San Francisco Christmas Guide › San Francisco Christmas Markets 2026
Gamble Garden in Palo Alto hosts a holiday Family Night as part of its Winter Festival, and this year's theme is "Through the Looking Glass." Families wander through a Faerie Village and pose for photos with Santa and his sleigh, storybook characters, and a holiday fairy on stilts.
Kids can dig into holiday crafts while grown-ups browse festive shopping displays strung with lights. Stop by the Gnome Nom Cafe for hot chocolate and cookies, and adults get a complimentary glass of champagne (the gnomes, presumably, stick to cocoa).
Family Night is a holiday evening for kids and families, and children under 12 months get in free. The Winter Festival also includes an adults-only Opening Night Party, a Winter Festival Marketplace, and Holiday Tea sessions, all with separate tickets.
Questions
Who is Family Night for?
It's a holiday evening for kids and families. Children under 12 months get in free.
What food and drinks are there?
The Gnome Nom Cafe serves hot chocolate and cookies, and adults get a free glass of champagne.
Is there more to the Winter Festival than Family Night?
Yes, with separate tickets. There's an adults-only Opening Night Party, a Winter Festival Marketplace, and Holiday Tea sessions.