2026 is here, and we can’t wait to start planning for events in the new year. Luckily, January in the Bay Area is packed with great things to do (despite the chilly weather).
Whether you’re looking for the best places to enjoy a relaxing sauna or you want to explore exciting museum exhibitions, we’ve got plenty of things to do this January 2026 in San Francisco.
1. Local holiday light displays that are open in January
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 they’re gone!
Garden of D’Lights
This gorgeous garden in Walnut Creek will be decked out with lights, lasers, and special effects.
📅 Dates: Open through Jan. 11, 2026
📍 Location: 1552 Bancroft Rd, Walnut Creek, CA 94598
Holidays at Filoli
One of the Bay Area’s most beautiful and lesser-known light displays takes place at Filoli Estate & Gardens in Woodside.
📅 Dates: Open through Jan. 11, 2026
📍 Location: 86 Cañada Rd, Woodside, CA 94062
GLOW
SF’s Exploratorium has brought back its popular light art exhibition, which you can see displayed throughout the galleries.
📅 Dates: Open through Jan. 25, 2026
📍 Location: Pier 15 Embarcadero at, Green St, San Francisco, CA 94111
Glowfari
A mile-long display of hand-painted animal lanterns is up at Oakland Zoo, with new displays for the 2024-25 season.
📅 Dates: Open through Jan. 25, 2026
📍 Location: 9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland, CA 94605
2. Downtown First Thursdays
Downtown First Thursdays is back for 2026, and the January block party falls on New Year’s Day. The free block party will include a performance by local music collective Jazz Mafia, along with other festivities including a fashion show, discoteca, and more. Check it out on New Year’s Day, from 5 to 10 pm.
📅 Date: January 1, 2026
3. SF SketchFest
SF Sketchfest brings an exciting schedule packed with comedy performances. You can see sketch comedy, talks, standup, and much more at the major festival. This year, we’re excited to have some major celebrities on the schedule, including Elizabeth Banks and Randall Park.
📅 Dates: Jan. 15 – Feb. 1, 2026
4. AURA
AURA at Grace Cathedral is a 45-minute immersive show that blends music, visual projections, and the cathedral’s breathtaking architecture. Celebrated around the world, the experience turns the historic space into a dynamic art installation, illuminating its arches and intricate details through light and sound.
📅 Dates: Open now through the end of January
5. Polar Plunge
If you want to start the new year fresh, there’s no better way than a polar plunge. Every New Year’s Day, a group of brave San Franciscans start the year by taking a cold plunge at Ocean Beach. Then, the beachgoers typically head to a festive after-party at a local bar to warm up.
6. Late Night at the de Young
The de Young Museum is hosting an after-hours party as part of its Late Night Editions series to celebrate the final days of the popular Art of Manga exhibition. The after-hours party will include DJs, food from Off the Grid food trucks, and photo-ops. Partygoers will have access to the exhibition, which includes hundreds of original manga drawings.
📅 Date: January 22, 2026
7. Local winter wonderlands
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 for just a bit longer. Enjoy an ice rink, fire pits and s’mores, and VIP igloos.
📅 Dates: Open through Jan. 4, 2026
📍 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: Open through Jan. 4, 2026
📍 Location: 2050 University Ave, East Palo Alto, CA 94303
8. Candlelight Concerts
The extremely popular concert series known simply as Candlelight is turning heads right now in San Francisco! You’ll enjoy works from Adele, Hans Zimmer, and more played by a talented string quartet in an intimate environment surrounded by hundreds of luminous candles. Hit the link below for the schedule, or nab a gift card valid for any show if you’re not sure.
📅 Dates: See the full upcoming schedule of Candlelight concerts in SF.
9. January museum exhibitions
As we enter a new month in San Francisco, many local museums are refreshing and replacing their temporary exhibitions. Consider getting tickets to KAWS: FAMILY at SFMOMA, Rave into the Future at the Asian Art Museum, or Art of Manga at the de Young.
See the full list of temporary SF exhibitions here.10. FOG Design and Art Fair
This vibrant art fair is returning to Fort Mason Center for another year of exciting creative displays that explore the world of contemporary design and art. The fair typically features installations, activations, talks, and more.
📅 Dates: Jan. 21-25, 2026
11. Ice skating
Is it really wintertime without a day of ice skating at a charming local rink? See how much skill you’ve retained since last year by zooming (or hobbling) around one of the Bay Area’s most popular ice rinks before they close. Read our full roundup for locations and closing dates.
12. The Jury Experience
This live theatrical drama immerses guests in a tense 75-minute courtroom simulation at the Brava Theater Center. As the case unfolds, audience members examine the evidence and arguments firsthand before rendering the final verdict that ultimately shapes the show’s conclusion.
13. Elephant seal breeding season
January is the beginning of elephant seal breeding season on the coast of California, an exciting natural phenomenon that’s iconic to our state. Northern elephant seals inhabit the waters from Baja California, Mexico to the Gulf of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. They generally breed from December to March at Point Reyes, Año Nuevo, the Channel Islands, and Piedras Blancas. Read more in our article about elephant seal season in California.
14. Magnolia bloom at SF Botanical Garden
Every year, the San Francisco Botanical Garden explodes into a beautiful spectrum of deep magentas and bright pinks. The “Magnificent Magnolias” event occurs in late January through March, so be sure to find a day soon to see these spectacular blossoms at their best.
15. Gray whale migration
California’s coastline is the perfect spot to catch several whale migration seasons, and we can expect gray whales to appear between January and April. Even from land, you’re likely to see them spouting, slapping their tails (known as “lobtailing”) or even breaching. Read our guide for the best places to see them around the Bay Area.
16. NightLife at the California Academy of Sciences
NightLife at the California Academy of Sciences is one of our favorite ongoing events, and we’re thrilled to see more of these awesome themed soirees on the calendar! The popular Thursday night festivities feature live DJs, outdoor bars, ambiance lighting, and more alongside the Academy’s nearly 40,000 animal residents.
17. After Dark at the Exploratorium
The Exploratorium at Pier 15 in San Francisco is an exciting place for discovery any time of the day, but these 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.
18. January events at Fort Mason Center
The popular art center hosts numerous exhibitions and events throughout the year, and there are some special ones coming up in January. Check our roundup for the latest.
19. San Francisco SKECHERS Hot Chocolate Run
This January, San Francisco will have a uniquely sweet run dedicated to hot chocolate. The Hot Chocolate Run includes a 5K, 10K, and 15K option for runners starting in Golden Gate Park. Participants can then join in on a post-run party with chocolate party favors.
📅 Date: Jan. 11, 2026
20. Napa Lighted Art Festival
Napa will be illuminated with beautiful lighted artworks this January. This winter festival includes massive sculptures and projections that will light up iconic downtown buildings during the first 9 nights of the festival.
📅 Date: Jan. 17 – Feb. 15, 2026
By Jamie Ferrell and Dana Flynn