What's happening this week in Sebastopol?
Oodles of Halloween events, plus the IPA 10K, Science Buzz Cafe, music, films and more
Savvy Saving Seniors
Mondays, Oct. 27 to Nov. 17, 3 pm to 4 pm, at the Sebastopol Area Senior Center, 167 N. High St., Sebastopol. Free.
Join us for a free, four-week workshop designed to help older adults build confidence and security in managing their finances! Week 1 (Oct. 27): Budgeting Basics & Financial Goal Setting Week 2 (Nov. 3): Banking Tools & Accessing Benefits Week 3 (Nov. 10): Spotting Scams & Fraud Awareness Week 4 (Nov. 17): Protecting Yourself from Financial Exploitation Attend all 4 classes, received a $20 gift card to Safeway. Registration required. Space is limited. Call 707-829-2440 to register. Senior Center members may register online.
Science Buzz Cafe —The Other Oppenheimer: Origin of Cosmic Rays and Other Stories
Monday, Oct. 27, 6 pm to 7:30 pm, at Hopmonk Tavern (in The Abbey), 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $10
Artist Ned Kahn will recount Frank Oppenheimer’s amazing high-altitude balloon experiments in the late 1940s that led to the discovery of the origin of cosmic rays. (Frank was J. Robert Oppenheimer’s younger brother.) Before Frank’s experiments, the source of the high-energy particles that rain down from space was unknown. Frank relayed the tale of this adventure to Ned in 1985, during the last few weeks of his life. Ned will also talk about how Frank’s discovery influenced his own artistic journey.
Home Gardeners Produce Exchange—Final one of the season
Tuesday, Oct. 28, 5 pm to 5:45 pm, at Sebastopol Grange Hall, 6000 Sebastopol Ave. (Hwy 12), Sebastopol. Free.
Bring your extra garden produce to the Grange to share or donate. Master Food Preservers will be on hand to answer questions.
Grange Monthly General Meeting and Potluck
Tuesday, Oct. 28, 6 pm to 8 pm, at the Sebastopol Grange, 6000 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol. $10.
Everyone is invited to join Grangers and friends at the monthly general meeting. Come for social time starting at 5:30, followed by a potluck dinner, music, and program. This potluck will be a special Harvest Meal prepared by fellow Grangers. Much of the produce has been grown and donated by members of the Grange Virtual Farm. The menu will include a hearty fall pumpkin-white bean stew (V, GF), crusty bread, and homemade apple crisps for dessert (a V & GF option will be available). Attendees, please bring an appetizer or salad as your potluck item as well as your own picnic set that includes a bowl. Craig Litwin will talk about the 2026 lecture series, demonstrations, and related Grange activities. Come prepared to make suggestions for what you would like to see happen at the Grange in 2026.
Film—Unconditional: Documentary about Local Nonprofit Supporting Pets and People in Crisis
Tuesday, Oct. 28, 6 pm to 7:15 pm, at Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $16.50.
Join Rialto Cinemas, Sebastopol, for a one-night screening of “Unconditional.” Meet pets and people seeking better lives for themselves, and a local veterinarian working to support them. A Sebastopol-based veterinarian journeys throughout Sonoma and Napa Counties, providing free animal care to help domestic violence survivors and their pets escape abuse together. Witness veterinarian Dr. Sarah Reidenbach as she journeys to meet survivors and their pets in a retrofitted ambulance, attempting to eliminate that barrier and shed light on the importance of the human-animal bond in crisis situations. Get tickets.
Haunted Gingerbread House Workshop
Tuesday, Oct. 28, 3:30 pm to 5 pm, at the Sebastopol Regional Library, 7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
Build your own haunted gingerbread house, using festive candy, icing, and other tasty decorations. Grades 7-12. Limited seating. Register now.
Annual Trick-or-Treat in Downtown Sebastopol and The Barlow
Thursday, Oct. 30, 4 pm to 6 pm, in downtown Sebastopol and The Barlow, Sebastopol. Free.
Kick off the Halloween weekend with a fun and festive afternoon of trick-or-treating in downtown Sebastopol and The Barlow. Stop by participating shops for treats, costumes, and spooky surprises as The Barlow and select downtown locations come together for this family-friendly event.
Film: Between the Mountain and the Sky
Thursday, Oct. 30, 1 pm and 7 pm, at the Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $13.25 to $15.25.
“Between the Mountain and the Sky” is a 2024 documentary about humanitarian Maggie Doyne, who, after co-founding a children’s home and school in Nepal, experiences a devastating personal loss. The film explores her journey of rebuilding her life and finding love again while navigating grief, resilience, and what it means to be a family. It showcases how the film’s subject and her family of over 50 children find hope and strength amidst tragedy. Get tickets.
Family Halloween Fest in Ives Park
Friday, Oct. 31, 4 pm to 8 pm, in Ives Park, 7400 Willow St., Sebastopol. Free.
Join this enchanting Halloween Fest on Oct. 31, a magical community gathering that’s fun for all ages! This family-friendly event transforms the park into a community hub, perfect for trick-or-treaters, locals, and organizations alike to come together in the spirit of Halloween. Across the street from the Florence Avenue Halloween scene, Ives Park will glow with AstroBotanicals: massive, inflated, illuminated sculptures that create a captivating, otherworldly atmosphere. Keep an eye out for the Pumpkin Fairy Godmother, who’ll sprinkle extra magic with surprises and photo ops. For adults seeking a touch of cheer, enjoy craft beers, wines, and non-alcoholic options available for purchase—proceeds support Kiwanis community projects. (The Sebastopol Times will have a booth there, so drop by and say hello!)
The Great Pumpkin Party
Friday, Oct. 31, 5 pm to 8 pm, at Sebastopol Christian Church, 7433 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
Come attend this safe, family-friendly, Christian-oriented Harvest event, including a carnival with prizes, free food and a family photo booth.
A Classic Halloween Party at Region
Friday, Oct. 31, 6:30 pm to 9 pm, at Region, 180 Morris St., Suite 170, Sebastopol. $26.
Region is kicking off Halloween night off with a Live DJ, wine cocktails & mocktails with delicious food bites and a costume contest. The DJ is DJ Saint Rose. The Food: Acre Pizza Bar with Halloween candy. The Costumes: Dress to impress—there will be various categories for the contest and winners get gift cards and bottles of wine! (You don’t need a ticket to participate in the costume contest.) Get tickets.
Halloween Party & Costume Contest at Rewind Arcade
Friday, Oct. 31, 7 pm, at Rewind Arcade, 6780 Depot St., Sebastopol. Free.
Things are getting spooky at The Rewind Arcade. Come Friday, Oct. 31, for a night of costumes, music and mayhem. DJ St. Marc spinning from 7 pm to midnight with spooky visuals on the big screens. Costume Contest with prizes. Come in costume and spin the prize wheel for a chance to win! It’s going to be an amazing time so grab your crew, dress to impress (or distress), and let’s haunt the arcade all night long. Get tickets.
The Mystical Forest
Friday, Oct. 31, 5 pm to 11 pm, at Fern Bar, 6780 Depot St., Sebastopol. $15.
Step into The Mystical Forest — Fern Bar’s first annual Halloween celebration. Step into the shadows of the Mystical Forest at Fern Bar, where the enchanting beauty of nature meets the eerie magic of the unknown. Join them for a night of otherworldly vibes, spooky elegance, and unforgettable fun as they transform Fern Bar into a haunted woodland wonderland. Tarot card readings, custom DIY spell jars, spooky craft cocktails and more. Music from DJ Domo. Reserve your spot.
The Mother Hips Halloween Bash
Friday, Oct 31, 8 pm, at HopMonk Tavern (in the Abbey), 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol
Spend Halloween with The Mother Hips. Hailed by the San Francisco Chronicle as “one of the Bay Area’s most beloved live outfits,” The Mother Hips’ headline and festival performances have become the stuff of legend, finding them sharing stages with everyone from Johnny Cash and Wilco to Lucinda Williams and The Black Crowes. The New Yorker lauded their ability to “sing it sweet and play it dirty.” Get tickets.
IPA10K + Brewfest + Beer Mile & Hallowine Half Marathon
Saturday, Nov. 1, 7:30 am to 2 pm, at The Barlow, 6770 McKinley St., Sebastopol.
Get ready for the ultimate celebration of beer, wine, and running. Two fan favorite events — the IPA10K + Brewfest + Beer Mile and the Hallowine Half Marathon — are combined into one for an unforgettable day of fitness, fun, and festivities. Run the iconic IPA10K, tackle the Hallowine Half Marathon, jog the 3K, or rally your best beer-drinking buddy to compete in the two-person Beer Mile. The Wagging Tail Run invites you to bring your dog for a tail-wagging good time in the 3k or 10k. Once you have crossed the finish line, celebrate your victory at the Brewfest and Wine Festival, featuring local breweries and wineries, live bands, delicious food trucks, and an entertaining Halloween costume contest. Get tickets.
Create A Winter Succulent Wreath with UC Master Gardeners
Saturday, Nov. 1, 10 am to 12 pm, at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol. $75.
Learn about succulents and make a beautiful wreath. Instructions and all materials are provided by UC Master Gardeners. The $75 fee includes instructions and all materials. Registration required. Reserve your spot..
Poor Man’s Whiskey – Dark Side of the Moonshine
Saturday, Nov. 1, 4 pm onward, at HopMonk Tavern, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $37.82.
Poor Man’s Whiskey presents a special two set evening of original music, and a second set of their world acclaimed “Dark Side of the Moonshine” (a bluegrass interpretation of the classic Pink Floyd album). The set is an interactive experience with a Wizard of Oz theme. Audiences are encouraged to come dressed as your favorite Wizard of Oz character. Prizes go to best costumes! This event is outdoors under the big tent. Get tickets.
Dia De Los Muertos Experience
Saturday, Nov. 1, 7 pm to 11 pm, at Soft Medicine Sanctuary, 186 North Main St., Sebastopol. $17.85 to $33.85.
A multi-room celebration beyond Halloween, honoring the spirits behind the veil while upholding producers and musicians of multiple genres. Step into a night where the veil is thin and the celebration is alive with spirit. Día de los Muertos is a vibrant crossroads between the autumnal equinox and winter solstice, a tradition echoed in cultures worldwide. While we’re weaving in the Mexican roots, the heart of this gathering is universal: bring a photo or a memento of your beloved departed, place it on the communal altar, and let’s dance in their memory. Get tickets.
Into the Deep: Dia De Los Muertos Party
Saturday, Nov. 1, 9 pm to 2 am, at the Forestville Club, 6520 Front St., Forestville. $23.18.
Into the Deep returns with a Day of the Dead underground party feat—an all-star line-up of DJs and immersive visual installations. Get tickets.
History of Salsa Dancing
Sunday, Nov. 2, 2 pm to 3 pm, at the Sebastopol Regional Library, 7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
Discover the history and influences of Salsa dancing, then learn basic steps while listening to top hits—no dance experience required! Register now.
A Senior Moment: Author Talk & Resource Fair
Sunday, Nov. 2, 2:30 pm to 4:40 pm, at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. $5-$25, sliding scale.
Richard Danford, author of Be Aware of that Nursing Home, will discuss current industry issues, advice for consumers, Medicare/Medicaid limitations, transparency in nursing homes, and so much more. In addition, community organizations will be on hand with valuable family and senior resources. This event is open to everyone. Families and people of all ages are encouraged to attend. Enjoy musical guests and light bites. Get tickets.
See What’s Happening Sonoma County for more Sebastopol music listings.
Want us to feature your event in “What’s happening this week in Sebastopol?” Submit your events to the Sebastopol Community Calendar. This is one of the many resources I use to put this column together.
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