniors and students with a valid ID and $15 for children 10 and under. Call 588-3400 for more information.

Holiday art fair

Windrush Farms will host a holiday art sale with handcrafted and handmade wool garments, jewelry, ceramics and more goods from local artists from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 27. The farm is located at 2263 Chileno Valley Road. Visit windrushfarm.wordpress.com for more information.

Crafterino

The eighth annual Petaluma Holiday Crafterino will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 27 at the Petaluma Veterans Memorial Hall, at 1094 Petaluma Blvd. South. Admission is $1, and more than 70 vendors will be in attendance. Proceeds benefit Petaluma's Committee On The Shelterless (COTS). For more information, visit facebook.com/events/1785656278348615.

Christkindlmarkt

Head to the “Christkindlmarkt” holiday market and craft fair for a variety of gift options, including needle crafts, quilts, home decor, baked goods and European imports. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 27 at the Hermann Sons Hall, located at 860 Western Ave. Lunch and beverage options are available. Call Rosemarie 953-4039 or DeAnna at 280-5026 for more information.

Craft fair

Sunrise Senior Living will host a holiday craft fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 27 at its 815 Wood Sorrel Drive location. The event will feature handmade crafts, local vendors, art work, jewelry, toys, books, gourmet treats, live music, raffle prizes and photos with Santa.

Christmas Cheer

Petaluma-based Christmas Cheer will be accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys, nonperishable food and financial contributions beginning at 10 a.m. Nov. 28 at its new location in the vacant Safeway building in the Washington Square Shopping Center at 301 South McDowell Blvd. Petaluma/Penngrove area families and seniors in need may apply for assistance that same day, and about 550 applications will be accepted.

The operation will be running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and larger donations can be dropped off at the rear door. Monetary donations can be dropped off or mailed to P.O. Box 4741, Petaluma, 94957.

A tea will be held from 1-4 p.m. Nov. 27 at the headquarters for volunteers to learn more about the nonprofit, all-volunteer organization.

Distribution dates will be Dec. 16-18, and regular pick up for recipients will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 17 and Dec. 18.

Festival of Trees

The Fabulous Women of Sonoma County and The Petaluma Woman's Club are collaborating to present The Festival of Trees from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 2 and Dec. 3 at 518 B St. Themed “Home for The Holidays,” the event will feature a Christmas tree auction, a holiday sweet shop and succulent garden shop, a raffle, Santa photos, and entertainment.

The event is free, but those who donate $20 to benefit local fire victims as part the “Passport to Christmas” campaign will receive a “passport,” which will offer discounts at more than 75 local businesses and eateries from Dec. 2-25, as well as 10 raffle tickets for the event. Passports are on sale now and can be purchased at the Petaluma Visitors Center, Mr. Pickles Sandwich Shop, Della Fattoria, Athletic Soles, Flower Child Consignment, The Sweet Zone, and Pongos Kitchen and Tap and at the event itself.

Proceeds from the event will be awarded to local nonprofits, with the grant awards announced Dec. 2.

Holiday concert

The Petaluma Chorale will present its annual holiday concerts at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29 and 3 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Petaluma Valley Baptist Church, located at 580 Sonoma Mountain Parkway.

Tickets are $12 for general admission, $10 for students and seniors and free for those 12 and under. Tickets are available at the door, through Chorale members, or at brownpapertickets.com/event/2665799.

Poker 4 Presents

The annual Poker 4 Presents event, a fundraiser for COTS, will be held at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at the New Life Christian Fellowship, located at 1310 Clegg St. Tickets to the non-gambling, co-ed no limit Texas Hold ‘Em tournament are $25 per person and are available at newlifepetaluma.org or at the door. A poker class will be held prior to the event, and pizza and snacks will be served.

Chief's challenge

Chiefs from Petaluma's police and fire departments will face off for the chief's challenge, where they will ring bells to raise money for Salvation Army from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 2 in front of Copperfield's Books at 140 Kentucky St.

Light Up a Life

Hospice of Petaluma offers residents the opportunity to honor lost loved ones at its annual Light Up a Life tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Dec. 2 in Center Park on Petaluma Boulevard. The annual event is held in memory of those who have died, with each light on the tree lit in their honor.

Guest speakers include Mayor David Glass, Manager of Volunteer & Community Services Nina Arbour and Hospice Services Advisory Board Member Barbara Mackenzie. The Casa Grande High School Choir will also perform.

For more information and to donate to dedicate a light, call Hospice at 568-1094 or visit hospicelightupalife.org.

Craft fair

The Petaluma United Methodist Church will host a Christmas craft fair with handmade local crafts and baked goodies from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 3 at 410 D St. Admission is free. For more details, call 762-9785.

Merchants open house

The downtown merchants hold a holiday open house from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 3. There will be horse and carriage rides, free face painting, balloon art and treats from various merchants.

Visit petalumadowntown.com for more information.

Holiday Fest concert

A Holiday Fest concert featuring Petaluma High School Jazz Combo, Petaluma Junior High Choir and the Casa Grande High School Choir will be held Dec. 3 at the Petaluma Elks Lodge, at 2105 South McDowell Blvd. Doors open at 5 p.m. and there will food from Art Ibeleto, the “Pasta King,” as well as a raffles and prizes. Tickets for the dinner and concert are $15 for adults, $6 for those 12 and under and free for those under 5 and proceeds benefit music programs in local schools. Visit PetalumaMusicFestival.org to buy tickets.

Cookie exchange party

Sonoma Spice Queen hosts a holiday cookie exchange party at 2 p.m. Dec. 3 at 407 C St.

Participants should bring a dozen or more homemade cookies to receive a box to fill to take home cookies. Attendees must bring cookies to take cookies. Call 776-7678 or visit sonomaspicequeen.com for information.

Fair Trade Gift Festival

United Church of Christ offers the chance to shop for ethically provided gifts at its annual Fair Trade Gift Festival, to be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 10 at the church, at 825 Middlefield Drive. The festival helps artisans in 38 countries receive a fair price for their products, with proceeds from the sale directly supporting the artisans.

There will also be opportunities to donate to COTS, Heifer International, Doctors Without Borders and Habitat for Humanity or to honor a family member or friend with a gift donation. Call 763-2454 for more information or visit uccpetaluma.org.

Festival of Christmas

Petaluma Valley Baptist Church hosts its annual Festival of Christmas featuring music, children's crafts, games, a live nativity, tea room, food court and more from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 10.

The Celebration Choir, Casa Grande Concert Choir and Kenilworth and Petaluma's Junior High bands will be performing.

The church is located at 580 Sonoma Mountain Parkway. Admission is free. Call 763-2277 for information.

Luminaria for dog rescue

Petaluma nonprofit Lily's Legacy Senior Dog Sanctuary will be hosting a holiday luminaria celebration Dec. 11 to honor beloved pets. For each $20 donation, Lily's will create a luminaria featuring a pet's photo and name to light at the private ceremony.

To donate a luminary for the celebration, email a photo of the pet and the pet's name to lilyslegacysds@gmail.com by Dec. 10. Donations can be made by credit card on Lily's website, www.lilyslegacy.org or by check sent to Lily's Legacy Senior Dog Sanctuary, PO Box 751002, Petaluma, CA 94975.

City of Lights driving tour

The City of Lights Driving Tour, one of Petaluma's most popular seasonal events, starts on Dec. 1 and features homes and businesses decked out for the holidays. The self-guided tour continues through Dec. 30. Residents can also vote for their favorite decorated home online at visitpetaluma.com. City of Lights Tour maps are available at the Petaluma Visitors Center, 210 Lakeville St.

North Pole Connection

Santa Claus will be visiting Petaluma every weekend for picture taking from Nov. 26 through Dec. 23 for the North Pole Connection, located in the Lan Mart Building at 29 Kentucky St. Mr. Claus will be at the building from 2-7:30 p.m. Nov. 26. Photo dates and times are as follows through Dec. 23: Fridays from 4-7 p.m.; Saturdays from 1-6 p.m. and Sundays from 1-4 p.m.

Radio plays

The Petaluma Radio Players present “Slay Bells Ring (Are You Listening?”), a series of shows performed to a live audience at 8 p.m. Dec. 8 and Dec. 9 at the Goldman Ballroom at Hotel Petaluma, 205 Kentucky St. Admission is $25 at www.petalumaradioplayers.com

Arts and crafts sale

The Petaluma Arts Association holds an arts and crafts sale from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 10 and Dec. 11 at the Petaluma Community Center, at 320 North McDowell Blvd. Visit www.petalumaarts.org for more information.

‘A Christmas Memory'

Petaluma Readers Theatre returns with its popular presentation of Truman Capote's “A Christmas Memory,” along with Dylan Thomas' “A Child's Christmas in Wales.”

Performances will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 9-10 at the Petaluma Arts Center, at 230 Lakeville St.

Tickets are $12 general and $10 PAC members.

Visit petalumareaderstheatre.com for tickets.

Mid-town jubilee

Moj San Gift and Garden Gallery will host the first annual “Mid-Town Holiday Jubilee” from 3-7 p.m. Dec. 10. The event at 301 Wilson St. features food and entertainment. Call 527-2890 for more information.

Music in mansions

The Alphabet Players play Vivaldi's Winter, plus holiday and other wintry early music delights, all on intriguing period instruments at Victorian mansion at 920 D St., with a 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. show Dec. 11. Advance tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for youth at.cinnabartheater.org/music-in-the-mansion. At the door, adult tickets are $20 and youth admission is $20.

Lighted boat parade

A flotilla of brightly lit and decorated boats sail into the Petaluma Turning Basin for the annual holiday lighted boat parade Dec. 17.

The Kenilworth Junior High Band will be performing outside Taps.

The boat parade begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Petaluma Marina, with boats arriving around 6 p.m. to the Turning Basin.

Call 769-0429 or see visitpetaluma.com for information.

The Nutcracker

The Petaluma School of Ballet and North Coast Ballet California present “The Nutcracker” Dec. 16-18 in the Evert B. Person Theatre on the Sonoma State University Campus, at 1801 E. Cotati Ave.

Tickets in advance are $26 adults; $20 for students and seniors and $12 for youth 12 and under. Tickets at the door are $28 adults; $22 for seniors and $17 for youth 12 and under.

For tickets and information, call 762-3972 or visit petalumaschoolofballet.com

Kids' Christmas Saturday

Living Word Lutheran Church will host a “Christmas Saturday “ for kids ages 4-12 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 17. The free event at 901 Ely Blvd. will feature songs, crafts and stories. Register by calling 762-5386.

Trunk sale

Brewsters Beer Garden, at 229 Water St., will host a handmade jewelry trunk to benefit Petaluma Ecuminical Properties from 5-10 p.m. Dec. 17. Email falaterrier@comcast.net for more information.

Gingerbread house showcase

The Petaluma Hotel hosts the first annual gingerbread house showcase and competition with open houses from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17 with a holiday party to announce the winners from 1-5 p.m. Dec. 18 at 205 Kentucky St. For more information or to see contest rules, visit hotelpetaluma.com/petaluma-gingerbread-house-showcase.