Glen Ellen, California · Sonoma Valley
Things to Do in Glen EllenJuly 2026
Fireworks over the valley, a hometown parade down Main Street, vineyard tram tours, oak-shaded trails, and Broadway under the summer sky. Here is what is happening in and around our little wine-country town this Independence Day month.
Tucked between Sonoma and Santa Rosa at the foot of Sonoma Mountain, Glen Ellen trades skyscrapers for redwoods, creekside patios, and the ranch where Jack London once wrote. July brings the valley to life with red-white-and-blue celebrations, world-class music, and long golden evenings. Every listing below was checked for the 2026 season, with a few nearby Sonoma Valley favorites included and clearly labeled so you can plan the whole month.
Mark Your Calendar
July 2026 Events
Kenwood Hometown 4th of July Parade & Footrace
Saturday, July 4 · Morning
The closest small-town Fourth to Glen Ellen, just up Highway 12. The day kicks off with the Kenwood Footrace (10K and 3K, billed as the oldest 10K in California), followed by a pancake breakfast and silent auction at Kenwood Community Church, the beloved hometown parade from Kenwood School to Plaza Park, and a Rotary BBQ and family shindig at midday. Arrive early for parking and a good curb spot.
Parade DetailsSonoma Hometown Fourth of July Parade & Celebration
Saturday, July 4 · Morning into evening
Sonoma Plaza throws one of the region’s biggest Independence Day parties, hosted by the Sonoma Volunteer Firefighters. The 2026 edition honors the 250th anniversary of the United States with a morning parade, a community festival on the historic Plaza, live music at Grinstead Amphitheater, and a roughly 45-minute fireworks finale over General Vallejo Field after dark.
Event InfoTranscendence Theatre: Radio Recall
Friday–Sunday, July 10–12 · Shows 7:30 PM
The acclaimed Broadway Under the Stars company returns with “Radio Recall: The Soundtrack of Your Life,” a high-energy concert spanning 60 years of music from The Beatles to Coldplay. Now staged at the Field of Dreams (151 1st St W, Sonoma), the evening begins with a Sonoma-style picnic from 5:00 PM. Friday is Family Night and Sunday offers ASL interpretation.
Tickets & DetailsValley of the Moon Music Festival
July 11–26 · Multiple concerts
Sonoma’s premier chamber music festival returns for its 12th season with “Postcards from Dvorak,” performed on historical instruments by world-class and emerging artists. Across three weekends you will find mainstage concerts plus community extras like pay-what-you-wish outdoor performances and a free family concert. The festival partners with Jack London Park to support local arts education.
See the ScheduleHistoric Trees of Beauty Ranch
Sunday, July 19 · 9:00–11:30 AM
A guided morning walk through Jack London State Historic Park, right here in Glen Ellen, exploring the heritage trees that shaped London’s working Beauty Ranch. It is a relaxed, story-rich way to spend a summer morning under the oaks and eucalyptus, part of the park’s year-long celebration of Jack London’s 150th birthday.
Reserve a SpotNapa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon & Rose 5K
Saturday–Sunday, July 25–26 · Finish at Sonoma Plaza
One of the country’s most scenic road races wraps up the month in style. The Rose 5K loops historic Sonoma Plaza on Saturday, and Sunday’s point-to-point half marathon runs from Napa past 30-plus wineries to a grand finish and wine festival on the Plaza (9:30 AM to noon). Even if you are not racing, the finish-line festival is a fun place to cheer.
Race & Festival Info
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Glen Ellen All Summer Long
Jack London State Historic Park
History · Hiking · Museum
Glen Ellen’s crown jewel: the Wolf House ruins, the House of Happy Walls Museum, Beauty Ranch, and more than 29 miles of trails. Free weekend docent tours of the Wolf House and Beauty Ranch run with no reservation needed. 2026 marks Jack London’s 150th birthday.
Benziger Family Winery
Wine · Biodynamic Estate
A certified Biodynamic estate on Sonoma Mountain, famous for its open-air Biodynamic Tractor Tram Tour through the vineyards, gardens, and wine caves, finishing with a tasting. Reservations are recommended, and the outdoor areas are dog-friendly.
Sonoma Botanical Garden
Gardens · Walking · Picnics
Formerly Quarryhill, this woodland garden holds one of North America’s largest wild-source collections of Asian plants alongside California natives. Wander shaded paths past ponds and waterfalls, then settle in for a wine-country picnic with valley views.
Sonoma Valley Regional Park
Trails · Dog Park · Picnics
202 acres of oak woodland in the heart of the valley, next to the village. The paved, wheelchair-accessible Valley of the Moon Trail runs about 1.2 miles, with unpaved hill trails, a seasonal creek, shady picnic and BBQ areas, and the Elizabeth Perrone off-leash dog park.
Eat & Drink
Where to Eat in Glen Ellen
For such a small town, Glen Ellen eats remarkably well. Several spots below sit in the historic Jack London Village complex beside Sonoma Creek. Summer evenings book up fast, so reservations are a smart move.
Glen Ellen Star
Wood-Fired California · Dinner
The town’s culinary anchor, where chef Ari Weiswasser turns out wood-oven vegetables, pizzas, and seasonal plates. Cozy room, lively counter, reservations recommended.
The Mill at Glen Ellen
American · Seafood · Vegan
A charming riverside restaurant set at a historic mill, with a creekside deck, warm interior, and an inventive menu including standout vegan plates.
Songbird Parlour
Californian · Tasting Menu
An intimate, highly rated dining room known for its chef’s tasting menu and a popular fried-chicken Sunday. Warm, personal service in a romantic setting.
Garden Court Cafe
Breakfast & Lunch
A family-run favorite for build-your-own Benedicts, house-made breads, and friendly mornings. The go-to for a hearty start before a hike or a day in the vineyards.
Poppy Glen Ellen
French Bistro · Dinner
From the team behind the longtime Fig Cafe, a warm French bistro with a thoughtful, locally sourced menu and a well-loved Thursday family-style dinner.
Yeti Restaurant
Nepalese & Indian · Creekside
Flavorful Himalayan and Indian cooking served on a lovely terrace over Sonoma Creek. The garlic naan and curries earn rave reviews from locals and visitors alike.
Glen Ellen Village Market
Grocery & Deli · Picnic Supplies
A full grocery with a standout deli making big, made-to-order sandwiches and a fresh salad bar. Stock up here before a parade, a hike, or an evening concert in the park.
For Residents & Neighbors
Community Corner
Glen Ellen Community Church
Worship · Community
A small, welcoming neighborhood congregation in the heart of the village. Visitors are warmly received for Sunday morning worship and fellowship.
Dunbar Elementary & Sonoma Valley Schools
Schools · Families
Dunbar Elementary on Dunbar Road is Glen Ellen’s neighborhood school, part of the Sonoma Valley Unified School District. July is summer recess. The 2026–27 school year begins August 17, 2026, and registration is open online.
Local Government & Civic Life
Sonoma County · Community Voice
Glen Ellen is an unincorporated community served by Sonoma County. The North Sonoma Valley Municipal Advisory Council (Glen Ellen, Kenwood, and Eldridge) advises the County Board of Supervisors, and the volunteer-run Glen Ellen Forum keeps neighbors connected under the banner “Many Voices, One Community.”
★ Good to Know
We work hard to keep this guide accurate, but we cannot list every happening in and around Glen Ellen. Hosting something we missed? Send it our way through The Inventor’s Velocity contact page and we will take a look. Dates, times, prices, and other details are current as of the summer 2026 season and can change, so please confirm with each organizer before you head out. Glen-Ellen-CA.com is not affiliated with any of the events, businesses, or organizations listed here, and we cannot guarantee event details.
