Celebrate Creativity and Community at Santa Rosa’s WinterBlast
Each autumn, Santa Rosa’s SoFA (South of A Street) Arts District transforms into a glowing celebration of community and creativity during WinterBlast — a free, family-friendly arts festival that kicks off the holiday season in style. The event traces its roots back nearly two decades, when local artists invented a quirky “sofa parade” as a tongue-in-cheek nod to the SoFA district’s name and as a way to bring energy and attention to a less-trafficked neighborhood. What began as a small, playful procession of illuminated couches has since blossomed into a full evening of art, music, performance, food, and lighted spectacle.
During WinterBlast, the SoFA District bursts into a playground of creative energy. In the afternoon, local artists open their studios, inviting festivalgoers to step behind the scenes and witness creativity in action. Visitors can watch painters at work, see sculptors shape their materials, and explore printmakers’ presses in motion. Studios also feature limited-edition prints, handmade jewelry, ceramics, and other one-of-a-kind creations available for purchase. The open studios portion of WinterBlast is not only a rare opportunity to engage directly with Santa Rosa’s thriving artistic community, but also a chance to discover emerging talent and collect unique works while enjoying the festive, interactive atmosphere of the SoFA Arts District.
The quirky and beloved highlight of the evening is the illuminated sofa parade, when themed couches on wheels—decorated with lights, props, and performers—roll through the streets in a joyful procession dazzling onlookers of all ages. Local artists, musicians, and performers fill every corner with energy—live music spills from galleries, street performers entertain the crowd, and food trucks and pop-up vendors offer plenty of ways to eat, drink, and mingle.
To stay in the heart of the action, consider booking a night at The Astro Motel, a mid-century–styled boutique lodging in the SoFA arts district. With just a short walk to festival happenings, its lush interior garden, retro charm, and local-art furnishings offer a cozy, immersive base to soak in the spirit of WinterBlast.
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