Home » **Annual Event**, *Top Pick*, Christmas, Downtown San Francisco, In Person, Kids & Families, San Francisco, Tree + Holiday Lightings

SF’s 2025 Macy’s Union Square Great Christmas Tree Dazzles

Thursday, December 25, 2025 - 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Cost: FREE
Union Square Park | Geary and Powell, San Francisco, CA

Free / Learn More

SF’s 2025 Macy’s Union Square Great Christmas Tree (Nov. 11 – Jan. 1)

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 recognized Christmas tree typically stands more than 83 feet tall, decorated with 43,000 twinkling energy-efficient LED lights and 700 shining ornaments.

Although the tree will make another grand appearance in Union Square and will be lit throughout the holidays, there wasn’t a big, festive tree lighting ceremony in 2025. Sadly, there hasn’t been a big, official tree lighting ceremony with performances since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Check out Macy’s gift to the city of San Francisco, the Great Tree, which will shine brightly in Union Square Park, right across the street from their flagship location (which previously was set to close has thankfully recently announced that it will stay open and undergo a makeover. Read more).

36th Annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting
Visible Tuesday, November 11 – Thursday, January 1, 2026* (we’re not entirely sure when the tree will come down, but typically New Year’s Day is the final day for lights).
Union Square Park | Geary and Powell, San Francisco, CA
FREE to watch

Related Story: SF’s Iconic Union Square Macy’s Will Stay Open & Get a Major Makeover11/6/2025

 

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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: **Annual Event**, *Top Pick*, Christmas, Downtown San Francisco, In Person, Kids & Families, San Francisco, Tree + Holiday Lightings
Address: Geary and Powell, San Francisco, CA

Thursday, December 25, 2025

7:30 am   Free Admission Day for Christmas at San Francisco Botanical Garden (2025)  FREE*
*Free on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and daily from 7:30-9 am
All Day   SF’s 20th Anniv. of 12 ft. Tall “Sugar Castle” at The Westin St. Francis  FREE
12:00 pm   Christmas Day at San Jose’s “Christmas in the Park”  FREE*
*Free, but donations are accepted
1:00 pm   San Jose’s Christmas “Skate Under the Palms” Ice Skating  $21*
*$21 includes skate rentals
2:00 pm   SF’s Xmas Day “Queersada” Free Queer Holiday Gathering (The Castro)  FREE*
*Free with RSVP
5:00 pm   Christmas at “Lightscape”: Immersive Holiday Light Trail in Golden Gate Park  $32*
*Adult tix start at $32
5:00 pm   SF’s Epic “Photosynthesis” Light Show | Conservatory of Flowers  FREE*
*Free to watch from outside the building.
5:00 pm   PIER 39’s Dazzling 60′ Tree Christmas Lighting Show  FREE
5:30 pm   SF City Hall’s Brand New Animated Light Show on Christmas  FREE
6:00 pm   Flight Club: Adult Flight Night for Ages 18+ at “House of Air” Trampoline Park (SF)  $20*
*Pricing is Per Hour, House of Air Grip Socks are required to jump.
7:00 pm   Hecklers Welcome: SF’s First Stand-Up Comedy Show That Invites Heckling  FREE*
*Free with RSVP
7:00 pm   SF’s Holiday Ice Skating Session at Union Square (Christmas Day)  $22
8:00 pm   Coit Comedy: Stand Up Comedy & Free Golden Boy Pizza | SF  $5*
*Use "Funcheap" to get a 50% discount ticket with 1 drink minimum requirement. Otherwise it's $10.
9:00 pm   16th & Mission Open Mic (w/out a mic)  FREE*
*Absolutely free for all!
9:00 pm   Every Thursday: “Inner Circle” Dance Party at White Rabbit (SF)  FREE*
*Inner Circle is always Free with RSVP
9:00 pm   26th Annual “Black XMass” Unholy Christmas/Solstice Variety Show (SF)  $13.*
*Pay at door. Admission includes free snacks and giveaways
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