What's happening this week in Sebastopol?
Heirloom Apple Festival, Library Book Sale, Stella Swings Ella and more

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale
Monday, Sept. 15 to Thursday, Sept. 18, at Rialto Cinemas Sebastopol, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $15.25.
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, the cinematic return of the global phenomenon, follows the Crawley family and their staff as they enter the 1930s. As the beloved cast of characters navigates how to lead Downton Abbey into the future, they must embrace change and welcome a new chapter. Get tickets.
Muir’s Tea Room is having a Downton Abbey High Tea Service from now until Sept. 28.
Poetic Medicine: September Session
Tuesday, Sept. 16, 4 pm to 5:30 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 South High St., Sebastopol. $15.
The practice of “poem making” offers a means to express the metaphors and meaning of the joys and suffering we experience in ourselves and bear witness to in others. Poetry can be a salve for the heart and soul. It is a way of speaking what is true in our hearts and is often difficult to access without a creative spark. You do not have to be a "poet" or even a "writer" to allow words and feelings to pour through your pen. Reserve your spot.
Sebastopol City Council Meeting
Tuesday, Sept. 16, 6 pm, at the Sebastopol Youth Annex, 425 Morris St., Sebastopol.
The council will hear a presentation on Micah's Hugs, a group dedicated to educating youth about the dangers of substance abuse and fentanyl poisoning. In addition, the council will hear a quarterly progress report toward its 2025-26 goals and priorities. They will also discuss updates to the Formula Business Ordinance. Read the agenda and documentation here.
Friends of the Sebastopol Library Book Sale
Wednesday, Sept. 17, to Saturday, Sept. 20, varied times, at the Sebastopol Regional Library, 7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol.
Sale includes adult/children/teen books and is open to all. Most books are bargain-priced at $1, even the newest fiction. Most children and teen books are 25-50 cents. Proceeds help the Sebastopol Library continue its mission of providing great reading and wonderful free programs to West County. Cash or check only. Opening night is Wednesday, Sept. 17, 5 pm to 8 pm; all day bargains, Thursday, Sept. 18, 10 am to 6 pm; half price day, Friday, Sept. 19, 10 am to 6 pm. $5 per bag day, Saturday, Sept. 20, 10 am to 2 pm.
Art Lecture: The 1915 Panama Pacific International Expo
Friday, Sept. 19, 10 am to 11:30 am, at the Sebastopol Area Senior Center, 167 North High St., Sebastopol.
Join Linda Loveland Reid on a historical trip back in time to the 1915 Panama Pacific International Expo. How did the Expo help the Bay Area recover from the 1906 earthquake? Who were the politicians, designers and artists behind the Expo’s tremendous success? Listen and learn how, like a Phoenix rising from the ashes of the 1906 quake, San Francisco put on a fair to end all fairs! It only cost $1 for an overnight stay at the fair’s hotel or you could stay the whole week, food and all, for $20. There was great art in the Palace of Fine Arts building. The suffragettes will be there along with Lotta Crabtree, John Philip Sousa and nearly 19 million other folks. Call the Senior Center to register: 707-829-2440.
Stella Swings Ella in Occidental
Friday, Sept. 19, 7 pm to 9 pm, at the Occidental Center for the Arts, 3850 Doris Murphy Court, Occidental. $28.
Bay Area songstress Stella Heath—celebrated for her standout performances in The Billie Holiday Project and Stella Meets Nat—now brings Ella Fitzgerald’s timeless music to life in Stella Swings Ella. Backed by an all-star ensemble including Ian Scherer (guitar), Daniel Fabricant (bass), Robby Elfman (sax/clarinet), and Spike Klein (drums), this show is a must-see homage to one of jazz’s greatest voices. Get tickets.
Fourth Annual Heirloom Apple Festival at Gold Ridge Organic Farms
Saturday, Sept. 20, 10 am – 3 pm, at Gold Ridge Organic Farms, 3387 Canfield Road, Sebastopol. $25 adult, $10 child.
Join Gold Ridge for the Fourth Annual Heirloom Apple Festival, a fun-filled day at Gold Ridge Organic Farms in Sebastopol. This family-friendly event features a curated tasting of some of the 70-plus heirloom apple varieties grown onsite in our organic orchards and our organic Extra Virgin Olive Oils. Plus, enjoy local cheese and apple pairings and taste our beloved apple cider balsamic vinegar and apple cider syrup. Stroll through our beautiful olive and apple orchards with founder-farmer Brooke Hazen or take a ride on our apple-themed trolley. Spark your curiosity with culinary adventures, cooking demos and displays. Kids can win a prize on an apple-themed scavenger hunt. Get tickets.
Graton Day Festival
Saturday, Sept. 20, 1 pm to 5 pm, at the Graton Town Square. Free.
A home-grown block party tradition filled with fun, food, and festivities. The festival will feature live music, delicious food vendors, local artisans, a pie contest and zucchini race, garden tour, and activities for the whole family, including a kids’ village. Don't miss out on this exciting event celebrating our vibrant community. Any funds raised (beyond costs) will go toward the continued activation of the Graton Town Square.
Sol Horizon’s Bob Marley Tribute at Hopmonk Sebastopol
Saturday, Sept. 20, 4 pm, at HopMonk Tavern, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $30.57.
Sol Horizon is renowned for its energetic live performances and powerful lyrical content centering on themes of peace, love, positivity, community, sustainability and the re-vitalizing power of nature. Their Bob Marley tribute pays respect to the global voice of reggae music, celebrating the life and legacy of Bob Marley by performing some of his greatest music. Get tickets.
Car-a-bunga at Hopmonk Sebastopol
Sunday, Sept. 21, 9 am to 1 pm, HopMonk Tavern, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol.
Bring your woody’s, hot rods & classics for a day of chrome car shine and high-grade suds. Presented by HopMonk Sebastopol and Retrograde Coffee. No registration fee for cars 1975 and older. Last day for submission 9/20/25. One raffle ticket for every car entered. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes. Register your car here.
Sebtown Strutters Oktoberfest Celebration
Sunday, Sept. 21, 12 pm to 1:30 pm, at Sebastopol Community Market, 6762 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
Celebrate Oktoberfest with the Sebtown Strutters, Sebastopol’s own traditional jazz and Dixieland band. With infectious rhythms, brass harmonies, and a joyful spirit, the Strutters bring music that makes you tap your feet and smile. Join us outdoors at the Mel Minton Memorial Stage for an afternoon of lively tunes, community, and celebration.
See What’s Happening Sonoma County for more Sebastopol music listings.
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