Holiday scene

San Francisco Christmas Guide 2024

San Francisco's Best Christmas Events for 2024!

Last updated February 18, 2025.

From Union Square's towering tree to the historic Fairmont's gingerbread house, San Francisco transforms into a unique holiday destination where fog-wrapped festivities meet Bay Area charm. The city's mix of traditional and offbeat celebrations includes SantaCon revelers and Drag Queens on Ice.

The holiday season brings warmth to every neighborhood, from the Castro's twinkling tree to the projection art of Let's Glow SF illuminating downtown buildings. Catch the Swedish Christmas Fair, explore winter markets, or glide across the Union Square ice rink.

Discover the Bay's most festive holiday happenings below!

When is Christmas? Thursday, December 25th, 2025

San Francisco Holiday Light Displays

“Let’s Glow SF” 2024: USA’s Largest Projection Light Festival

Let's Glow SF is a free outdoor holiday projection arts festival featuring large-scale animated light installations by 16 artists from around the world and award-winning design studios. The event transforms downtown San Francisco buildings into vibrant canvases with stunning, eye-catching visuals. It includes an all-ages block party, Glow on Front: A Neon Block Party, and various locations showcasing the unique talent of artists using the city's architecture as their canvas.

Details:

  • 📅 Dates: December 6 - December 15, 2024
  • ⏰ Time: 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM nightly
  • 🏛️ Venue: Downtown San Francisco
  • 📍 Address: Multiple locations in downtown SF

Ghirardelli Square’s Holiday Lighting Ceremony

Ghirardelli Square's Holiday Lighting Ceremony features a 50-foot tree festooned with lights and giant chocolate bars. The event includes carolers, puppet shows for kids, theatrical performances, and superb chocolate eats and drinks. It is held in San Francisco's historic Ghirardelli Square, offering a festive backdrop for holiday activities.

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Macys Annual Tree Lighting

Macy's Annual Tree Lighting in San Francisco features a 83-foot tall Christmas tree decorated with 43,000 twinkling energy-efficient LED lights and 700 shining ornaments. The event attracts visitors with its festive atmosphere, drawing families and tourists alike. It is a significant holiday event in San Francisco, symbolizing the start of the holiday season.

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Pier 39 Christmas Tree Lighting

The Pier 39 Christmas Tree Lighting is a San Francisco holiday tradition featuring a 60-foot tall White Fir tree adorned with thousands of sparkling lights and ornaments. The tree 'performs' every half hour from 5 to 10 PM, synchronized to festive holiday music, transforming into a kaleidoscope of swirling colors and songs.

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Civic Center Holiday Tree Lighting

The Civic Center Holiday Tree Lighting in San Francisco is a free, family-friendly event featuring festive performances, including musical acts, tap dancing Christmas trees, and appearances by the Grinch and Santa. The event also includes free craft activities, food for purchase from Off the Grid food trucks, and a toy giveaway for the first 400 children under 12. The ceremony culminates with the lighting of a 50-foot noble fir at 5:30 PM.

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San Francisco Holiday Markets and Shopping

SF’s First Official Diwali Celebration & Night Market

The SF’s First Official Diwali Celebration & Night Market is a vibrant cultural event that celebrates the Festival of Lights. The event features an array of South Asian vendors and food, showcasing the rich diversity and vibrant flavors of the region. The night market includes live music rooted in Indian traditions, with Non Stop Bhangra leading the way and special guest artists adding to the mix. The celebration also includes interactive booths where attendees can learn to tie saris, participate in drum circles, and explore moments that highlight the significance of Diwali. The event transforms three city blocks into a vibrant cultural nightlife destination, offering an immersive experience with live music, retail vendors, and an array of food options.

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2024 SF Holiday Maker Market & Chocolate Gallery

The 2024 SF Holiday Maker Market & Chocolate Gallery is a one-day-only holiday market featuring over 45 different San Francisco brands. The event is held inside the Ferry Building’s Grand Hall, offering a variety of gifts, stocking stuffers, and unique items made locally. The market also includes a Chocolate Gallery filled with San Francisco chocolate makers.

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San Francisco’s 2025 Chinese New Year Flower Market Fair

San Francisco’s 2025 Chinese New Year Flower Market Fair is a vibrant celebration in Chinatown featuring traditional Chinese performances, fresh flowers, fruits, candies, and home supplies. The event honors the Lunar New Year with festive decorations, red envelopes, paper lanterns, and traditional treats like dumplings and rice cakes. It symbolizes prosperity, good fortune, and new beginnings with flowers and plants representing luck and renewal.

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Renegade Craft Fair Winter 2024

Renegade Craft Fair Winter 2024 in San Francisco is an inspired marketplace featuring over 250 artists. Shop from a variety of artist-made gifts, creative small business goods, and handmade treasures. The fair includes both indoor and outdoor elements, with some outdoor food trucks available. It supports an accessible, equitable, and inclusive creative economy by offering a suggested entry fee that contributes to The Nature Conservancy.

Details:

  • 📅 Dates: November 2 - November 3, 2024
  • ⏰ Time: 11 am - 5 pm daily
  • 🏛️ Venue: Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion
  • 📍 Address: 2 Marina Blvd., San Francisco, CA

2025 White Elephant Sale in 90,000+ Sq Ft. Warehouse

The 2025 White Elephant Sale in a 90,000+ square foot warehouse is Northern California's oldest and largest rummage sale. It features a curated selection of one-of-a-kind treasures, including school supplies, kids' first bikes, prom dresses, jewelry, and estate antiques. The sale supports the Oakland Museum of California's educational programs, exhibitions, and marketing initiatives.

Details:

  • 📅 Dates: January 26 - March 2, 2025
  • ⏰ Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Preview Sale), 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM (Open Warehouse Days), 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Clearance Weekend)
  • 🏛️ Venue: White Elephant Sale Warehouse
  • 📍 Address: 333 Lancaster St., Oakland, CA

San Francisco Swedish Christmas Fair

The San Francisco Swedish Christmas Fair is an annual event that showcases Swedish culture and traditions. It features traditional and modern handmade crafts, books, clothes, jewelry, and decor. The fair includes Lucia performances, Swedish folk music, and a variety of traditional Scandinavian foods such as glögg, gingerbread, shrimp sandwiches, waffles, and Lucia buns. There are also activities for children like a fish pond, Christmas crafts, and dancing around the Christmas tree.

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Yuletide Menagerie Oddities Market

The Yuletide Menagerie Oddities Market is a unique holiday event featuring a variety of vendors selling extraordinary wares, including bones, bugs, taxidermy, dark art, strange home decor, unique fine jewelry, and bizarre collectibles. Each Saturday in December, the market offers themed shows with different vendors, artists, workshops, and entertainers. The event includes guided tours of the Winchester Mystery House and offers free commemorative gifts with advance ticket purchases. Food, wine, and spirits are available daily from Smashing Dishes.

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San Francisco Holiday Shows and Entertainment

40th Annual Great Dickens Christmas Fair 2024

The Great Dickens Christmas Fair is a one-of-a-kind immersive adventure into Victorian London, recreating the streets, music halls, pubs, and dance floors of Charles Dickens' time. Visitors can meet and mingle with hundreds of costumed characters, including Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim, while enjoying traditional foods and drinks. The event features live performances, interactive shows, and hands-on craft activities for all ages.

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SF’s Drag Queens on Ice 2024

SF’s Drag Queens on Ice 2024 is a holiday event featuring drag performances and ice skating in San Francisco's Union Square. The event is part of the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink's roster of special on-ice events, including Flashback Fridays and Polar Bear Skate. It offers a unique blend of glitz, glam, and holiday cheer, making it a cherished tradition for both locals and visitors.

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San Francisco Symphony Holiday Events

The San Francisco Symphony offers a variety of festive events at Davies Symphony Hall this holiday season. The lineup includes Handel's Messiah, a dramatic series of arias, recitatives, and choruses; Deck the Halls, a family-friendly event featuring musical performances from Symphony musicians and special guests; The Muppet Christmas Carol—In Concert, featuring Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy; and Holidays with Boyz II Men and the SF Symphony, where Boyz II Men perform holiday favorites and their most-loved hits. Other events include A Merry-Achi Christmas, The Colors of Christmas, Holiday Brass, Holiday Gaiety, and Peter and the Wolf performed by the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Details:

Elf in Concert w/ Live Orchestra

Elf in Concert with Live Orchestra is a unique event where the holiday classic 'Elf' is screened with John Debney's score performed live by the San Francisco Symphony. This heartwarming and comical story of an elf who doesn't quite fit in New York City is brought to life with the enchanting resonance of a live symphony, making it a memorable holiday experience.

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San Francisco Other Holiday Activities

2024 “Dia de los Muertos” 43rd Annual Procession in The Mission

The 2024 'Dia de los Muertos' 43rd Annual Procession in The Mission is a vibrant celebration honoring ancestors and loved ones. The procession begins at 22nd Street and Bryant Streets, with stops along 24th Street. It features Azteca dancers leading the way, performing ritual dances at each main corner. The event is organized by El Collectivo del Rescate Cultural de La Mission, highlighting the rich cultural heritage of the Mission District. Participants hold candles and pictures of departed loved ones, creating a meaningful and diverse celebration.

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Santa Skivvies 2024: Holiday Underwear Run Through the Castro

The Santa Skivvies Run is a festive holiday underwear fun run/walk that weaves through the iconic Castro neighborhood. Participants wear festive attire and raise funds to support the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, which provides STI/HIV testing and treatment, PrEP navigation, mental health support, and other community services. The event features a Santa drag show, awards for top fundraisers, and a photo booth with St. Nick. Participants receive special Santa Skivvies Run underwear after completing the one-mile course.

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SF’s Lunar New Year “Good Luck” Parade

The SF’s Lunar New Year ‘Good Luck’ Parade in San Francisco is a grand celebration featuring elaborate floats, lion dancers, folk dancers, costumed school groups, marching bands, stilt walkers, Chinese acrobats, and a 268-foot-long Golden Dragon. The parade route spans approximately 1.3 miles and includes iconic landmarks like Second and Market Streets. The event is known for its vibrant atmosphere and cultural significance, attracting tens of thousands of spectators each year.

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Union Square Ice Rink

The Union Square Ice Rink is a popular holiday activity in San Francisco, offering an outdoor ice skating experience in the heart of Union Square. Surrounded by glittering holiday lights and festive decorations, the rink provides a fun and festive atmosphere for skaters of all ages. The rink features 60-minute sessions starting every 90 minutes, with skate rentals available. It also offers special events and themed skating nights, making it a unique and enjoyable holiday activity.

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Giant Menorah Lighting in Union Square

The Giant Menorah Lighting in Union Square, San Francisco, is a significant holiday event that commemorates the miracle of Hanukkah. The 25-foot-tall menorah, erected in 1975, is the first giant public menorah outside of Israel and has inspired thousands of similar displays worldwide. The event features live music, children's crafts, and entertainment, making it a cherished community celebration for both Jews and non-Jews.

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SF’s 2024 Dia de los Muertos Festival of Altars

The SF's 2024 Dia de los Muertos Festival of Altars is a vibrant celebration honoring the deceased with traditional altars, community participation, and cultural rituals. Thousands gather at Potrero Del Sol Park to build and admire altars adorned with marigolds, cempasuchiles, and photographs of loved ones. The festival includes a ritual circle ceremony to honor ancestors and the environment, as well as various workshops and performances.

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Miracle at PCH

Miracle at Pacific Cocktail Haven is a holiday pop-up bar in San Francisco that offers seasonal cocktails, festive photo opportunities, and holiday cheer. The bar is adorned with thousands of colorful lights, wrapping paper decorations, garlands, ornaments, bows, frills, glowing trees, Santa hats, and a huge stack of presents. Guests can sip on steaming eggnog, cider, or themed cocktails from festive glassware while enjoying the Christmas spirit with friends or family. The bar features a menu with warm rum, almond milk eggnog, eggnog with peanut butter cognac, cranberry cosmos, mulled wine, and more. It is located just a block away from Union Square's Winter Wander-Land, making it an ideal spot for a holiday outing.

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Thrive City’s Winter Wonderland

Thrive City's Winter Wonderland in San Francisco features a 90-foot tall holiday tree, festive food and drinks, special performances by Montell Jordan and Soji Sai Afrobeat, ice skating rink with DJ Skate Party, live music, photos with Santa Claus, Hanukkah celebration with menorah lighting ceremony, and Kwanzaa celebration with cultural performances and countdown drop.

Details:

  • 📅 Dates: November 30 - December 31, 2024
  • ⏰ Time: Varies based on Chase Center events and game schedules
  • 🏛️ Venue: Thrive City
  • 📍 Address: 1725 3rd St San Francisco CA

SantaCon

SantaCon in San Francisco is an annual pub crawl where participants dress up in Santa Claus costumes and other Christmas characters. The event supports local bars, restaurants, and taverns across the city. It is a festive way to kick off the holiday season with a mix of fun, camaraderie, and community spirit. Participants are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys for the San Francisco Firefighters Toy Program. The event has grown significantly since its inception in 1994, with thousands of participants each year.

Details:

  • 📅 Dates: December
  • ⏰ Time: 12pm-10pm (See website for specific times)
  • 🏛️ Venue: Mission District
  • 📍 Address: View on map

2024 Día de los Muertos in the Sunset

The 2024 Día de los Muertos celebration in the Sunset District of San Francisco features a Día de los Muertos-themed market with folkloric dances, loteria, live music, and vendors selling traditional artisan goods and delicious food. Families are invited to construct an ofrenda or altar table in memory of their lost loved ones, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere.

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Legion of Honor 100th Anniversary Free Museum Weekend

The Legion of Honor 100th Anniversary Free Museum Weekend celebrates the museum's centennial with a series of free events and activities. The weekend includes community programs, lectures, music and dance performances, and screenings of iconic films. The event highlights the museum's collection-based initiatives aimed at widening audience access to its spectacular art collection. It also features collaborations with local cultural organizations and newly commissioned performances and film screenings.

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Nob Hill Tree Lighting Ceremony 2024

The Nob Hill Tree Lighting Ceremony is an annual event hosted by the Nob Hill Association at Huntington Park. The ceremony features live seasonal music, including jazz performances by the Cathedral School Hawk Combo Band. Refreshments are provided by local hotels. The event begins with an opening prayer from Grace Cathedral’s Dean, followed by remarks from local community leaders, including Supervisor Aaron Peskin and City Attorney David Chiu. Awards are given to SFPD and SFFD Protectors of the Year, and a special presentation is made to Raphael House, which has been helping low-income families and families experiencing homelessness since 1971. The ceremony includes live seasonal music, cookies, and hot beverages courtesy of NHA partners, as well as remarks from local community leaders.

Details:

  • 📅 Dates: December 2, 2024
  • ⏰ Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • 🏛️ Venue: Huntington Park
  • 📍 Address: View on map

The Ritz-Carlton SF’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony 2024

The Ritz-Carlton SF's Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony is a festive event featuring live entertainment with Dickens-era carolers and trumpeters. The ceremony includes the legendary tree lighting at the hotel's front drive and photo opportunities with Santa Claus.

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2024 Hayes Valley’s 34th Annual Holiday Stroll

The 2024 Hayes Valley’s 34th Annual Holiday Stroll is a festive celebration featuring music, shopping, performances, and kid activities. The event takes place in the Hayes Valley neighborhood, where participants can stroll around surrounded by holiday lights and decorated windows. The event includes in-store activities, wine & treats, and special promotions at local shops.

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SF’s Mayoral Inauguration Celebration for Daniel Lurie

The SF’s Mayoral Inauguration Celebration for Daniel Lurie in San Francisco featured a community banquet, a special night market, and a community-led celebration. Thousands of supporters and dignitaries gathered in Chinatown, with live performances showcasing artists and Chinatown restaurants. The event highlighted Lurie's commitment to increasing public safety, boosting police department staffing, and bringing more staffers with Asian backgrounds to City Hall. It also emphasized his pledge to address anti-Asian violence and support the diverse needs of Asian San Franciscans.

Details:

  • 📅 Dates: January 8, 2025
  • ⏰ Time: (See website for times)
  • 🏛️ Venue: Chinatown
  • 📍 Address: Grant Avenue

Golden Gate Park Tree Lighting

Golden Gate Park's Annual Holiday Tree Lighting is a cherished San Francisco tradition that dates back to 1929. The event features the illumination of Uncle John's Tree, a 100-foot-tall Monterey Cypress, with over 800 bulbs. The tree lighting ceremony is accompanied by live music, carnival rides, kids' activities, food trucks, and various performances. Guests can also explore the whimsical Entwined LED light installation in Peacock Meadow and enjoy arts and crafts, cookie decorating, and other festive activities.

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Fairmont Hotel’s Gingerbread House

The Fairmont Hotel's Gingerbread House is a stunning, two-story Victorian-style structure made from thousands of baked gingerbread bricks. Adorned with hundreds of pounds of See's Candies' iconic sweets, it stands over 22 feet high and 23 feet wide. The house includes more than 7,750 pieces of gingerbread, 1,500 pounds of royal icing, and hundreds of pounds of candy. The culinary team spent approximately 375 hours creating the gingerbread house, while the engineering department worked 520 hours to construct its framework.

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San Francisco Tea Festival 2024

The San Francisco Tea Festival 2024 is an event where attendees can explore and taste hundreds of teas from over 30 different tea makers. Vendors include established brands and local artisans. The festival offers free tastings and a souvenir porcelain tasting cup. It features lectures, workshops, and demonstrations by international tea experts, providing a comprehensive experience for tea enthusiasts.

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The San Francisco Fall Cider Fest 2024

The San Francisco Fall Cider Fest is a vibrant celebration of autumn flavors, featuring unlimited pours of 30+ craft ciders with unique flavors like honey-sage, agave ginger, sour blood orange, and tropical passionfruit. The event includes seasonal dishes from 15+ gourmet vendors, a cozy fire pit for toasting s’mores, and picturesque autumn-themed photo spots. Live music and entertainment add to the festive atmosphere, with games and contests sprinkled throughout the afternoon.

Details:

  • 📅 Dates: November 9th, 2024
  • ⏰ Time: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
  • 🏛️ Venue: The Field at SPARK Social SF
  • 📍 Address: 601 Mission Bay Blvd. North SF

Indigenous Peoples’ Thanksgiving Sunrise Gathering 2024

The Indigenous Peoples' Thanksgiving Sunrise Gathering is an annual event held on Alcatraz Island to honor the resilience and survival of Indigenous cultures. The ceremony includes traditional prayers, songs, and dances, with participants gathering around a ceremonial fire. It commemorates the 1969 occupation of Alcatraz by Native American students and activists, highlighting themes of unity and resistance against historical oppression.

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Castro Holiday Tree Lighting 2024

The Castro Holiday Tree Lighting 2024 is an annual event that marks the beginning of the holiday season in the Castro. The iconic 28-foot tree is decorated with lights and ornaments reflecting the six colors of the rainbow flag. The event features appearances by local dignitaries, music by the Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band, and the arrival of Santa Claus. It is a heartwarming tradition that strengthens community bonds and supports local businesses.

Details:

  • 📅 Dates: December 2, 2024
  • ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM PDT
  • 🏛️ Venue: Bank of America Plaza
  • 📍 Address: 501 Castro Street

SFMOMA’s Free Family Day 2024

SFMOMA’s Free Family Day offers a day of art and family fun with art-making activities for the whole family in the Koret Education Center. The event includes additional activities and activations, celebrating creative expressions through various art forms. Up to four adults can get in free when accompanied by a child 18 or younger.

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SF’s MLK Jr Day Celebrations

The SF’s MLK Jr Day Celebrations in San Francisco feature a week-long festival honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., including a parade, film festival, arts festival, health & wellness festival, and more. The events celebrate the life and work of MLK with various activities and performances.

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Halloween Hoopla Kids Festival in the Park 2024

Halloween Hoopla is a family-friendly event featuring spectacular performances and activities for kids under 10 and their adults. The event includes a grand finale Halloween Costume Parade with live music, making it a delightful experience for all participants.

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SF’s 2024 “Laternenfest” German Autumn Lantern Festival

The SF’s 2024 ‘Laternenfest’ German Autumn Lantern Festival is a heartwarming celebration of St. Martin's spirit. It features German food, student performances, lanterns for sale, and a delightful evening stroll through Eureka Valley's charming streets. The event includes a lantern parade, musical performances, and a variety of activities that showcase the unity of the German-American community.

Details:

  • 📅 Dates: November 8, 2024
  • ⏰ Time: 4:00 PM - 7:30 PM
  • 🏛️ Venue: San Francisco Campus
  • 📍 Address: 117 Diamond St

Free National Parks Day

Free National Parks Day in San Francisco offers free admission to over 400 national parks across the United States, including Muir Woods National Monument and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. This event allows visitors to explore maritime history, hike through coastal redwoods, and enjoy scenic landscapes without paying entrance fees.

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