Petaluma Historical Museum

10/21/2026

Thanks to The Press Democrat for helping us share the story behind Petaluma’s legendary Houdini séances—and their return on October 30, just in time for the 100th anniversary of Houdini’s death!

Read the story, then join us for a night of history, mystery, and magic!

Tickets at Eventbrite or petalumamuseum.org

An old Petaluma tradition begun by famed Argus-Courier columnist Bill Soberanes is returning this Halloween — just in time for the 100th anniversary of Harry Houdini’s death.
See more below

10/19/2026

We've conjured up something special!

One historic hotel. One delicious meal. One legendary séance at the Petaluma Museum.

Win A Spirited Night in PetalWe're giving one lucky winner and a guest a magical little getaway, thanks to our wonderfully generous local partners!

Disappear for the night! Enjoy a complimentary one-night stay at historic , to use on October 30.

Summon something delicious! Enjoy a meal from one of Petaluma's incredible restaurants with a $100 gift card from .

AND THEN… We Call Houdini! Two tickets to Petaluma's Houdini Séance: The Centennial Gathering on Friday, October 30, the eve of the 100th anniversary of Houdini's death!

Your séance tickets include an evening of magic, mystery, and spirited fun with magician Chris Britt, tarot reader Shera Sever, and psychic medium Jenessa Wyatt, plus offerings from and and an otherworldly atmosphere created with help from .art!

HOW TO ENTER:

Comment below with your favorite Petaluma Halloween memory, tradition, or spooky spot!

That's it—no tricks, just treats!

We'd love for you to follow the Petaluma Museum, Hotel Petaluma, and Petaluma Food Taxi, and our other partners, too!

Entries close October 25 at 11:59 PM Pacific. Winner announced October 26.

Huge thanks to all our partners for making the magic happen!

Don't leave your séance plans to fate—tickets are on sale now at petalumamuseum.org!

No purchase necessary. Must be 21+. One entry per person. Hotel stay subject to availability, excludes holidays, and expires December 31, 2027. See official rules at the Museum or at the link in our Instagram bio. Not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Instagram or Facebook.

10/19/2026

10/10/2026

Join us as we come together to celebrate El Día de los Mu***os!

The Petaluma Museum is honored to once again partner with el_dia_de_los_muertos_petaluma to present a beautiful exhibition of community-created altars honoring loved ones, celebrating life, and keeping memories alive.

Opening Reception
Saturday, October 10
6:00–8:30 PM
Petaluma Museum

Experience the beauty and meaning of this cherished tradition, explore the altars, and connect with the artists, families, and community members who bring them to life.

Plus, we’ve just restocked beautiful new earrings from morninglorias—perfect for celebrating the season or gifting to someone special!

10/03/2026

Four mezcals. Four delicious pairings. One spirited evening.

Join us for A Spirited Tasting: Mezcal, Morsels & Día de los Mu***os—a special after-hours experience at the Petaluma Museum.

Featuring La Luna Mezcal and Benesin Mezcal, the evening brings together exceptional craft spirits, thoughtfully paired bites, and the stories of the people and places behind each pour.

Meet the producers. Discover the traditions of agave and mezcal. Learn more about Día de los Mu***os traditions from our partners at El Día de los Mu***os Petaluma. And between tastings, wander through our annual exhibition of community altars and artwork

Friday, October 16 | 6–8 PM
Petaluma Historical Library & Museum
21+ | Space is limited

Tickets are on sale now. Click the link to reserve your space. Members save $5 with code Members05.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2002104446294?aff=oddtdtcreator

10/02/2026

THE TICKETS ARE LIVE. Now let’s see who else is.

Tickets are officially on sale for Petaluma’s Houdini Séance: The Centennial Gathering!

On October 30—the eve of the 100th anniversary of Harry Houdini’s death—we’re bringing one of Petaluma’s most wonderfully unusual traditions back to life.

Join us at the Petaluma Museum for a spirited evening of festive cocktails, savory bites, magic, mystery, and more before acclaimed psychic medium, Jenessa Wyatt, guides us into the unknown.

And then…
We call Houdini.

Three ways to experience the evening:
The Inner Circle — a seat at the séance table
The Gathering — main floor
The Beyond — mezzanine

October 30 | 7–9 PM | Petaluma Museum
Ages 21+

100 years later… is anybody there?

Tickets are LIVE. Get yours now! This event is predicted to sell out.

https://PetalumaHoudiniSeance2026.eventbrite.com

09/24/2026

This Saturday, experience an extraordinary collaboration between acclaimed Chinese American artist Jun Jun and internationally celebrated Zimbabwean musician Piwai. Painting and music unfold together in a live performance exploring creativity, memory, and cultural connection.

Throughout the evening, Jun Jun will create expressive paintings in real time while Piwai responds through song, mbira, and rhythm, weaving together two artistic traditions in an improvisational dialogue that transcends language. Together, they invite audiences to experience how art can carry memory, celebrate identity, and build bridges across cultures.

Following the performance, meet the artists, explore the exhibition, and enjoy authentic Zimbabwean cuisine provided by the Zimbabwe Cultural Exchange Project of California.

Tickets $20: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ink-rhythm-tickets-1997155896047?aff=oddtdtcreator

The exhibit Belongings: What We Bring, What We Leave Behind is made possible through the generous support of California Humanities through its Connecting California grant program, with support from our many community partners, artists, storytellers, volunteers, and sponsors.

09/22/2026

Some traditions are too good to stay buried.

For decades, Petaluma had its own connection to the afterlife. Beginning in 1964, legendary local journalist Bill Soberanes gathered believers, skeptics, and the simply curious each Halloween season for an annual séance, attempting to contact the spirit of master illusionist Harry Houdini. Many of these spirited gatherings were held right here at the Museum.

Now, 100 years after Houdini’s death, we’re bringing the tradition back to life.

This October 30, on the eve of the centennial of Houdini’s death, join us as we revive one of Petaluma’s most unusual traditions—blending local history, mystery, theatricality, and that irresistible question Houdini left behind: Is anybody there?

Save the date! Details from the other side coming soon.