GoBayArea — Discover. Enjoy. Repeat.
Sign Up

Bay Area Holiday Events

Tree lightings, holiday markets, light shows, Santa visits and more, all around the Bay. Pick a region to see what's close to you.

Region:All regionsSan FranciscoPeninsulaSouth BayEast Bay/Tri-ValleyNorth BaySanta CruzSouth County

120 events

Downtown Los Altos Holiday Stroll

Downtown Los Altos Holiday Stroll

Downtown Los Altos, Peninsula
Fri Nov 13, 2026, 5-9pm
San Mateo on Ice

San Mateo on Ice

Central Park, Peninsula
Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027
Holidays at Filoli

Holidays at Filoli

Filoli Historic House & Garden, Peninsula
Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027: Daytime 10am-3:30pm (last entry 1:30pm); Holiday Lights 4pm-10pm (last entry 8pm). Thistlewyck Village closes Jan 3.
La Selva Beach Holiday Fair

La Selva Beach Holiday Fair

La Selva Beach Clubhouse, Santa Cruz
Sat Nov 14, 2026, 10 AM-4 PM
Santa's Tree Farm & Village

Santa's Tree Farm & Village

Santa's Tree Farm & Village, Peninsula
Tree cutting Nov 14-Dec 23, 2026 (weekends 8 AM-5 PM, weekdays 9 AM-5 PM); train, gift shop and Mrs. Claus' kitchen weekends Nov 21-Dec 13, 9 AM-4 PM; Santa visits Fri Nov 27 and weekends through Dec 13, 11 AM-4 PM (Santa not here 12/5); weekend storytimes Nov 21-Dec 13: 10:30 AM Storytime with Santa (not on 12/5), 12 PM Storytime with Buddy the Elf, 1 PM Reindeer Talk with Rudolph at the North Pole, 2 PM Storytime with Buddy the Elf
Coney Island Christmas (Mountain Community Theater)

Coney Island Christmas (Mountain Community Theater)

Park Hall, Santa Cruz
Nov 20 - Dec 13, 2026; showtimes TBD
Lightscape

Lightscape

San Francisco Botanical Garden, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Nightly Nov 20, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027; timed entry every 15 min, 5pm-8:15pm (to 8:30pm on peak dates)
Fairmont San Francisco Gingerbread House

Fairmont San Francisco Gingerbread House

Fairmont San Francisco (Lobby), San Francisco
On display Nov 21 to Dec 31, 2026 in the Fairmont lobby; lighting ceremony Sat, Nov 21, 2026, 11 AM
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair

The Great Dickens Christmas Fair

Cow Palace, Peninsula
Weekends plus the Friday after Thanksgiving, 10am to 6pm, Nov 21 to Dec 20
UCSC Arboretum Holiday Gift & Wreath Sale

UCSC Arboretum Holiday Gift & Wreath Sale

UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden, Horticulture 2 Meeting Hall, Santa Cruz
Sat, Nov 21, 2026, 10 AM to 4 PM (members hour 9 to 10 AM); rain or shine
PIER 39 Tree Lighting & Holiday Season

PIER 39 Tree Lighting & Holiday Season

PIER 39 Entrance Plaza, San Francisco
Holiday season Nov 23, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027; tree lighting Thu Dec 3, 2026 (time TBD) with The Death & Taxes Swing Band
The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert (SF Symphony)

The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert (SF Symphony)

Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco
Tue Nov 24, 2026, 7:30pm
Cruz Holiday Lights Train

Cruz Holiday Lights Train

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (in front of the Merry-Go-Round), Santa Cruz
Nov 27-28, Dec 5-6 and Dec 12-23; departures 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM (60-minute round trip)
Farley's Christmas Wonderland

Farley's Christmas Wonderland

Farley's Christmas Wonderland, Santa Cruz
Nightly Nov 27, 2026 - Jan 1, 2027, 5:30-8:30 PM (later just before Christmas; closed when raining)
Holiday Tree Walk at Roaring Camp

Holiday Tree Walk at Roaring Camp

Roaring Camp Railroads, Santa Cruz
Nov 27-29, Dec 5-6, 12-13 and 19-23, 2026; times TBD
Sparky's Holiday Lights

Sparky's Holiday Lights

Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, Santa Cruz
Select dates Nov 27–Dec 24, 2026; nightly hours TBD
Alice in Wonderland (Presidio Theatre holiday panto)

Alice in Wonderland (Presidio Theatre holiday panto)

Presidio Theatre, San Francisco
Nov 28-Dec 27, 2026; 1 PM and 6 PM performances (days vary)
Felton Santa & Tree Lighting

Felton Santa & Tree Lighting

Felton Deck, Santa Cruz
Sat, Nov 28, 2026, 5 to 7:30 PM (caroling and cocoa 5 PM; Santa arrives and tree lighting 5:30 PM; photos with Santa 5:45 PM)
Santa Cruz Mountains Holiday Makers Market

Santa Cruz Mountains Holiday Makers Market

Felton Community Hall, Santa Cruz
Sat, Nov 28, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
The Velveteen Rabbit (ODC/Dance)

The Velveteen Rabbit (ODC/Dance)

Blue Shield of California Theater, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco
Nov 28-Dec 6, 2026: weekdays and Saturdays 11 AM; Sundays 2 PM
Yerba Buena Gardens Holiday Tree Lighting

Yerba Buena Gardens Holiday Tree Lighting

Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco
Sat Nov 28, 2026, 4-6 PM
Ben Lomond Tree Lighting

Ben Lomond Tree Lighting

Ben Lomond County Park, Santa Cruz
Sun Nov 29, 2026, 4:30-7 PM
Swing Into The Holidays with Caity Gyorgy & Christian Wiggs

Swing Into The Holidays with Caity Gyorgy & Christian Wiggs

Miner Auditorium, SFJAZZ Center, San Francisco
Sun Nov 29, 2026, 3pm
Colma Annual Holiday Tree Lighting

Colma Annual Holiday Tree Lighting

Colma Town Hall Plaza, Peninsula
Tue Dec 1, 2026; 4–7 PM; festivities from 5 PM, tree lighting at 6 PM
A Celtic Christmas by A Taste of Ireland (Santa Cruz)

A Celtic Christmas by A Taste of Ireland (Santa Cruz)

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, Santa Cruz
Wed Dec 2, 2026, 7:30-10 PM (doors 6 PM)
Pink Martini Holiday Concert with the SF Symphony

Pink Martini Holiday Concert with the SF Symphony

Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco
Wed Dec 2, 2026, 7:30 PM
The Carpenters Songbook: At Christmas

The Carpenters Songbook: At Christmas

Orpheum Theatre, San Francisco
Wed Dec 2, 2026
A Christmas Carol (Santa Cruz Shakespeare)

A Christmas Carol (Santa Cruz Shakespeare)

Veterans Memorial Hall, Santa Cruz
Dec 3-24, 2026 (preview Dec 3, opens Dec 4); most shows at 2 PM and/or 7 PM; Dec 24 at 11 AM, 2 PM and 6 PM
Gamble Garden Winter Festival

Gamble Garden Winter Festival

Gamble Garden, Peninsula
Grand Opening Party Thu Dec 3, 2026, 5-7 PM; Once Upon a Garden family night Fri Dec 4, 5-7 PM; Holiday Marketplace Fri-Sat Dec 4-5, 10 AM-4 PM; Holiday Tea Fri-Sat, 11 AM and 2 PM seatings (reservations required)
Hot Club of San Francisco: Cool Yule

Hot Club of San Francisco: Cool Yule

The Studio, Bing Concert Hall, Peninsula
Thu Dec 3, 2026, 7pm and 9pm
Smuin's The Christmas Ballet (Mountain View)

Smuin's The Christmas Ballet (Mountain View)

Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, Peninsula
Thu Dec 3 and Fri Dec 4, 7:30pm; Sat Dec 5, 2pm and 7:30pm; Sun Dec 6, 2pm
A Celtic Christmas

A Celtic Christmas

Fox Theatre, Peninsula
Fri Dec 4, 2026, 7:30pm (doors 6:30pm)
A Christmas Carol, the Musical

A Christmas Carol, the Musical

Coastal Repertory Theatre, Peninsula
Dec 4–20, 2026: Fridays and Saturdays 7pm, Sundays 2pm
Bill Graham Menorah Lighting in Union Square

Bill Graham Menorah Lighting in Union Square

Union Square, San Francisco
Nightly lightings in Union Square, Fri Dec 4 to Fri Dec 11, 2026; Bill Graham Menorah Day Sun Dec 6. Times TBD.
Handel's Messiah (SF Symphony)

Handel's Messiah (SF Symphony)

Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco
Fri Dec 4 and Sat Dec 5, 2026, 7:30 PM
Heritage Holiday Craft & Gift Fair

Heritage Holiday Craft & Gift Fair

Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, Santa Cruz
Fri-Sat Dec 4-5, 2026, noon-9 PM
Holiday Tree Lighting at Lytton Plaza

Holiday Tree Lighting at Lytton Plaza

Lytton Plaza, Peninsula
Fri, Dec 4, 2026, 5:30 to 7 PM
Let's Glow SF

Let's Glow SF

Downtown San Francisco (six locations), San Francisco
Dec 4, 2026 – Dec 13, 2026
Light Up the Season

Light Up the Season

Fremont Park, Peninsula
Dec 4, 2026
Los Altos Holiday Tree Celebration

Los Altos Holiday Tree Celebration

Veterans Community Plaza, Peninsula
Dec 4, 2026
Night of Holiday Lights

Night of Holiday Lights

Laurel Street, downtown San Carlos (main stage on Cherry Street), Peninsula
Fri Dec 4, 2026, 5–8:30pm
Nights of Lights

Nights of Lights

Mac Dutra Plaza and Main Street, Peninsula
Fri, Dec 4, 2026, 4 to 8 PM (holiday market 4 PM on Kelly Ave; tree lighting 5 PM; lighted parade on Main St 6:15 PM; Santa about 7:30 PM)
San Francisco Ballet: The Nutcracker

San Francisco Ballet: The Nutcracker

War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco
Dec 4, 2026 – Dec 27, 2026
San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus Holiday Spectacular (Golden Gate Theatre)

San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus Holiday Spectacular (Golden Gate Theatre)

Golden Gate Theatre, San Francisco
Fri Dec 4, 2026, 7:30 PM; Sat Dec 5, 2 PM and 7 PM
The Golden Girls Live: The Christmas Episodes

The Golden Girls Live: The Christmas Episodes

Curran Theater, San Francisco
Dec 4-20, 2026; 1:30 PM and 7:30 PM performances (days vary)
Winterfest in Burlingame

Winterfest in Burlingame

Burlingame Avenue, Peninsula
Fri Dec 4, 2026, 5:30–7:30pm
Ballet America's Nutcracker

Ballet America's Nutcracker

Cañada College, Peninsula
Dec 5, 2026 – Dec 6, 2026
Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade

Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade

Downtown Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz
Sat Dec 5, 2026, 10 AM
Frost Fest at the MAH

Frost Fest at the MAH

Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, Santa Cruz
Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 12 to 6 PM
Frosty Snow Fest

Frosty Snow Fest

Serramonte Center Parking Structure , Peninsula
Dec 5, 2026
Millbrae Holiday Tree Lighting

Millbrae Holiday Tree Lighting

Millbrae City Hall Plaza, Peninsula
Sat Dec 5, 2026, 5–7pm
Santa Arrives by Helicopter

Santa Arrives by Helicopter

Hiller Aviation Museum, Peninsula
Sat Dec 5, 2026, 9:30 AM-12 PM (Santa arrives 10:30 AM and stays until noon)
Santa Comes to Town

Santa Comes to Town

South San Francisco City Hall, Peninsula
Sat Dec 5, 2026, 10am–2pm (Santa arrives 10am)
Santa Cruz Harbor Lighted Boat Parade

Santa Cruz Harbor Lighted Boat Parade

Santa Cruz Harbor, Santa Cruz
Sat Dec 5, 2026, 5:30 PM (rain or shine)
Watsonville Holiday Factory Sale

Watsonville Holiday Factory Sale

El Pájaro CDC Kitchen Incubator and participating locations, Santa Cruz
Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 9 AM to 4 PM
Brisbane Festival of Lights

Brisbane Festival of Lights

Community Park, Peninsula
Sun Dec 6, 2026; times TBD
Deck the Hall (SF Symphony)

Deck the Hall (SF Symphony)

Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco
Sun Dec 6, 2026, 3:30 PM holiday concert (11:30 AM performance is the signature fundraiser concert)
Hallcrest Vineyards Holiday Market

Hallcrest Vineyards Holiday Market

Hallcrest Vineyards, Santa Cruz
Sun Dec 6, 2026
Holiday Swingin'! A Kat Edmonson Christmas

Holiday Swingin'! A Kat Edmonson Christmas

Peninsula
Sun Dec 6, 2026
Noche de Brillo

Noche de Brillo

Downtown Watsonville, Santa Cruz
Sun Dec 6, 2026; times TBD
Show all 120 events