Where To See Santa In Healdsburg This Christmas Season

HEALDSBURG, CA —Visits and pictures with Santa Claus are treasured traditions for many local families. This year, kids have several chances to see jolly old St. Nick in person in Healdsburg and throughout Sonoma County.

Here are the details:

• Thursday, Dec. 5, 5-8 p.m.: Sebastopol Chamber of Commerce's annual Holiday Tree Lighting celebration featuring Santa Claus, holiday trivia and cartoons on the big screen; music, ballet, Peacetown's Love Choir, hot cocoa and cider, a goat petting station, and more.
• Friday, Dec. 6, 5-9 p.m.: Merry Healdsburg Tree Lighting Celebration at Healdsburg Plaza. In addition to photos with Santa, this winter wonderland features horse-drawn carriage rides, performances by The Sugarplums and Healdsburg Chorus, holiday crafts for all ages, a holiday night market and more.
• Dec. 6, 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.: Santa on the Plaza, Sonoma. Join the Soroptimist International of Sonoma Valley and Sonoma Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association for a cup of hot chocolate as you wait for Santa to arrive at the Historic Sonoma Plaza in an antique fire truck with the help of local firefighters. Santa will light the tree on City Hall and be available for pictures and to listen to children’s wishes for a Merry Christmas.
• Saturday, Dec. 7, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Pictures with Santa on SMART's Holiday Express. Santa Claus will be aboard the Holiday Express train for trips 5 and 6 on Saturday, Dec. 7. Everyone is welcome to create holiday memories by snapping a picture with Santa! Trip 5 departs southbound from the Sonoma County Airport Station at 9:32 a.m., and trip 6 departs northbound from the Larkspur Station at 11:30 a.m. Santa and his holiday helpers will be on the train celebrating the season and accepting new, unwrapped toys to give to those in need. Donated toys will go to the Toys for Tots campaign.

• Saturday, Dec. 7, 8:30 -11:30 a.m.: Pancakes and Cheer With Santa and Mrs. Claus. Harmony Salmon Creek Education Foundation's inaugural Breakfast with Santa. $10 per child/$15 per adult.
• Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m-2 p.m..: Photos with Santa at Penngrove Winter Fest.
• Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Santa at Winter Craft Faire, Credo High School, Rohnert Park.
• Saturday, Dec. 7, noon-4 p.m.: Santa at Convene, Healdsburg. As is tradition, Santa Claus himself will be stationed at the tasting lounge for photos with the family. Snap a selfie with Santa, sample and purchase holiday bottles (they make great gifts!). All ages are welcome.
• Saturday, Dec. 7, 3-7 p.m.: Forestville Holiday Faire on Front Street. Rumor has it Santa will be joining the festivities.
• Saturday, Dec. 7, 3-6 p.m..: Cookies with Santa. Stop by the Christmas tree and sleigh near the windmill at Petaluma Village Premium Outlets to let Santa Claus know what you want for Christmas this year and snap a free photo with him in his sleigh. Parents and kiddos can enjoy hot cocoa and holiday cookies to refuel for Christmas shopping.
• Saturday, Dec. 7, 2-5 p.m.: Inclusive Santa sighting. Back by popular demand, it's the 9th annual Inclusive Santa event at Cypress Primary School in Petaluma. Join an inclusive community and see Santa on a horse-drawn carriage, get professional (and safe) photos, and receive a gift, too! Sign up here. Free; $20 donation includes raffle entry.
• Saturday, Dec. 7, 4-6 p.m.: Santa returns from the North Pole for a bonus visit at Downtown Petaluma's Theatre Square. Extend the holiday fun and return the next day for live music, Santa's Mailbox and another visit from Santa himself.
• Saturday, Dec. 7, 6 p.m.: Petaluma Lighted Boat Parade. See Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive on the Petaluma River. The parade leaves the Petaluma Marina at 5:30 p.m. and arrives at the Turning Basin around 6 p.m.
• Friday, Dec. 13, 5 - 8 p.m.: Cloverdale Winter Festival in Downtown Cloverdale. Tree lighting, vendors, holiday cocktails, free cookie decorating and lots of Christmas cheer.
• Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13, 6-9 p.m.; Dec. 14, 1-9 p.m.: Festival of Trees at Hall of the Above, 199 Petaluma Blvd. North. Stroll through 40+ gorgeous trees decorated by local businesses, nonprofits and families. Christmas photos with Santa and Victoria Webb.
• Saturday, Dec. 14, 10:30 a.m.: Breakfast with Santa, Cotati. Each child has the opportunity to do arts and crafts with the elves in Santa's Workshop, and take a photo with Mr. Claus before they leave. $14 per person includes breakfast of eggs, sausage and pancakes. Sign up here.
• Saturday, Dec. 14, 11 a.m. -5 p.m.: Downtown Holiday Market & Shopping Stroll, Kentucky Street, Petaluma. There will be pictures with Santa, face painting, music, and dancers. Local businesses and artisans will be selling holiday gifts.
• Sunday, Dec. 15, 10 a.m.: Visit Santa at the Ackerman Heritage House in Napa. Take your holiday family photo with Saint Nick in authentic Victorian holiday style. $15 plus tax per child and $12 plus tax per adult (visiting children and adults). Reservation required.
• Saturdays through Dec. 22, 9-11 a.m.: Breakfast with Santa at Costeaux French Bakery in Healdsburg. Children can confess if they have been naughty or nice and share their Christmas wish list with Santa. A complimentary digital photo will capture the moment and be shared to be cherished for years to come.

Santa is also holding court at several shopping malls in the local area, including:

• Weekends through Dec. 22, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Photos with Santa at Montgomery Village. Reservation recommended. $10 donation suggested. See more information here.
• Daily through Dec. 24, 10 a.m. -7 p.m.: Photos with Santa are available at Coddingtown Mall through Christmas Eve. All mall purchases receive a golden ticket and entry to the mall's "12 Days of Christmas" giveaways.
• Daily through Dec. 24: Photo Time with Santa at Santa Rosa Plaza. Santa Claus is making a list and checking it twice, so reserve your photos with Santa today! He'll be here every day through Christmas Eve. Walk-ups are welcome; multiple families are scheduled for each 15-minute time slot.
• Selected days through Dec. 24: Visit the busiest man of the season inside Macy's Union Square store in San Francisco. Book your time to join the line—it’s the only way to meet and take a photo with Santa.
• Sunday, Dec. 8, 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.: A Special Visit With Caring Santa. Sensory-friendly experience exclusively for children with special needs and their families. Reservations are required for this private event at Santa Rosa Plaza.
• Sunday, Dec. 8, 2-5 p.m.: It’s time for Santa Paws at Barber Lee Spirits, 120 Washington St., Petaluma. Bring your dog or cat for pictures with Santa by the copper still and tree. A portion of all drinks and purchases benefit Marin Humane. No need to sign up, just bring your fur baby!
• Saturday, Dec. 14, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Cinnabon & Cocoa with the Clauses at Santa Rosa Plaza. Enjoy a special visit from Mrs. Claus, fresh cinnamon rolls from Cinnabon, hot cocoa and snap a photo with Santa!

Follow SonomaCountySanta for more events.

ALSO SEE: Healdsburg Among 10 Best Christmas Towns In America: Newsweek