This Season in San Francisco
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
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
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
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
A cultural holiday tradition offering Scandinavian crafts, baked goods, and seasonal décor.
Date: Dec. 6, 2025
Location: Saint Mary’s Cathedral
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
A special holiday edition spotlighting Black-owned small businesses, food artisans, and local creators.
Date: Dec. 13, 2025
Location: Ferry Building Marketplace
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
Dates: 2025 dates TBA
Location: 100 Channel St
Dates: 2025 dates TBA
Location: 679 3rd St
Dates: Nov. 12 – Dec. 31, 2025
Location: 528 Divisadero St
Dates: 2025 dates TBA
Location: 500 Columbus Ave
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 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’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
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
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
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
