Updated 11/14/2025

Petaluma is one of the best places for a weekend getaway in December. Petaluma lights up with holiday activities filled with magical moments and old-world merriment! Families love to spend a weekend in Petaluma with their shopping lists and their holiday spirit. There are so many ways to enjoy a wintery weekend in our historic downtown. New this year, you can even ice skate! Learn all the ways you and your family can experience holiday cheer in historic Petaluma.  

The City of Lights Driving Tour spans all of December. Marvel at the festive decorated houses and business. This spectacular driving tour showcases the many historic homes in Petaluma. There’s a reason why Petaluma homes and downtown have been featured in many motion pictures! The map will be available by December 1 at the Visitors Center, online, and in the Petaluma Argus-Courier.

The Hotel Petaluma Tapestry Collection by Hilton hosts its Gingerbread House Showcase and Competition November 28-30. On December 14, the Hotel hosts the 4th Annual Holiday Makers Fair 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Enjoy a festive day of shopping for unique gifts from local artisans and makers.

Anticipation mounts as families gather on November 29 for Santa’s Riverboat Arrival at the Turning Basin near Taps on the River. The Pacific Empire Chorus sings carols and holiday favorites in beautiful, a cappella, four-part harmonies. When Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by tugboat, they’re escorted by Petaluma School of Ballet dancers in full Nutcracker costumes to Santa’s Grotto near Taps, where children can get their faces painted by Budderball the Clown and join Santa for photos and Christmas wishes until 1:30 pm. This Petaluma Downtown Association (PDA) event is a crowd pleaser.

Santa arriving on Small Business Saturday (November 29) makes it so easy for shoppers to put those Christmas wishes into action and save, while supporting local merchants. Make shopping more fun with the littles by enlisting their help in finding all the festive hidden hens in participating shops for a chance to win prizes from local retailers and a $200 Shop Petaluma gift card in the Holiday Hen Hunt. See the Petaluma Downtown Association’s website for details.

On Friday, December 5, there’s another chance to catch Santa at the Tree lighting Celebration at Theatre Square. The following week, Saturday, December 13, the river lights up when the Petaluma Yacht Club presents a Lighted Boat Parade. The boats leave the Petaluma Marina at 5:30 pm and arrive at the Turning Basin at 6:00 pm.

On December 6, the PDA presents its Downtown Holiday Shopping Stroll on Kentucky Street, which features special treats, activities, and deals in shops and booths all decked out for the holidays. Entertainment includes the Apple Tree Morris Dancers, balloon animals with Budderball the Clown, and last but not least, another photo op with Santa & Mrs. Claus!

From December 10 to January 6, the fairgrounds is home to LUMA Ice, a huge, indoor ice rink for even more holiday fun. The rink, made with real ice, accommodates more than 200 skaters at a time.

Mark your calendar for a holiday weekend!

What’s better than a December getaway to shop for the holidays and take in some old-world holiday cheer in a historic town that pulls out all the stops? What weekend will you pick to visit Petaluma? Whichever weekend you choose, Petaluma offers more than its fair share of holiday activities and cheer.