A Guide to Local Summer Festivals & Events in Sonoma County, CA

Sonoma County, California has much to offer visitors in the summertime. With a variety of festivals and events, visitors will find something to please both young and old.

Santa Rosa Downtown Market
Celebrate Sonoma County – Santa Rosa style. Restaurants and vendors offer their best by way of produce, arts & crafts, food, wine and entertainment. Think of it as the best Street Faire/Carnival with live music on three stages and activities for the kids.

The Downtown Market (aka Wednesday Night Market) is located on Fourth Street from Mendocino Avenue to “E” Street. No gate fees. The event started Wednesday, May 9, 2012 and continues every Wednesday thru August 2012 from 5pm – 8pm.

Rootstock Festival 2012
Labeled as “The Great Gastronomic Wine, Street Food & Music Festival”, this one-day event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 21, 2012 from 2pm – 6pm at the Santa Rosa Vintners’ Square.

Get ready to enjoy great wine & craft brews paired with gourmet street food and live music. Advanced ticket cost is $35 online; $45 at the gate. A portion of the day’s proceeds benefit Worth Our Weight.

Click here for more details on The Rootstock Festival 2012.

3rd Annual “Stars Under The Stars” Film Festival
Join the folks over at St. Francis Winery every Thursday from July 12, 2012 – August 16, 2012 for great film and great wine. Bring a blanket and your favorite picnic meal and watch your favorite classic movie, Blazing Saddles, Rear Window, and Top Gun to name a few. Showtime is 7:00pm. Admission is free but the wine is not and will be sold by the glass.

Click here for more details about St. Francis Winery’s 3rd Annual “Stars Under The Stars” Film Festival.

Fort Ross Bicentennial Weekend
Take the family on a road trip to discover what life was like in 1800’s. Colony Ross (as it was known back in 1812), is located approximately 80 miles north of San Francisco on the beautiful California coastline. Learn why it was settled, and why it is so historically important. While visiting, interact with costumed performers, and enjoy crafts, food and re-enactments.

Carpooling is encouraged as the entrance fee is $35 per car. The event runs Saturday, July 28, 2012 10am to 7pm, thru Sunday, July 29, 2012 from 10am to 4:30pm. Click here for more information.

B.R. Cohn Classic Car Cruise-In
Attention Car Guys! Stop by B.R. Cohn Winery for an up close and personal look at some great old classic cars on Sunday, August 5, 2012 from 11am – 4pm. Cost is free. Taste wines from the Classic Car Wine series and get a snack or lunch from the food cart.

Click here for more information on B.R. Cohn Winery and this cool car event!

Sources: http://www.wednesdaynightmarket.org/, http://www.rootstockfestival.com/rootstock/Home.html, http://www.stfranciswinery.com/, http://www.kobrandwineandspirits.com, http://www.fortross.org/bicentennial-2012/, http://www.brcohn.com/