This Season in San Francisco

Sydney Winstead • November 19, 2025

San Francisco Holiday Guide 2025: Best Christmas Events, Lights, Ice Rinks & Pop-Ups

Discover the best holiday and Christmas events in San Francisco for 2025. Explore top ice rinks, Christmas markets, tree lightings, festive pop-up bars, concerts, and the city’s most popular winter activities. A complete seasonal guide for locals and visitors.

  • Ice Skating in San Francisco & Around the Bay

    Union Square Ice Rink — San Francisco

    San Francisco’s most recognizable ice rink returns with skyline views, holiday lights, and themed skate nights. Great for both beginners and seasoned skaters looking for a classic holiday outing.

    Location: Union Square

    Season: Early November – mid-January


    Thrive City Winter Wonderland Rink — Mission Bay

    Chase Center’s holiday programming includes a synthetic rink, DJ skate days, and festive surroundings. Sessions are limited and tend to book quickly, especially during the week of Christmas.

    Location: Thrive City, Chase Center

    Season: Late December (select dates)


    Yerba Buena Ice Skating Center — SoMa

    This NHL-sized indoor rink offers public sessions, lessons, and a reliable schedule year-round. A dependable pick if you want a holiday skate experience without weather concerns or large crowds.

    Location: 750 Folsom St, SF

    Season: Year-round (holiday schedule varies)


    Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink — San Ramon

    A seasonal outdoor rink named after the Olympic champion, featuring themed nights, fire pits, and a spacious layout. A favorite for group outings and festive photo moments.

    Location: San Ramon

    Season: Early November – early January


    Merry Meritage Ice Rink — Napa

    Napa’s winter village transforms the Meritage Resort into a holiday escape with an outdoor rink, s’mores stations, igloos, and a full lineup of seasonal programming. A perfect winter day trip from SF.

    Location: Napa Valley

    Season: Late November – early January


    Walnut Creek on Ice — Walnut Creek

    Celebrating two decades, this East Bay favorite includes skating lessons, an ice slide, and rentable fire pits. Ideal for families or anyone planning a longer holiday outing.

    Location: Walnut Creek

    Season: Late November – mid-January


    3Crosses Christmas Village Rink — Castro Valley

    Part of a larger holiday village complete with food trucks, artisan vendors, and light displays. Features the largest outdoor rink in Alameda County.

    Location: Castro Valley

    Season: Late November – early January


    Ice at the Veranda — Concord

    A festive rink with one of the longest holiday seasons in the Bay Area, often hosting weekend markets and themed events. Great for those who want the holiday spirit to last well past December.

    Location: Concord

    Season: Early November – mid-February

  • Christmas & Holiday Markets Across San Francisco

    Embarcadero Center Holiday Market

    A one-day seasonal market offering local vendors, festive décor, and easy access to the waterfront.

    Date: Nov. 19, 2025

    Location: Embarcadero Center


    West Coast Craft Winter

    A major draw for design lovers featuring emerging artists, home goods, jewelry, and high-end handmade pieces.

    Dates: Nov. 22–23, 2025

    Location: Fort Mason Center


    Rooftop Holiday Faire

    A multi-weekend event hosted on the Fairmont rooftop with curated vendors, holiday gifts, and a cozy seasonal atmosphere.

    Dates: Nov. 28–30 and Dec. 19–21, 2025

    Location: Fairmont Hotel, Nob Hill


    Sunset Holiday Mercantile

    A neighborhood favorite featuring dozens of local makers, food artisans, and community-focused holiday shopping.

    Dates: Dec. 6–7, 2025

    Location: SF County Fair Building


    Swedish Christmas Fair

    A cultural holiday tradition offering Scandinavian crafts, baked goods, and seasonal décor.

    Date: Dec. 6, 2025

    Location: Saint Mary’s Cathedral


    SFMOMA Holiday Makers Market

    Museum-curated vendors selling art, prints, ceramics, jewelry, and perfectly giftable handmade items.

    Date: Dec. 7, 2025

    Location: SFMOMA


    Ghirardelli Square Holiday Market

    Creative Communal brings a vibrant market to the waterfront with independent makers, festive music, and seasonal treats.

    Date: Dec. 12, 2025

    Location: Ghirardelli Square


    Foodwise Black Holiday Market

    A special holiday edition spotlighting Black-owned small businesses, food artisans, and local creators.

    Date: Dec. 13, 2025

    Location: Ferry Building Marketplace


    Winter Walk Union Square

    A multi-day holiday pop-up market with rotating vendors, light installations, and easy access to the big Union Square tree.

    Dates: Dec. 13–24, 2025

    Location: Union Square

  • Christmas Tree Lightings in San Francisco

    Union Square Tree

    San Francisco’s most iconic holiday tree returns with classic red and gold decorations, towering over the ice rink and winter programming.

    Display: Mid-November – early January

    Location: Union Square


    555 California Tree

    One of the tallest trees in the city, this 80-foot display rises between downtown skyscrapers and creates a dramatic holiday backdrop.

    Lighting: December 3rd

    Location: 555 California St


    Civic Center Plaza Tree

    A 50-foot tree set against City Hall’s red and green lights, complete with performances, “snow,” and a neighborhood holiday market.

    Lighting: December 3rd at 4pm

    Location: Civic Center Plaza


    Ritz-Carlton Tree

    The Ritz presents a grand holiday tree at its entrance, paired with carolers and festive programming throughout the season.

    Lighting: Decemerber 3rd at 5:30 pm

    Location: 600 Stockton St


    Uncle John’s Tree at Golden Gate Park

    A 100-foot Monterey cypress lit each year at McLaren Lodge, continuing a tradition that dates back to 1929.

    Lighting: Early December

    Location: McLaren Lodge, Golden Gate Park


    Grace Cathedral World Tree of Hope

    The world’s largest origami Christmas tree, decorated with thousands of handmade cranes carrying wishes from around the globe.

    Lighting: December 8

    Location: Grace Cathedral, 1100 California St


    Fairmont Hotel Tree

    The Fairmont showcases a beautifully decorated lobby tree alongside its famous two-story gingerbread house and holiday train.

    Display: Late November – early January

    Location: 950 Mason St


    Pier 39 Tree

    A vibrant live tree with specialty lights that animate nightly as part of Pier 39’s holiday programming.

    Display: Dec. 5 – early January

    Location: Pier 39, Embarcadero


    Thrive City Tree at Chase Center

    A towering city display dedicated to the Golden State Warriors, featuring nightly “snowfall” and waterfront views.

    Lighting: November 30th

    Location: Thrive City, Chase Center

  • Holiday Shows & Concerts in San Francisco

    SF Ballet’s Nutcracker

    San Francisco’s most iconic holiday performance returns with Tchaikovsky’s classic score, a full orchestra, and lavish staging.

    Dates:  Dec. 5- 28

    Location: War Memorial Opera House


    SF Symphony Holiday Performances

    Davies Symphony Hall hosts a full December lineup, including film concerts, choral works, brass shows, and family programs such as Deck the Hall. Features, Home Alone, The Holiday, Charlie Brown, and more!

    Dates: Nov. 30 -December

    Location: Davies Symphony Hall


    Broadway SF Holiday Shows

    The Curran and Golden Gate Theatres present seasonal specials, touring productions, concerts, and holiday-themed performances from Golden Girls to Trisha Paytas.

    Dates: Late November – December

    Location: Curran Theatre & Golden Gate Theatre


    Candlelight Holiday Concerts

    St. Ignatius Church hosts intimate candlelit concerts featuring classical carols and selections from The Nutcracker.

    Dates: Mid–December

    Location: St. Ignatius Church


    Performances at Grace Cathedral

    Grace Cathedral’s holiday season includes choir performances, classical concerts, Lessons & Carols, Baroque programs, and family singalongs.

    Dates: Early–late December

    Location: Grace Cathedral


    SF Gay Men’s Chorus Holiday Shows

    The SF Gay Men’s Chorus brings festive concerts to SF and surrounding cities, including their annual Holiday Spectacular and community singalongs.

    Dates: Late November – December

    Location: Various Bay Area venues


    Union Square Menorah Lightings

    The 25-foot Bill Graham Menorah is lit nightly during Hanukkah with music, activities, and special programming on select evenings.

    Dates: During Hanukkah

    Location: Union Square


    A WhyNot Christmas Carol

    A family-friendly and humorous adaptation of A Christmas Carol presented by American Conservatory Theater.

    Dates: Late November – December

    Location: Toni Rembe Theater

  • Holiday Pop-Up Bars in San Francisco

    Miracle at Pacific Cocktail Haven

    Dates: Nov. 24 – Dec. 31, 2025

    Location: 550 Sutter St


    Deck the Halls

    Dates: 2025 dates TBA

    Location: 1787 Union St


    Holly Jolly Christmas Bar at Westwood Annex

    Dates: Nov. 20

    Location:  2036 Lombard St


    Sippin’ Santa at Kona’s Street Market

    Dates: 2025 dates TBA

    Location: 32 3rd St


    Grinchville at Thriller Country Club

    Dates: 2025 dates TBA

    Location: 508 4th St


    Nikkei Navidad at KAIYŌ Rooftop

    Dates: 2025 dates TBA

    Location: 701 3rd St


    Nochebuena at Cavaña

    Dates: 2025 dates TBA

    Location: 100 Channel St


    The Alchemist Wonderland

    Dates: 2025 dates TBA

    Location: 679 3rd St


    Horsefeather Holidays

    Dates: Nov. 12 – Dec. 31, 2025

    Location: 528 Divisadero St


    Red Window

    Dates: 2025 dates TBA

    Location: 500 Columbus Ave


    The Harlequin

    Dates: 2025 dates TBA

    Location: 68 4th St


    The Sequoia Holiday Speakeasy at Wayfare Tavern

    Dates: 2025 dates TBA

    Location: 558 Sacramento St

  • Christmas Lights & Holiday Displays in San Francisco

    Union Square

    Union Square shines as the centerpiece of downtown during the holidays, with its towering Christmas tree illuminated by more than 33,000 lights and over 1,100 ornaments. The surrounding stores decorate their windows, the ice rink stays active all season, and the entire plaza becomes one of the most festive places to walk, shop, and take holiday photos.

    Lighting: November 11

    Location: Union Square


    Pier 39

    Pier 39’s 60-foot tree lights up nightly (Dec. 4) with a rotating light show every half hour from 5 to 10 p.m. The waterfront backdrop, restaurants, shops, and holiday atmosphere make this one of the city’s most popular seasonal displays.

    Lighting: December 4

    Location: Pier 39


    Fisherman’s Wharf Sign

    The iconic Fisherman’s Wharf sign receives a full holiday glow each year, making it a perfect stop for festive photos before exploring the neighborhood’s seasonal events and waterfront attractions.

    Location: Jefferson St, Fisherman’s Wharf


    Let’s Glow SF

    Downtown San Francisco transforms into an open-air light art gallery with large-scale holiday projections across eight major buildings, including Salesforce Tower, the Ferry Building, the Hobart Building, and 101 California. This free event draws crowds each night for immersive displays and vibrant holiday visuals.

    Opening Night: December 5

    Show Dates: December 6–14, 5:30–10 p.m.

    Locations: Across the Financial District and Downtown SF


    Sugar Castle at The Westin St. Francis

    The Westin St. Francis unveils its famous Sugar Castle each year in the Union Square lobby. This intricate, larger-than-life display created by Executive Pastry Chef Jean-Francois Houdre is a holiday favorite for photos and family visits.

    On Display: November 26 – January 2

    Location: 335 Powell St (Lobby entrance on Geary St)


    Gingerbread House at The Fairmont

    The Fairmont’s two-story edible gingerbread house is one of San Francisco’s most beloved holiday traditions. Decorated with thousands of treats and set inside the hotel’s grand lobby, it’s a must-see seasonal stop on Nob Hill.

    Opening: November 22

    Location: 950 Mason St


    Ghirardelli Square Sign

    The iconic Ghirardelli Square sign glows red and green throughout the season, adding festive color to the historic plaza alongside shops, restaurants, and waterfront views.

    Lighting: November 28

    Location: 900 North Point St

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