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Christmas in San Francisco 2025: Our Favorite Bay Area Holiday Events, Lights & Local Tips
- Elijah
- 4 days ago
- 14 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Christmas in San Francisco is one of our absolute favorite times of the year, and after spending last December hopping between light shows, Christmas markets, Victorian-themed fairs, and waterfront celebrations, we couldn’t wait to update this guide for 2025. The city comes alive in a way that’s hard to capture unless you’ve been here, street choirs echoing through Union Square, the scent of roasted chestnuts at the Dickens Fair, projection-mapped buildings glowing across downtown, and families gathering along the piers to watch the Bay light up for the holidays.
Unlike most “best things to do” lists, this guide is built entirely from the events we personally visited, plus updated 2025 dates, locations, parking tips, and honest verdicts. From Let’s Glow SF and Pier 39’s waterfront lights to Christmas in the Park and small-town favorites like the Petaluma Boat Parade, each recommendation here comes from our own experience traveling around the Bay Area during the holidays. If you’re planning a winter trip to San Francisco, or you’re a local looking for the best December outings, this guide covers our favorite Christmas events, markets, and light displays across the Bay Area for 2025.
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair (Daly City)
Dates & Times
The Dickens Christmas Fair returns to the Cow Palace for five weekends, from November 22 through December 21, 2025, including the Friday after Thanksgiving. Doors open 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM each day.
Location
The Cow Palace Exhibition Halls2600 Geneva Avenue, Daly City, CA
The event takes over the entire exhibition hall, transforming it into a detailed re-creation of
Victorian London.
Our Experience & Verdict
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair and Victorian Holiday party is an annual event held just outside of San Francisco at the Cow Palace. The Cow Palace transforms into the streets of Victorian London, with burning candle light, roasting chestnuts, and actors bringing the streets to life. This is one of our favorite events of the season! The atmosphere is immersive, and makes you feel like you are transported back in time, and walking through a Victorian market. People are dressed up in era specific costumes, choirs are singing, you can smell the chestnuts and roasts cooking, and even shop for unique holiday gifts like hair pins, flower crowns, or handmade ornaments. This event is so amazing, and definitely worth the price, they transform the venue completely, pay actors to walk around and interact with guests, and have amazing activities like live plays, performances, and dancing.
Tip for Dickens Christmas Fair
Don't be too cool to dress up, its encouraged to dress up in your best Victorian style clothing and join in on the fun, tons of people dress up, so you won't be the only one. With that being said, there is no pressure to dress up if you prefer not to! Parking is an additional fee, we paid $20 last year. Be prepared for steep price tags inside the event, most handmade goods are on the expensive side, as well as food inside the event. We paid close to $20 for one crepe last year. Although this is Victorian London, places inside take card!
Tickets & More Information
Tickets go on sale October 1, 2025, and are available online only at dickensfair.com. For questions or group inquiries, email office@dickensfair.com.
Let’s Glow SF (San Francisco)
Dates & Times
Let’s Glow SF will run from December 5 through December 14, 2025, with light shows operating nightly from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
Location
The festival spreads across multiple downtown San Francisco landmarks, including 101 California Street, Annie Alley, The Ferry Building, and Salesforce Tower. Each site hosts a unique projection mapped onto the buildings’ facades, turning the Financial District and Embarcadero into an open-air art exhibit.
Our Experience & Verdict
We visited on a Friday evening and found that the energy felt more like a downtown art crawl than a traditional holiday light show. Each location offered something slightly different, from geometric animations to full storytelling sequences synced to music. The displays at Salesforce Tower and The Ferry Building drew the biggest crowds, but the smaller alleys like Annie Alley offered quieter viewing spots and better opportunities for photos.
We overall enjoyed the experience in 2024 and plan to return to see the new exhibits in 2025. It’s great to see the city investing in more free and public art events, and Let’s Glow SF feels like a refreshing addition to San Francisco’s holiday lineup. If you’re visiting with family or a group of friends, this is an easy and enjoyable night out, you can walk between displays, stop for dinner or hot chocolate along the way, and make a full evening of it.
Tip for Lets Glow SF:
We went on a week night and found parking much easier than you would be able to on a weekend. This gave us a much better opportunity for photos and to fully absorb each light show
Admission & More Information
Admission is free to the public. For the latest schedules and participating artists, visit downtownsf.org or email info@downtownsf.org.
Petaluma Boat Parade (Petaluma)
Dates & Times
The Petaluma Lighted Boat Parade will take place on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The boats depart from the Petaluma Marina around 5:30 PM and arrive at the Petaluma Turning Basin shortly after 6:00 PM.
Location
Petaluma River Turning Basin, Petaluma, CA
Hosted by the Petaluma Yacht Club, this annual parade fills the river with glowing sailboats, yachts, and people-powered vessels, all decked out in holiday lights. The best viewing areas are along the Turning Basin and nearby Water Street, where several thousand spectators gather to watch the illuminated flotilla glide past.
Our Experience & Verdict
Last years Petaluma Boat Parade was extremely unorganized, and ultimately led to us not having a good time. The event had a vague description of where to event would be, and there were no signs anywhere in the city indicating where the event was. Hundreds of people were in the wrong spot, and ultimately missed most of the show. The event was also over quickly, and most boats were gone before the first hour. The kids that were there loved it, and it was a fun event to go to, but I wish it had been better organized, with more clear signage or information.
Tip for Petaluma Boat Parade
Get there early to find parking as it is limited in the area, there are a few small garages, but it is mostly street parking. Don't miss the first half of the show, because it ends earlier than stated! Bring a blanket or chairs to sit on, there are very few benches or places to sit with views of the river.
Admission & More Information
Admission is free for spectators. For official updates, directions, and parking details, visit the Lighted Boat Parade page on Visit Petaluma.
Pier 39 & Fisherman’s Wharf Holiday Celebrations (San Francisco)
Dates & Times
Holiday celebrations along the San Francisco waterfront typically begin in late November and continue through December, with weekend performances and special events throughout the season. Pier 39’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony usually takes place in late November (exact 2025 date to be announced).
Location
Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf, Beach Street & The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA
The festivities stretch from Pier 39 through Fisherman’s Wharf, filling the waterfront with lights, music, and a mix of classic and modern decorations. The large tree at the entrance to Pier 39 anchors the area, while the surrounding piers glow with smaller light displays, shop decorations, and waterfront views of the Bay Bridge and Alcatraz.
Our Experience & Verdict
The holiday tree is impressive in size and looks best once the sky turns dark and the reflections hit the water. Carolers and local performers add to the atmosphere, and Santa occasionally makes appearances for photos. Walking west toward Fisherman’s Wharf, the path stays lively with decorated shops, seafood restaurants, and bay views. We’ve found that grabbing dinner at one of the wharf’s restaurants, or even a cup of chowder to go, is the perfect way to enjoy the lights without rushing. The area can get crowded on weekends, but visiting on a weekday evening feels more relaxed and just as festive.
Overall, it’s an easy and enjoyable holiday outing that doesn’t require tickets or advance planning. Whether you’re local or visiting, it’s one of the simplest ways to soak in San Francisco’s Christmas atmosphere without leaving the city.
Tip for Pier 39 & Fisherman's Wharf
Although not the coldest city in the U.S, San Francisco in the Winter, especially near the water, can be windy and make for an uncomfortable environment, so bring a good wind breaker. The walk between the two spots is 0.5 miles each way and you don't want to get caught in the wind if you get cold easily!
Admission & More Information
All waterfront holiday events are free to the public. Check pier39.com and fishermanswharf.org for event calendars, tree-lighting updates, and parking information.
Union Square & Macy’s Holiday Windows (San Francisco)
Dates & Times
Union Square is the center of San Francisco’s holiday celebrations, with events running from late November through December. The Great Tree Lighting Ceremony traditionally happens in late November (exact 2025 date to be announced). Other highlights include the Holiday Windows unveiling in late November and Santa visits from November 28 through December 24, 2025.
Location
Macy’s Union Square170 O’Farrell Street, San Francisco, CA Union Square sits in the heart of downtown, surrounded by shopping, hotels, and restaurants, making it one of the most convenient and festive stops during the Christmas season.
Our Experience & Verdict
Union square during the Holiday season comes to life with twinkling lights, a giant tree, and even an ice skating rink. Complete with the beautiful and creative holiday displays in the surrounding shop windows. The area feels festive and offers a lot too see and do, from ice skating, to window shopping, there is plenty to do. Macy's partners with the SPCA and has adorable puppies and kittens in their window display on select days, making it the cities cutest holiday display. Take your picture with the giant tree near the ice rink, or venture into Neiman Marcus to see their hanging Christmas tree and stained glass dome.
Tip for Union Square & Macy's
Make reservations in advance for ice skating at union square, to save time since the line can get long. There are multiple nearby parking garages, just don't leave anything valuable in your car to help prevent break-ins. If you want to see the puppies and kittens at Macys check the schedule online since they are not there everyday!
Admission & More Information
All events at Union Square and Macy’s are free to attend, though photos with Santa and ice-skating sessions are available for purchase. For official updates, visit the Macy’s Holiday Celebrations page or check Union Square’s event calendar for tree-lighting details and ice rink hours.
Fairmont San Francisco Christmas Displays (San Francisco)
Dates & Times
The Fairmont San Francisco transforms its lobby for the holidays from late November through early January, with decorations typically unveiled right after Thanksgiving. The displays remain open daily to both hotel guests and the public.
Location
Fairmont San Francisco950 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA
The hotel sits atop Nob Hill, overlooking downtown San Francisco and just a short cable car ride from Union Square.
Our Experience & Verdict
The Fairmont not only transforms into a holiday destination with beautifully decorated trees, and festive holiday decor, but they also have a life size, walk through, gingerbread house!! The hotel lobby smells like fresh baked gingerbread, and invites you in! Free to visit, and free to walk through, the gingerbread house sits in the hotel lobby and is a fun holiday tradition. Worth a visit if you're in the area, or have little kids who would enjoy the novelty of walking through a gingerbread house! The lobby is super cute for photos as well!
Tip for Fairmont Christmas Displays
You don't have to be a guest of the Fairmont to visit the holiday decorations in the lobby! We saw plenty of people, ourselves included who came to see the decorations without being guests of the hotel, but is a festive stay is calling your name, click here to book a stay at the Fairmont.
Admission & More Information
Lobby viewing is free and open to the public, while afternoon tea and dining reservations should be booked in advance. For holiday hours, dining reservations, and details about the gingerbread house, visit the official Fairmont San Francisco website.
Christmas in the Park (San Jose)
Dates & Times
Christmas in the Park will return to downtown San Jose’s Plaza de César Chávez from November 28, 2025, through January 1, 2026.The park opens daily throughout the holiday season, offering visitors nearly five weeks of lights, music, and community displays.
Location
Plaza de César Chávez1 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose, CA
Right in the heart of downtown, this long-running South Bay tradition transforms the plaza into a glowing holiday village, filled with themed trees, animated displays, and local performances.
Our Experience & Verdict
We visited Christmas in the Park in 2024 and it was a really enjoyable experience. The park fills with hundreds of decorated trees designed by local schools, clubs, and small businesses, each with its own theme and personality. Between the trees, you’ll find walk-through light tunnels, animated scenes, and food stands selling hot chocolate and holiday snacks. The event has a casual, welcoming feel that makes it easy to spend an hour or two exploring. It’s also completely free, which makes it an easy recommendation for families, couples, or anyone looking for a relaxed evening out. Donations and sponsorships keep the event running each year, and businesses can sponsor a tree starting around $25.
There are food and craft vendors inside the park. They have food from a self making cotton candy machine to snowman themed hot chocolates. It was a nice to grab a quick bite and take a slow stroll through the trees and exhibits, making it an ideal outing for families, dates, or just someone looking to get out for awhile. Be sure to checkout some of the older Christmas decorations that the park uses every year, some dating up to almost 100 years old!
Tips for Christmas in the Park:
Although not every vendor, the official Christmas in the Park food stand, which carried the snowman themed hot chocolate, only takes cash! We were a bit surprised considering other vendors at the same event took card!
Admission & More Information
Admission is free to the public, with donations and sponsorships encouraged. For updates, event maps, and volunteer information, visit the official Christmas in the Park website or email
Enchant Christmas (Past Event Highlight)
Dates & Times (Historically)
Enchant Christmas typically ran from late November through December. In past years, time slots were required, and hours varied by night, for example, Friday/Saturday often closed at 10:30 PM, while Sunday and midweek nights ended around 9:30 PM.
Location (Past Venue)
Previously held at PayPal Park, 1123 Coleman Avenue, San Jose, CA.
Our Experience & Verdict
In 2024, Enchant San Jose stood out for its immersive light maze, large-scale installations, ice-skating trail, and festive marketplace. Walking the maze and passing through glowing arches felt unique compared to many other holiday light displays. It was one of the more ambitious Christmas events in the Bay Area, both visually and interactive.
However, Enchant will not be returning to San Jose in 2025, according to their official site. Enchant Christmas. We still believe the San Jose edition deserves mention, it raised expectations for holiday event installations in the region. But it’s wise to note its absence for readers planning their 2025 holiday plans.
Where It’s Going in 2025
Los Angeles, California - Enchant will return to Santa Anita Park in Arcadia.
Las Vegas, Nevada - Enchant Christmas will be back at Las Vegas Ballpark, running November 21 through December 28, 2025, with a new theme and expanded features including a light maze, ice-skating trail, and more.
If you’re open to traveling, those are the confirmed U.S. locations for Enchant in 2025.
Admission & More Information
Past price was around $31 per person for entry, with parking fees of $20–$30 depending on lot. For 2025 ticketing, “Golden Ticket” early access pricing, and location updates, check the official Enchant Christmas website.
More Bay Area Holiday Events Worth Checking Out
Even though we focused this guide on events we’ve personally attended, there are several other well-known holiday traditions around the Bay Area that are worth mentioning, and a few we hope to experience in the future.
Ghirardelli Square Holiday Market (San Francisco)
Each December, Ghirardelli Square hosts a festive artisan market and tree-lighting celebration overlooking the Bay. The event features live music, local food vendors, and holiday shopping from small Bay Area makers. It’s smaller than the Union Square festivities but a great stop if you’re already near Fisherman’s Wharf.
Oakland Zoo Lights (Oakland)
The Oakland Zoo transforms into a glowing nighttime attraction filled with illuminated tunnels, animal-shaped displays, and panoramic Bay views from the gondola. It’s one of the best East Bay events for families and offers a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere than downtown San Francisco.
Fantasy of Lights (Los Gatos)
Held at Vasona Lake County Park, this long-running South Bay tradition features a two-mile drive-through route lined with animated light scenes and themed music. Tickets are required and tend to sell out quickly, so it’s best to reserve a slot early.
San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker
First performed here in 1944, the San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker remains one of the city’s most iconic holiday experiences. The production runs throughout December at the War Memorial Opera House, combining world-class choreography with sets inspired by San Francisco’s Victorian-era architecture. If you enjoy live performances, this is one of the Bay Area’s can’t-miss seasonal traditions.
Christmas Tree Lane, San Carlos
A holiday tradition kept alive by the neighborhood on Eucalyptus Avenue. Eucalyptus Avenue in San Carlos, transforms into a winter wonderland full of twinkling lights, and impressive holiday displays. Neighbors come together to create an amazing, festive, street, free to walk or drive through during the holiday season. Its one of the best places to see Christmas lights in the Bay Area! We recommend walking the streets instead of drving due to high traffic volumes of people both driving and on foot. (Please remember to be respectful as these are peoples homes!!)
Golden Gate Park's Light-scape
A one mile long light and music experience in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. The parks botanical garden is decorated with more than one million twinkling lights, sculptures, and water features. Tickets start at $32 for adults and $20 for kids.
More Tips for Visiting the Bay Area During Christmas
Transportation
Getting around the Bay Area during the holidays can be surprisingly manageable if you plan ahead. BART and Muni are the easiest ways to move through San Francisco without worrying about parking, while Caltrain connects the city to the Peninsula and South Bay for events like Christmas in the Park.
If you’re driving, parking can be expensive and limited near Union Square, Fisherman’s Wharf, and downtown San Jose. We’ve found that using rideshare or parking once and walking between attractions works best, especially for nighttime events like Let’s Glow SF or the Pier 39 tree lighting.
Weather
December weather in the Bay Area is cool and unpredictable. Temperatures usually range from the mid-40s to upper 50s°F, and rain is common. Pack layers, a waterproof jacket, and comfortable shoes, you’ll likely spend plenty of time outdoors walking between displays or events. We’ve found that light rain actually adds to the atmosphere at night, especially around the city’s light shows, but it’s worth bringing an umbrella just in case.
Crowds
The most popular events, like the Union Square tree lighting and Dickens Christmas Fair, draw big crowds on weekends. Visiting on a weekday evening makes a big difference, especially for parking and overall comfort. If you’re looking for quieter experiences, consider smaller events like the Petaluma Boat Parade or the displays at Ghirardelli Square, which offer the same festive atmosphere without the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds.
Day Trip Ideas
The Bay Area is easy to explore by car or train, and several great day trips add variety to your holiday visit.
Muir Woods – peaceful redwoods and fewer winter visitors
Sausalito – waterfront restaurants and charming holiday décor.
Monterey & Highway 1 – Monterey has plenty of its own Christmas events and is well worth the drive if you have the time
Napa Valley – wine tastings paired with winery light displays through December.
If you’re staying several days, mixing one or two of these into your trip keeps the pace slower and the experience more balanced. If you want to checkout more about those areas, we have guides for Monterey and Muir Woods.
Final Thoughts
The Bay Area offers an incredible mix of holiday events, from small-town parades to major city festivals. What stands out most to us is how different each experience feels, you can spend one night surrounded by Victorian carolers at the Dickens Christmas Fair, and the next walking through high-tech light projections downtown at Let’s Glow SF.
No matter where you go, the region’s variety makes it easy to plan something that fits your style and budget. We’ve found that mixing one or two large events with a few local traditions, like Christmas in the Park or the Petaluma Boat Parade, makes for a balanced and memorable holiday season.
If you’re visiting from out of town, start booking hotels by early fall and keep an eye on event websites for confirmed dates. Most of these experiences are annual, but the details can change slightly year to year.