The 2025 holiday season is officially underway and our calendars are filling up by the day! We are lucky to live in an area where there are so many fun events happening this time of year. View our list of Bay Area holiday events below, plan ahead and always double check before you go for any last minute changes. Feel free to share our list and tag Arrive Real Estate in your holiday photos! Does your family have a favorite holiday event we missed below? Let us know so we can add it!
Concord
The Veranda is full of holiday cheer this year! Ice at The Veranda is open daily now through February 16th. To purchase tickets and view the operating hours, click
here.
In addition, you’re invited to enjoy free holiday photos with members of the cast of The Nutcracker production from the Alameda Civic Ballet! Capture magical memories with costumed characters in festive settings throughout the Pavilion. Available on select dates through December 24th. More information
here.
Breakfast with Santa at Dave & Buster's on Saturday, December 6th at 9am. Imagine your child’s excitement when they walk in and see Santa, not sitting in a stuffy chair, but in the middle of all the games they love. They’ll be able to interact with him in a fun and relaxed setting, getting plenty of quality time with the man in red. Purchase tickets here.
Daly City
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair is a one-of-a-kind immersive adventure into Victorian London. Enjoy an elaborate holiday party with hundreds of costumed players performing and interacting with patrons in over 140,000 square feet of theatrically-lit music halls, pubs, dance floors, and festive shops. Open weekends through December 21st at the Cow Palace, advanced tickets required. More info here.
Dublin
Dublin is full of holiday cheer! From the tree lighting on December 4th, to breakfast with Santa on December 6th to home decorating contests and their very own Tree Lane, there is something for everyone. Find more information on all of these festive activities here.
Half Moon Bay
The Nights of Lights is Fridays from November 28th through December 19th. Each Friday features a different event beginning with the Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday, November 28th, followed by a parade, ugly sweat party and the movie Elf with a spaghetti feed. Don’t miss this festive community event that brings together the magic of the holiday season by the sea! Click
here for more details.
Napa
The Meritage Resort & Spa is showcasing fun-filled activities this holiday season with its annual “Merry Meritage” now through January 4th. Napa Valley's largest outdoor ice skating rink with igloos available to rent and enchanting winter village complete with a 40-foot tree, daily "snow" and festive entertainment and events.
Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa Claus is coming to town. Every Saturday, and Sunday, he can be found strolling through The Meritage Holiday Village. As the afternoon progresses, Santa settles into his reading room and invites the little ones in to listen to him read a story.
The tinsel tea includes a scrumptious three-tier presentation of desserts, scones, and tea sandwiches, storytelling hosted by a visiting princess, and ice skating at this unforgettable holiday experience. Reservations required. Click
here to learn more about Merry Meritage holiday events.
Oakland
Fairyland – December 13-14, 20-21, & 27-28
from 12 - 7 pm Children’s Fairyland brings back Fairy Winterland. An Oakland tradition for 20 years, this multicultural event brings families together to share in the season’s many festivities and enjoy a twinkling landscape under the evening skies. A most enchanting experience immerses you and your loved ones in the charm and cozy togetherness of a holiday extravaganza. Click here for details.
Jack London Square – Celebrate the holiday season in Oakland at Joy to the Town! Holiday Market, taking place Saturday, December 6, from 12 PM to 5 PM at Jack London Square. This free, family-friendly event brings the community together for a day filled with shopping, skating, music, and holiday cheer. In addition, the 49th Annual Lighted Yacht parade with begin at 5:30 PM on the Oakland/Alameda estuary. Click
here for more details.
Oakland Zoo –
The wildly popular, family-friendly Glowfari is back and features hundreds of ALL new, larger-than-life animal lanterns throughout the Zoo. This year's experience includes new themes -- explore the future of Oakland, learn about coexisting with wildlife, swim through the reef to see colorful underwater creatures, go on a safari through the savanna to spot iconic African animals, meet some interesting bugs that are all around us, and end the night by taking the train through the reptile world. Click
here for more details and to purchase tickets.
Palo Alto
Winter Lodge is now open for public skating, classes and private events. Since 1956, Winter Lodge has delighted and entertained people of all ages on our outdoor, recreationally sized rink. Smaller in size and designed for family fun, our skating rink is a destination for healthy, outdoor activity! Click
here for more details.
San Francisco
Civic Center – The annual Civic Center Plaza Tree Lighting event returns December 3rd from 4-7pm! Featuring a night of festive entertainment, performances include the Tap Dancing Christmas Trees, the San Francisco Boys Chorus, Magician Joshua Andrews, The Broadway All-Star Band, Boswick the Clown, the Grinch and more! The weather calls for “snow” flurries, and there will be holiday beverages and bites for purchase, including Off the Grid’s Melina’s Kitchen. Also the night wouldn’t be complete without a visit from the VIP-of-the-hour: Santa! The event will begin promptly at 4 p.m. The lighting of Civic Center Plaza’s 50-foot noble fir will take place at 5:30 p.m. Click
here for more details.
Nob Hill – The Fairmont in Nob Hill, is the place to be for the holiday season! Known for their 2-story, 25 foot tall Gingerbread house which features more than 1,500 pounds of candy, it’s an amazing site to see. The display is now open through the end of the year. Reserve a holiday tea or spend the night in an exclusive Santa suite! Click
here for more details.
SF Ballet – With performances from December 5th through the 28th, step into the reverie of little Clara in this unforgettable holiday tale and enter a magical wonderland of toy soldiers, a blizzard of snowflakes, and a kaleidoscope of more than 150 dancers. Battle the Mouse King and of course, dance through the land of the Sugarplum Fairy. They are pleased to announce a Sensory Friendly Performance of San Francisco Ballet’s
Nutcracker on Saturday, December 28th at 11 am. Click
here for more details.
SF Symphony - Celebrate the holidays with the SF Symphony and stroll through the winter wonderland of a decked out Davies Symphony Hall, filled with giant lit trees, wreaths, and garlands. While you’re here, treat yourself at the lobby bar with festive winter cocktails, such as a gingerbread old-fashioned, limited-time sparkling wine, and special holiday desserts throughout December. Events include performances to the following movies: The Holiday, Disney's Frozen in Concert, Home Alone and A Charlie Brown Christmas. Click
here for more details.
Union Square – The Ice Rink in Union Square is now open through January 20th. While there won't be a tree lighting ceremony this year, the holiday tree will be as visible as ever throughout the holiday season. Snap a photo at one of the oversized shelter animal Instagram-able outposts in the Macy's windows. Follow the Ornament Trail from December 6th -24th and view larger than life ornaments created by local artists.
Winter Walk returns to Union Square from December 13 – 24, located on Stockton Street to O’Farrell to Post! This 10-day event will turn two blocks into a pedestrian plaza with lush turf, diverse food truck offerings, enticing bars, and Instagram-worthy arctic-themed décor. Enjoy live performances and entertainment throughout this festive event.
Marking it's 50th year in San Francisco, light the Mnorah and celebrate the first night of Chanukah with music, traditional foods, and a Menorah Lighting with dignitaries. Lighting continues nightly through Chanukah. Click
here for more details on all of the holiday events at Union Square.
San Jose
Plaza de Cesar - A family oriented Christmas tradition, Christmas in the Park: Drive Through features a mile display of over 200,000 lights with breathtaking displays now through January 1st. Christmas in the Park: Downtown is a two-acre park that is transformed into a holiday fantasy with over 40 musical and animated exhibits, glittering lights and a 65-foot illuminated Christmas Tree. Guests enter a winter wonderland of lights, songs and local entertainment while strolling through an enchanted forest of trees decorated by San José schools, community groups, and businesses. Click
here for more details about both events!
San Mateo
CuriOdyssey’s IlluminOdyssey - Electrify your child’s imagination at CuriOdyssey’s IlluminOdyssey, a dazzling winter light experience for kids now through January 25th. Four levels of walls, floors and ceiling come alive with radiant, moving color. Carry a colorful lantern with you as you explore a world of luminescent wonder. Venture through a gleaming jungle of soft sculptures and under an illuminated canopy of fiber optic strands. Watch the mesmerizing motion of a glowing blossom-like sculpture as you control it’s changing appearance. Click here for more details.
San Ramon
City Center - Returning for the 2025 holiday season, the Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Rink at City Center is now open through January 4th. Enjoy cozy fire pits during your skate and create an inviting atmosphere for you and your loved ones to savor every moment on the ice. Plus, for the first time, they're offering a Season Pass ticket, so you can enjoy unlimited skating all season long. Featuring $10 Tuesdays and character nights throughout the season like Elf, Elsa, and the Grinch !
Don't forget to pop over to the big Christmas Tree located in Alexander Plaza to meet Santa every Saturday & Sunday from 12-4 pm. Click
here for more details.
Bah Humbug! 5k & Fun Run - Presented by the City of San Ramon and Chevron is a great way to start the holiday season off with a healthy fun run or walk through San Ramon on Saturday, December 6th at 8:15am. Participants will receive a holiday long-sleeved shirt and the famous Bah Humbug! Ornament. While the main 5k is a chipped run, the kid’s dash is for children ages 4-9 years old and is not officially timed. The course is approximately 1K and will start and end at the main finish line on Alcosta Boulevard, in front of the San Ramon Community Center. Click
here for more details.
Santa Cruz
During the holiday season, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk will host its Winter Wonderland now through January 4th. Featuring special event days, rides & games, mini-nutcracker performances and fire pit rentals with s'mores. You can also take a ride on the Roaring Camp Railroad and arrive at the beach in style. Click
here for more details.
Walnut Creek
Walnut Creek On Ice - The 19th annual Walnut Creek On Ice, in the heart of downtown at Civic Park, is excited to welcome back skaters of all ages and abilities to tie on a pair of ice skates and skate now through January 19th. Glide beneath the lights, cozy up by the firepits, and experience the joy of the Bay Area’s only outdoor ice rink and ice slide. Take a thrilling ride down Frosty’s Summit Ice Slide or enjoy a classic spin around the rink surrounded by festive music and cheerful holiday spirit. Click
here for more details.
Lesher Center For The Arts - Holiday shows include performances of the Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, just to name a few. The Lesher Center is also home to the East Bay's North Pole experience! Join Santa and Mrs. Claus in the North Pole, during this immersive, live theatre experience from December 17th to the 23rd. Watch as the holiday magic brings a smile to your entire family! In this exclusive visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus in their kitchen and workshop, your group of up to 6 members will enjoy a private meeting and photo opportunity. Click
here for more details.
Garden of D'lights - Garden of D’Lights is a self-guided holiday light experience at the Ruth Bancroft Garden! See the Garden and plant collection transform into a dazzling waterwise wonderland illuminated with thousands of colorful lights, art installations, and lasers, creating a magical and enchanting atmosphere. Open now through
January 11th with ticketed entry times of 5:30pm, 6:30pm, & 7:30pm. Click here for more details.
Woodside
Holidays at Filoli is the season to make special memories, bask in the vibrant landscape, and spend time together. Step into the magic of the House adorned in holiday cheer and explore the winter Garden, where inspiration glows now through January 11th. During the day, bask in the winter sunlight as it brings out the hues of splendid decor, enchanting Garden displays, and sets the tone for the perfect family photo. In the evening, enter a dazzling world of holiday cheer as immersive displays and historic, natural beauty bring magic to returning favorites and new experiences. Click here for more details.
—
As your holiday resource for Bay Area family events, discover the difference in who we are at Arrive Real Estate Group. Our team of passionate, connected and innovative professionals adjust to current market conditions to consistently help our clients sell their homes quicker and achieve higher results than the local market average. Contact us today to learn more about the strategic systems we offer our clients.
