Community Update for November 22, 2024

HAGA CLIC AQUÍ PARA ESPAÑOL

Hello, Petaluma!

We are kicking off the holiday season with quite a bit of rain! Public Works, Fire and Police staff are patrolling the city to respond to road closures, blocked storm drains, and storm-related issues. Please keeps the following in mind to stay safe in wet, windy weather:

Please drive slowly if you see public safety personnel performing traffic control or clearing storm debris.
Should you come across a downed power line, leaning tree, or any other road hazards, please call the Petaluma Police Department at 707-762-2727.
If you encounter a stoplight that has lost power, please treat it as a 4-way stop.
Report blocked storm drains, culverts, or other non-hazardous flooding to Public Works & Utilities at 707-778-4546.
Power outages should be reported directly to PG&E at 1-800-743-5002.

Text your zip code to 888777 to sign up to receive road closure and public safety info via Nixle alerts. Learn about other alert resources HERE.

Need sandbags? We have free sand and bags available 24/7 at 840 Hopper Street and Prince Park. Please bring your own shovel! If you have questions, concerns, or need sandbags, please call 707-778-4546.

Wind and rain aside, we can’t wait to celebrate the holidays with our amazing community again this year! This special edition of our Community Update shares information about beloved seasonal happenings and links to event calendars to help you plan for the weeks ahead. We also offer ways to support local businesses – from the super fun to the super convenient.

Please enjoy, share with friends, and have a wonderful evening.

Transit Toy Drive – Saturday, December 7

Petaluma Transit is thrilled to join the Transit Toy Drive on December 7th. Please drop off new, unwrapped toys at the LumaGo vehicle stationed at the Petaluma Downtown SMART Station (220 Lakeville Street) from 9 AM to 2 PM and help spread holiday cheer!

Golden Gate Transit will also be collecting new, unwrapped toys in exchange for a free bus ticket that can be used at any time! Look for the Golden Gate Transit bus stationed between Staples and Panda Express in Washington Square shopping center from 11 Am – 2 PM.

Sharing the Season

Petaluma People Services Center’s, “Sharing the Season Petaluma”, is back! This program, formerly known as “Christmas Cheer”, invites parents and legal guardians to “shop” for gifts for their children, with wrapping paper available on-site for personal gift-wrapping. Our goal is to bring smiles and holiday cheer to every child in Petaluma, ages 0-18.

Opportunities are available for those who would like to apply to shop for gifts, and those who wish to support the program through donations or volunteering their time.

Deadline to apply to shop: November 29, or until spots are filled (first-come, first-served)
Pick-Up Date: 3rd week of December—please keep this in mind when applying.

Visit petalumapeople.org/sharing-the-season to learn more.

Join us for the 2024 Petaluma Turkey Trot – Thursday, November 28

The 17th annual Petaluma Turkey Trot returns to the Ellis Creek Wetlands on Thanksgiving Day this year and it’s going to be just as healthy, family-friendly, and fun as ever!

There is no fee (although donations for the Redwood Empire Food Bank are encouraged) and it’s incredibly easy to register. Register online HERE.

We hope that you will join us on Thanksgiving morning for this fantastic Petaluma tradition! Thank you to our amazing partners MAD Architecture & Aqus Cafe among many others!

Follow Petaluma Turkey Trot for more information!

Welcome Santa & Support Small Business – Saturday, November 30

The Saturday after Thanksgiving (November 30 this year) is always special in Petaluma, and this year is no exception.

First, there’s Santa’s Riverboat Arrival from 11:30 – 1:30 p.m. at the River Plaza Shopping Center. The festivities begin at 11:30 am and include the Pacific Empire Chorus and the Merry Minstrel (aka singer/songwriter Kevin Hutchinson). When Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by tugboat at noon at the turning basin, the Petaluma School of Ballet dancers, in full Nutcracker costumes, will escort them to Santa’s Grotto near Taps on the River where children can get their faces painted by Budderball the Clown and join Santa and Mrs. Claus for photos and Christmas wishes until 1:30 pm

Small Business Saturday is also on November 30. Businesses in all parts of Petaluma participate in this event, but the Downtown Business Improvement District makes it extra fun with special offers and the launch of its Holiday Passport program (read on for more details).

Click HERE for more info.

Tree Lighting Celebrations – Friday, December 6

Light Up A Life – Walnut Park, 6pm – 7pm. At this beloved event, our community gathers to illuminate one of the largest trees in the park in remembrance and celebration of the lives of those we have loved and lost. Light Up a Life is organized by Providence Hospice Sonoma County. CLICK HERE for more information about Light Up a Life 2024.

Light Up the Square – Theatre Square, 5:30pm-7:30pm. Enjoy live music, a laser show, and other holiday activities, then watch Santa & Mrs. Claus light the Square’s beautifully-decorated tree. *Drop off site for “Wishes for Santa” mailbox.* Click Here for more info.

Lighted Boat Parade – Saturday, December 7

Head downtown for the Petaluma Lighted Boat Parade and watch as a flotilla of boats, aglow with colored lights and holiday decorations make their dramatic entrance into the Petaluma Turning Basin. Parade begins at 6pm. Free to attend!

Free community seating will be available at the new Turning Basin docks thanks to our partners at The Floathouse Petaluma! Reserve up to 5 tickets – party must check in together at Weller Street or River Plaza entrance from 4 PM – 5:30 PM. CLICK HERE to learn more and reserve your seats!

Vessels of all sizes – power, sail, and people-powered are welcome to join the Petaluma Yacht Club’s flotilla. Learn more HERE.

City of Lights Self-Guided Driving Tour

Looking for a stress-free way to do some holiday bonding with the family? Pile everyone in the car, plot your route and get ready to “ooh” and “aah” on the self-guided City of Lights Driving Tour of spectacularly decorated homes.

CLICK HERE to learn more, download the map, and/or sign up for your home to be included!

Petaluma’s Newest Holiday Tradition – Skating at LUMA Ice!

Join us Dec 13 – Jan 7 under the big new tent at the Petaluma Fairgrounds for ice skating, a family photo booth, kids activities, a Polar Express train on the Fairgrounds concourse, and more! Come on down for a day of fun or plan to host a party. Tickets and event bookings are available now HERE.

We have sponsorship opportunities! Reach out to Jeanette DuBois today at [email protected] to submit your application or learn more.

Visit cityofpetaluma.org/lumaice to learn more about LUMA Ice – Sonoma County’s only outdoor, real ice ice skating rink!

Downtown Shopping Passport & Kids Bingo – Nov 30 – Jan 5

Discover the Magic of the Season with the Downtown Petaluma Holiday Passport! Over 20 Downtown Petaluma businesses will be offering 15% off purchases & a chance to win amazing prizes including a $150 Shop Petaluma Gift Card! You can also pick up a bingo card for the kids, so they can play along and get a sweet treat for making bingo.

Learn more and download your passport and bingo card at PetalumaDowntown.com or at the Visitor’s Center, 210 Lakeville Street.

Downtown Holiday Market & Shopping Stroll – Saturday, December 14

Head to downtown Petaluma on Saturday December 14 from 11 AM – 5 PM for the annual Holiday Market & Shopping Stroll. Bring your shopping list to find perfect gifts at our local shops. Be sure to visit the Kentucky Street marketplace featuring unique gifts, live performances, kids activities, and photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus. Make time to sit down for breakfast or lunch at one of our amazing eateries while you’re out on the town. Learn more HERE.

Give the Gift of Supporting Local Business with the Shop Petaluma Gift Card!

Support local year-round with a Shop Petaluma gift card! Shop Petaluma gift cards can be used at more than 100 participating Petaluma businesses, many offering special deals for gift card users.

Click HERE to purchase a Shop Petaluma gift card today. If you already have a Shop Petaluma gift card, be sure to use it this holiday season.