Petaluma guide to holiday events and celebrations
Here it is. Our annual seasonal round-up of delightful events and family-friendly activities, celebratory concerts and fundraising festivities, all taking place in and around Petaluma throughout the holiday season, from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve.
COMMUNITY EVENTS & CELEBRATIONS
TREE LIGHTING AT OUTLET MALL
Sunday, Nov. 19, 5 p.m.
The second annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Outlets will take place along with a flurry of holiday-launching fun, including a sneaky drop-in by Santa Claus (Shhhhh), and a chance for kids to decorate an ornament to hang on the big, gleaming tree. Later in the season, starting on Nov. 25 fron 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Santa will return to stroll about greeting his fans (he’ll be doing that every Saturday through Dec. 23), and on that first Saturday, Petaluma Pete himself will be present (piano in tow) to play festive tunes for passersby.
THANKSGIVING DAY COMMUNITY POTLUCK AT AQUS CAFÉ
Thursday, Nov. 23, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Everyone is welcome to Aqus Café’s community potluck, but do R.S.V.P., and do plan to bring a dish. The café management is sending its staff home to be with their families, and inviting everyone else in for a good old-fashioned neighborhood potluck on Thanksgiving Day. Using the old ‘stone-soup’ principle of a group of folks feeding each other with whatever they have handy, the Aqus is prepared to seat as many as will fit indoors, and are setting up tables and chairs outside on the pation and all the way down the street if necessary. Again, R.S.V.P.s are requested at Aqus.com/tg, and please bring a dish to share. Questions? Want to maybe come and help out? Call Diane or John at (707) 347-6692.
SANTA’S BIG ANNUAL TUGBOAT ARRIVAL
Saturday, Nov. 25, Noon
Mr. and Mrs. Claus make so many public appearances between Thanksgiving and Christmas, it’s a wonder they have time to make any actual toys. It’s probably just good planning and industrial organization, because Santa surely knows how important such PR meet-and-greets are to the whole Night-Before-Christmas brand. That’s why, once again, the Clauses will steam on up the Petaluma River on a decorated tugboat, waving and ho-ho-hoing to all the kids and families waiting around the Turning Basin for their glimpse of the big guy and his merry spouse. After disembarking, candy will be distributed and photos with the kids will be taken, all as the Pacific Empire Chorus sings festive songs of the season, and students from the Petaluma School of Ballet spin, leap and pirouette. The tugboat appearance is best viewed at the Turning Basin, while the after-festivities will take place at the River Plaza Shopping Center, 72. E. Washington St.
HOSPICE TREE LIGHTING
Friday, Dec. 1, 6 p.m.
It’s a tradition as visually beautiful and enchanting as it is inspiring and healing. Petaluma Hospice’s annual Light Up a Life celebration honors those we’ve said goodbye to, with a moving ceremony combining group song, special readings, and the climactic lighting of a massive tree, each light representing someone special the community has lost.
This year, for the first time, the event moves to Walnut Park. Dress warmly and weather-appropriately, as this ceremony takes place regardless of whether it’s wet or dry.
To sponsor a light on the tree with your donation, contact Petaluma Hospice, HospiceLightUpaLife.org. Sponsored names will be entered in a special Memory Book, and upon request, survivors of those sponsored will be sent a card before Christmas. To ensure that the name of your loved one is so honored, please submit those names to Petaluma Hospice by Nov. 25 (to have name in the Book), or by Dec. 19 (to have acknowledgment cards sent on time).
DOWNTOWN MERCHANTS OPEN HOUSE IN PETALUMA
Saturday, Dec. 2, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
As if downtown Petaluma at the holidays isn’t enticement enough to brave the local parking garages, the merchants are once again throwing their annual downtown-wide ‘open house,’ with special deals, holiday treats and libations, horse and carriage rides, balloon artists and face painters in Putnam Plaza (noon-4 p.m.), kid pictures with Santa at the Lan-Mart Building from 10 am-5 p.m., pet pictures with Santa (he’s AMAZING) at Hotel Petaluma from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.), Morris Dancers at various outdoor locations throughout the day, live music breaking out in certain shops, and much, much more.
HOLIDAY SPICE DEMONSTRATION WITH THE SONOMA SPICE QUEEN
Saturday, Dec. 9, 10:30 a.m.
Drop by the Petaluma Library for a seasonally directed cooking demo featuring a nose-gladdening array of spices from around the world. Enjoy samples of festive holiday foods, and take some spices home with you to better season your own holiday, um, season. Petaluma Library, 100 Fairgrounds Dr.
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