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Christmas

Monday, December 22

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” Live with the SF Symphony
Monday, December 22 – 7:30 pm | Cost: $50*
*Ticket starts at $50 (while supplies last); Kids’ Tickets Half Off!
| Davies Symphony Hall
"A Charlie Brown Christmas" Live with the SF Symphony

Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the entire Peanuts gang are back at Davies Symphony Hall to bring this television classic to life! With live actors, an animated backdrop, and Vince Guaraldi’s timeless music performed live by the SF Symphony, this is a beloved holiday performance you ...

Union Square’s Festive “Winter Walk” 2025 (Dec. 13-24)
Monday, December 22 – 10:00 am - Ends at 9:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Lower Stockton Street
Union Square's Festive "Winter Walk" 2025 (Dec. 13-24)

San Francisco’s signature holiday event, Winter Walk, returns to Union Square from December 13–24, 2025 for a 12-day celebration that transforms two blocks of Stockton Street into a festive holiday destination. This year’s Winter Walk will feature a holiday marketplace, interactive vendors, food trucks, family-friendly stage ...

Tuesday, December 23

Union Square’s Festive “Winter Walk” 2025 (Dec. 13-24)
Tuesday, December 23 – 10:00 am - Ends at 9:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Lower Stockton Street
Union Square's Festive "Winter Walk" 2025 (Dec. 13-24)

San Francisco’s signature holiday event, Winter Walk, returns to Union Square from December 13–24, 2025 for a 12-day celebration that transforms two blocks of Stockton Street into a festive holiday destination. This year’s Winter Walk will feature a holiday marketplace, interactive vendors, food trucks, family-friendly stage ...

Wednesday, December 24

PIER 39’s Dazzling 60′ Tree Xmas Eve Lighting Show
Wednesday, December 24 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 10:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Pier 39
PIER 39's Dazzling 60' Tree Xmas Eve 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 ...

Free Peet’s Coffee Day (Christmas Eve 2025)
Wednesday, December 24 – 5:30 am - Ends at 5:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*One free complimentary brewed coffee or tea per person. Donations are encouraged. Participating Peet's only
| Peet's (Bay Area)
Free Peet's Coffee Day (Christmas Eve 2025)
For 2025, again Peet’s is treating Peetnicks to a free small drip coffee or brewed tea on Christmas Eve, December 24 at participating locations. Free Peet’s Coffee on Christmas Eve Wednesday, December 24, 2025 | All day (call your local Peet’s for hours) Participating Bay Area Peet’s Coffee ...
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 ...

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)

San Francisco’s signature holiday event, Winter Walk, returns to Union Square from December 13–24, 2025 for a 12-day celebration that transforms two blocks of Stockton Street into a festive holiday destination. This year’s Winter Walk will feature a holiday marketplace, interactive vendors, food trucks, family-friendly stage ...

SF’s Festive Larger-Than-Life Ornament Trail 2025 (Final Day)
Wednesday, December 24 – 11:00 am - Ends at 6:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Cable Car Turnaround (Market/Powell)
SF's Festive Larger-Than-Life Ornament Trail 2025 (Final Day)

SF’s Ornament Trail is back in Union Square, bringing 11 oversized holiday ornaments created by local artists to Powell Street and the surrounding area. Running daily from December 6 through December 24, the free, self-guided trail invites you to take a holiday walk through downtown ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Free Parking Meters + Christmas 2025 Parking Rules in SF (How Not to Get a Ticket)
Free Parking Meters + Christmas 2025 Parking Rules in SF (How Not to Get a Ticket)
On Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25, 2025 and New Year’s Day, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, the following parking regulations will not be enforced anywhere in the city: Parking meters (all meters, including color-capped and Pay or Permit), white zones, nightly street sweeping (street cleaning 12am-6am) will not be ...
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 ...
2025 Christmas Concert & Free Vegetarian Dinner (San Leandro)
Thursday, December 25 – 3:00 pm - Ends at 5:30 pm | Cost: FREE | Badarikashrama
2025 Christmas Concert & Free Vegetarian Dinner (San Leandro)
Christmas Concert and International Vegetarian Dinner Come join us for a festive evening at Badarikashrama, a Hindu temple serving the Bay Area for more than 40 years. Enjoy a delightful Christmas Concert, and a scrumptious International Vegetarian Dinner. Badarikashrama has been offering a Christmas celebration for more than 30 ...
The Willows’ “Beer Xmas” Beer, Shots + Egg Nog (SF)
Thursday, December 25 – 4:00 pm - Ends at 12:00 am | Cost: FREE*
*Pay for what you drink
| The Willows
The Willows' "Beer Xmas" Beer, Shots + Egg Nog (SF)
The Willows will be opening for all of the Christmas orphans, the natives that need a drink after spending the day with family. All of the people that don’t celebrate or are far away from home. I’ll be opening at around 4. I’ll stay open as ...
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’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 ...

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. ...

Tuesday, December 30

Free SF Chamber Orchestra Concert Night: The Revolutionary Artist (Herbst Theater)
Free SF Chamber Orchestra Concert Night: The Revolutionary Artist (Herbst Theater)
Always Admission Free…because world class music belongs to EVERYONE! These concerts are in Memory of SFCO Founder, Edgar Braun and Ida Braun Program Louise Farrenc – Symphony No. 3, mvt. 4 Niccolò Paganini– Violin Concerto, mvt. 1 Lisa Saito – Debut Artist Beethoven – Symphony No. 7   Ring in the New Year with the SFCO and the ...

Wednesday, December 31

PIER 39’s Dazzling 60′ Tree New Year’s Eve Lighting Show
Wednesday, December 31 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 10:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Pier 39
PIER 39's Dazzling 60' Tree New Year's Eve 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 ...

New Year’s Eve at San Jose’s “Christmas in the Park”
Wednesday, December 31 – 12:00 pm - Ends at 10:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free, but donations are accepted
| Plaza de Cesar Chavez
New Year's 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 ...

SF’s Epic “Photosynthesis” Light Show | Conservatory of Flowers
Wednesday, December 31 – 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 ...

Thursday, January 1

PIER 39’s Dazzling 60′ Tree Lighting Show (New Year’s Day)
Thursday, January 1 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 10:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Pier 39
PIER 39's Dazzling 60' Tree Lighting Show (New Year's Day)

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 ...