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Bay Area Holiday Events

Tree lightings, holiday markets, light shows, Santa visits and more, all around the Bay. Pick a region to see what's close to you.

Region:All regionsSan FranciscoPeninsulaSouth BayEast Bay/Tri-ValleyNorth BaySanta CruzSouth County

147 events

Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink

Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink

City Center Bishop Ranch, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Opening ceremony Fri Nov 6, 6-7pm; rink open daily through Jan 3, 2027
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet

Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet

Chabot College Performing Arts Center, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Nov 10, 2026
A Sherlock Carol

A Sherlock Carol

Masquers Playhouse, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Nov 13–Dec 6
Diablo Ballet: The Nutcracker Suite

Diablo Ballet: The Nutcracker Suite

Lesher Center for the Arts, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Fri Nov 13, 7:30 PM; Sat Nov 14, 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM
Pinole Holiday Craft Fair

Pinole Holiday Craft Fair

Pinole Senior Center, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Nov 14, 2026
Light Up Orinda Tree Lighting

Light Up Orinda Tree Lighting

Orinda Library Plaza, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Thu Nov 19, 2026, 5 PM
City Center Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

City Center Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

City Center Bishop Ranch, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Nov 20, 2026
Lightscape

Lightscape

San Francisco Botanical Garden, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Nightly Nov 20, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027; timed entry every 15 min, 5pm-8:15pm (to 8:30pm on peak dates)
Niles Canyon Railway Train of Lights

Niles Canyon Railway Train of Lights

Niles Station, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Nov 20-23, 28-29; Dec 2, 4-6, 9, 11-13, 16, 18-21, 23, 27-30. Departures 4:30 pm from Niles Station, 7:30 pm from Sunol Depot (some days may differ)
Pink Friday FEST Holiday Kickoff

Pink Friday FEST Holiday Kickoff

Main Street Plaza and downtown Martinez, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Nov 20, 2026
Walnut Creek Civic Park Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

Walnut Creek Civic Park Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

Civic Park, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Nov 20, 2026
Walnut Creek on Ice

Walnut Creek on Ice

Civic Park, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Nov 20, 2026–Jan 18, 2027; 90-minute sessions; daily hours TBD
Craft Fest 2026

Craft Fest 2026

Lesher Center for the Arts, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Nov 21, 2026
Light Up the Night (Pleasant Hill)

Light Up the Night (Pleasant Hill)

Downtown Pleasant Hill, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Sat, Nov 21, 2026, 4:30 to 7:30 PM; tree lighting 5:30 PM near Jack's; fire dancers 7:10 PM
North Pole Nights

North Pole Nights

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, South County
Select evenings Nov 21 - Dec 31, 2026; operating days and hours TBD
A Song for You: The Music of Karen Carpenter At Christmas

A Song for You: The Music of Karen Carpenter At Christmas

Firehouse Arts Center, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Sun Nov 22, 2–4 pm
PIER 39 Tree Lighting & Holiday Season

PIER 39 Tree Lighting & Holiday Season

PIER 39 Entrance Plaza, San Francisco
Holiday season Nov 23, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027; tree lighting Thu Dec 3, 2026 (time TBD) with The Death & Taxes Swing Band
The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert (SF Symphony)

The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert (SF Symphony)

Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco
Tue Nov 24, 2026, 7:30pm
Irish Christmas in America

Irish Christmas in America

Yoshi's, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Wed Nov 25; doors 7 pm, show 7:30 pm
La Virgen del Tepeyac

La Virgen del Tepeyac

ETC Playhouse, San Juan Bautista, South County
Nov 27 - Dec 20, 2026 at the ETC Playhouse; showtimes TBD
Lights On Celebration

Lights On Celebration

San Benito Street, downtown Hollister, South County
Lights On Boutique Fri-Sat Nov 27-28, 2026 (hours TBD); parade Sat Nov 28, 2026, 5:30 PM on San Benito Street
Niles Festival of Lights Parade and Tree Lighting

Niles Festival of Lights Parade and Tree Lighting

Niles Boulevard and Niles Town Plaza, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Nov 27, 2026
White Christmas

White Christmas

Morgan Hill Community Playhouse, South County
Nov 27-Dec 20, 2026; showtimes TBD
Alice in Wonderland (Presidio Theatre holiday panto)

Alice in Wonderland (Presidio Theatre holiday panto)

Presidio Theatre, San Francisco
Nov 28-Dec 27, 2026; 1 PM and 6 PM performances (days vary)
Brentwood Holiday Parade

Brentwood Holiday Parade

Downtown Brentwood, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Sat Nov 28, 2026, 5-7 PM
Ho Ho Holiday Carnival

Ho Ho Holiday Carnival

Sycamore Grove Park (Arroyo Road parking lot), East Bay/Tri-Valley
Nov 28, 2026
Jeff Bordes: A New Orleans Christmas

Jeff Bordes: A New Orleans Christmas

Bankhead Theater, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Sat Nov 28, 8 pm, Bankhead Theater
Jingle Market on 3rd Street

Jingle Market on 3rd Street

E. 3rd Street, South County
Sat Nov 28, 2026, 9 AM-2 PM
Merry Market Holiday Bazaar

Merry Market Holiday Bazaar

Morgan Hill Community & Cultural Center, South County
Sat Nov 28, 2026, 12-4 PM (rain or shine)
Nutcracker Piñata

Nutcracker Piñata

The Douglas Morrisson Theatre, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Sat Nov 28 at 7 pm; Sun Nov 29 at 2 pm, Douglas Morrisson Theatre
The Velveteen Rabbit (ODC/Dance)

The Velveteen Rabbit (ODC/Dance)

Blue Shield of California Theater, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco
Nov 28-Dec 6, 2026: weekdays and Saturdays 11 AM; Sundays 2 PM
Yerba Buena Gardens Holiday Tree Lighting

Yerba Buena Gardens Holiday Tree Lighting

Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco
Sat Nov 28, 2026, 4-6 PM
Pacific Chamber Orchestra: Handel's Messiah

Pacific Chamber Orchestra: Handel's Messiah

Bankhead Theater, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Nov 29, 2026
Swing Into The Holidays with Caity Gyorgy & Christian Wiggs

Swing Into The Holidays with Caity Gyorgy & Christian Wiggs

Miner Auditorium, SFJAZZ Center, San Francisco
Sun Nov 29, 2026, 3pm
Choir! Choir! Choir! Un-Silent Night: Holiday Sing-Along

Choir! Choir! Choir! Un-Silent Night: Holiday Sing-Along

The Freight, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Tue Dec 1 and Wed Dec 2, 8:00 PM (doors 7:00 PM)
Holiday Circle of Lights (Mountain View Cemetery)

Holiday Circle of Lights (Mountain View Cemetery)

Mountain View Cemetery, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Daily, Dec 1, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027, 5–9 pm
Lights Up Piedmont

Lights Up Piedmont

Piedmont Community Hall, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Wed, Dec 2, 2026, 7 PM
Pink Martini Holiday Concert with the SF Symphony

Pink Martini Holiday Concert with the SF Symphony

Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco
Wed Dec 2, 2026, 7:30 PM
The Carpenters Songbook: At Christmas

The Carpenters Songbook: At Christmas

Orpheum Theatre, San Francisco
Wed Dec 2, 2026
Broadway Plaza Holiday Parade of Lights & Tree Lighting

Broadway Plaza Holiday Parade of Lights & Tree Lighting

Broadway Plaza, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Dec 3, 2026
Oakley Holiday Tree Lighting

Oakley Holiday Tree Lighting

Civic Center Plaza, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Dec 3, 2026
San Pablo Holiday Tree Lighting & Winter Wonderland

San Pablo Holiday Tree Lighting & Winter Wonderland

San Pablo Community Center, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Thu Dec 3, 2026, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Black Diamond Ballet: The Nutcracker

Black Diamond Ballet: The Nutcracker

El Campanil Theatre, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Fri Dec 4, 7 PM; Sat Dec 5, 11 AM (sensory-friendly); Sun Dec 6, 2 PM; Sat Dec 12, 7 PM; Sun Dec 13, 2 PM
Concord Tree Lighting & Mayor's Sing-Along

Concord Tree Lighting & Mayor's Sing-Along

Todos Santos Plaza, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Fri, Dec 4, 2026, 5:30 to 8 PM
Douglas Morrisson Chorus: Celebrate the Season

Douglas Morrisson Chorus: Celebrate the Season

Douglas Morrisson Theatre, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Fri Dec 4, 8 PM; Sat Dec 5, 2 PM; Sun Dec 6, 2 PM
Emeryville Tree Lighting and Holiday Parade

Emeryville Tree Lighting and Holiday Parade

Emeryville City Hall (1333 Park Ave) to Bay Street, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Dec 4, 2026
Handel's Messiah (SF Symphony)

Handel's Messiah (SF Symphony)

Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco
Fri Dec 4 and Sat Dec 5, 2026, 7:30 PM
It's A Wonderful Life in Lafayette Holiday Celebration

It's A Wonderful Life in Lafayette Holiday Celebration

Lafayette Plaza, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Dec 4, 2026
It's a Wonderful Night (San Leandro)

It's a Wonderful Night (San Leandro)

Downtown San Leandro (E. 14th St & W. Juana Ave), East Bay/Tri-Valley
Fri, Dec 4, 2026, 5 to 9 PM
Let's Glow SF

Let's Glow SF

Downtown San Francisco (six locations), San Francisco
Dec 4, 2026 – Dec 13, 2026
Magical Holiday Evening

Magical Holiday Evening

Downtown Pleasanton, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Dec 4, 2026
San Francisco Ballet: The Nutcracker

San Francisco Ballet: The Nutcracker

War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco
Dec 4, 2026 – Dec 27, 2026
San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus Holiday Spectacular (Golden Gate Theatre)

San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus Holiday Spectacular (Golden Gate Theatre)

Golden Gate Theatre, San Francisco
Fri Dec 4, 2026, 7:30 PM; Sat Dec 5, 2 PM and 7 PM
The Golden Girls Live: The Christmas Episodes

The Golden Girls Live: The Christmas Episodes

Curran Theater, San Francisco
Dec 4-20, 2026; 1:30 PM and 7:30 PM performances (days vary)
Cherish the Ladies Celtic Christmas

Cherish the Ladies Celtic Christmas

Freight & Salvage, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Dec 5, 2026
Downtown Alameda Winter Market

Downtown Alameda Winter Market

Downtown Alameda (Park Street), East Bay/Tri-Valley
Dec 5, 2026
Downtown Gilroy Holiday Festival & Parade

Downtown Gilroy Holiday Festival & Parade

Downtown Gilroy, South County
Sat Dec 5, 2026, from 3 PM; parade and tree lighting times TBD
GIFTY: The Crucible's Holiday Craft Fair

GIFTY: The Crucible's Holiday Craft Fair

The Crucible, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Sat Dec 5, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM; Sun Dec 6, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Holiday Delites Celebration & Parade (Antioch)

Holiday Delites Celebration & Parade (Antioch)

Rivertown, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 1 to 7:30 PM
Holiday Sights & Sounds Parade and Tree Lighting

Holiday Sights & Sounds Parade and Tree Lighting

First Street, Downtown Livermore, East Bay/Tri-Valley
Dec 5, 2026
Show all 147 events