Santa's Riverboat Arrival in Petaluma is a classic Sonoma County holiday tradition. Santa and Mrs. Claus give the Holiday Season its characteristic uniquely Petaluma start when the river boat, “Petaluma” chugs into the Historic Downtown Riverfront Harbor about noon for Santa's Riverboat Arrival.

The couple disembarks at the Golden Eagle Shopping Center, hand out hundreds of candies to loads of excited children. Santa and Mrs. Claus board an antique, horse-drawn sleigh, and then at about 1:30 p.m. join a procession of decorated wagons, horse teams, and costumed riders traveling through Historic Downtown.