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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

76 events

La Selva Beach Holiday Fair

La Selva Beach Holiday Fair

La Selva Beach Clubhouse, Santa Cruz
Sat Nov 14, 2026, 10 AM-4 PM
Coney Island Christmas (Mountain Community Theater)

Coney Island Christmas (Mountain Community Theater)

Park Hall, Santa Cruz
Nov 20 - Dec 13, 2026; showtimes TBD
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)
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
Cruz Holiday Lights Train

Cruz Holiday Lights Train

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (in front of the Merry-Go-Round), Santa Cruz
Nov 27-28, Dec 5-6 and Dec 12-23; departures 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM (60-minute round trip)
Farley's Christmas Wonderland

Farley's Christmas Wonderland

Farley's Christmas Wonderland, Santa Cruz
Nightly Nov 27, 2026 - Jan 1, 2027, 5:30-8:30 PM (later just before Christmas; closed when raining)
Holiday Tree Walk at Roaring Camp

Holiday Tree Walk at Roaring Camp

Roaring Camp Railroads, Santa Cruz
Nov 27-29, Dec 5-6, 12-13 and 19-23, 2026; times TBD
Sparky's Holiday Lights

Sparky's Holiday Lights

Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, Santa Cruz
Select dates Nov 27–Dec 24, 2026; nightly hours 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)
Santa Cruz Mountains Holiday Makers Market

Santa Cruz Mountains Holiday Makers Market

Felton Community Hall, Santa Cruz
Sat, Nov 28, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
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
Ben Lomond Tree Lighting

Ben Lomond Tree Lighting

Ben Lomond County Park, Santa Cruz
Sun Nov 29, 2026, 4:30-7 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
A Celtic Christmas by A Taste of Ireland (Santa Cruz)

A Celtic Christmas by A Taste of Ireland (Santa Cruz)

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, Santa Cruz
Wed Dec 2, 2026, 7:30-10 PM (doors 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
A Christmas Carol (Santa Cruz Shakespeare)

A Christmas Carol (Santa Cruz Shakespeare)

Veterans Memorial Hall, Santa Cruz
Dec 3-24, 2026 (preview Dec 3, opens Dec 4); most shows at 2 PM and/or 7 PM; Dec 24 at 11 AM, 2 PM and 6 PM
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
Heritage Holiday Craft & Gift Fair

Heritage Holiday Craft & Gift Fair

Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, Santa Cruz
Fri-Sat Dec 4-5, 2026, noon-9 PM
Let's Glow SF

Let's Glow SF

Downtown San Francisco (six locations), San Francisco
Dec 4, 2026 – Dec 13, 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)
Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade

Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade

Downtown Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz
Sat Dec 5, 2026, 10 AM
Santa Cruz Harbor Lighted Boat Parade

Santa Cruz Harbor Lighted Boat Parade

Santa Cruz Harbor, Santa Cruz
Sat Dec 5, 2026, 5:30 PM (rain or shine)
Watsonville Holiday Factory Sale

Watsonville Holiday Factory Sale

El Pájaro CDC Kitchen Incubator and participating locations, Santa Cruz
Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 9 AM to 4 PM
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)
Hallcrest Vineyards Holiday Market

Hallcrest Vineyards Holiday Market

Hallcrest Vineyards, Santa Cruz
Sun Dec 6, 2026
Noche de Brillo

Noche de Brillo

Downtown Watsonville, Santa Cruz
Sun Dec 6, 2026; times TBD
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)
Isaiah J. Thompson: A Guaraldi Holiday

Isaiah J. Thompson: A Guaraldi Holiday

Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz
Tue Dec 8, 2026, 7 PM (doors 6 PM)
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
Chanukah Train

Chanukah Train

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz
Thu Dec 10, 2026, 5:00 PM
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
Spanish Harlem Orchestra: Salsa Navidad

Spanish Harlem Orchestra: Salsa Navidad

Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz
Thu Dec 10, 2026, 7 PM and 9 PM (doors and dinner 6 PM for the 7 PM show)
Christmas Celebrations at Mount Hermon

Christmas Celebrations at Mount Hermon

Mount Hermon Conference Center, Santa Cruz
Dec 11-13 and Dec 18-19, 2026; concerts Fri-Sat 7:30 PM, Sun 2:30 PM; buffet Fri-Sat 5-6:30 PM, Sun 11:30 AM-1 PM; craft boutique Fri-Sat 1:30-7:30 PM, Sun 11 AM-3 PM
The Naughty List Holiday Pub Crawl

The Naughty List Holiday Pub Crawl

Downtown Santa Cruz bars (check-in: Downtown Info Kiosk), Santa Cruz
Fri Dec 11, 2026, 6-9 PM; check-in at the Downtown Info Kiosk
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
How The Grouch Stole Christmas Tour

How The Grouch Stole Christmas Tour

The Catalyst, Santa Cruz
Sat Dec 12, 2026, 9 PM (doors 8 PM)
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
Tannery Winter Art Market

Tannery Winter Art Market

Tannery Arts Center, Santa Cruz
Sat Dec 12, 2026, 10 AM-5 PM
Holiday Market at Felton Covered Bridge Park

Holiday Market at Felton Covered Bridge Park

Felton Covered Bridge Park, Santa Cruz
Sun, Dec 13, 2026; hours not posted yet
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
Tomáseen Foley's A Celtic Christmas (Santa Cruz)

Tomáseen Foley's A Celtic Christmas (Santa Cruz)

UCSC Music Center Recital Hall, Santa Cruz
Thu Dec 17, 2026, 7:30 PM
Cyrus Chestnut plays A Charlie Brown Christmas

Cyrus Chestnut plays A Charlie Brown Christmas

Miner Auditorium, SFJAZZ Center, San Francisco
Fri Dec 18, 2026, 7:30 PM
Soulful Joy

Soulful Joy

Grace Cathedral, San Francisco
Fri Dec 18, 2026, 7:30 PM
Tomáseen Foley's A Celtic Christmas (San Francisco)

Tomáseen Foley's A Celtic Christmas (San Francisco)

United Irish Cultural Center, San Francisco
Fri Dec 18, 2026, 7:30 PM
Christmas with the Count Basie Orchestra

Christmas with the Count Basie Orchestra

Miner Auditorium, SFJAZZ Center, San Francisco
Sat Dec 19, 2026, 7:30 PM; Sun Dec 20, 2026, 1:00 PM
Dance-Along Nutcracker

Dance-Along Nutcracker

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco
Sat Dec 19-Sun Dec 20, 2026; times TBD
Krampus Celebration at The 418 Project

Krampus Celebration at The 418 Project

The 418 Project (Large Theater), Santa Cruz
Sat Dec 19, 2026, 6-9 PM
Nutcracker: Experience the Magic (Santa Cruz City Ballet)

Nutcracker: Experience the Magic (Santa Cruz City Ballet)

Crocker Theater, Cabrillo College, Santa Cruz
Sat-Sun, Dec 19-20, 2026, 1 PM and 4:30 PM each day
The Nutcracker (Santa Cruz Dance Theater)

The Nutcracker (Santa Cruz Dance Theater)

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, Santa Cruz
Sat-Sun, Dec 19-20, 2026, two performances each day; showtimes not posted yet
Hotel Paradox Holiday Market

Hotel Paradox Holiday Market

Hotel Paradox, Santa Cruz
Sun Dec 20, 2026, 11 AM-5 PM
A Brass and Organ Christmas

A Brass and Organ Christmas

Grace Cathedral, San Francisco
Mon Dec 21, 2026, 7:30 PM
Show all 76 events