Home » *Top Pick*, In Person, Kwanzaa, Tree + Holiday Lightings

SF City Hall Lights Up for First Night of Kwanzaa (2024)

Thursday, December 26, 2024 - 5:30 pm to 7:00 am | Cost: FREE
San Francisco City Hall | 1 Dr. Carlton Goodlett Pl., San Francisco, CA
San Francisco

Event Details

SF City Hall Lights Up for Christmas 2024

© nstanev Getty Images via Canva.com

Every evening at sunset, over 220 state-of-the-art LED lighting fixtures illuminate City Hall’s exterior. Normally, a soft white glow shows off the play of light and shadow on the full façade and dome. Frequently, special plaza façade lighting schemes honor or celebrate events, seasons, and holidays.

City Hall will be lit up in green and red most nights in the lead up to Christmas and afterward.

City Hall Holiday Lighting Schedule
Subject to change

  • Sunday, December 1, 2024 – red – in recognition of World AIDS Day
  • Tuesday, December 3, 2024 – purple – in recognition of International Day of People with Disabilities
  • Wednesday, December 4, 2024 – red/green – in recognition of the Civic Center Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
  • Saturday, December 7 through Monday, December 9, 2024 – red/green – in recognition of the Holiday Season
  • Tuesday, December 10 through Thursday, December 12, 2025 – red/gold – The SF 49ers will play the LA Rams at Levis Stadium on Thursday, December 12, 2024.
  • NBC Thursday Night Football will be shooting B-roll of San Francisco Tuesday, December 10 through Thursday, December 12, 2024; the B-roll will be used during the Thursday Night Football Broadcast.
  • Friday, December 13, 2024 – white/red – in recognition of the National Day of Malta
  • Saturday December 14 – blue/orange – in recognition of Balboa High School playing for the State Championship.
  • Sunday, December 15 through Tuesday, December 24, 2024 – red/green – in recognition of the Holiday Season
  • Wednesday, December 25, 2024 – blue – in recognition of the First Night of Hanukkah
  • Thursday, December 26, 2024 – red/green/black – in recognition of the First Night of Kwanzaa
  • Friday, December 27 through Tuesday, December 31, 2024 – red/green – in recognition of the Holiday Season
  • Wednesday, January 1, 2025 – gold – Happy New Year! 😊

The schedule is always tentative for the holiday lights and subject to change when there are special events and the building is lit in honor of those. 

Upcoming SF City Hall Lights Up for Christmas 2024 Events

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.


Cost: FREE
Categories: *Top Pick*, In Person, Kwanzaa, Tree + Holiday Lightings
Address: 1 Dr. Carlton Goodlett Pl., San Francisco, CA

Other Events on This Day

Thursday, December 26, 2024

10:00 am   SF’s “Winter Wonderland”: Free Ice Skating, Santa & DJ Skate Party 2024  FREE*
*Free with RSVP - Ice skating sessions are between 20-30 minutes. Space is limited to first come first served. Eventbrite registrations will receive priority admission until capacity is reached. A limited amount of walk-ups may be available. Complimentary rentals (child size one through adult size 12) will be available for a $5 suggested donation to the Warriors Community Foundation
10:00 am   SF’s Winter Wonderland Free Ice Skating at Thrive City (Dec. 26-27)  FREE*
*Free with RSVP if you bring your own skates - Don’t worry if you don’t have skates! Complimentary rentals (child size one through adult size 12) will be available for a $5 suggested donation to the Warriors Community Foundation in support of education and youth development to promote thriving students, schools and communities.
2:00 pm   $5 Off Tix: Hit Broadway Musical “Waitress” by Sara Bareilles at SF Playhouse (Nov. 21-Jan. 18)  $41*
*Tickets normally start at $46, but you can get $5 off with code FUNCHEAP. Not valid for past purchases. Subject to availability.
4:00 pm   2024 Ocean Avenue Hanukkah (SF)  FREE
4:15 pm   6 Days Free Holiday Movies “An American Tail” (Orinda)  FREE
5:00 pm   Union Square’s 2024 Chanukah Festival: 25-Foot-Tall Menorah: 2nd Night  FREE
6:15 pm   6 Days Free Holiday Movies “Joyeux Noel” (Orinda)  FREE
7:00 pm   “HellaSecret” Free Thursday Night Comedy Show @ Secret Bar (Oakland)  FREE*
*Limited free tickets with code FUNCHEAP (donations appreciated). Otherwise use code FUNCHEAP5 for $5 off early bird and general admission tickets
7:00 pm   “Black Laughs Matter” (Live at SF’s Only Black-Owned Comedy Club)  FREE*
*RSVP Required
7:30 pm   30% Off Tix to ‘Deep Inside Tonight!’ feat. The Kinsey Sicks at NCTC (Dec. 4 – Jan. 5)  $40.50*
*Get 30% off tickets w/ secret code FUN30 at nctcsf.org - Promo code is valid on all tickets except already-discounted tickets for students/educators/seniors/veterans.
7:30 pm   Secret Guest List: Cobb’s Free Comedy Nights (Dec. 26)  FREE*
*Free with RSVP. Must arrive 30 minutes early for guaranteed entry. All shows are 18 & over with valid photo ID. Like most comedy clubs, there is a two drink minimum.
9:00 pm   16th & Mission Open Mic (w/out a mic)  FREE*
*Absolutely free for all!
< Wednesday, December 25 Friday, December 27 >