Events in Petaluma today

Petaluma Chess Club offers a friendly chess session with casual play and opportunities to learn. It is open to all ages and experience levels, and light instruction is available for those new to the game. Enjoy a relaxed setting where participants can play, build skills, and have fun with chess.

Bestselling author Anne Lamott takes the stage for an evening of wry humor and generous insight at the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University. Drawing on beloved books such as Bird by Bird and Traveling Mercies, she explores hope, resilience, creativity, and ways to find meaning in an imperfect world during a moderated conversation. A book signing will follow. Tickets are $38 at the GMC Box Office and $44 online.

Hosted at Sonoma State University, the 13th Annual State of the Latino Community Address is Los Cien’s signature gathering, drawing over 550 leaders, advocates, and decision makers for a morning of thoughtful conversation, bold ideas, and evidence-based discussion centered on the Latino experience in Sonoma County. Continuing last year's momentum, the program fosters timely dialogue on the issues that matter now, including the changing role of artificial intelligence in local communities. Tickets will go on sale.

Learn to fit and sew bras in a three-day, hands-on workshop with Nikki Griffin, a nationally recognized expert in bra fitting and construction, hosted by the Santa Rosa Chapter of the American Sewing Guild at Cross and Crown Lutheran Church. Designed for intermediate to advanced sewists, the experience focuses on proper fit and construction techniques in a supportive, confidence-building setting, with clear instruction and individualized guidance. All participants receive materials and expert support. The goal is to leave with a well-fitted muslin and the skills to complete a bra in fashion fabric, and some attendees may start or finish one in fashion fabrics during the workshop. Discover how a custom, handmade bra can be comfortable, beautiful, and empowering. Pricing for Santa Rosa ASG members ranges from $480 to $500, with an early registration discount available through a newsletter code. The non-member rate is $550. Members who prefer to avoid Eventbrite fees may register by check. Eventbrite registrations receive priority, and checks received after online registration fills will be returned. Registration fees are nonrefundable and may be transferred by participants if a wait list exists.

Connect with others at The Floathouse during an easygoing evening on the water followed by dockside snacks. This monthly paddle and dock social welcomes everyone, whether you rent a sit-on-top kayak or stand-up paddleboard from The Floathouse for $35 or bring your own boat or board for a $10 event fee. Head out for a relaxed group paddle and enjoy the river at your own pace, then return to the dock to share snacks... some will be provided and participants are encouraged to bring something to share. The gathering wraps up with enough daylight for tidy cleanup, offering a simple, social way to glide toward the weekend with fellow paddlers and river enthusiasts.

Every Thursday night, Simmer Claw Bar hosts a karaoke experience that stands out in Sonoma County. Singers are encouraged to step into the spotlight and perform for the whole dining room, so bring plenty of energy and be ready to command the room. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and family friendly, with opportunities for both kids and adults to participate. Enjoy the show alongside food from the kitchen, with a focus on genuine performances rather than the usual karaoke routine. Whether you take the mic or cheer from your seat, you become part of the action.

DJ Trivia brings a live, interactive trivia game to Galvan's Eatery, led by a DJ who hosts a screen-based competition. Teams match wits with others in the room for a spirited contest focused on fun. Attendees can arrive with friends to form a team or come solo and join new teammates. Prizes may be available, and the event is family friendly. Businesses interested in visibility during the show can explore advertising during the live games.

A casual get together for board game enthusiasts, organized by Meetup members, at Round Table Pizza in Petaluma. Participants play board games in a relaxed, social setting.

Created for ages 7 to 13, this beginner clinic at Foxtail Golf Club offers a welcoming introduction to golf. Instruction follows the Pathway Program from the US Kids Coaches Institute, guiding young players through the fundamentals in an engaging, easy to follow progression that builds skills and confidence. All sessions are led by US Kids Golf Certified Coaches. An additional processing fee of up to 5 percent may be added.

The Saturday Harvest Markets return to Sonoma Garden Park with organically grown produce, fresh blooms, and vegetable seedlings from a 6.1 acre garden managed with sustainable practices. Also available are local olive oil, honey, and farm-fresh eggs from Sonoma neighbors. Credit cards and Apple Pay are accepted, and shoppers are encouraged to bring a reusable shopping bag.

An early evening paddle on the Petaluma River unfolds under the Harvest Moon, timed so moonrise precedes sunset and the water glows in both lingering daylight and fresh moonlight. Participants travel in comfortable Hobie pedal kayaks with a local guide, and the group is limited to 10 for an easygoing, social pace that invites appreciation of the season, the scenery, and the company. The Harvest Moon centers gratitude for the earth’s bounty, with a nod here to the river and the community that has flourished around it over time. The timing fits a full night out, with dinner or drinks downtown before launching, a serene glide at sunset and moonrise, and late snacks or a nightcap afterward. Kayaks, PFDs, and lights are included, along with an experienced guide and a one-of-a-kind experience on the water by moonlight. After the paddle, participants receive 15% off at TAPS on The River.

Presented by KC Turner, Chuck Prophet & His Cumbia Shoes perform as part of the 13th Annual Cookout Concert Series at HopMonk Novato’s outdoor concert venue, with support from JAMBAR. The show takes place outside and welcomes all ages. Children require a ticket, and infants in arms are not permitted. Expect a primarily standing experience on the main floor with limited seating available on the lawn and at the top of the hill. Seating is first come, first served, and low-profile chairs are allowed in the lawn area. Complimentary parking is available in ample supply. Please note that pets, coolers, backpacks, outside food, and umbrellas are not allowed. This appearance follows Chuck Prophet’s collaborative project with Cumbia group ¿Qiensave?, Wake The Dead, released on Yep Roc Records. The music grew from Prophet’s deep immersion in Cumbia during cancer treatment and recovery, channeling resilience and hope into songs built on irresistible rhythms. The collaboration draws on Prophet’s San Francisco roots and mixes Cumbia with flashes of rock and roll, punk, surf, and soul, creating arrangements that move between tradition and innovation and invite listeners to move along.

Renegade Orchestra brings the sweep of a symphony fused with the grit of a rock band to the Sebastiani Theatre Foundation. This high-energy ensemble of top Bay Area musicians tosses aside quiet concert etiquette, welcoming clapping, foot tapping, and cheers. Instead of sleepy pop tunes or overstuffed standards, the program celebrates what an orchestra can unleash when it tackles unexpected material. Under the baton of co-founder, guitarist, and conductor Jason Eckl, the group has transformed Nina Simone’s Sinnerman into a string-driven journey, captured the wild pulse of Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s Helter Skelter, found the groove in Ray Charles’s What’d I Say, and crashed through Jimi Hendrix’s Purple Haze with vibrant force. Media have dubbed them classical rebels and noted their preference for Hendrix over Handel, affirming a reputation for bold choices and orchestral fireworks in both traditional and unconventional spaces.

Set on the Petaluma River, this stand up paddleboard yoga session offers a calm, water-based practice in the heart of downtown. It begins with a short, easy paddle from The Floathouse docks to get comfortable on the board, and kneeling is always welcome. After reaching a quiet spot, boards are anchored together so the tide does not disrupt the flow. Participants then move, stretch, breathe, and rest with supportive instruction. The experience welcomes all levels, with no prior yoga or paddleboarding required. All equipment is included, featuring extra-stable boards that are 34 inches wide and 11 feet long to help you feel steady. The session lasts 90 minutes and the cost is $50.

An outdoor benefit concert at HopMonk Tavern Novato brings people together to support Bill Bowker, a seasoned promoter, supporter of music, and DJ with KRSH. This is a heartfelt gathering focused on giving back and showing appreciation for his contributions.

Sonoma Sundays On the Plaza brings live music to the Sonoma Plaza Grinstead Amphitheater with a concert featuring Robert Dehlinger’s Alpha Rhythm Kings, a group formed in 2017 and known for a high energy California sound. Led by Rob Dehlinger on trumpet and vocals, the band has earned praise from major outlets, built a following across the United States and overseas, and in 2025 performed in Osaka, Japan, representing the United States at the World Expo. Music in Place and the City of Sonoma welcome the community to this free series, supported by the Sonoma Community Center, the Dawn Redwoods Trust, and the McNeely Family Foundation. Enjoy the open air, bring a picnic, and plan for plenty of dancing on the Plaza.

Enjoy a relaxed board game meetup at the downtown Round Table, next to Goblin Bros Petaluma. The setting is typically quiet with room to spread out, creating a comfortable place to play. A range of games is available, from easy to learn options for all ages to deeper strategy titles, and helpful guidance is offered for anyone interested in learning something new. Compared with the Friday game nights, this gathering allows for longer sessions and Euro themed games.