List of Bay Area Light Displays, Santa Meet & Greets & Holiday Celebrations

San Francisco Embraces The Holiday Spirit

Photo: Getty Images

Alameda

December 4th: Annual Holiday 'Lighted Yacht Parade': Alameda/Oakland at 5:30pm

December 8th-January 17th: 'The Little Ice Rink' - New location with food trucks, music, entertainment, DJs & more.

December 21st-22nd: Santa Virtual Visits. Space very limited, so register soon HERE.

Berkeley

December 4th-19th: Santa On Solano Avenue. Saturday & Sunday meet & greets as well pics with the jolly one.

December 11th: Solano Avenue Winter Stroll. Day includes entertainment, performers, cookie decorating, Peralta Park Festival of Lights & more.

Burlingame

December 3rd: Holiday Tree Lighting, Winter Fest & Wine Walk. The fun zone for the behbehs is free.

December 5th: Chanukah Car Parade. With music & doughnuts courtesy of Chabad North Peninsula.

December 5th: Caltrain Holiday Train & Toy Drive. The Community tradition is back for 2021!

Castro Valley

December 3rd-24th: 14 Nights of Christmas. Extravaganza at 3Crosses Church includes ice skating, Christmas Light Walk Thru Display, Food and more!

Concord

NOW Thru February 14th: Holiday Ice Skating at the Veranda. Family-friendly and they even offer skating lessons. Check out the light displays while you shop, grab some food or hit up the theater!

Daly City

December 4th-19th: Great Dickens Christmas Fair Drive-Thru: Cow Palace. With street scenes, music & food - to enjoy from your car.

Danville

NOW Thru December 10th: Santa's Mailbox. Drop off a letter & the Jolly One will write back!

December 10th & 11th: Elf Workshop & Santa: Community Center. For ages 1-10 & space is limited.

East Palo Alto

December through February 26th: 'Après Village' Winter Pop-Up & Fireside Movies: Four Seasons Silicon Valley. With mini-chalets, fireside movies, indulgent winter treats & more.

Fremont

NOW Thru December 28th: Holiday Train Of Lights: Niles Canyon Railway.

Half Moon Bay

NOW Thru DEC. 23: Santa's Tree Farm & U-Cut Christmas Trees. With six types of trees, plus weekends include train rides & Mrs. Claus Kitchen.

DEC. 3, 10 & 17: 'Nights Of Lights' -Tree Lighting, Parade & Santa. With different events each Friday.

Hercules

DEC. 5: Holiday Tree Lighting & Santa. Free event with cookie & ornament decorating, hot cocoa, coffee & entertainment.

Livermore:

NOW Thru DEC. 8: Santa's Mailbox At Robert Livermore Community Center. Write to St. Nick & he'll write back!

DEC. 4: Holiday Sights & Sounds Parade & Tree-Lighting. With marching bands, music & Santa.

DEC. 4: Chanukah Under The Stars & Menorah Lighting: Bankhead. Event includes gelt drop with fire department.

DEC. 11: Ho Ho Holiday Carnival: Sycamore Grove Park. Registration required.

DEC. 12: Nutcracker Tea Party. Space is limited.

Millbrae

DEC. 4: Tree Lighting Celebration. Includes Millbrae Community Foundation's Holiday Star Fundraiser!

DEC. 5: Caltrain Holiday Train & Toy Drive. Community tradition returns for 2021!

Milpitas

DEC. 4: Milk & Cookies With Santa. Multiple sessions & registration required.

Mountain View

DEC. 4: Caltrain Holiday Train & Toy Drive. Community tradition returns for 2021!

DEC. 6: Community Tree Lighting Celebration & Santa. With free refreshments & train ride.

Oakland

NOW Thry JAN. 30, 2022: Oakland Zoo 'Glowfari' - Holiday Lantern Festival & Santa. Featuring larger-than-life glowing animal lanterns, plus Santa & train through Winter Wonderland.

DEC. 4: Annual Holiday 'Lighted Yacht Parade': Alameda/Oakland. A 45-year tradition!

DEC. 4: Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir's Free Holiday Concert SING JOY! At Jack London Square.

DEC. 4- 19: Visit with Santa. At Jack London Square.

DEC. 5: Grand Chanukah Celebration & Menorah Lighting On The Lake: Lake Merritt. With fire show, latkes, sufganiyot (jelly donuts), gelt, menorahs, dreidels & holiday spirit.

DEC. 10: Hunky Santa & Sexy Mrs. Claus. Bring your camera -- free photos at Jack London Square.

DEC. 11: Jack London Square Tree Lighting & Laser Light Show. Includes festive entertainment & Santa.

Pacifica

DEC. 5: Rockaway Beach Tree Lighting. In-person canceled. Virtual ceremony planned.

DEC. 5: 'Santa Claus Is Coming To Town'- Wave to the big guy as he travels through town.

Palo Alto

DEC. 5: Chanukah Menorah Lighting & Gelt Drop: City Hall. Latkes, donuts & kids' crafts, too!

Through APRIL 22, 2022: 'Winter Lodge' Outdoor Ice Skating. A Bay Area tradition since 1956.

Pleasant Hill

DEC. 8: Around The World Holiday Express Drive-Thru. Free, but registration required, as space is limited.

Pleasanton

DEC. 1-31: 'Widmer World' - Holiday Lights Display. Home extravaganza with magical dancing lights & themed displays.

DEC. 4: Hometown Holiday Celebration, Parade & Tree Lighting. Back for 2021 with community floats, bands & Santa!

Pinole

DEC. 4:Holiday Tree Lighting Fest & Santa: Fernandez Park. With holiday crafts, face painting, balloon twisting & visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Richmond

DEC. 4: Arts of Point Richmond Annual Holiday Craft Faire. "Shop local and support your local artists."

San Bruno

DEC. 4: Tree Lighting & Santa: Shops At Tanforan. With caroling, live music & more.

San Francisco

NOW Thru JAN. 17, 2022: Safeway Holiday Ice Rink: Union Square. Fun includes "Learn to Skate," "Flashback Fridays," "Polar Bear Skate" and "Drag Queens on Ice."

NOW Thru JAN. 1: Macy's Annual Great Tree: Union Square. No tree-lighting ceremony this year.

DEC. 3-12: 'Let's Glow SF': Downtown San Francisco. Four buildings will transform nightly into winter wonderland display.

DEC. 4-5: Caltrain Holiday Train & Toy Drive. Community tradition returns for 2021!

DEC. 5: Glowing Hanukkah Party Pop-Up At Ghirardelli Square. Free with crafts, games & music.

DEC. 10-11: 'Holigays Are Here...Again' Concert: SF Gay Men's Chorus. "A joyous, hilarious, and celebratory evening with something for everyone."

DEC. 15: Holiday 'Science Under The Sea Stars': California Academy of Sciences. With holiday-themed crafts, shows & cookie decorating.

DEC. 18: SweaterCon: San Francisco Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl. "Throw on your best ugly Christmas Sweater, Hannukah-inspired gear or whatever tickles your fancy."

DEC. 18: Warriors Thrive City Winter Wonderland Holiday Spectacular & Santa: Chase Center. Fun is free, but RSVPs required.

SAN JOSE:

NOW Thru JAN. 9, 2022: 'Downtown Ice' Holiday Skating Rink. "Skate under the stars and palm trees in Downtown San Jose!"

NOW Thru JAN. 9: Blinky's Illuminated Holiday Drive-Thru. "Mile of smiles" with synchronized light show & favorite tunes.

DEC. 5: Hanukkah Menorahs & Miracles: Children's Discovery Museum. With scavenger hunt, story time, dreidel games & candle lighting.

DEC. 5: Chanukah Concert & Menorah Lighting: Santana Row. With fan-fave Israeli rock band, The Peatot.

DEC. 31: Noon Year's Eve Party! (Family Event) 3Below Theaters. Includes film, games and prizes, & dessert buffet with sparkling cider.

San Mateo

NOW Thru January 9th: 'San Mateo On Ice' Holiday Skating Rink: Central Park. With four free Community Skate dates!

DEC. 4: Winter Wonderland: Central Park. A community tradition!

DEC. 4-5, 11-12, 18-19: Brunch With Santa: Pinstripes. Little ones will love the Reindeer Waffles.

DEC. 5: Caltrain Holiday Train & Toy Drive. Community tradition returns for 2021!

Santa Clara

NOV. 26-DEC. 9: California's Great America WinterFest & Ice Skating. Seasonal extravaganza is back!

DEC. 4: Caltrain Holiday Train & Toy Drive. Community tradition returns for 2021!

South San Francisco

DEC. 4: Wreath-Making Workshop. Don't delay, as spaces fill fast.

DEC. 5: 'Santa Comes To Town': City Hall. Take photos with St. Nick!

Vallejo

NOW Thru January 2nd: Annual Holiday In The Park: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. See Santa, twinkling lights, shows & festive holiday treats.

December 4th: Mad Hatter Holiday Parade, Festival & Tree Lighting. Lighted boat parade caps off the festivities.

Walnut Creek

NOW Thru December 23rd: Holiday 'Garden Of D'Lights': Ruth Bancroft Garden. Meander through garden's magical & colorful botanical sculptures, transformed with thousands of lights.

NOW Thru January 30th, 2022: 'Walnut Creek On Ice' Holiday Skating: Civic Park. "Bringing the sparkle back to Civic Park this holiday season!"

NOW Thru December 12: Holiday Craft Faire. At Shadelands Ranch Museum.

December 16th: Luminary Walk: Boundary Oak By Candlelight & Santa. A stunning, one-mile, illuminated stroll.

You can CHECK OUT MORE Events Here!


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