Sonoma Events in May 2025: Festivals, Wine Tasting & More

Sonoma events in May 2025 include the Alexander Valley Film Festival, Petaluma's Salute to American Graffiti, and others.

There are also several wine tasting events at local wineries where you can enjoy local wines, live music, food, and more.

Read on for details on this month's top things to do in Northern California wine country.

Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.

True West Film Festival

Date: TBD

This 10-day film festival (formerly knowns as the Alexander Valley Film Festival) offers more than 100 opportunities to discover a variety of films in five different Sonoma County cities: Cloverdale, Geyserville, Healdsburg, Windsor, and Santa Rosa.

True West Film Festival features especially cutting-edge indie films, as well as work that celebrates underrepresented communities and diverse cultures. Guests have the chance to meet emerging artists from all over the world.

To attend, you can choose from single-screening tickets, a five-pack, or a variety of tickets that include special access to multiple days of the festival events.

>> Visit the official site for details

Bodega Bay Fisherman's Festival

Dates: 5/3 -5/4

The annual Bodega Bay Fisherman's Festival, now in its 52nd year lasts all weekend long, hosting live music, dozens of arts and crafts vendors, and kids activities, as well as wine and beer booths featuring some of Sonoma County's best.

As it is a fish fest, you bet there will be good, fresh seafood to try, too, including barbecued oysters, fish and chips, clam chowder, and more.

The festival celebrates the opening of salmon season with the Blessing of the Fleet and a wooden boat race. Proceeds benefit 22 local non-profit organizations.

>> Visiting the official site for more information

Sonoma Events in May: Castles & Kites

Date: TBD

Spring has sprung and summer is right around the corner, which means that it is a wonderful time for the Castles & Kites festival one of the best family-friendly Sonoma events in May!

This event is on Saturday from 11 am until 3 pm. The is one of the Sonoma events in May which includes more than 50 kites and 50 sand castles on Doran Regional Park in Bodega Bay.

The best way to experience this fun event is to start at the boardwalk and then walk down the beach. You are encouraged to bring your own kite and build your own sand castles.

The Castles and Kites event is free for all. Make sure to bring some cash as parking is $7 a car.

More Fun Things to Do in Sonoma in May

In addition to these fun Sonoma events in May, you will also find a variety of other fun things to do. Here are just a few of my favorite options this time of year.

Sonoma Wine Country Bike Tour: Ride through Sonoma Wine Country on this 4.5 hour tour, starts in Santa Rosa and takes you to visit two to three wineries, entire trip is about 16-miles (25.7 km), route is mostly flat, check for availability

Food & Wine Walking Tour: Walking and food tour of Sonoma which stops at several gourmet spots for tastings, check for availability

Sonoma County Wine Events in May 2025

Some of the most popular Sonoma events in May are the local winery wine tasting events. These events are held at the wineries and usually on the weekend days. They include special dinners with famous chefs, walks through the properties with a chance to taste wine at the end, and release parties to sample their newest creations.

You will also find several fun things to do for Mother's Day.

Alexander Valley Vineyards (5/17): Battle of the blends from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. Create the next vintage of AVV's Wine Club Reserve in this spirited competition.

Dry Creek Vineyard (5/10): French Garden Market (21+ only), from 12 pm to 4 pm

Kendall-Jackson (5/3): 151st Kentucky Derby Watch Party from 11 am to 5 pm

Seghesio Family Vineyards (5/3): Stella Soiree - Kick Off the Grove Opening in Style

Seghesio Family Vineyards (5/18): Italian Brunch, a laid-back, intimate experience

Hotel Deals in Sonoma

One of the best ways to enjoy these Sonoma events in May is to spend a night or two in this beautiful wine country. You will find several great deals all around the area. Click the links below for details.

Booking.com: Save on your Hotel in Sonoma with Booking.com, Planet Earth's #1 Accommodation Site. No booking fees ever!

TripAdvisor: What's the #1 hotel in Sonoma County? Read reviews & find hotel deals on TripAdvisor!

VRBO: You can also find some great places to stay on VRBO. They offer apartments, houses, cottages, and rooms for rent all around Sonoma County. Find some great places to stay here. 

Healdsburg Wine and Food Experience

Dates: 5/15 - 5/18

Healdsburg Wine and Food Experience is an annual event showcasing art from Sonoma County as well as both national and international artists.

Events take place in galleries around town. You will also find several other events around Healdsburg such as wine tasting and culinary activities.

All proceeds for the event benefit the Healdsburg Center for the Arts.

>> Visit their official site for more details

Giro Vigneti Healdsburg Bicycle Tour

Date: 5/17

Healdsburg is known for fantastic hotels, amazing meals, and world class wines, but it is also known for one of the best bicycle rides in the world. There are many options for you to choose from; the rides start at 20 miles, progress to 38 and 63 and max out at 100 miles. 

One of the reasons that this is one of the most popular Sonoma events in May is that you get to cruise through the beautiful wine area, but moreover you get a glass of wine when you finish the ride.

Your registration also includes fruit and baked good for breakfast, snacks and water at rest stops, a catered lunch, and best of all, a special Healdsburg Bicycle Tour bandana with a map of all three courses!

All four distances have the same price so you can choose which distance you want to ride on the day of the event! Healdsburg is usually quite busy during the spring so make sure to plan and book this cycling tour and your lodging in advance.

>> Visit their site to sign up today

More Things to Do in Santa Rosa

All events are at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts.

• 5/8: John Cruz
• 5/9: Ismo Leikola
• 5/10: Johnny Mathis
• 5/16: Doktor Kaboom!
• 5/17: Diana Krall
• 5/25: Louis: A Silent Movie with Live Accompaniment by Wynton Marsalis

Petaluma's Salute to American Graffiti

Dates: 5/15 - 5/17

If you loved the movie American Graffiti, then head to Petaluma this May to celebrate and see the streets where the movie was made. This annual event features a classic car show and festival.

The event is open to the public and you can pay a small fee to enter your car for the show.

The Car Show and Cruise is on Saturday, May 17 with other events on the Thursday and Friday leading up to the big event.

Sonoma Wine Tasting Deals

These are just a few of the top wine tasting deals running currently at wineries around Sonoma County. Click the links below for additional details.

Battaglini Winery & Vineyard: $5 Buys You a Coupon for $5 Off a Wine Tasting for Two Plus 20% Off a Bottle of Wine, near Santa Rosa, check for availability

Harvest Moon Estate And Winery: Save on their wine and cheese tasting plates for one, two or four people, near Santa Rosa, check for availability

*Note: Most deals last for 120 days after purchase, so make sure to check the exact terms before purchasing.

Live Music on the Lawn Series at Viansa (TBD for 2025)

Enjoy live music on the Lawn at Viansa every Saturday and Sunday in May.  Bands will play from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm on each weekend and on the Monday, Memorial Day holiday.

You can grab some wine, some fire roasted pizza and enjoy the beautiful outdoors.

25200 Arnold Drive in Sonoma.

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