Autumn calendar of events

Carolyn Wonderland is one of the bands playing Earlefest on September 22.

Call it tradition, or basic human instinct, but this time of year, as the weather cools and days start to get shorter, we all seem to crave celebration.

And the Bay Area’s traditionally warm, sunny September weather creates a craving to be outdoors just a few more times before the gray rains of winter.

We soak up the outdoor warmth with myriad festivals — celebrating food, wine, arts, music, community and life itself.

This fall’s roster includes the old favorites: The Kendall-Jackson Heirloom Tomato Festival, the Russian River Jazz and Blues Festival, the B.R. Cohn Fall Music Festival, the Sonoma County Book Festival, the Sonoma County Harvest Festival.

There are also some newer entries: The second annual Unity Festival on the Russian River and the first Petaluma Palooza.

So take a look at your calendar, whether it’s on your wall or on your phone, and run through the lineup:

Sept. 14-15: “It’s difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato,” writer Lewis Grizzard once said. Celebrate the tasty tomato at the Kendall-Jackson Heirloom Tomato Weekend at the Kendall-Jackson Wine Center, 5007 Fulton Road, Fulton. kj.com/tomato-weekend. The weekend includes:  Chef Tables in the Vineyard dinner, hosted by celebrity chefs Guy Fieri and Mario Batali, at 6 p.m. Sept. 14. $350, including festival admission the following day.  The 16th annual Heirloom Tomato Festival, featuring more than 175 heritage varieties of tomatoes grown in the winery’s estate culinary gardens. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 15. $60.

Sept. 14-16: The Unity Festival on the Russian River — “celebrating the sacred through music, art, dance and community” — from noon to 10 p.m. Sept. 14, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 15, and 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 16. Guerneville Lodge, 15905 River Road, Guerneville. The festival offers three days of food, camping and live music by some 20 bands, including Arden Park Roots, Rootman J & Zionyouth Crew and the Thugz. $95-$325. trueunityfestival.com.

Sept. 15: Here’s a new event this fall. Catch the first Petaluma Palooza: A Community Expo, with classes on health and wellness, adult learning, personal growth and sustainable living, as well as arts and crafts, entertainment and presentations on local small businesses and nonprofits. 2-6 p.m. Petaluma Arts Center, 230 Lakeville St., Petaluma. (888) 988-2787, petalumapalooza.com.

Sept. 15: Old Grove Festival. Relax among the redwoods and listen to live music by Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks, Solid Air, the Mighty Chiplings and Gordon & D’Orazi. Gates open at 4 p.m. and music starts at 7 p.m. Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, 17000 Armstrong Woods Road, Guerneville. $10-$40. 869-9177, oldgrovefestival.org.

Sept. 22: Russian Riverfest, an annual celebration of the River featuring an outdoor dinner, live music, wine tasting and silent auction. Burke’s Canoe Trips, 8600 River Road, Forestville. 4-7 p.m. $25-$35. russianriverfest.eventbrite.com.