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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

82 events

Senior Holiday Boutique & Maker's Faire

Senior Holiday Boutique & Maker's Faire

Library | Parks and Recreation Center (Banquet and Social Hall), Peninsula
Sat Nov 7, 2026, 10am-4pm
Downtown Los Altos Holiday Stroll

Downtown Los Altos Holiday Stroll

Downtown Los Altos, Peninsula
Fri Nov 13, 2026, 5-9pm
San Mateo on Ice

San Mateo on Ice

Central Park, Peninsula
Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027
Holidays at Filoli

Holidays at Filoli

Filoli Historic House & Garden, Peninsula
Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027: Daytime 10am-3:30pm (last entry 1:30pm); Holiday Lights 4pm-10pm (last entry 8pm). Thistlewyck Village closes Jan 3.
Santa's Tree Farm & Village

Santa's Tree Farm & Village

Santa's Tree Farm & Village, Peninsula
Tree cutting Nov 14-Dec 23, 2026 (weekends 8 AM-5 PM, weekdays 9 AM-5 PM); train, gift shop and Mrs. Claus' kitchen weekends Nov 21-Dec 13, 9 AM-4 PM; Santa visits Fri Nov 27 and weekends through Dec 13, 11 AM-4 PM (Santa not here 12/5); weekend storytimes Nov 21-Dec 13: 10:30 AM Storytime with Santa (not on 12/5), 12 PM Storytime with Buddy the Elf, 1 PM Reindeer Talk with Rudolph at the North Pole, 2 PM Storytime with Buddy the Elf
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)
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair

The Great Dickens Christmas Fair

Cow Palace, Peninsula
Weekends plus the Friday after Thanksgiving, 10am to 6pm, Nov 21 to Dec 20
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
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)
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
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
Colma Annual Holiday Tree Lighting

Colma Annual Holiday Tree Lighting

Colma Town Hall Plaza, Peninsula
Tue Dec 1, 2026; 4–7 PM; festivities from 5 PM, tree lighting at 6 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
Gamble Garden Winter Festival

Gamble Garden Winter Festival

Gamble Garden, Peninsula
Grand Opening Party Thu Dec 3, 2026, 5-7 PM; Once Upon a Garden family night Fri Dec 4, 5-7 PM; Holiday Marketplace Fri-Sat Dec 4-5, 10 AM-4 PM; Holiday Tea Fri-Sat, 11 AM and 2 PM seatings (reservations required)
Hot Club of San Francisco: Cool Yule

Hot Club of San Francisco: Cool Yule

The Studio, Bing Concert Hall, Peninsula
Thu Dec 3, 2026, 7pm and 9pm
Smuin's The Christmas Ballet (Mountain View)

Smuin's The Christmas Ballet (Mountain View)

Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, Peninsula
Thu Dec 3 and Fri Dec 4, 7:30pm; Sat Dec 5, 2pm and 7:30pm; Sun Dec 6, 2pm
A Celtic Christmas

A Celtic Christmas

Fox Theatre, Peninsula
Fri Dec 4, 2026, 7:30pm (doors 6:30pm)
A Christmas Carol, the Musical

A Christmas Carol, the Musical

Coastal Repertory Theatre, Peninsula
Dec 4–20, 2026: Fridays and Saturdays 7pm, Sundays 2pm
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
Holiday Tree Lighting at Lytton Plaza

Holiday Tree Lighting at Lytton Plaza

Lytton Plaza, Peninsula
Fri, Dec 4, 2026, 5:30 to 7 PM
Let's Glow SF

Let's Glow SF

Downtown San Francisco (six locations), San Francisco
Dec 4, 2026 – Dec 13, 2026
Light Up the Season

Light Up the Season

Fremont Park, Peninsula
Dec 4, 2026
Los Altos Holiday Tree Celebration

Los Altos Holiday Tree Celebration

Veterans Community Plaza, Peninsula
Dec 4, 2026
Night of Holiday Lights

Night of Holiday Lights

Laurel Street, downtown San Carlos (main stage on Cherry Street), Peninsula
Fri Dec 4, 2026, 5–8:30pm
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)
Winterfest in Burlingame

Winterfest in Burlingame

Burlingame Avenue, Peninsula
Fri Dec 4, 2026, 5:30–7:30pm
Ballet America's Nutcracker

Ballet America's Nutcracker

Cañada College, Peninsula
Dec 5, 2026 – Dec 6, 2026
Frosty Snow Fest

Frosty Snow Fest

Serramonte Center Parking Structure , Peninsula
Dec 5, 2026
Millbrae Holiday Tree Lighting

Millbrae Holiday Tree Lighting

Millbrae City Hall Plaza, Peninsula
Sat Dec 5, 2026, 5–7pm
Santa Arrives by Helicopter

Santa Arrives by Helicopter

Hiller Aviation Museum, Peninsula
Sat Dec 5, 2026, 9:30 AM-12 PM (Santa arrives 10:30 AM and stays until noon)
Santa Comes to Town

Santa Comes to Town

South San Francisco City Hall, Peninsula
Sat Dec 5, 2026, 10am–2pm (Santa arrives 10am)
Brisbane Festival of Lights

Brisbane Festival of Lights

Community Park, Peninsula
Sun Dec 6, 2026; times TBD
Deck the Hall (SF Symphony)

Deck the Hall (SF Symphony)

Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco
Sun Dec 6, 2026, 3:30 PM holiday concert (11:30 AM performance is the signature fundraiser concert)
Holiday Swingin'! A Kat Edmonson Christmas

Holiday Swingin'! A Kat Edmonson Christmas

Peninsula
Sun Dec 6, 2026
Philharmonia Baroque Chamber Players Holiday Concert

Philharmonia Baroque Chamber Players Holiday Concert

Kohl Mansion, Peninsula
Sun Dec 6, 2026, 7pm (pre-concert talk 6pm; wine and dessert reception after)
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis (San Francisco)

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis (San Francisco)

Golden Gate Theatre, San Francisco
Mon Dec 7, 2026, 7 PM (doors 5:30 PM)
Mountain View Community Tree Lighting Celebration

Mountain View Community Tree Lighting Celebration

Civic Center Plaza, Peninsula
Dec 7, 2026
Canadian Brass: Making Spirits Bright

Canadian Brass: Making Spirits Bright

Bing Concert Hall, Peninsula
Wed Dec 9, 2026, 7:30pm
A Chanticleer Christmas

A Chanticleer Christmas

Memorial Church, Peninsula
Thu Dec 10, 2026, 7:30pm (lobby opens 6:30pm)
A Drag Queen Christmas (San Francisco)

A Drag Queen Christmas (San Francisco)

Golden Gate Theatre, San Francisco
Thu Dec 10, 2026, 7:30 PM (doors 6:30 PM)
American Bach Soloists: Handel's Messiah

American Bach Soloists: Handel's Messiah

Grace Cathedral, San Francisco
Thu Dec 10 and Fri Dec 11, 2026, 7:30 PM
Downtown Los Altos Holiday Market

Downtown Los Altos Holiday Market

State Street Market, Peninsula
Dec 10, 2026 – Dec 17, 2026
Smuin's The Christmas Ballet (San Francisco)

Smuin's The Christmas Ballet (San Francisco)

Blue Shield of California Theater, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco
Dec 10-24, 2026: Thu Dec 10 and Fri Dec 11, 7:30 PM; Sat Dec 12 and Sun Dec 13, 2 PM; Fri Dec 18, 7:30 PM; Sat Dec 19, 2 PM and 7:30 PM; Sun Dec 20, 2 PM; Tue Dec 22, 7:30 PM; Wed Dec 23 and Thu Dec 24, 2 PM
Ramon Moreno School of Ballet: The Nutcracker

Ramon Moreno School of Ballet: The Nutcracker

Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center, Peninsula
Fri Dec 11, 2026, 7 PM; Sat Dec 12, 1:30 PM and 7 PM; Sun Dec 13, 1:30 PM
The Night Before Christmas (Peninsula Youth Theatre)

The Night Before Christmas (Peninsula Youth Theatre)

Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, Second Stage, Peninsula
Fri Dec 11 – Sat Dec 12, 2026; times TBD
A Cathedral Christmas

A Cathedral Christmas

Grace Cathedral, San Francisco
Sat Dec 12, Sun Dec 13, Sat Dec 19, Sun Dec 20, 2026 at 3 PM; Wed Dec 23 at 7:30 PM
Hometown Holidays

Hometown Holidays

Courthouse Square and downtown Redwood City, Peninsula
Sat Dec 12, 2026; parade 4:30-5:30 PM; festival hours TBD
Lighted Boat Festival

Lighted Boat Festival

Pillar Point Harbor, Peninsula
Sat Dec 12, 2026, from 4pm; end time TBD
SantaCon SF Pub Crawl

SantaCon SF Pub Crawl

Check-in at Soundtrack SF, San Francisco
Sat Dec 12, 2026, 12-8 PM (check-in 12-4 PM)
Sing You a Merry Christmas

Sing You a Merry Christmas

Grace Cathedral, San Francisco
Sat Dec 12 and Sat Dec 19, 2026 at 11 AM; Tue Dec 22 and Wed Dec 23 at 3 PM
Winter Art Faire (Art Guild of Pacifica)

Winter Art Faire (Art Guild of Pacifica)

Sanchez Art Center, Peninsula
Sat Dec 12 – Sun Dec 13, 2026, 11am–5pm
A Christmas Show with Camila Fernández

A Christmas Show with Camila Fernández

Bing Concert Hall, Peninsula
Sun Dec 13, 2026, 4pm (lobby opens 3pm)
Elf the Musical – BroadwaySF

Elf the Musical – BroadwaySF

Golden Gate Theatre, San Francisco
Dec 15, 2026 – Dec 20, 2026
Holiday For Strings: Stella Cole with the Del Sol Quartet

Holiday For Strings: Stella Cole with the Del Sol Quartet

Miner Auditorium, SFJAZZ Center, San Francisco
Dec 15, 2026
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet (San Francisco)

Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet (San Francisco)

Golden Gate Theatre, San Francisco
Thu Dec 17, 2026, 7 PM
Show all 82 events