December 2026 in San Francisco brings us countless holiday displays and seasonal activities to enjoy. End the year on a high note with the best ice skating rinks, holiday markets, Christmas tree displays, and long-awaited December events in San Francisco.
From the Fairmont’s 22-foot gingerbread house to SF Ballet’s Nutcracker, the Bay Area is a great place to be during the holidays.
December brings so many magnificent Christmas trees to San Francisco that it’s hard to keep track. We decided to round up the best ones so you can catch them all before the season ends! Whether you’re totally feeling the Christmas spirit or you could just use some holiday cheer, these tree displays are worth seeking out this December in SF.
Who’s stoked to get back on the ice? Layer up and break out your favorite winter garb because the Union Square Ice Rink is the place to be during December in San Francisco. Look out for special events, including the popular Drag Queens on Ice, a Silent Skate Party, and Flashback Friday.
The extremely popular concert series known simply as Candlelight is turning heads right now in San Francisco! You’ll enjoy works from Beethoven, Vivaldi, and more played by a talented string quartet in an intimate environment surrounded by hundreds of luminous candles. Below are some holiday experiences we’re especially excited about, but a Candlelight gift card also makes for a great present if you’re unsure what to choose.
Let’s Glow SF will be lighting up buildings all across the Financial District once more this holiday season. See downtown buildings transformed into dynamic light canvases featuring works by local and international artists. The opening night is a blast, complete with musical performances, hot chocolate, and pizza!
This December, Ballet of Lights brings a mesmerizing production of Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty to San Francisco’s Brava Theater Center. Experience the beloved ballet reimagined with elegant classical choreography and dazzling LED-lit costumes.
Downtown First Thursdays is SF’s monthly free block party that brings live music, activities, food vendors, and more to the streets. December’s celebration is the final event of the year on on Thursday, December 3, and you can expect plenty of local vendors and live entertainment.
This winter, the San Francisco Botanical Garden will debut Lightscape, an immersive one-mile light trail featuring over a million lights, artistic installations, water features, and sculptures. The internationally acclaimed show offers visitors a festive after-dark experience complete with warm beverages and family-friendly exploration.
Grace Cathedral is one of the most iconic churches in San Francisco, famous for its gorgeous stained glass windows, mosaics, floor labyrinths, and overall French Gothic design. It’s a beautiful place to attend a church service, but at Christmastime, it is especially spectacular. Watch their event calendar for upcoming tree lightings, concerts, art installations, and more.
Santa visits and concerts at Ghirardelli Square
One of the coziest escapes in the city is Ghirardelli Square, which is a must for shoppers on any day of the year but turns up the charm during the holidays. In December, they present events such as Santa visits, holiday concerts, and more.
Bay Area light displays are on another level when it comes to their creativity, charm, and photo potential. You’d better start planning if you want to see them all before the season’s over!
- Christmas in the Park in San Jose (November 27, 2026 – January 1, 2027) – Spend a day at San Jose’s glittering winter wonderland or take a ride through the drive-through.
- Garden of D’Lights in Walnut Creek (November 20, 2026 – January 10, 2027 – This gorgeous garden in Walnut Creek will be decked out with lights, lasers, and special effects.
- Holidays at Filoli in Woodside (November 14, 2026 – January 10, 2027) – One of the Bay Area’s most beautiful and lesser-known light displays, taking place at Filoli Estate & Gardens in Woodside.
- GLOW at the Exploratorium (November 19, 2026 – January 24, 2027) – SF’s Exploratorium has brought back its popular exhibition of light art.
- Glowfari at Oakland Zoo (November 6, 2026 – January 31, 2027) – A mile-long display of hand-painted animal lanterns is up at Oakland Zoo.
- Discover more light displays in the Bay Area.
San Francisco draws endless crowds during the holidays, and it’s no wonder why — from the Union Square ice rink to the Fairmont’s two-story gingerbread house, there’s enough holiday spirit in the air to cheer up even the grumpiest Scrooge. For those who seek some inspiration to start planning around Christmas time, we’ve made a list and checked it twice. Read on for your ultimate guide to the holidays in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Each year, the Ruth Bancroft Garden adorns the plants with multicolored lights, lasers, and more, transforming the already spectacular 3.5 acre space into an otherworldly outdoor adventure. Guests can stroll through the beautiful Garden of D’Lights to discover countless photo ops and exciting displays.
Thrive City’s Winter Wonderland is a hit all month long. In addition to its free synthetic ice rink, you’ll want to visit on Dec. 31 for the Kwanzaa and Noon Year’s Eve Celebration, featuring a daytime concert.
San Francisco is full of independently owned shops and boutiques where you can find the perfect items for friends and family, as well as a little retail therapy for yourself. Instead of heading straight to the mall, take a scroll through our lists of shopping neighborhoods and unique shops.
Holiday spirit is already in the air, and the crafters of San Francisco are working at full throttle to sell their wares! We’ve gone ahead and rounded up some of the best holiday markets, craft fairs, and more in the San Francisco Bay Area for December 2025. Think Bay Area Christmas markets with homemade pastries, decorations, and innovative products. Or holiday craft fairs with all the handmade jewelry, pottery, and art you could wish for. See our running list of holiday markets here, and check back often because we update it frequently.
Visiting the Fairmont’s two-story gingerbread house is one of our favorite things to do in San Francisco in December. The fascinating creation is 22 feet tall, composed of thousands of gingerbread bricks and gallons of royal icing. See it for yourself in the lobby all month long.
The Palace Theatre in San Francisco presents a live musical exploration of jazz history, blending timeless classics with inspired improvisation from skilled musicians and vocalists.
If you’re looking for an even more immersive holiday experience in the Bay, these winter wonderland escapes will make your heart grow three sizes (no roast beast required).
Merry Meritage
The beautiful Meritage Resort & Spa in Napa hosts an absolutely spectacular winter village throughout the holiday season. Merry Meritage is a gorgeous sparkling winter escape in wine country, complete with an ice rink, fire pits, and s’mores, VIP igloos, Santa story time, and much more.
🗓️ Dates: Nov. 19, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027
📍 Location: 875 Bordeaux Way, Napa, CA 94558
Après Village
The Four Seasons in Palo Alto has created a gorgeous pop-up winter wonderland called Après Village, which is the ultimate holiday escape. Whether you’re looking for awesome photo ops, a festive party, amazing food, or fireside movies, this is definitely worth putting on your list!
🗓️ Dates: TBA for 2026
📍 Location: 2050 University Ave, East Palo Alto, CA 94303
San Francisco is the place to be for holiday-themed concerts, performances, and shows. These are our favorite performances coming up this winter, ranging from jaw-dropping orchestral numbers to the SF Ballet’s rendition of Nutcracker, one of the biggest December events in San Francisco. See the full list of seasonal concerts here.
Did you know that San Francisco is the birthplace of Santacon? The massive event has now spread to 70+ cities around the world and dates back nearly 3 decades. Santa enthusiasts are invited to wear their best Santa getup and embark on a 21+ holiday bar crawl through San Francisco.
San Francisco’s Union Square is ground zero for Christmas and holiday experiences in the city. They’ve officially rolled out their Winter Wander-Land, which includes the 25-foot Bill Graham Menorah, the 83-foot Macy’s Tree, the popular Safeway Holiday Ice Rink, the Miracle at PCH pop-up bar, and the Winter Walk (back by popular demand!). If you’re planning a visit to Downtown SF this year and don’t know where to start, read on for the ultimate guide to Union Square holiday events and attractions.
Lake Tahoe is always a popular spot for Bay Area residents to ski and snowboard. It has the highest concentration of ski resorts in the U.S. in a 100-mile radius. Read our Lake Tahoe guide for more pointers, including our favorite restaurants, bars, and destinations.
Holiday train rides
Napa Valley Wine Train
The Santa Train Jolly Journeys offers splendid views of wine country accompanied by gourmet meals, holiday cookies, Santa visits, and more.
Roaring Camp
The Roaring Camp steam trains will once again jingle through Santa Cruz and Bear Mountain with hot cocoa, decorations, and Santa visits.
The holidays have arrived in San Francisco, and these seasonal pop-ups will be serving up Christmas cheer all winter long. Holiday pop-up bars in San Francisco capture the joy, nostalgia, and celebratory atmosphere of the season, plus lots of tasty cocktails. Don your most festive attire, round up your friends, and belt out Mariah Carey to your heart’s desire. See the complete list of SF Christmas bars here.
Join the festivities at Fort Mason Center’s Christmas Tree Lot, which is entirely volunteer-run by The Guardsmen. In addition to the wonderful selection of Christmas trees, you’ll also find some delightful holiday events on the calendar, including the massive Crab Feed and the festive Tree Lot Party.
The Lighted Boat Parade is a beloved annual tradition courtesy of the St. Francis Yacht Club. Since 1994, the San Franciscans have gathered along Pier 39, Crissy Field, and Marina Green to watch a festive procession of boats adorned in Christmas lights as they sail down the SF waterfront.
We love San Francisco for its vibrant culture, history, and resources, but it’s no secret that living here costs a pretty penny. Whether you’re a college student on a budget or a bargain hunter wanting to see the sights, this list will certainly help you get started. And in case you didn’t know, the SF Botanical Garden offers free admission to all on Christmas Day. See our running list of SF free admission days here.
The monarchs are back! At many places along the California coast, monarch sanctuaries are starting to see thousands of butterflies congregating at overwintering sites due to the fact that they can’t fly well at temperatures below 55 degrees. If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of this fascinating phenomenon, consider visiting these monarch butterfly hotspots. Read our guide to seeing the monarchs here.
San Francisco’s Ferry Building is one of the city’s most iconic buildings, serving as a hotspot for tourists and locals alike. It’s a center for events, pop-ups, a farmers’ market, and countless excellent merchants who sell their wares daily in the building’s many stalls. Learn more in our guide to SF’s Ferry Building.
San Francisco’s Salesforce Park is an amazing modern marvel in the financial district, and free activities are held every single month. Don’t miss out on the monthly garden tour and weekly vinyasa yoga on Fridays. See our full guide to Salesforce Park to learn more.
A homey, roaring fire is a hot commodity during winter (and basically any other season) in SF’s characteristic foggy weather. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite fireplaces in San Francisco, ranging from outdoor patios to neighborhood bars to fine dining restaurants. See the full list of fireplaces here
San Francisco is a magical, beautiful, exciting place, with one caveat – there’s never any snow. Luckily for us, California is home to dozens of different climates, and it’s not so difficult to pack up the car to drive out to the snowy mountains in the distance. See our full list of places to have a snow day here, from Dodge Ridge to Tahoe.
We love San Francisco for its countless activities to enjoy everywhere you go. But anytime there’s a long weekend or a free day, we’re quite well-located to check out some neighboring California gems. Be sure to put these day trips on your to-do list for the next time you want to get out of the city for a well-earned mini vacation.
San Francisco always brings the party on NYE! We’ve looked into the best parties, events, and celebrations to make the most of New Year’s Eve 2027. Watch the famous fireworks show at midnight on Dec. 31, or ring in the new year with a bar crawl. Read the full list here.