BAY AREA HOLIDAY EVENT GUIDE

What’s Happening

Around the Bay Area

San Francisco Events

2018 Lighted Boat Parade

Fri-Sun, Dec 14-16. 6PM-8PM

The Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District and the St. Francis Yacht Club will once again present the oldest and largest lighted holiday boat parade on San Francisco Bay. Spectators can enjoy wonderful views from Aquatic Park, PIER 39, the Marina Green, and Crissy Field.

ZooLights

Fri-Sun, Dec 14-30. 5PM-8PM

Experience the magic and wonder of the season during this special evening event, featuring bright holiday light displays, Santa Claus and the only place around where you can see Santa’s reindeer!

Circus Bella Presents Kaleidoscope

Sat-Sun, Dec 15-Jan 6. Times Vary

Get ready for a full-force, non-stop show of thrilling feats in Circus Bella’s upcoming winter showcase Kaleidoscope, a celebration of diversity and color!

SFMade Holiday Fair

Sun, Dec 16. 11AM-5PM

SFMade presents its 8th Annual Holiday Gift Fair, held at California College of the Arts’ San Francisco campus — the largest holiday gift fair where you walk in and know that every item was made in SF.

Holiday Brass

Sun, Dec 16. 7:30PM

The popular Holiday Brass concert is back! Feel the power and precision of the San Francisco Symphony brass section as they fill the Hall with a festive mix of classical and popular holiday favorites—a thrilling performance sure to lift your spirits.

Events Coming Soon:

Cinderella Fri-Sun, Dec 21-23. Times Vary

The Midtown Men Sat, Dec 22. 7:30PM

2018 Winter Walk SF Sat-Sun, Dec 22-31. Times Vary 2018 Learn to Skate Union Square Sat-Sun, Dec 22-Jan 20. 8:15AM-9:30AM ‘Twas the Night Festival of Carols Sun, Dec 23. 7:30PM

North Bay Events

Vendors Winter Craft Faire

Fri, Dec 14. 9:30AM

Shop locally! Browse quality and unique gifts benefitting Petaluma Education Foundation and Live Oak Charter School.

The Sausalito Renaissance and the  Birth of Mid-Century Modern in Sausalito

Fri-Sun, Dec 14-Jan 26. Times Vary

When World War II ended in 1945, men and women who had fought to overcome tyranny abroad came home and sought to create lives with renewed purpose. Sausalito was primed to host this post-war “avant-garde” and play a key role in influencing the San Francisco Renaissance.

Walt Disney’s Trains

Fri-Sun, Dec 14-Mar 31. Times Vary

This family-friendly exhibition, organized with San Francisco’s Walt Disney Family Museum, explores the influence that railroad trains had on Walt Disney‘s life and work. It also tells the story of how his railroading legacy lives on to this day in Disney films and theme parks around the world.

Kid’s Night

Sat, Dec 15. 5PM-9PM

Get your holiday shopping done while your kids enjoy after-hours fun at the Schulz Museum. Kids will have the Museum to themselves for pizza dinner, games, art, crafts, and cartooning.

The Nutcracker

Sat-Sun, Dec 15-16. Times Vary

Napa Regional Dance Company’s beloved production of The Nutcracker is back for its 18th season! Join Clara and her Nutcracker Prince on an enchanted journey through the Snow Flake Forest to The Land of Sweets with the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier in this timeless holiday classic.

Events Coming Soon:

Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show Fri, Dec 21. 8PM

12th Annual Gingerbread House Tour Fri-Sun, Dec 21-31. Times Vary

Love Linda Fri-Sun, Dec 21-Jan 13. Times Vary

Tapcracker 2018 Sat, Dec 22. Times Vary

Brian Wilson presents The Christmas Album Live Sat, Dec 22. 8PM

East Bay Events

Winter Fest

Fri, Dec 14. 5PM-9PM

Celebrate diverse winter traditions reflected in the Bay Area. Enjoy storytime with the Oakland Public Library, winter-themed activities, strolling carolers, and a special Balinese dance and music performance by Gamelan Sekar Jaya Ensemble.

People’s History of Next

Fri-Sun, Dec 14-22. Times Vary

After grief destroys the world, three teenagers find themselves the unwilling guardians of humanity ’s detritus. Surrounded by the ghosts of the past, they are forced to become the architects of the future.

2018 Officer’s Holiday Tea

Sat, Dec 15. Times Vary

Join us for tea in the Officers’ Wardroom for a winter tea service! Eat and drink from vintage USN china aboard the historic aircraft carrier USS Hornet, and explore the ship. All profits from this tea will go toward improving the Museum’s exhibitions and caring for its collection of artifacts.

Selfie with Santa

Sat-Sun, Dec 15-23. 12PM-4PM

Ring in the holiday season with a selfie with Santa! Enjoy free hot apple cider as well as children’s arts and crafts.

The Amazing Bubble Show

Sun, Dec 16. Times Vary

Thrilling audiences around the world for nearly 30 years with the art, magic, science, and fun of bubbles, the Amazing Bubble Man (a.k.a. Louis Pearl) explores the breath-taking dynamics of bubbles.

Events Coming Soon:

Caroling Fri, Dec 21. 6PM

John Legend Fri, Dec 21. 8PM

Fandango Jarocho: Son Jarocho Jam Session Fri, Dec 21. 8PM-11PM

A Time for Hawking Fri-Sun, Dec 21-Jan 13. Times Vary

Craneway Craft Fair Sat-Sun, Dec 22-23. 10AM-5PM

Peninsula Events

Dianne Reeves

Fri, Dec 14. 7:30PM

A holiday visit from a five-time Grammy-winning jazz legend is well worth celebrating. Dianne Reeves brings music from her album, Christmas Time is Here, to the Bing, and what a delight it will be.

A Christmas Carol

Fri-Sun, Dec 14-16. Times Vary

A Christmas Carol tells the classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge through a lavish and thrilling score. With an infuriated “Bah! Humbug!” Scrooge summates his feelings of Christmas tidings and charitable giving, but he’s forced to face his selfish ways when three ghosts on Christmas Eve lead him through his Past, Present, and Future.

Symphony Silicon Valley Chorale

Sat, Dec 15. 7PM

Come for a traditional sing-along of your favorite carols with choir and brass ensemble, all in the warm glow of the beautiful California Theatre.

San Jose Craft Holiday Fair

2018 Sat-Sun, Dec 15-16. 11AM-5PM

Over the course of two days, San Jose Craft Holiday Fair will offer a festive, large-scale, all-in-one holiday shopping experience featuring an amazing showcase of handcrafted, artisan and brilliantly made goods perfect for gifting this 2018 holiday season!

Santa Run Silicon Valley

Sun, Dec 16. Times Vary

Join us for the 7th annual Santa Run Silicon Valley, benefiting Christmas in the Park and Downtown Ice. This 5K Run/Walk is fun for the whole family and we encourage you to dress up as your favorite holiday character or tradition.

Events Coming Soon:

The Santaland Dairies Fri-Sun, Dec 21-23. Times Vary

Santastic! Santa’s Fantastic Musical Revue Fri-Sun, Dec 21-23. Times Vary

Luminous – A Celebratio of Light and Color Fri-Sun, Dec 21-23. Times Vary

San Mateo on Ice Fri-Sun, Dec 21-Jan 13. Times Vary

Fantasy of Light Drive-Thru Sat-Sun, Dec 22-23. 6PM-10PM