Wednesday, December 31
New Year’s Eve at Oakland Zoo’s “Glowfari” 2025 Lights Festival
Glowfari returns in November 2025! This wildly popular, family-friendly experience features hundreds of ALL new, larger-than-life animal lanterns throughout the Zoo. Each lantern tells the story of the ongoing journey of wildlife, the importance of every species on our planet, and Oakland Zoo’s commitment to ...
Thursday, January 1
SF’s DFT New Year’s Day: “Downtown First Thursdays” (2026)
DFT: NEW YEAR’S DAY EDITION. The DFT Street Party on 2nd St.
DFT is back for a full year of street parties in 2026! Kick off a brand new season and a brand new year of DFT on New Year’s Day. DJs – Live Performances – ...
Free Admission Day at SF Botanical Garden for New Year’s Day 2026
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
13th Annual “First Day” Hike at Jack London Stat Park (North Bay)
Jack London State Historic Park will kick off the new year with their 13th Annual First Day Hike and a “Gentler Version” of the First Day Hike, both on January 1, 2026.
The traditional trek can be either a personal challenge to make it to the ...
SF’s 12 ft. Tall “Sugar Castle” at the Westin St. Francis (Nov. 26-Jan. 2)
Thursday, January 1 – All Day |
Cost: FREE | 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 ...
2026 NYD Ocean Beach Plunge + Naked Bike Ride (SF)
Thursday, January 1 – 10:30 am - Ends at 3:00 pm |
Cost: FREE | Ocean Beach Great Highway & Taraval
It’s the 11th Annual New Years Day Polar Plunge and World Naked Bike Ride-San Francisco, Plunge & Beach Party.
Since 2011, the Riptide Bar on Taraval sponsored Polar Plunge that has drawn 400 or more people every year. It stands to reason several hundred will show ...
San Jose’s New Year’s Day “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, ...
2026 New Year’s Day “Hatsumode” Japanese Shrine Visit (SF)
Thursday, January 1 – 11:00 am - Ends at 4:00 pm |
Cost: FREE | Konko Church of San Francisco
Come on by the Konko Church of San Francisco to experience your traditional Japanese New Year’s Day Shrine Visit, Hatsumode!
Come start the year off right and ring the traditional shrine bell for prosperity.
Write your wishes and prayers on a Shide (Sacred zigzag paper) and hang it on ...
New Year’s (& Final) 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 ...
Free New Year’s Day 2026 Huge Sand Art-Making at Ocean Beach (SF)
Welcome the New Year by creating a monumental, collaborative artwork at the beach. All ages and abilities welcome.
Free Huge Sand Art Creation on Ocean Beach w/ Artist Andres Amador (SF)
Andres Amador is an earthscape artist from San Francisco who is well known for creating massive ...
Free SF Chamber Orchestra Concert on New Year’s Day (Palo Alto)
Always Admission Free…because world class music belongs to EVERYONE!
These concerts are in Memory of SFCO Founder, Edgar Braun and Ida Braun
Program
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New Year’s Day at Oakland Zoo’s “Glowfari” 2025 Lights Festival
Glowfari returns in November 2025! This wildly popular, family-friendly experience features hundreds of ALL new, larger-than-life animal lanterns throughout the Zoo. Each lantern tells the story of the ongoing journey of wildlife, the importance of every species on our planet, and Oakland Zoo’s commitment to ...
New Year’s Day at “Lightscape”: Immersive Holiday Light Trail
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 2025 Macy’s Union Square Great Christmas Tree (Final Night)
Thursday, January 1 – 6:00 pm - Ends at 10:00 pm |
Cost: FREE | Union Square Park
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 ...
Sunday, January 25
“Glowfari” 2025 Lights Festival at Oakland Zoo (Final Day)
Glowfari returns in November 2025! This wildly popular, family-friendly experience features hundreds of ALL new, larger-than-life animal lanterns throughout the Zoo. Each lantern tells the story of the ongoing journey of wildlife, the importance of every species on our planet, and Oakland Zoo’s commitment to ...
