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Check Out 20+ SF Fire Stations Light Up for the Holidays (2025)

SF fire stations, including the new floating fire station #35 and their fire boats, compete in the annual holiday decorating contest for charity
By - posted 12/2/2025 No Comment
@SFFDPIO

San Francisco fire stations are lighting up once again for the holidays, bringing festive cheer with creative decorations and even snow machines! The city’s beloved Fire Station Community Holiday Decorations Competition is back for its sixth year, spreading joy and raising funds for local charities.

What to Expect in 2025

While official details from the San Francisco Fire Department are still pending, past years give us a good idea of what to anticipate. Typically, more than 20 fire stations participate, showcasing their creativity and community spirit. One of the most unique entries is Floating Fire Station #35 on the Embarcadero, which features two lighted fireboats adding extra sparkle to the bay.

According to a recent SF Chronicle article, 2023’s contest featured dazzling displays such as:

  • Station 39 (Mount Davidson): A forest of lighted trees, snow machines, and a fireman mascot with an animated face, reminiscent of Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion technology.
  • Station 12 (Haight-Ashbury): A towering 15-foot live Christmas tree adorned with lights and a Grateful Dead-themed logo projection.

How the Contest Works

The competition encourages fire stations to decorate creatively, with prizes sponsored by the SF Fire Credit Union in the past totaling $4,000. Winning stations donate their prizes to local charities of their choice.

Block Parties & Judging on December 20, 2025

Traditionally, block parties at participating stations happen on December 20, 2025, with winners announced on December 21. The decorations typically stay up through the end of December, offering plenty of time to visit.

Typically the fire departments will light up around sundown with block parties at a few of the fire stations typically around 7-10 pm. More details to come.

Stay Tuned for More Official 2025 Announcements

Here’s what we know what’s happening for 2025 thus far: 

In the 1940s, stations competed for the best decorations and the most decorated stations during the holiday season. This tradition was stopped in the 1950s but was revived during the COVID-19 pandemic to foster goodwill. Firefighters and their stations are encouraged to join in and get creative!

The decorations should be festive, symbolizing all the traditions of goodwill and giving. The station members cover the costs of the decorations and events. The winning stations will receive a prize to donate to a San Francisco-based charity of their choice.

On December 20, 2025, the judges will visit selected stations from 5 to 10 pm, starting with the station without a community event and then proceeding to those with community events. Community members are encouraged to join their local stations that entered the competition during this time. The judges will evaluate both the community event and the evening visual experience. Each judging team will submit its top choices to the Grand Judge Honorable Mayor Daniel Lurie at the end of the tour. Mayor Lurie will determine the top three winners, ranking from 1st to 3rd place. The winners and their chosen charities will be announced on the morning of 12-21-2025. The SFFD thanks CODE 3 Transportation for donating buses to transport the judges and media to different stations.

The public and media are encouraged to drive, walk, or bike to the stations during December and attend community events on December 20, 2025. Those stations entered will be noted on our social media site ‘X” @SFFDPIO. Please consider sharing your experience on social media with the tag #SFFDHOLIDAY.

The following will judge the Station’s efforts:

  • San Francisco Fire Credit Union (Sponsor)
  • Los Bomberos Employee Group (Sponsor)
  • Mission High School FIRE & EMS Students
  • SF Chronicle staff
  • Chief Dean Crispen
  • Retired Fire Chief Joanne Hayes White
  • Grand Judge: Mayor Daniel Lurie

 

The best way to get updates is typically to follow @SFFDPIO on X. If you’re looking for some festive fun, keep an eye out for announcements and plan your holiday station tour!

Here’s a list of all San Francisco fire stations. Please note, we don’t have a list of participating stations for 2025 yet. 

Here are a few photos from last year’s Holiday Decoration Competition. We are excited about 2021s submissions! https://t.co/MT7C0wDJSg pic.twitter.com/ykgc6VP3AX