Pumpkin spice lattes are back on the menu, which means—drum roll—it must be fall. Finally!
After the long, hot slog of summer, immersing oneself in some local harvest-themed events sounds like the perfect elixir (and much healthier than an artificially-flavored latte—spoiler alert: there’s no actual pumpkin in them). Anyway, we’ve harvested the following picks for your seasonal sojourns, which will see one through the Autumnal Equinox (Friday, Sept. 22) and beyond.
Petaluma Antique Faire
Everything old is new again at Petaluma’s 38th annual fall Antique Faire. The multi-block antique market is eagerly anticipated all year and promises a trove of treasures from a couple hundred dealers. The faire is free and commences at 8am, Sept. 24, and can be found on Kentucky Street, Fourth Street (and the adjacent A Street parking lot), as well as Western Avenue in downtown Petaluma. petalumadowntown.com/antique-show.
Oktoberfest at The Patch
Raise steins and don those lederhosen! The Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch transforms into a Bavarian wonderland from 8am to 2:30pm on Sept. 30. Partake in Bavarian cuisine, live bands and an adventurous Orange Obstacle Course at 5157 Stony Point Rd., Santa Rosa. santarosapumpkinpatch.com.
Pride n’ Vino
For those aged 21 and over, Pride n’ Vino (formerly known as Pinot On The River) offers a curated selection of wine tastings and artisan foods from 11am to 3pm on Oct. 7. The event takes place at Santa Rosa’s historic Old Courthouse Square. pridenvino.com.
Russian River Pride 2023
From Oct. 13 to 15, celebrate a cornucopia of colors and festivities in Guerneville. The parade starts at noon on the 15th, moving through Main Street and Armstrong Woods Road. A grand festival follows at Johnson’s Beach from 1 to 5pm. russianriverpride.org.
Petaluma Pride
Join a three-day jubilee from Oct. 13 to 15, featuring activities ranging from a dance party to a farmers’ market at Walnut Park in Petaluma. Cap off the celebration with a musical performance by Ellie James at River Front Cafe on Sunday, Oct. 15. petalumapride.org.
Americana Music Festival
On Oct. 7, become immersed in a musical journey from 7:30 to 10pm at Santa Rosa’s California Theatre. Take in performances by Mads Tolling, John R. Burr and Maria Muldaur, among others, located at 528 Seventh St., Santa Rosa. caltheatre.com/event-details/americana-music-festival.
Sonoma County Harvest Fair
Savor the essence of Sonoma’s terroir on Oct. 14 from noon to 4pm at 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. Experience wine tastings, culinary marvels and even a world championship grape stomp. harvestfair.org.
Santa Rosa Junior College Shone Farm Fall Festival
Witness agrarian splendor from 10am to 3pm on Oct. 14. Visit Shone Farm, part of Santa Rosa Junior College, located at 7450 Steve Olson La. in Forestville. shonefarm.santarosa.edu/fall-festival.
15th Annual Greek & Middle Eastern Festival
Embark on a culinary journey from noon to 7pm on both Oct. 14 and 15. Taste shawarmas, gyros and baklava, accompanied by traditional music and dance, at St. George Orthodox Church, 7311 College View Dr., Rohnert Park. stgeorgerp.org/festival.
Healdsburg Crush
Elevate the wine-tasting experience from noon to 4pm, Oct. 15 with Healdsburg Crush at thePlaza. Sample more than 60 local wineries’ limited production wines and some bites, as well as participating in a wine-centric auction. Proceeds of the 21+ event benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin. bgcsonoma-marin.org/healdsburgcrush.
