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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

109 events

San Jose Holiday Lights

San Jose Holiday Lights

Discovery Meadow Park, South Bay
Nightly Nov 13, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027, 4:30-10:30 PM (last entry 10 PM)
La Selva Beach Holiday Fair

La Selva Beach Holiday Fair

La Selva Beach Clubhouse, Santa Cruz
Sat Nov 14, 2026, 10 AM-4 PM
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet (San Jose)

Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet (San Jose)

Center for the Performing Arts, South Bay
Sat Nov 14, 2026, 3 PM
The 1940s Radio Hour (City Lights Theater Company)

The 1940s Radio Hour (City Lights Theater Company)

City Lights Theater, South Bay
Nov 19-Dec 20, 2026: Thu 7:30 PM, Fri-Sat 8 PM, Sun 2 PM; plus Sat Dec 5 at 2 PM and Wed Dec 16 at 7:30 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)
Los Gatos Ballet: The Nutcracker

Los Gatos Ballet: The Nutcracker

McAfee Performing Arts Center, South Bay
Sat Nov 21 and Sun Nov 22, 2026, 1 PM and 6 PM
Triton Holiday Art Fair

Triton Holiday Art Fair

Triton Museum of Art, South Bay
Nov 21, 2026
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
Cityline Winter Ice Rink

Cityline Winter Ice Rink

Cityline Sunnyvale (Downtown Sunnyvale), South Bay
Open daily, Nov 24, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027; hours not posted yet
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
Christmas in the Park

Christmas in the Park

Plaza de Cesar Chavez, South Bay
Nov 27, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027
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
San José Made Holiday Fair

San José Made Holiday Fair

Santa Clara Convention Center, South Bay
Nov 27, 2026 – Nov 28, 2026
Sparky's Holiday Lights

Sparky's Holiday Lights

Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, Santa Cruz
Select dates Nov 27–Dec 24, 2026; nightly hours TBD
The Carpenters Songbook: At Christmas (San Jose)

The Carpenters Songbook: At Christmas (San Jose)

Center for the Performing Arts, South Bay
Fri Nov 27, 2026, 7 PM
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)
Hip Hop Nutcracker (San Jose)

Hip Hop Nutcracker (San Jose)

Center for the Performing Arts, South Bay
Wed Dec 2 and Thu Dec 3, 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
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
Cupertino Tree Lighting

Cupertino Tree Lighting

Quinlan Community Center, South Bay
Fri Dec 4, 2026, 6-8 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
Los Gatos in Lights Winter Celebration

Los Gatos in Lights Winter Celebration

Town Plaza Park, South Bay
Fri Dec 4, 2026, 5–7 PM
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas (San Jose)

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas (San Jose)

San Jose Civic, South Bay
Fri Dec 4, 2026, 8 PM
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)
Breakfast with Santa (Cupertino)

Breakfast with Santa (Cupertino)

Quinlan Community Center, South Bay
Sat Dec 5, 2026; seatings at 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30 AM
Carol of Lights Celebration

Carol of Lights Celebration

Downtown Campbell, South Bay
Dec 5, 2026
Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade

Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade

Downtown Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz
Sat Dec 5, 2026, 10 AM
Fantasy of Lights at Vasona Lake

Fantasy of Lights at Vasona Lake

Vasona Lake County Park, South Bay
Sat-Sun Dec 5-6 and Sat-Sun Dec 12-13, 2026
Holiday Bubbly Walk

Holiday Bubbly Walk

Downtown Willow Glen (Lincoln Ave), South Bay
Sat Dec 5, 2026, 2 PM to 5 PM
Los Gatos Children's Christmas/Holidays Parade

Los Gatos Children's Christmas/Holidays Parade

Downtown Los Gatos, South Bay
Dec 5, 2026
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)
Demetri Martin: Standup Comedy for Christmas

Demetri Martin: Standup Comedy for Christmas

San Jose Improv, South Bay
Tue Dec 8, 2026, 8 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
In the Christmas Mood with the Glenn Miller Orchestra

In the Christmas Mood with the Glenn Miller Orchestra

San Jose Civic, South Bay
Fri Dec 11, 2026, 7 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
Show all 109 events