December brings so many magnificent Christmas trees to San Francisco, it’s hard to keep track. We decided to round up the best displays and Christmas tree lightings so you can keep an eye out for them all season long. Whether you’re totally feeling the Christmas spirit or you could just use some holiday cheer, these San Francisco Christmas tree lightings are worth seeking out. Scroll to the bottom for a map to point you in the right direction.
1. 555 California
This 80-foot tree is one of San Francisco’s tallest ones, standing proud alongside the skyscraper at 555 California. You can see it while enjoying a holiday cocktail at The Vault Garden, which is one of SF’s favorite Christmas pop-up bars every year.
🗓️ Dates: Opens Dec. 3, 2024 with a tree lighting ceremony at 5pm.
📍 Location: 555 California St, San Francisco, CA 94104
2. Civic Center
This 50-foot tree is the temporary centerpiece in Civic Center Plaza, where you’ll find City Hall decked out in red and green lights to complete the picture for much of December. The tree lighting ceremony will feature festive performances from Boxcar Theatre, “snow” flurries, and Santa himself. Wander beneath billowing snow flurries while browsing the Maker’s Market and enjoying seasonal drinks from a full bar. Another Planet Entertainment will lead this year’s children’s toy drive.
🗓️ Dates: Opens Dec. 4, 2024 with a tree lighting ceremony from 4-7pm
📍 Location: Civic Center Plaza, 1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Place
3. Ritz-Carlton
One of San Francisco’s most majestic hotels is the Ritz-Carlton, which always displays a glittering holiday tree right in front of the entrance. It will kick off with a tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 4th featuring live carolers, trumpeters, and photo ops with Santa. Each year during the holidays it hosts the popular Teddy Bear Tea series, a tradition in which children are invited to enjoy a delicious spread of hot chocolate, scones, and sweets while watching a lively sing-along holiday show. Additional events include a Christmas Day feast and a Thanksgiving dinner.
🗓️ Dates: Opens Dec. 4, 2024 with a tree lighting ceremony from 5:30-7:30pm
📍 Location: Ritz-Carlton, 600 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94108
4. Uncle John’s Tree at Golden Gate Park
This 100-foot-tall Monterey Cypress at McLaren Lodge is known affectionately as “Uncle John’s Tree” in honor of Golden Gate Park’s famous superintendent, John McLaren. It dates back all the way to 1880! See the tree adorned with hundreds of colorful lights, as it has been every Christmas since 1929 as the city’s official Christmas tree. It’s great for photo ops with the toy train alongside it.
The 95th lighting ceremony will take place on Dec. 5th from 4-8pm. SF Rec & Parks will pull out all the stops on JFK Promenade with carnival rides, arts and crafts, cookie decorating, live entertainment, and more.
🗓️ Dates: Opens Dec. 5, 2024 with a tree lighting from 4-8pm
📍 Location: In front of McLaren Lodge, 501 Stanyan St, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94117
5. Presidio
The Presidio has decorated their 55-foot-tall Norfolk Island pine tree for the holidays every year since 1991, but their holiday tree tradition dates back even further to 1957. The display goes up every year on the first Friday of December.
🗓️ Dates: Opens on Dec. 6, 2024, but there is no tree lighting ceremony this year.
📍 Location: Lincoln and Funston Blvds, San Francisco, CA 94129
6. World Tree of Hope at Grace Cathedral
Grace Cathedral is home to the largest origami Christmas tree in the world. They partner with Rainbow World Fund to decorate it with over 17,000 handmade origami cranes and stars, each of which is inscribed with wishes and hopes for the future. You can send your wish to be inscribed on a crane for free and added to the tree. Visit to see the installation process through November or attend the lighting celebration, in which SF’s famous drag nuns The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will bless the tree.
🗓️ Dates: Opens Dec. 9 with a tree lighting celebration from 6:30-8pm.
📍 Location: Grace Cathedral, 1100 California St, San Francisco, CA 94108
7. Macy’s Tree at Union Square
Of course, Union Square’s Macy’s Christmas tree is one of the most recognizable ones in the entire Bay Area. The red and gold decorations and glowing red star are iconic, and it’s impossible to miss at 83 feet tall. While you’re there, be sure to check out the ice rink, which is hosting plenty of fun skating events throughout the holiday season, as well as the Winter Walk.
🗓️ Dates: The tree will be on display from Nov. 14, 2024 – Jan. 1, 2025.
📍 Location: Union Square, 333 Post Street, San Francisco, CA
8. Fairmont Hotel
The Fairmont Hotel is known for its amazing 2-story gingerbread house adorning the lobby. But don’t forget to enjoy their absolutely beautiful 23-foot Christmas tree, decorated with colorful baubles and thousands of glittering lights! There’s also a holiday train, smaller “trees” made from stacks of champagne bottles, and more.
🗓️ Dates: The tree and gingerbread house will be on display from Nov. 23, 2024 – Jan. 1, 2025.
📍 Location: Fairmont Hotel, 950 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94108
9. Pier 39
Pier 39 has one of the Bay Area’s most impressive live tree displays, with last year’s tree measuring over 60 feet tall. It’s adorned with elaborate specialty lights that glimmer with shifting colors every night. Enjoy these tree-lighting moments nightly from 5-10pm as part of Pier 39’s HapPIER Holidays events.
🗓️ Dates: The tree will be on display from Nov. 26, 2024 – Jan. 5, 2025.
📍 Location: Pier 39, Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94133
10. Thrive City tree at Chase Center
This blue and gold tree dedicated to the Golden State Warriors is the tallest in the Bay Area, towering 90 feet over Thrive City at Chase Center. It opens with a festive lighting ceremony with live music and seasonal food and drink. Every night thereafter guests can enjoy the tree accompanied by nightly “snowfall,” music, and great ocean views. They’ve also added a new free ice skating rink on select dates.
🗓️ Dates: Opens Nov. 30, 2024
📍 Location: Thrive City, Chase Center, 1 Warriors Way, San Francisco, CA 94158
11. Palace Hotel
The Palace Hotel has one of the most beautiful lobbies in the city, made even more impressive by its ornate Christmas tree displays placed throughout the common areas. See them among the hotel‘s gorgeous golden chandeliers, captivating skylight, and marble columns for a truly luxurious photo op. Guests often enjoy a holiday tea or brunch in this luxe ambiance.
🗓️ Dates: Opens Dec. 1, 2024
📍 Location: Palace Hotel, 2 New Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94105
12. Nob Hill tree lighting at Huntington Park
The Nob Hill Association will kick off the season with a festive tree lighting celebration at San Francisco’s Huntington Park, which is right across the street from Grace Cathedral. The event will include an opening prayer from the cathedral’s dean and other speakers, cookies and hot drinks, and live music. See the park lit up in dazzling lights all season long.
🗓️ Dates: Opens Dec. 2, 2024
📍 Location: Huntington Park, California St & Taylor St, San Francisco, CA 94108
13. Neiman Marcus
The Neiman Marcus department store at Union Square is quite well-known for its beautiful windows and luminous rotunda. They capitalize on the impressive entrance hall with this huge “tree,” which is really a cone-shaped light display, suspended from the ceiling. Check it out for some unconventional holiday cheer.
🗓️ Dates: Now on display
📍 Location: Neiman Marcus, 150 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94108
14. City Hall
This beautiful golden tree lights up the top of an impressive grand staircase inside of San Francisco City Hall. If you’ve never been inside this extraordinary building, this makes for a great excuse to see it. Doors are open to the public Monday-Friday from 8am-8pm.
🗓️ Dates: TBA for 2024
📍 Location: City Hall, 1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl, San Francisco, CA 94102
