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Wednesday, December 24

Japanese Tea Garden’s Free Admission Hour (Golden Gate Park)
Japanese Tea Garden's Free Admission Hour (Golden Gate Park)

The Japanese Tea Garden provides visitors from around the world with an opportunity to experience the natural beauty, tranquility, and harmony of a Japanese-style garden in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Originally created as a “Japanese Village” exhibit for the 1894 California ...Every Wednesday

20th Anniv. of SF’s 12 ft. Tall “Sugar Castle” at The Westin St. Francis
Wednesday, December 24 – All Day | Cost: FREE | The Westin St. Francis
20th Anniv. of SF's 12 ft. Tall “Sugar Castle" at The Westin St. Francis

The Westin St. Francis’ iconic Sugar Castle celebrates 20 years of holiday magic in San Francisco. This nearly 12-foot-tall, 1,000-pound masterpiece features more than 20 towers, 15 illuminated rooms, and a running train, bringing a whimsical French château to life in the heart of the ...

2025 Xmas Eve “IlluminOdyssey” Interactive Light Experience
Wednesday, December 24 – 10:00 am - Ends at 5:00 pm | Cost: $27.95*
*$27.95 Adults; $23.95 Children, Students & Seniors
| CuriOdyssey
2025 Xmas Eve "IlluminOdyssey" Interactive Light Experience

lluminOdyssey is back! Catch the light November 15, 2025 through January 25, 2026. Inspired by the science of light, IlluminOdyssey is an immersive, interactive installation that will mesmerize kids and adults of all ages*. CuriOdyssey’s four-level Redwood Hall will transform into a glowing forest of ...

Union Square’s Xmas Eve “Winter Walk” 2025 (Final Day)
Wednesday, December 24 – 10:00 am - Ends at 9:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Lower Stockton Street
Union Square's Xmas Eve "Winter Walk" 2025 (Final Day)

Winter Walk Presented by JPMorganChase, San Francisco’s signature holiday event, returns to Union Square December 13-24, 2025 for a 12-day celebration that transforms two blocks of Stockton Street into a festive holiday destination. This annual event will once again feature a holiday marketplace, food trucks, ...

Free Admission Day at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA)
Wednesday, December 24 – 11:00 am - Ends at 5:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Free Admission Day at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA)

Opened to the public in 1993, YBCA was founded as the cultural anchor of San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Gardens neighborhood. Our work spans the realms of contemporary art, performance, film, civic engagement, and public life. Centering artists as essential to social and cultural movement, YBCA ...Every Wednesday

San Jose’s Xmas Eve “Skate Under the Palms” Ice Skating
Wednesday, December 24 – 11:00 am - Ends at 10:30 pm | Cost: $21*
*$21 includes skate rentals
| Downtown Ice (San Jose)
San Jose's Xmas Eve "Skate Under the Palms" Ice Skating

Located at 120 S. Market St., the downtown San Jose rink opens on Wednesday, November 26, and operates daily through January 19, 2026. Skate in true California style. A local tradition since 1994, Skate Under the Palms, formerly known as Downtown Ice in San Jose, ...

Christmas Eve at San Jose’s “Christmas in the Park”
Wednesday, December 24 – 12:00 pm - Ends at 10:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free, but donations are accepted
| Plaza de Cesar Chavez
Christmas Eve at San Jose's "Christmas in the Park"

Christmas in the Park is an annual holiday tradition that takes place in the heart of downtown San José at the Plaza de Cesar Chavez. For over 45 years, this whimsical walk-thru event has brought people from all over the Bay Area together during the ...

2025 Macy’s Holiday Windows: SF’s Cutest Puppies & Kittens | Nov. 21 – Dec. 31
Wednesday, December 24 – 12:00 pm - Ends at 5:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Macy's (Union Square)
2025 Macy's Holiday Windows: SF's Cutest Puppies & Kittens | Nov. 21 - Dec. 31

Get ready for a heartwarming holiday tradition as adoptable rescue animals return to Macy’s 39th Holiday Windows, bringing joy and cheer to the festive displays. Macy’s, in partnership with the San Francisco SPCA, aims to inspire families to consider the joy of adopting a furry friend, reminding ...

SF’s Epic “Photosynthesis” Light Show | Conservatory of Flowers
Wednesday, December 24 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 11:59 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free to watch from outside the building.
| San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers
SF's Epic "Photosynthesis" Light Show | Conservatory of Flowers

Light up the season with Photosynthesis, This beautiful light art installation was developed in partnership with the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department and was designed by Lumigeek with music by Tim Digulla. The installation uses special projectors to transform the all-white glasshouse into a ...

SF’s 2025 Macy’s Union Square Great Christmas Tree Dazzles
Wednesday, December 24 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 10:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Union Square Park
SF's 2025 Macy's Union Square Great Christmas Tree Dazzles

This iconic landmark, Macy’s Great Tree in Union Square, returns decorated in an abundance of festive ornaments and glimmering lights to light up Union Square throughout the holidays. 2025 update – The official lighting quietly took place on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. San Francisco’s most ...

SF City Hall’s Brand New Animated Light Show (Christmas Eve)
Wednesday, December 24 – 5:30 pm - Ends at 11:59 pm | Cost: FREE | San Francisco City Hall
SF City Hall's Brand New Animated Light Show (Christmas Eve)

San Francisco City Hall has debuted a brand new holiday installation: City Hall Winter Lights, a free projection mapping show that turns both the Polk Street and Van Ness Avenue sides of the building into a giant animated storybook. The month-long display runs nightly through ...

“Wiener Wednesday” Free Hot Dog Night at Rye (SF)
Wednesday, December 24 – 6:00 pm - Ends at 12:00 am | Cost: FREE*
*Every Wednesday, Free Hot Dogs with every Hornitos Cocktail purchase
| Rye Bar
"Wiener Wednesday" Free Hot Dog Night at Rye (SF)

With a name like “Rye,” this bar is obviously whiskey-centric… but on Wednesday nights the bar leans towards tequila is also awesomely hot dog centric! Come to Rye Bar every Wednesday for free hot dogs with every Hornitos cocktail purchase. Mo and Kat are you ...Every Wednesday

Black Hammer’s Free “Hopped Up” Trivia Night (Every Wednesday)
Wednesday, December 24 – 7:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Black Hammer Brewing
Black Hammer's Free "Hopped Up" Trivia Night (Every Wednesday)

No pens, no paper. Join us for three rounds of fast-paced gameshow-style pub trivia in our taproom every Wednesday at 7PM. Free admission, with bonus points for fastest answer and a live scoreboard. Hopped Up Trivia at 7pm Black Hammer Brewing, 544 Bryant ...Every Wednesday

SF’s Holiday Ice Skating Session at Union Square (Christmas Eve)
Wednesday, December 24 – All Day | Cost: $22 | Union Square Park
SF's Holiday Ice Skating Session at Union Square (Christmas Eve)

One of San Francisco’s favorite holiday traditions returns for the 2025-26 holiday season. Since 2008, The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square has delighted children and adults with its holiday-themed ice park located in Union Square. Gather your family and friends for a beloved ...

Thursday, December 25

PIER 39’s Dazzling 60′ Tree Christmas Lighting Show
Thursday, December 25 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 10:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Pier 39
PIER 39's Dazzling 60' Tree Christmas Lighting Show

The Holidays are HapPIER at PIER 39! Get into the spirit of the Season at PIER 39 while shopping, dining and strolling The PIER. An awe-inspiring Christmas tree has welcomed millions of visitors at the Entrance Plaza of PIER 39 every holiday season since 1983 ...

Flight Club: Adult Flight Night for Ages 18+ at “House of Air” Trampoline Park (SF)
Thursday, December 25 – 6:00 pm - Ends at 8:00 pm | Cost: $20*
*Pricing is Per Hour, House of Air Grip Socks are required to jump.
| House of Air
Flight Club: Adult Flight Night for Ages 18+ at "House of Air" Trampoline Park (SF)

Take full advantage of our 70+ trampolines — without the worry of running into (or launching) a 9 year old! Flight Club is House of Air’s exclusive 18+ takeover where the only thing flying through the air is you. Flight Club: Adult Flight NightThursdays: 6p ...Every Thursday

Hecklers Welcome: SF’s First Stand-Up Comedy Show That Invites Heckling
Thursday, December 25 – 7:00 pm - Ends at 10:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free with RSVP
| The Function
Hecklers Welcome: SF's First Stand-Up Comedy Show That Invites Heckling

Welcome to Hecklers Welcome!, San Francisco’s only stand-up show where you get to talk back. This is not your average comedy night—this is a full-blown verbal brawl, where comics come ready to spar and the audience gets a license to heckle. Got jokes? Bring ’em. Got beef? Air ...Every Thursday

Free Admission Day for Christmas at San Francisco Botanical Garden (2025)
Thursday, December 25 – 7:30 am - Ends at 4:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and daily from 7:30-9 am
| San Francisco Botanical Garden
Free Admission Day for Christmas at San Francisco Botanical Garden (2025)

The San Francisco Botanical Garden is one of the most diverse gardens in the world. A unique urban oasis, the garden is a living museum within Golden Gate Park, offering 55 acres of both landscaped gardens and open spaces, and showcasing over 9,000 different kinds ...Monthly

SF’s 20th Anniv. of 12 ft. Tall “Sugar Castle” at The Westin St. Francis
Thursday, December 25 – All Day | Cost: FREE | The Westin St. Francis
SF's 20th Anniv. of 12 ft. Tall “Sugar Castle" at The Westin St. Francis

The Westin St. Francis’ iconic Sugar Castle celebrates 20 years of holiday magic in San Francisco. This nearly 12-foot-tall, 1,000-pound masterpiece features more than 20 towers, 15 illuminated rooms, and a running train, bringing a whimsical French château to life in the heart of the ...

Christmas Day at San Jose’s “Christmas in the Park”
Thursday, December 25 – 12:00 pm - Ends at 10:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free, but donations are accepted
| Plaza de Cesar Chavez
Christmas Day at San Jose's "Christmas in the Park"

Christmas in the Park is an annual holiday tradition that takes place in the heart of downtown San José at the Plaza de Cesar Chavez. For over 45 years, this whimsical walk-thru event has brought people from all over the Bay Area together during the ...

San Jose’s Christmas “Skate Under the Palms” Ice Skating
Thursday, December 25 – 1:00 pm - Ends at 10:30 pm | Cost: $21*
*$21 includes skate rentals
| Downtown Ice (San Jose)
San Jose's Christmas "Skate Under the Palms" Ice Skating

Located at 120 S. Market St., the downtown San Jose rink opens on Wednesday, November 26, and operates daily through January 19, 2026. Skate in true California style. A local tradition since 1994, Skate Under the Palms, formerly known as Downtown Ice in San Jose, ...

SF’s Xmas Day “Queersada” Free Queer Holiday Gathering (The Castro)
Thursday, December 25 – 2:00 pm - Ends at 5:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free with RSVP
| Beaux
SF's Xmas Day "Queersada" Free Queer Holiday Gathering (The Castro)
A free queer posada with food, chosen family, and a place to kick it, all in the heart of the Castro. It’s all for love of community. Let’s kick it, family! Happening on December 25th from 2-5pm at Beaux in the Castro, a FREE Queer Posada — The ...
SF’s Epic “Photosynthesis” Light Show | Conservatory of Flowers
Thursday, December 25 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 11:59 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free to watch from outside the building.
| San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers
SF's Epic "Photosynthesis" Light Show | Conservatory of Flowers

Light up the season with Photosynthesis, This beautiful light art installation was developed in partnership with the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department and was designed by Lumigeek with music by Tim Digulla. The installation uses special projectors to transform the all-white glasshouse into a ...

SF’s 2025 Macy’s Union Square Great Christmas Tree Dazzles
Thursday, December 25 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 10:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Union Square Park
SF's 2025 Macy's Union Square Great Christmas Tree Dazzles

This iconic landmark, Macy’s Great Tree in Union Square, returns decorated in an abundance of festive ornaments and glimmering lights to light up Union Square throughout the holidays. 2025 update – The official lighting quietly took place on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. San Francisco’s most ...

Christmas at “Lightscape”: Immersive Holiday Light Trail in Golden Gate Park
Thursday, December 25 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 8:15 pm | Cost: $32*
*Adult tix start at $32
| San Francisco Botanical Garden
Christmas at "Lightscape": Immersive Holiday Light Trail in Golden Gate Park

San Francisco Botanical Garden will transform into a glowing after-dark wonderland this winter with Lightscape, an immersive holiday light and music trail that has wowed crowds in London, Chicago, Melbourne, and New York. From November 21, 2025 through January 4, 2026, visitors can wander a ...

SF City Hall’s Brand New Animated Light Show on Christmas
Thursday, December 25 – 5:30 pm - Ends at 11:59 pm | Cost: FREE | San Francisco City Hall
SF City Hall's Brand New Animated Light Show on Christmas

San Francisco City Hall has debuted a brand new holiday installation: City Hall Winter Lights, a free projection mapping show that turns both the Polk Street and Van Ness Avenue sides of the building into a giant animated storybook. The month-long display runs nightly through ...

SF’s Holiday Ice Skating Session at Union Square (Christmas Day)
Thursday, December 25 – 7:00 pm | Cost: $22 | Union Square Park
SF's Holiday Ice Skating Session at Union Square (Christmas Day)

One of San Francisco’s favorite holiday traditions returns for the 2025-26 holiday season. Since 2008, The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square has delighted children and adults with its holiday-themed ice park located in Union Square. Gather your family and friends for a beloved ...

Every Thursday: “Inner Circle” Dance Party at White Rabbit (SF)
Thursday, December 25 – 9:00 pm - Ends at 1:00 am | Cost: FREE*
*Inner Circle is always Free with RSVP
| White Rabbit
Every Thursday: "Inner Circle" Dance Party at White Rabbit (SF)

Free Thursday Party featuring DJs spinning House, Disco, Remixes, Currents, Classics and more every Thursday at White Rabbit. Join us at White Rabbit on Thursdays for Inner Circle, a weekly get-together dedicated to the DJ and a love for dance music. No cover. No worries! ...Every Thursday

26th Annual “Black XMass” Unholy Christmas/Solstice Variety Show (SF)
Thursday, December 25 – 9:00 pm - Ends at 1:30 am | Cost: $13.*
*Pay at door. Admission includes free snacks and giveaways
| The Knockout
26th Annual "Black XMass" Unholy Christmas/Solstice Variety Show (SF)
Karla LaVey’s First Satanic Church presents the 26th annual BLACK X MASS, an unholy Christmas/Solstice variety show. The acts will include FROM HELL, SUICIDE QUEEN, SIMON FEROCIOUS, VERTACYN ARC MATERIALIZER and THEREMIN WIZARD BARNEY.  DJ/ VJ by K-ROB. KARLA LA VEY will be the hostess/emcee. ...
16th & Mission Open Mic (w/out a mic)
Thursday, December 25 – 9:00 pm - Ends at 11:59 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Absolutely free for all!
| 16th & Mission BART (southwest streetcorner)
16th & Mission Open Mic (w/out a mic)

Time: 9pm to 12am, Celebrating 20 years in May 2023 (currently 19 years strong). Instagram: @16thmission. For 18 years, this outdoor “open mic-without-a-mic” has welcomed poets, musicians, emcees, comedy, and everything in between. In the best of San Francisco tradition, everyone is welcome, ...Every Thursday