Seasonal & Holidays
10 Events In Northern CA That Have Nothing To Do With Valentine’s Day
If you're not in the mood for romance, there are still plenty of fun and unique events happening across Northern California.
Talk about Valentine’s Day dominates in February, but for multiple reasons, it’s not everyone’s day of choice. There are other things to do in Northern CA at this time of year.
Monday is Presidents Day. It’s a free-admission day at facilities operated by the National Park Service. But if you aren’t in the mood for some of the great events at these parks, the Bay Area also has other fun events to attend.
Are you planning an event this winter? Feature it, so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!
Find out what's happening in Across Californiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Here are some other events to round out your February calendar:
Find out what's happening in Across Californiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
When: Sun, Feb 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Where: Shelton Theater, 533 Sutter St, SF, CA, 94102
Details: Step into 1947 San Francisco, a city drowning in a crime wave of murder, blackmail, and money laundering, for a fully improvised Film Noir experience where you are the key to solving the mystery. Each show features a brand new case with a fresh Private Eye and a cast of shady suspects, and the thrilling catch is that your suggestions will make or break the investigation! Dangerous enough for ya? You can bet your fedora. Missing this show would be a crime.
When: Wed, Feb 18, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Where: The Commonwealth Club, 110 The Embarcadero, SF, CA, 94105
Details: Join in for a screening of the Oscar-nominated documentary, Alabama Solution, which chronicles a six-year, immersive investigation into "the nation's deadliest prison system" after incarcerated men sent a message in 2019 about terrible, secret goings-on. The film, which unfolds in real-time with unprecedented direct access, exposes a shocking story of brutality, corruption, and a system in collapse, revealing that a suspicious and violent death was not an isolated incident and that the official account was likely far from the truth. Following the screening, director and producer Andrew Jarecki will participate in a Q&A session. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. Pacific Time with doors opening and check-in, followed by the film and discussion from 6–8:25 p.m. In-person tickets are $20, but the event is free for Leadership Circle members and students.
Winter Food Truck Pop-Up at Gehricke Tasting Room with Lasagna Con Amore
When: Fri, Feb 20, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Where: Gehricke Wines Tasting Room, 32 Patten St, Sonoma, CA, 95476
Details: Indulge in classic Italian comfort at the Gehricke Tasting Room with a special Winter Food Truck Pop-Up featuring Lasagna Con Amore. Savor house-made lasagna served straight from the food truck, offering rich layers and bold flavors—the perfect warming complement for a cold day. Gehricke Tasting Room is located in Sonoma’s historic firehouse, just a short walk from the square, and pours small-lot wines crafted with minimal intervention to best showcase the true character of each appellation.
CONJURING WONDER - Magic: Up-Close & Personal
When: Fri, Feb 20, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Where: Claremont Resort & Club, 41 Tunnel Rd, Berkeley, CA, 94705
Details: Join in for the next amazing installment of CONJURING WONDER at The Claremont Resort & Club – one of the Bay Area's most amazing events! Make a date for Friday, February 20th at 7:00 PM. Seats are extremely limited—only 16 spots around the table will put you right Up-Close & Personal to THE WONDER. Don't wait; grab your tickets fast and join us!
When: Sat, Feb 21, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Where: A Place to Play, 2375 W 3rd St, Santa Rosa, CA, 95401
Details: The Beer City Half™ offers a day of running and beer celebration in Santa Rosa, starting at A Place to Play with half marathon, 10k, or 5k races, as well as The Beer Stroll, all followed by post-run unlimited beer tasting until noon featuring local Santa Rosa and Sonoma County brewers. For those seeking a competitive edge, the Beat the Beast beer mile challenge starts at 11 am, requiring speed to outpace a designated "Beer City Beast," and the festivities continue with SHINDIG, the official Beer City party at Moonlight Brewing, offering music, food trucks, games, and serving as the afternoon's challenge headquarters for The Beermazing Race, which dares participants to visit five breweries between 1 pm and 5 pm.
Unplugged & Uncorked Music Series at Gehricke Tasting Room
When: Sat, Feb 21, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Where: Gehricke Wines Tasting Room, 32 Patten St, Sonoma, CA, 95476
Details: The Gehricke Tasting Room, situated in Sonoma's historic firehouse near the square, hosts "Unplugged & Uncorked," a live music series every Saturday from 5 to 7:30 p.m., showcasing acclaimed local musicians alongside their small-lot, minimally-intervened wines. Guests can enjoy the music and wine, with the option to order food from Mary's Pizza Shack, and while walk-ins are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, making a reservation is highly recommended.
When: Sat, Feb 21, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Where: Main Library - San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin St, SF, CA, 94102
Details: Watch the documentary film, Making Waves: The Rise of Asian America, which profiles young activists and educators across the U.S. who are using Asian American Studies to fuel a movement. Following the screening, there will be a panel discussion featuring Making Waves co-directors, Josh Chuck and Jon Osaki, alongside local youth activists from AAPI Youth Rising who appear in the film.
When: Sun, Feb 15, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Where: Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St, Livermore, CA, 94551
Details: Selected Shorts returns to the Bankhead for an afternoon of funny, mysterious, and poignant short stories exploring surprising romances, competing desires, and unexpected encounters. This one-of-a-kind show is perfect for partners, best friends, or even your arch-nemesis. Casting news will be announced soon. Members and up to three guests are invited to an exclusive Member Appreciation Event in the VIP Room before the show and during intermission; more details will be announced soon.
FORK IT! Food & Wine Pairing 101
When: Fri, Feb 20, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Where: Omega Road Winery, 2135 S Vasco Rd, Livermore, CA, 94550
Details: Fork in the Glass is an interactive wine and food pairing experience led by Winemaker Alexandra Henkelman and Chef Amanda Skog, designed to eliminate the guesswork and build confidence in pairing flavors. Attendees will take control of their culinary journey, exploring the intersection of taste with 4 wines and 16 prepared bites to understand essential pairing principles, such as how acidity or richness affects the balance of a dish and wine. The evening offers a pretense-free look at the science behind successful pairings, moving from foundational concepts to more complex combinations, ensuring guests leave with the knowledge and confidence to intentionally and sophisticatedly pair any bottle with any spread in their own kitchen.
Treat Yourself: Wine & Chocolate Pairing at Concannon Vineyard
When: Sun, Feb 15, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Where: Concannon Vineyard, 4590 Tesla Rd, Livermore, CA, 94550
Details: A guided Wine & Chocolate Truffle Pairing will be held in the iconic Historic Library on both February 14th and 15th, with seatings available at 11:30 AM and 2:30 PM. For $55 per person, or $45 for Club Members, guests will enjoy a thoughtfully curated and relaxed tasting led by a knowledgeable specialist, featuring five unique pairings designed to showcase the harmony between wine and chocolate, including a Welcome Pour of Sparkling Grüner Veltliner, a 2024 Assemblage Blanc with Lemon Cream, a 2024 Viognier with Dark Salted Caramel, a 2023 Stampmaker's GSM with Danish Almond Toffee, a 2021 Nina's Cuvée Petite Sirah with Dark Triple Berry, and a 2018 Heritage Cabernet with a Dark Chocolate Truffle; furthermore, attendees can extend their celebration with special event-only pricing on bottles and enjoy classic German fare from the Essen Authentic German Food Truck on the Main Lawn.
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