December in San Francisco brings us countless holiday displays and seasonal activities to enjoy. End 2024 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.
1. Attend a classical holiday concert by candlelight
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.
2. Look out for these Christmas tree lightings and displays
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.
3. Take a spin on the Union Square Ice Rink
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 on Dec. 5th, a Silent Skate Party on Dec. 12th, and Flashback Friday on Dec. 20th.
🗓️ Dates: Nov. 6, 2024 – Jan. 20, 2025
📍 Location: Union Square – 333 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94102
4. Catch a massive holiday projection arts festival at Let’s Glow SF
Let’s Glow SF will be lighting up buildings all across downtown once more this holiday season. Running from Dec. 6-15, 2024 in San Francisco’s Financial District, Let’s Glow transforms buildings into dynamic light canvases featuring works by local and international artists. The opening-night is an especially fun night, complete with musical performances, hot chocolate, and pizza! Click here for all the details.
🗓️ Dates: Dec. 6 – Dec. 15, 2024
📍 Location: Countdown to Glow takes place at the foot of Market Street facing the Ferry Building. See the locations of other Let’s Glow events here.
5. Attend a free Rebecca Black DJ set
Downtown First Thursdays is closing the year with an epic celebration on December 5th. The monthly free event that brings music, art, and more to Downtown SF is bringing Rebecca Black to DJ the streets of SF for free. The show is scheduled for Thursday, December 5, from 7 to 9 pm.
🗓️ Dates: Dec 5, 2024 from 7-9pm
📍 Location: Downtown San Francisco at Howard and 2nd St.
6. Experience Daft Punk’s anime film in theaters
Daft Punk’s cult classic anime film Interstella 5555 is coming to select theaters in SF for one night only. The film is rarely in theaters, so you don’t want to miss the chance to see it on the big screen. The movie will play on December 12th, 2024.
🗓️ Dates: Dec. 12, 2024
📍 Location: Various SF movie theaters
7. Look out for Christmas events at Grace Cathedral
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.
📍 Location: Downtown SF – 1100 California St, San Francisco, CA 94108
8. Enjoy 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.
🗓️ Dates:
- Dec. 6, 2024 (3-7pm) – Peppermint Bark Day
- Dec. 8, 2024 (2-4pm) – Audiopharmacy Holiday Set
- Dec. 12, 2024 (4-8pm) – Santa Visits the Square feat. Cathedral School for Boys Band and Diaspora Co.
- Dec. 15, 2024 (3-6pm) – Menorah lighting with JCCSF
- Dec. 19, 2024 (5-8pm) – Santa Visits the Square feat. Diaspora Co.\
- Dec. 21, 2024 (5-6pm) – Surprise event
📍 Location: Fisherman’s Wharf – 900 North Point St E204A, San Francisco, CA 94109
9. Experience the most dazzling holiday light displays in the Bay Area
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 – opens Nov. 21, 2024 – 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 – opens Nov. 22, 2024 – This gorgeous garden in Walnut Creek will be decked out with lights, lasers, and special effects.
- Holidays at Filoli in Woodside – Nov. 16, 2024 – Jan. 12, 2025 – One of the Bay Area’s most beautiful and lesser-known light displays, taking place at Filoli Estate & Gardens in Woodside.
- GLOW: Discover the Art of Light at the Exploratorium – Nov. 21, 2024 – Jan. 26, 2025 – SF’s Exploratorium has brought back its popular exhibition of light art.
- Glowfari at Oakland Zoo – Nov. 8, 2024 – Jan. 26, 2025 – A mile-long display of hand-painted animal lanterns is up at Oakland Zoo.
- Discover more light displays in the Bay Area.
10. Plan your month with our ultimate Bay Area holiday guide
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.
11. See the 80-foot tree at Thrive City’s Winter Wonderland
Thrive City’s 2024 Winter Wonderland is going to be a hit all month long. In addition to its brand-new synthetic ice rink, you’ll want to visit on Dec. 31 for the Kwanzaa and Noon Year’s Eve Celebration, featuring a daytime concert.
🗓️ Dates: Nov. 30 – Dec. 31, 2024
📍 Location: Mission Bay – 1725 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94158
12. Pick up the perfect holiday gift for your loved ones
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.
13. Visit an adorable Bay Area holiday market
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 2024. 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.
14. See the Fairmont Hotel’s 2-story gingerbread house
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.
🗓️ Dates: Opening Nov. 23, 2024
📍 Location: Downtown SF – 950 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94108
15. Escape to a nearby winter wonderland
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 is hosting 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. 18, 2024 – Jan. 5, 2025
📍 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: Nov. 22, 2024 – Jan. 7, 2025
📍 Location: 2050 University Ave, East Palo Alto, CA 94303
Explore more cozy winter escapes in the Bay Area here.
16. Get tickets to these festive holiday concerts and performances
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.
17. Hit the slopes at the best Lake Tahoe ski resorts
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.
18. Hop aboard these holiday train rides
Napa Valley Wine Train
The all-new 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.
19. Throw back some Krampus shots at SF’s most festive pop-up holiday bars
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 full list of SF Christmas bars here.
20. Get tickets for the Guardsmen Tree Lot’s Crab Feed or holiday party
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.
🎟️ Secret SF Promo: Add the promo code SECRETSF-24 at checkout to get 10% off admission to the holiday party on Dec. 14, 2024!
🗓️ Dates: The tree lot is open from November 30 to December 21, 2024. The Crab Feed is on Dec. 6th, and the Tree Lot Party is on Dec. 14th.
📍 Location: Fort Mason Center, Nov. 30 – Dec. 21, 2024
21. Explore the ICA’s new location
The Institute of Contemporary Art in SF recently moved to a beautiful new location downtown. The art museum is always free and open to the public, featuring fantastic exhibitions. The free art museum is perfect for a stormy December day, and you don’t have to spend any money to go.
📍 Location: 345 Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA
22. Attend SF’s annual Lighted Boat Parade
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.
🗓️ Dates: Dec. 13, 2024 at 6pm
📍 Location: St. Francis Yacht Club, 99 Yacht Rd, San Francisco, CA 94123
23. Plan a museum outing on one of these free admission days
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.
24. Check out the coolest temporary museum exhibitions in SF
As we enter a new month in San Francisco, many local museums are refreshing and replacing their temporary exhibitions. Now’s a great time to take stock and plan ahead to see some of these wonderful displays before they’re gone.
- Get in the Game at SFMOMA
- Art and War in the Renaissance at the de Young
- Hallyu! The Korean Wave at the Asian Art Museum
- See the full list of SF museum exhibitions here.
25. Attend the Exploratorium’s adults-only After Dark experience
The Exploratorium’s 18+ After Dark events are a must for some epic kid-free fun at their exhibits. After Dark happens each Thursday from 6-10 pm with a different theme every week, featuring guest speakers, films, great music, and more.
26. Look for monarch butterflies fluttering along the California coast
The monarchs are back! At many places along the California coast, monarch sanctuaries are starting to see thousands of butterflies congregating together 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.
27. Join a crowd of raucous merrymakers at Santacon
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.
🗓️ Dates: Dec. 14, 2024 (starts at noon)
📍 Location: Union Square, San Francisco, CA
28. Look out for seasonal events at the Ferry Building
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.
29. Pay a visit to Salesforce Park over the holidays
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.
30. Warm up around these cozy fireplaces
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
31. Enjoy a delightful snow day
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.
32. Start looking ahead and save the dates for these 2025 events
A new year has started, and we can’t wait to see what it has in store for San Francisco. Here, we’ve rounded up some of the best exhibitions, events, festivals, parades, and concerts coming up in 2025. For events with no date yet announced, we’ve put the month they usually occur in so you can be on the lookout. Grab your calendar and jot down your favorites!
33. Sip your way through the best hot chocolate in the city
You don’t have to be a kid to know that hot chocolate is one of the most underrated drinks on any cafe’s menu. As we head into the colder seasons, it’s a great time to compile some spots to visit next time you’re craving this delicious drink! See our guide to the best SF hot chocolate here.
34. Warm up with a bowl of ramen
A steaming bowl of ramen is perhaps the most comforting and filling food we can think of! San Francisco, with its plethora of delicious and authentic Asian food, is one of the best places to enjoy this amazing dish. See our full guide to the best ramen in San Francisco, from Marufuku to Hinodeya.
35. Go thrifting at a vintage shop
Vintage clothing is always in. Whether you’re trying to channel the bright ’80s vibe of Stranger Things, nail that ’60s Summer of Love look, or want to step into a hip speakeasy in your best ’20s flapper dress, San Francisco has a vintage clothing store for that. Some of our favorites are Indigo Vintage, Held Over, and ReLove — . You can see the rest of the list here.
36. Enjoy some delicious seasonal goods from a local bakery
Who’s hungry? San Franciscans with a sweet tooth have it easy in this glorious city because SF bakeries absolutely do not mess around. We wanted to get to the bottom of where San Franciscans get their baked goods, so we posted an Instagram poll asking for recommendations and got some great ones. Check out our final list of bakeries here, with favorites like B. Patisserie, Butter & Crumble, and Arizmendi.
37. Enjoy seasonal treats from SF’s best Jewish restaurants and bakeries
Famously delicious and nourishing, “Jewish food” can refer to a variety of dishes found across the Jewish diaspora. Some but not all of the restaurants on this list are kosher, and you’ll find culinary traditions that range from Tel Aviv to New York City and beyond. It’s a good place to start for anyone looking to explore and enjoy Jewish food traditions or pick up some Hannukah treats. See our full list of Jewish restaurants and delis here, from Loquat to Wise Sons.
38. Make the most of your visit to Union Square
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.
39. Take an unforgettable day trip from SF
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.
- Pinnacles National Park
- Wilder Ranch
- Carmel-By-The-Sea
- Capitola
- See our full guide to local day trips here.
40. Ring in 2025 with these epic events
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 2025. Watch the famous fireworks show at midnight on Dec. 31, or ring in the new year with a bar crawl, Gryffin’s performance at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, and more. Read the full list here.