This weekend in Novato, CA

Catch a high-energy lineup of local racing at Petaluma Speedway, featuring Wingless Sprints, BCRA Midgets, Hobby Stocks, and Mini Stocks. It’s an outdoor motorsports event, so plan to check the official source for gate, seating, and weather details.

The Vallejo City Championship returns to Blue Rock Springs Golf Course as an NCGA Points Event with more than 50 years of local tradition. The tournament features 36-hole individual stroke play contested across the East and West Courses. Entry is $175 per player with no member discount, and it includes green fees, range balls, and expanded prize funds. Flights are offered for a range of competitors, including a Championship Flight for players with handicaps of 5.4 or lower from the blue tees, a Senior Championship Flight for ages 55 and up with handicaps of 7.9 or lower from the white tees, and a Handicap Flight open to all that requires a GHIN. It is an opportunity to earn points, measure one’s game, and be part of a long-standing Bay Area golf tradition.

Trokiando In The Bay returns with a full day of custom trucks, live entertainment, vendors, food, awards, and a roaring burnout pit at the Solano County Fairgrounds. Hundreds of custom builds will be on display, and a live concert will feature Grupo H-100 alongside additional special guests. Attendees can explore a dedicated vendor area, enjoy food and drinks, and take in a family friendly atmosphere. Tickets are available online and at the gate while supplies last. Event rules include no outside alcohol, no weapons, no illegal substances, and no reckless driving outside designated areas. Coolers are permitted if they do not contain alcohol, and everyone is expected to respect the venue and fellow attendees.

Discover confidence on a stand up paddleboard with a welcoming two hour class in the heart of downtown Petaluma. Newcomers and returning paddlers seeking more stability and efficiency receive guidance from an ACA certified instructor in a small group of two to six, with personal coaching and real time feedback. Instruction covers proper stance and balance, efficient paddling to move farther with less effort, turning and maneuvering, launching and returning to the dock, and river awareness with safety basics. Set on the calm, scenic Petaluma River, also known as Petaluma’s Longest Park, the session offers a supportive, no pressure environment where skills click and the experience becomes easier and more enjoyable. All equipment is provided, the format is beginner friendly, and the price is $60 per person. Class size is limited to a maximum of six and requires at least three participants. If only one person registers, it can be arranged as a private lesson for $95. Attend with a friend or come solo to meet fellow paddlers.

Stroll through a bustling outdoor market with a welcoming vibe. Explore a broad mix of goods and food, including plenty of fresh, locally grown produce. Live music provides a cheerful soundtrack as you browse, making the shopping experience lively and relaxed.

At Sonoma Garden Park, the Saturday Harvest Markets offer organic produce, fresh flowers, and vegetable starts grown in the 6.1 acre sustainable garden. You will also find locally sourced olive oil and honey, along with eggs provided by neighboring Sonoma producers. Credit cards and Apple Pay are accepted at the market. Please bring a reusable shopping bag.

Young golfers can get started at Foxtail Golf Club with a beginner clinic that introduces the game in a simple, step by step format. Instruction follows the Pathway Program developed by the U.S. Kids Coaches Institute, keeping lessons clear, engaging, and focused on building confidence. Coaches certified by U.S. Kids Golf lead every session so participants receive quality guidance and a strong foundation for long-term enjoyment. An additional processing fee of up to 5% applies.

Get ready for Bay Area’s wildest truck show at Solano County Fairgrounds. Expect burnouts all day, live music, custom truck builds, vendors, and nonstop smoke. This is an all-ages, in-person event with paid parking available.

Foxtail Golf Club is hosting a Beginner Junior Clinic for kids ages 7 to 14. The program follows the US Kids Player Pathway, starting at Level 1 with a hat, accomplishment pins, and a training booklet, then progressing through additional levels as kids move forward. Lessons are taught by US Kids Golf Certified Coaches, and the focus is on learning golf fundamentals while having fun.

Join a hands-on session focused on open-ended creativity with glue. Instead of step-by-step crafts, you’ll explore how simple materials and child-led play can spark imagination, problem-solving, and learning. You’ll also learn strategies that emphasize the process, welcome a little mess, and help create plenty of “wow” moments. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little gluey.

Set out on a guided kayak experience that brings the Petaluma River’s past, present, and future into focus. Long before tracks, highways, and global shipping networks, this tidal waterway connected Sonoma County’s abundance and ingenuity to San Francisco and faraway markets, playing a pivotal role from the Gold Rush era to modern times. The paddle reveals how the river helped build a city, fueled a county’s growth, and continues to shape life today through recreation and restoration. Along a calm route, the group pauses at standout sights, from towering grain elevators and quaint footbridges to stately Victorian homes and cafes along the river, with stories that weave together history, contemporary perspectives, and personal moments. Led by the Floathouse Petaluma team, the outing is beginner friendly, includes about 90 minutes on the water within an easy two hour window, and provides stable kayaks, all equipment, and skilled guidance. The price is $75 per person and covers gear, narrated storytelling, and post paddle perks at nearby local businesses. Recognized as a Sonoma County Signature Experience, this program offers a meaningful connection to place and to a living story that continues to evolve.

Start your salsa journey with a relaxed, beginner-friendly class that focuses on building a strong foundation. Learn core footwork, practice basic turns, and develop the body movement that builds confidence on the dance floor. Instruction also covers proper frame for comfortable, effective partner work and simple turn patterns that are easy to remember. No partner or prior dance experience is required, and rotations make sure everyone gets to dance. Please wear non-marking shoes to protect the floor. Arrive early to warm up and settle in, and get ready for a fun, fundamentals-focused session.

Experience a guided paddle tour on the Petaluma River, a historic saltwater waterway that connects wetlands and city and has shaped Petaluma’s past, present, and future. The session includes all the gear, an experienced guide, and time on the water with post-paddle perks at local businesses.

Build on your salsa foundation with a friendly next step that focuses on adding style, smooth transitions, and confidence on the social dance floor. This level is designed for dancers who have completed Salsa Beginners 1 and are comfortable with the basic step, left and right turns, the cross body lead, and holding a steady frame. Expect to expand your vocabulary with cross body lead variations that include inside and outside turns for graceful travel, an I turn you turn sequence that sharpens timing and hand changes, walk through transitions that keep the flow without breaking rhythm, and a footwork pattern that brings personality to your shines. Instruction also dives into technique and artistry, emphasizing a clear lead and follow through elastic connection rather than force, upper body isolation through the ribs and shoulders for authentic movement, and a grounded yet responsive arm connection so every cue is felt. No partner is required, and you are welcome to attend solo or with a friend. Please wear shoes with non marking soles to protect the floor, and plan to arrive about 10 minutes early to get settled. The class is taught by Lucie Ebnerova.

Learn to pour beautiful latte art in this hands-on, in-person class led by professional baristas. You’ll practice creating hearts, rosettas, and tulips while getting instruction on how balance, milk texture, and consistency affect your pour. The class includes time using both a La Marzocco espresso machine and a Breville home machine. This session is aimed at home baristas with some experience, including the ability to steam microfoam (or at least familiarity with the term).

This Sonoma Valley back to school health fair focuses on helping students from PK or TK through 12th grade get ready for the year with health resources and preparation support. Backpacks with school supplies will be available, and students must be present to receive one. To arrange accessibility accommodations for students with special needs, please contact the organizers. For questions, call 707-939-6070 ext. 212 or email events@svchc.org.

This experiential childbirth education workshop is for couples and their support person, designed to help you learn and refresh how to move through the “dance” of labor and birth together. You’ll cover staying connected as labor progresses, breathwork, acupressure and massage, yoga and optimal fetal positioning, natural coping techniques for all three stages of labor, emotional responses to pain, comfort measures to help labor progress, and hands-on positions for labor and birth. The day is hosted in a peaceful yoga studio setting with the perspective of a seasoned doula, prenatal massage therapist, and yoga teacher. Cost is $159 per couple, including both partners (Metta Yoga members get 10% off at checkout).

Enjoy the Petaluma Farmers’ Market, a fun community gathering featuring local farms, tasty food, handcrafted goods, and live music. It’s a great place to connect with neighbors and browse a variety of local offerings.

Artist John Paul Morabito and Demetri Broxton, an artist and the Executive Director of Root Division, come together for a conversation focused on works from John Paul Morabito: Dancing in the Night. Pricing is $25 for SVMA Members and $30 for non-members. Registration must be completed online. Free museum admission is included.

Move to Afro-Brazilian and samba rhythms in a high-energy class led by Mary Dollar. Designed to be easy to follow and welcoming for every experience level, this session builds dance technique and performance skills while keeping things friendly and fun. Practice foundational footwork, hip movements, arm styling and confidence-boosting choreography. The class starts with a full-body warmup, then continues with stretching and floor-mat exercises to support strong, fluid movement. Wear comfortable clothing and soft-soled shoes, and bring a floor mat and a towel. Expect to sweat, smile, and enjoy a great workout while you dance.

Hall Pass returns to the Creek Park Stage for San Anselmo Live, presenting a free outdoor show in a shaded grassy amphitheater. Streets will be closed to traffic and food and drink are available all around, creating a relaxed setting to enjoy the music. Attendees can bring blankets and chairs for lounging, or step onto the dance floor. The band will play multiple sets through the evening for a lively summer outing.

Jasmine Worrell Dance presents Terry Hanck bringing live rhythm and blues to a swing dance party in Larkspur. The festivities take place in a historic Marin setting with ample room to move and upbeat swing music that keeps the floor lively. The environment welcomes live music fans and dancers of every age and experience level, whether relaxing to the band or stepping out for a twirl. Advance tickets are required, priced at $25 for 2.5 hours of live music and dancing, and tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

This monthly open mic welcomes musicians and singers of all ages and experience levels. It is free to attend, and there is no need to sign up in advance. Add your name when you arrive and entries go into a hat or djembe, with performers selected at random. Performers should sign in early to be included, and the program concludes with the final act or by the end, whichever comes first. A friendly atmosphere and professional sound and lighting create a safe, supportive space to perform for a live audience. It is a great opportunity for music lessons students to meet, collaborate, and take the stage together. Students, customers, friends, and family can perform or simply enjoy the show.

Dry Creek Station brings a lively mix of country hits, classic rock favorites, dance-ready tunes, and rich harmonies to Washoe House in Petaluma. Arrive early for dinner and drinks, then enjoy a full evening of live music and dancing. The celebration also includes a birthday nod to guitarist Spencer.

Join us for The Story Shuffle, an in-person evening of curated storytelling plus an open-mic segment. Three storytellers will take the stage, including special guest John Aubert, followed by an open mic where you can sign up to share either a 5-minute story or a 1-minute story in the Story Sprint lighting round. Stories can be any genre, as long as they follow a narrative arc (beginning, middle, end) and are told without notes. Food and beverages are available at The Bistro, and there is plenty of free parking.

House of Floyd comes back to the historic Empress Theatre in Vallejo for a single evening dedicated to classic Pink Floyd.

Presented by KC Turner, The Beat Farmers take the stage at the HopMonk Novato Session Room, with the Nathan Raney Band also on the bill. The group’s original era ran from 1983 to 1995, and they have returned. The set draws on a cocktail of styles that includes Wreckless Western, bug-eyed ballads, heat-butting rockabilly, suicidal blues, and hayseed boogie-woogie. The original lineup featured Country Dick Montana, Jerry Raney, Joey Harris, and Rolle Love, and their shows paired music and mayhem with an extra dose of stage presence for a distinctive live experience. This event is mostly standing and limited to ages 21 and over.

Catch The Beat Farmers for a live night of rockabilly, outlaw country, roots rock, and soundtrack-leaning sounds. The show is listed as starting at 8:00 PM at HopMonk Tavern Novato.

Ghost Ocean and What's Wrong are performing live at The Phoenix Theater. The show starts at 8:00 PM.

House of Floyd brings the music of Pink Floyd to the Empress Theatre for a full concert experience with immersive lighting, large arrangements, rich vocals, and laser light show visuals. This is a tribute performance that aims to capture the space, textures, and emotion of the classic Floyd catalog. The night includes a doors-and-dinner start, followed by the main show, with seven musicians recreating the layered, dynamic feel of the original recordings.

Come join the Bel Marin Keys community for the Bel Marin Keys Fun Run, with options for running, walking, strolling, or just cheering along. The event includes a scenic neighborhood route, plus a big start and finish celebration with music, a food truck, refreshments, games and activities, and prizes for both the short (0.5 mile) and long (2 mile) courses. Families are welcome, and participants are encouraged to dress in colorful, festive, or fun running attire.

Hop on a kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard and explore the Petaluma River through Friends’ Boating at the Barn program. Life jackets are available for toddlers through adults, so families can get out and enjoy the river together. The program runs as an all-volunteer operation and welcomes donations, with volunteers also needed on Sundays.

Join a guided kayak tour on the Petaluma River, exploring its past, present, and future. The experience highlights the historic “saltwater highway” that shaped Petaluma and continues to connect wetlands and city life. Gear and an experienced guide are included, and you’ll also get post-paddle perks at local businesses.

Get ready for the school year with a family-friendly yoga session focused on building confidence, resilience, flexibility, focus, and balance. Led by Michelle Wing, this class includes yoga plus special moves designed to help everyone stress less and feel better. All ages are welcome, and a portion of the proceeds benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Explore the essentials of Argentine tango with instructor Suzanne Bare in a welcoming class that builds confidence and community. The lesson is followed by a one hour practica to put new steps into practice. Participants who wish to go further can also take part in performances and be part of her formation team.

The Cruisin’ Hooters series returns for 2026 with monthly cruise-ins at Hooters presented by Cruisin’ North Car Club, Inc. The spotlight is on classic vehicles from 1986 and earlier, with all makes welcome. From June through November, Hooters selects a Best of Show at each gathering, and the December edition is dedicated to Toys for Tots. A meal deal is available to participants displaying a vehicle and to attendees who purchase raffle tickets. Options include a half pound bacon cheeseburger, eight boneless wings, a chicken sandwich, three tenders, eight fried shrimp, and a garden chicken salad. Curly fries are included with each choice unless noted, and the salad does not come with fries. Offerings and prices may change. In December, the Toys for Tots cruise-in invites an unwrapped toy donation. If it rains, donations can be dropped off from a regular everyday vehicle. There is no raffle in December. As a courtesy, please avoid parking in front of neighboring businesses such as Mattress Firm.

An afternoon of music and art at Richmond Art Center honors Dr. Pate Thomson’s 90th birthday. Performers include pianist Cullen Luper, singer Jesse Castillo, and violinists Dr. Pate Thomson and Nakele Rechenauer. Tickets are $50.

This ticketed fundraiser supports RotaCare West Contra Costa Free Medical Clinic. Tickets are on sale and are anticipated to sell out.

Music in Place and the City of Sonoma present a summer Sonoma Sundays On the Plaza concert at the Sonoma Plaza Grinstead Amphitheater. The program features Tim Weed, a Grammy-nominated concert musician, composer, producer, recording engineer, and recording artist known for expressive 5-string banjo work, strong songwriting, and soaring vocals, alongside The Dorian Mode. This Petaluma-based acoustic quartet, led by vocalist and bassist Dorian Bartley with Robby Elfman on piano and clarinet, Peter Graves on sax, and Tony Blake on drums, celebrates the Great American Songbook with vintage jazz, up-tempo R&B, and soulful ballads that evoke 1920s speakeasies, 1930s big-band swing, 1940s jump blues, and the lively R&B associated with Ruth Brown. The series is free and open to everyone thanks to support from the Sonoma Community Center, The Dawn Redwoods Trust, and the McNeely Family Foundation.

KC Turner presents a matinee performance by The Rubinoos at the HopMonk Novato Session Room, with partial seating and admission open to all ages. Lifelong friends Jon Rubin and Tommy Dunbar began playing together as teens in Berkeley and soon signed with Beserkley Records alongside Jonathan Richman and Greg Kihn. Their 1977 self-titled debut brought national attention and drew acclaim from critics. Over the years the band has released numerous albums, collaborating with Todd Rundgren, Kevin Gilbert, and more recently Chuck Prophet. They have built a wide international following, sharing stages with Elvis Costello and Tom Petty, and their songs have appeared in films and television. Highlights include a spot on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand, performing the theme for Revenge of the Nerds, and their Top 40 take on I Think We’re Alone Now opening the third season of the Netflix comedy Sex Education. Now on the Yep Roc Records roster, known for artists such as Nick Lowe, Dave Alvin, and Chuck Prophet, The Rubinoos continue to bring bright, hook-filled power pop to audiences around the world.

Board gamers gather at Round Table Pizza in downtown Petaluma, next to Goblin Bros Petaluma, for a relaxed session in a typically quiet setting. The group brings a selection that ranges from easy to learn games for all ages to more strategy focused titles, so every experience level can find a match and plenty of tablemates. Teaching and rules help are available for anyone who wants to try something new. Compared with the Friday game nights, there is extra time here to settle into longer sessions and Euro themed games.