In winter, when the Russian River slows and fog clings to the redwoods, another kingdom quietly rises beneath the forest floor.
Now, Guerneville is throwing a festival in its honor.
The inaugural Russian River Fungi Fest, taking place Feb. 21–22, brings a two-day celebration of mushrooms to West Sonoma County, blending science talks, forest foraging, art and food.
“We just threw some paint at the wall,” says Nick Schwanz, president of the Russian River Chamber of Commerce and co-founder of Solar Punk Farms, which is co-organizing the event. “And the instantaneous energy around it was like — okay, great, let’s do it.”
The celebration comes at a time when mushroom safety is top of mind. California has seen recent cases of accidental poisonings from death cap mushrooms — a toxic species that can resemble edible varieties and grows widely across the Bay Area.
That’s one reason Schwanz says education is central to the festival.
Fungi Fest evolved from two overlapping goals. Solar Punk Farms, a climate-focused community hub, is always looking for ways to get people excited about ecology. The chamber of commerce, meanwhile, wants to remind visitors that Sonoma County isn’t just a summer river destination, Schwanz says.
“Nature and winter in Sonoma County just scream mushrooms,” he explains.
Rather than positioning themselves as mushroom authorities, organizers built what Schwanz calls a “scaffolding”: a platform for the region’s mycologists, foragers and fungi enthusiasts to share their knowledge.
At the center of the weekend is a Mushroom Marketplace, expected to feature 60 to 80 vendors selling fresh mushrooms, foraging kits, books and mushroom-dyed artwork. A section dubbed “Yeast Village” will spotlight fermented foods, beer, wine and sourdough bread — everyday examples of fungi at work.
Two stages will host the Fungi Forum, with about 15 speakers covering topics from the basics of Sonoma County mushroom identification to how to forage safely and avoid poisonous lookalikes. Some talks will dive deeper into mycelium, the threadlike underground network that makes up most of a fungus.
“When people think of fungi, they think about the mushroom,” Schwanz says. “But most of fungi really is the mycelium.”
Mycelium, that hidden web, is essential to forest ecosystems, breaking down dead material and recycling nutrients. It’s also inspiring innovation, including biodegradable packaging and experimental building materials.
Beyond lectures, the festival invites people into the woods. Guided hikes through Armstrong Woods and foraging expeditions with local experts will give beginners a chance to learn how to identify species and harvest responsibly.
And then there are the pop-ups — nearly 30 of them. Local restaurants and businesses are planning mushroom-themed menus, drink specials, movie screenings, workshops and even a mushroom tattoo flash. “It’s a very Guerneville party,” Schwanz admits.
The suggested donation is $15 for the full weekend, with no one turned away for lack of funds. Organizers say the event is designed to be family-friendly, with some programming specifically for kids.
“This isn’t just for people who love mushrooms on pizza,” Schwanz says. “It’s for people who are just curious about nature.”
The Russian River Fungi Fest takes place Feb. 21–22, 2026 in downtown Guerneville. It is a free event with a suggested donation of $15 for the full weekend.
