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Christmas tree at giant gingerbread house at Fairmont Hotel
Photograph: Flickr/dmac55Christmas tree at giant gingerbread house at Fairmont Hotel

The best Christmas events and holiday things to do in San Francisco

Make it a holiday season to remember with the best Christmas events and holiday things to do in San Francisco this year

Written by
Shoshi Parks
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The most joyful time of the year is back! Set up that Christmas tree, admire some Christmas lights and get in the holiday spirit with the best Christmas events and holiday things to do in San Francisco this year. From ice skating with drag queens and a live-action "Charlie Brown Christmas" to a life-size gingerbread house and pop-up holiday bars, these memory-making delights are sure to brighten up your December. And don't forget to chow down on some delicious bites and sip festive tipples along the way! Happy holidays! 

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Christmas in San Francisco

Best Christmas events in San Francisco

  • Things to do
  • Civic Center

Since the 1944 American premiere of The Nutcracker, San Francisco audiences have embraced the sensational ballet as a true holiday tradition. From composer Peter Tchaikovsky and choreographer Helgi Tomasson, this magical event will delight your family and set the tone for the festivities to come.

Dates: Dec 11–29

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  • Things to do
  • City Life

The Civic Center's Winter Park is back for its second season. Modeled after the Wiener Eistraum in Vienna Austria, a 6,000-square-foot rink and 400-square-foot track woven among the plaza’s trees are at the center of this winter wonderland. Special events like Drag Queens on Ice and Sunday morning curling lessons ($20) are planned throughout the month. General admission for a 75-min skating session is $13–$18 and includes skate rental.

Dates: Nov 22–Jan 5

  • Things to do
  • price 2 of 4

Step back in time at this holiday adventure set in Victorian London which features quaint shops, costumed performers, and the aroma of roasted chestnuts. A Bay Area tradition since 1970, the Great Dickens Christmas Fair takes over the Cow Palace for several weekends every holiday season. Guests can peruse corset stalls, engage in mead-chugging competitions and maybe even spot Scrooge himself.

Dates: Weekends through Dec 22

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  • Attractions
  • Farms
  • Fort Mason
  • price 4 of 4

The third annual Decemberfest at The Guardsmen Tree Lot will include Bay Area craft beer, delicious German baked goods and bratwurst with a mustard tasting bar. All proceeds from the event, and from all Christmas trees sold, will benefit at-risk youth in the Bay Area. Go ahead, wield your Christmas tree for good this year.

Dates: Dec 6, 5:30–8:30pm

  • Hotels
  • Chain hotels
  • Nob Hill
  • price 3 of 4

Nothing rings in the holidays like visiting the Fairmont’s massive gingerbread house. Each year the hotel’s talented culinary and engineering teams work together to create an edible two-story Victorian with more than 6,000 gingerbread bricks and 1,650 pounds of candy that stands more than 25 feet high. Parties of up to ten people can reserve the dining room for a private, super-sweet afternoon tea ($89–$129), dinner or special occasion.

Dates: Through Jan 1

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  • Theater
  • Civic Center
  • price 2 of 4

Join the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus for a hilarious, sometimes irreverent and always brilliant evening of music and laughter. Be dazzled by the 250-man strong choir harmonizing everything from "Silver Bells” to “Silent Night,” with special guests Velocity Handbell Ensemble. On Christmas Eve, the final concert of the night is slightly bawdier than the first two family friendly performances.

Dates: Dec 6, 7, 24  

  • Nightlife
  • Civic Center
  • price 4 of 4

Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the whole Peanuts gang invade Davies Symphony Hall this Christmas with a live-action take on the classic A Charlie Brown Christmas. The players and the musicians of the SF Symphony will bring this family favorite to life in front of an animated backdrop. Come early for a holiday-themed reception which will include activities and festive Peanuts decor.

Dates: Dec 21–23

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Abstaining from this year’s Christmas celebrations? Grab a seat at New Asia Restaurant for the city’s longest running comedy show, Kung Pao Kosher Comedy. It’s a hilarious comedic romp that celebrates the classic Jewish answer to Christmas dinner, the Chinese restaurant. Catch the show with an early evening dinner or late evening cocktails and vegetarian dim sum.

Dates: Dec 24–26 

  • Bars
  • price 1 of 4

This holiday pop-up bar is full of holiday spirit(s). Beginning November 22, toast to the holidays in Deck the Halls' winter wonderland. During Hannukah, the Dreidel Bar will also be open for business. A dollar from each order will be donated to Toys for Tots. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate for a free side of tater tots.

Dates: Nov 22–Dec 25 

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  • Things to do
  • Event spaces
  • Nob Hill

Join emcee Honey Mahogany, drag queen extraordinaire Juanita More!, and a variety of artists, musicians and local dignitaries as they light up the night at Grace Cathedral. The performances, sponsored by the Rainbow World Fund, will help restore your faith in humanity and rebuild your hopes for our local, national and global communities.

Dates: Dec 10, 6:30–8:30pm

  • Things to do
  • Ice skating
  • price 1 of 4

Rain or shine, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will take to the ice for a holiday skating party full of glitz and glamor. Watch from the sidelines or lace up a pair of skates and join San Francisco’s fiercest drag queens as they lip synch their way through this outrageous, hilarious and heartwarming evening in Union Square.

Dates: Dec 5, 8–10pm 

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  • Sports and fitness
  • price 2 of 4

Grab your sexiest Santa garb and head to the Castro for a fun-filled afternoon (and messy night). The Santa Skivvies Run is the perfect way to show off your ability to avoid carbs during advent while raising money for a worthy cause. You don’t need to strip down to be a part of the parade; amazing costumes abound at this race, some smaller than others.

Dates: Dec 8 at 9:30am

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  • Nightlife

Give Hannukah a little much needed attention this December at the Latke Ball at 1015 Folsom. Dance the night away on three floors to the stylings of DJ ICEMAN in celebration of the Bay Area’s Jewish community. Dress snazzy for a night of fun and a latke buffet with all the fixings.

Dates: Dec 24, 9pm-2am

  • Nightlife
  • Civic Center
  • price 4 of 4

Jose Hernandez and his incomparable Mariachi Sol de Mexico take over Davies Symphony Hall on December 8 for a unique, musical holiday tribute. This multi-cultural celebration features holiday favorites from both sides of the border in a bright, bold concert the whole family will love.

December 8 at 8pm, $35-160

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  • Theater
  • Drama
  • price 2 of 4

For almost half a century, the American Conservatory Theater has delighted audiences of all ages with the Dicken’s classic, A Christmas Carol. Join Ebenezer Scrooge on his journey through time in Victorian England and rediscover the true meaning of the holiday season.

Dates: Nov 29–Dec 24 

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This unique SF tradition takes caroling to the next level in a mobile sound sculpture parading through town. The magic starts when revelers, who have download select holiday music tracks in advance, all hit play on their devices simultaneously to create an ethereal, electronic soundscape designed by artist Phil Kline. Join in the parade or watch and listen from Dolores Park where the music starts at 7:30pm.

Dates: Dec 14 at 7:30pm

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