Christmas Events and Holiday Activities
in San Francisco for Kids

Union Square Holiday Ice Rink
San Francisco
Daily, November 5, 2025-January 19, 2026
Ice skating is back at San Francisco's favorite outdoor rink in Union Square. Enjoy special events like Learn to Skate, Polar Bear Skate, and Flashback Fridays. Grab a cup of hot chocolate, admire the beautiful tree, and celebrate the holidays. Website

Glowfari
Oakland
Select dates, November 7, 2025-January 25, 2026
Oakland Zoo is up in lights for Glowfari, featuring hundreds of beautiful glowing animal lanterns scattered throughout. Families can walk around the animals of the forest with iconic wildlife, frosty friends of the Arctic, the Deep Ocean, and the Bayou swamp. Website

San Mateo on Ice
San Mateo
Daily, November 14, 2025-January 11, 2026
Central Park in downtown San Mateo turns into an ice skating rink. Featuring 11,000 square feet of real ice, skaters can have fun on the ice during the day or under the stars at night. Website

Glow: Play in the Light at the Exploratorium
San Francisco
Select dates, November 20, 2025-January 25, 2026
Play experimental LED dungeon crawlers, see real objects float with movie screen technology, paint the walls with digital light, walk inside 3D illusions, and so much more. These family programs and more get everyone thinking and exploring the magic of light. Website

Walnut Creek on Ice
Walnut Creek
Daily, November 21, 2025-January 19, 2026
Walnut Creek's outdoor ice skating rink is open for the holidays with special events and open skating. Rent a cabana and enjoy a party for a group, head over for an evening on skates, or take a class to learn the basics of gliding on the ice. New this year is a 90-foot ice slide. Website

The Great Dickens Christmas Fair
Cow Palace Exhibition Hall, Daly City
Saturday, November 22-Sunday, December 21, 2025
A one-of-a-kind immersive adventure into Victorian London, the Great Dickens Christmas Fair has costumed players interacting with patrons, theatrically lit music halls, pubs, dance floors, food and beverages, and holiday shops. Families can sip on hot spiced cider, see a puppet show, engage in arts and crafts, and even see a Victorian fairy. Website

Holiday Tea at the Fairmont
San Francisco
Friday, November 22, 2025-Sunday,-January 4, 2026
The beautiful San Francisco Fairmont Hotel hosts holiday tea for kids and adults. Delicious loose-leaf tea such as Holiday Plum Spice, along with house-made scones, tea sandwiches, and sweets are presented in themed decor. Vegan and gluten-free options are available as well. Website

Winter Wonderland at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Santa Cruz—FREE
Thursday, November 27, 2025 (Thanksgiving)-Sunday, January 4, 2026
Celebrate the holiday season at the beach in Santa Cruz with rides, games, arcades, decorations, a three-story tall Christmas tree, photos with Santa, pedal carts, and more. Beach Boardwalk activities include holiday movies, fire pit rentals with holiday s'mores, and tons of holiday shopping. Website

Holiday Lights Train at Roaring Camp
Felton
Select dates, November 28-December 23, 2025
A family favorite is back at Roaring Camp for the holidays. The Holiday Lights Train takes guests on vintage cars decked out in colorful lights. Additional activities include a holiday singalong, live music, hot-spiced cider, and a Santa visit. Website

North Pole Nights at Gilroy Gardens
Gilroy
Friday-Sundays, November 28-December 31, 2025
Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of North Pole Nights at Gilroy Gardens. This extraordinary experience includes jolly characters, fun live shows, ice skating under the stars, festive food and drinks, Santa's Workshop, magical light displays, and more. Website

Winterfest at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Vallejo
Friday, November 28, 2025-Sunday, January 4, 2026
Enjoy the holidays at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo. The park is filled with tons of holiday decor, including a larger-than-life Christmas tree, special shows, rides, and festive treats like gingerbread churros and hot chocolate. Website

Christmas in the Park at Plaza de Cesar Chavez
San Jose—FREE
Daily, November 28, 2025-January 1, 2026
Christmas in the Park is a popular holiday event in downtown San Jose. The park turns into a holiday extravaganza with musical and animated exhibits, colorful lights, and a 50-foot Christmas tree. The forest of trees is decorated by San Jose schools, community groups, and businesses to highlight all that the city has to offer. Website

Teddy Bear Tea at the Ritz-Carlton
San Francisco
Select dates, November 29-December 23, 2025
Teddy Bear Tea in the winter wonderland of the Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco is a favorite holiday tradition. Kids can enjoy tea service with hot chocolate, scones, teddy bear treats, and assorted sandwiches while an animated show of holiday elves and characters perform singalongs, skits, and tell stories. Kids 2-11 receive a teddy bear gift and keepsake to take home. Website

Holiday Bricktacular at LEGOLAND Discovery Center
Milpitas
Daily, November 29, 2025-January 1, 2026
Meet LEGO Santa, help the master builder with a special holiday LEGO build, trade holiday minifigs, check out the Dallas mini-land decked out in holiday decor, and more. Website

Thrive City Winter Wonderland
San Francisco—FREE
Select dates, November 30-December 31, 2025
Thrive City is a winter wonderland with a host of festive experiences for all ages. Start with the annual tree lighting ceremony with live music; a Hannukah celebration with menorah lighting; and end with Kwanzaa and Noon Year's Eve. Ice skating, live entertainment, multicultural experiences, photo opportunities, seasonal treats, and more are in store. Website

San Francisco Ballet: The Nutcracker
San Francisco
Select dates , December 5-28, 2025
Exquisite dancing, beautiful sets, beloved characters, and the music of Tchaikovsky are performed live by the San Francisco Orchestra and the San Francisco Ballet Company. A favorite show for the holidays, it's the story of a young girl, a nutcracker, and a sugarplum fairy. Website

Santa Claus Arrives by Helicopter at the Hiller Aviation Museum
San Carlos
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Head over to the Hiller Aviation Museum for a special arrival of Santa Claus via helicopter. Additional activities include Christmas carols by the West Bay Community Band, and kids can tell Santa Claus what they want for Christmas. Website

Breakfast with Santa at the Westin St. Francis
San Francisco
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Enjoy a breakfast buffet overlooking San Francisco, with a classic American spread including eggs, bacon, pancakes, fresh fruit, and even a mimosa for each adult. The highlight of the morning will be a special visit from Santa, where every child will have the chance to meet him and take a photo. Website

Mark Foehringer‘s Nutcracker Sweets at Fort Mason Center
San Francisco
Saturday, December 6-Sunday, December 21, 2025
A unique, 50-minute production perfect for small kids, Nutcracker Sweets takes the best parts of the classic ballet and makes it fun. With beautiful costumes, contemporary dance, ballet, and recognizable characters, it's a great way to introduce this holiday tradition. Website

Sing You a Merry Christmas at Grace Cathedral
San Francisco
Select dates, December 13-23, 2025
It is officially the most wonderful time of the year, so sing along at Sing You a Merry Christmas, an interactive performance the entire family will enjoy. Tag along with the toys of St. Nicholas’ workshop as they search for the true meaning of Christmas, taking us on a joyous expedition of discovery, following festive clues and decking the halls with all of your favorite Christmas carols. Website

Fairy Winterland
Oakland
Saturday and Sundays, December 13-28, 2025
December sparkles at Children's Fairyland for the return of Fairy Winterland, a tradition for over 20 years. See twinkling lights, Santa Claus leading the Festival of Lights Parade, special performances including tap dancing penguins and trees, a wishing wall, complimentary hot chocolate or cider, and more Don't forget to drop your letter to Santa in the special mailbox. Website

Home Alone Film with Live Orchestra
San Francisco
Friday, December 19-Saturday, December 20, 2025
Experience the beloved holiday hit Home Alone on the big screen like never before, with John Williams’ exuberant score performed live by the San Francisco Symphony. Starring an adorable Macaulay Culkin, this hilarious and heartwarming comedy is holiday fun for the entire family. Website