Macy’s Great Tree in Union Square, probably San Francisco’s most recognized Christmas tree standing 83-feet tall and decorated with more than 33,000 twinkling energy-efficient LED lights and 1,100 shining ornaments will be officially lit on Friday, November 25, 2016. 27th Annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting Friday, November 25, 2016 | 6 to 7 more...

The Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square celebrates with special ceremony on Wednesday, November 2, 2016. The ice rink will open with all the festive fanfare befitting the icy paradise. Twirl in for this special San Francisco event and enjoy the fun. Ice Breaking Ceremony Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. Union Square, more...

Over half of all Americans received an unwanted gift last year. This year, for the first time ever, eBay is inviting people to their local mall to do something entirely new: sell. Instead of letting unwanted gifts linger at home – which more than a third of Americans have been doing more...

Think everything’s closed on Christmas Day? The Contemporary Jewish Museum is open and free, and it’s a great chance to check out the current exhibits and a few special events during this annual CJM Community Day — an admission-free, fun-for-all extravaganza. Contemporary Jewish Museum Free Admission Day Friday, December 25, 2015 | 11 more...

City Hall gets in the Christmas spirit each year Photo credit: Koji Kawano Grace Cathedral and Huntington Park Photo credit: Nob Hill Association Reach for the dome at Neiman Marcus Photo credit: Lisa Bettany The twinkling Transamerica Pyramid beckons you home Photo credit: Joel Thai The Goddess of Victory looks up to Christmas Union Square. Photo credit: Tony Onorati Time Travel more...

You know who you are, and you probably have accepted your fate by now – you are a gift-getting procrastinator. And you probably have enough shame at this point to not want to face the mobs of stressed out shoppers in the giant mall. An no self-respecting San Franciscan can get a more...

“Unsilent Night” is artist Phil Kline’s free outdoor participatory sound sculpture played through smartphones and boomboxes where the audience becomes the performer. “Carolers” play one of four tracks of music downloaded to their smart phone, or anything that amplifies music, together comprising “Unsilent Night.” The public ensemble will walk a carefully chosen route more...

Celebrate Hanukkah 2015 with the 41st annual lighting of the 25 foot tall mahogany Bill Graham Menorah in Union Square. Lighting ceremonies take place from December 6-13, 2015, at approximately 5 pm on most days (Friday is at 3 pm and Saturday is at 7 pm). This San Francisco tradition, the brainchild of rock more...

Celebrate in festive Filipino style at the annual Parol Lantern Festival & Parade, held in Yerba Buena Gardens and Jessie Square, where you can watch traditional, star-shaped Filipino Christmas lanterns called parols march along Yerba Buena Lane, along with live music, art, games and performances. ‎13th Annual Parol Lantern Festival and Parade Saturday, more...

The “Tom and Jerry” Christmas House on 21st street in the Castro is a free spectacle for all who need some extra Christmas crack spirit in their lives. Or maybe a minor heart attack from bright light exposure. The house remains decorated with an insane amount of Christmas lights until more...

Typically, more than 60 boats, each festooned with lights and holiday decorations, will parade along the San Francisco Bay waterfront. A holiday tradition since 1994, the parade typically includes members of the St. Francis Yacht Club, Fisherman’s Wharf Fishing Fleet, Golden Gate Yacht Club, PIER 39 Marina, and the Sea Scouts. 2015 more...

In the famous words of Adam Sandler, “Chanukah is the Festival of Lights. Instead of one day of presents, we have eight crazy nights.” Celebrate the Jewish holiday with candle lightings, latke parties for kids and grownups all over the Bay Area. At one event, Hanukkah goes high tech with a live 3D more...

Union Street kicks off its annual Fantasy of Lights holiday celebration, where young and old alike can enjoy festivities to begin the holiday season. Thousands of holiday lights set off the Victorian houses along the street, transforming Union Street into a magical backdrop for Santa and a team of elves to celebrate along more...

At Brave the Bay, you might see an elf in striped tights jump into the Bay, or Santa Claus hauling a cable car instead of presents at the Santa Triathlon, co-presented with Make-a-Wish and the SF Police Department. Teams of six pull cable cars by rope in a head-to-head battle against members of the more...

Celebrate Hanukkah 2015 with the 41st annual lighting of the 25 foot tall mahogany Bill Graham Menorah in Union Square. Lighting ceremonies take place from December 6-13, 2015, at approximately 5 pm on most days (Friday is at 3 pm and Saturday is at 7 pm). This San Francisco tradition, the brainchild of rock more...