San Francisco Christmas Event Guide 2025

San Francisco in December feels alive in a way few other cities can match. The neighborhoods glow with light art, Union Square buzzes with skaters circling the tree, and long-standing traditions create a sense of history woven into the holidays. 

Each corner of the city offers something a little different: a Victorian village at Cow Palace, Italian markets at Fort Mason, sugar castles in hotel lobbies. We’ve sifted through countless calendars and community boards to bring you the most popular and worth-knowing events, so you can spend less time searching and more time celebrating.

These events are not ranked in any particular order. Each one is included because it’s popular or worth visiting.

1. Let’s Glow SF

Downtown turns into a massive outdoor art gallery during this projection festival, the largest of its kind in the country. Landmark buildings light up with animated art every night, creating the perfect family-friendly post-dinner stroll. It’s a rare chance to see San Francisco’s business core transformed into something playful and creative.

• Dates: December 5–14, 2025 (evenings)
  
• Address: Various sites downtown (main kickoff at 1 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94105)
  
• Kid-friendly: Yes
  
• Pet-friendly: Yes (outdoors)
  
• Free: Yes
  
• Website: downtownsf.org/lets-glow-sf-2025-call-for-artists
  
• Insider tip: Start at Embarcadero and walk west; the crowds thin out the farther you go.

2. The Great Dickens Christmas Fair

For over 50 years, this immersive event has brought Dickensian London to life with hundreds of costumed characters, shops, pubs, and stages. Wander lamp-lit alleys, watch theatrical performances, and enjoy hearty Victorian fare. It’s one of the Bay Area’s most beloved holiday traditions.

• Dates: Weekends, November 22–December 21, 2025
  
• Address: Cow Palace Exhibition Halls, 2600 Geneva Avenue, Daly City, CA 94014
  
• Kid-friendly: Yes
  
• Pet-friendly: Service animals only
  
• Free: No (ticketed)
  
• Website: dickensfair.com
  
• Insider tip: Come hungry because some of the best fish and chips you’ll find in the Bay Area are inside the fair.

3. Union Square Holiday Ice Rink & Tree

The beating heart of Christmas in San Francisco, Union Square is where the giant 83-foot tree stands tall beside the outdoor ice rink. Families, friends, and couples alike gather here for skating, shopping, and people-watching. It’s the closest thing to a holiday postcard moment in the city.

• Dates: November 5, 2025–January 19, 2026
  
• Address: 333 Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94108
  
• Kid-friendly: Yes
  
• Pet-friendly: Yes (outdoors, no pets on ice)
  
• Free: Tree viewing free; skating ticketed
  
• Website: unionsquareicerink.com
  
• Insider tip: The rink is far less crowded if you book the first or last session of the day.

4. Illuminate SF Festival of Light

With more than 60 light installations spread across the city, this festival lets you curate your own art walk. From glowing sculptures in the Mission to waterfront displays along the Embarcadero, it’s a perfect way to see San Francisco in a new light. Many of the works stay up year-round, but the full experience shines brightest during the holidays.

• Dates: November 28, 2025–January 31, 2026
  
• Address: Citywide (check website for map)
  
• Kid-friendly: Yes
  
• Pet-friendly: Yes
  
• Free: Yes
  
• Website: sftravel.com/things-to-do/arts-culture/illuminate-sf
  
• Insider tip: Plan a route that ends near a neighborhood with great food, like the Mission or North Beach, to warm up afterward.

5. San Francisco Ballet’s The Nutcracker

This production isn’t just any Nutcracker—it’s the first American Nutcracker, set in an Edwardian San Francisco home. With stunning sets, lush costumes, and the full Tchaikovsky score, it’s a must for anyone who wants the quintessential holiday performance. Families and couples alike return year after year.

• Dates: December 5–28, 2025
  
• Address: War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102
  
• Kid-friendly: Yes (best for ages 5+)
  
• Pet-friendly: Service animals only
  
• Free: No (ticketed)
  
• Website: sfballet.org/productions/nutcracker
  
• Insider tip: Bring binoculars if you’re sitting in the balcony—you’ll appreciate the detail in the costumes and staging.

6. The Westin St. Francis Sugar Castle & Gingerbread Village

What began as a pastry chef’s idea has turned into a Union Square tradition. Each year, a giant rotating sugar castle surrounded by gingerbread villages fills the Westin St. Francis lobby. It’s free, festive, and makes a great mid-shopping stop.

• Dates: November 22, 2025–January 3, 2026
  
• Address: 335 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
  
• Kid-friendly: Yes
  
• Pet-friendly: Yes (lobby, on leash)
  
• Free: Yes
  
• Website: marriott.com/en-us/hotels/sfouw-the-westin-st-francis-san-francisco-on-union-square
  
• Insider tip: Visit in the morning, as afternoons are often packed with shoppers stopping by for photos.

7. SWEA San Francisco Christmas Fair

This one-day Scandinavian celebration brings Nordic traditions to the city with handmade crafts, authentic foods, and the candlelit St. Lucia procession. It’s a cozy, community-driven fair where you can stock up on unique holiday gifts. Locals look forward to it every December.

• Dates: December 6, 2025 (Saturday, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM)
  
• Address: Saint Mary’s Cathedral, 1111 Gough Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
  
• Kid-friendly: Yes
  
• Pet-friendly: Yes
  
• Free: No (small entrance fee)
  
• Website: sanfrancisco.swea.org/aktiviteter/christmas-fair-2024
  
• Insider tip: Don’t miss the glögg (warm spiced wine)—it sells out quickly.

8. Mercatino di Natale – Italian Christmas Market

For two days only, Fort Mason fills with Italian holiday spirit. Expect artisan goods, imported treats, and carols sung in Italian. It’s festive, lively, and ideal for gift shopping with an international twist.

• Dates: December 6th (10:00 AM to 6:00 PM) and December 7th (10:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
  
• Address: Museo Italo Americano, Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94123
  
• Kid-friendly: Yes
  
• Pet-friendly: Yes (indoors, leashed)
  
• Free: Yes
  
• Website: sfmuseo.org/event/mercatino25
  
• Insider tip: Come early for the best baked goods because they sell out before noon.

9. Macy’s Union Square Windows & SF SPCA Holiday Adoption Pop-Up

Macy’s window displays are a holiday tradition, but in San Francisco, they’re extra special thanks to the SF SPCA. Each year, the windows feature adoptable animals, and the pop-up adoption center inside helps pets find permanent homes. It’s holiday magic with real-world impact.

• Dates: November 28–December 31, 2025
  
• Address: Macy’s, 170 O’Farrell Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
  
• Kid-friendly: Yes
  
• Pet-friendly: Yes (outdoors)
  
• Free: Yes
  
• Website: https://www.macys.com/stores/ca/sanfrancisco/union-square_428.html
  
• Insider tip: Evenings are busiest, so visit in the morning for a quieter view and better photos.

10. Golden Gate Park Winter Lights & Festivities

Golden Gate Park embraces the season with illuminated art, concerts, and family activities. Between rides on the SkyStar Wheel, “Moments of Joy” pop-ups, and festive displays along JFK Drive, there’s always something happening. It’s a great way to mix holiday fun with fresh air and park exploring.

• Dates: December 1–31, 2025 (various events)
  
• Address: Golden Gate Park, John F. Kennedy Drive & Great Highway, San Francisco, CA 94121
  
• Kid-friendly: Yes
  
• Pet-friendly: Yes
  
• Free: Most installations free
  
• Website: https://sfrecpark.org/1178/Special-Events-in-Golden-Gate-Park
  
• Insider tip: Bundle up and ride the SkyStar Wheel after sunset for the best views of the park and city lights.

Wrapping Up Your San Francisco Christmas

From timeless performances to neighborhood light walks, San Francisco offers something for everyone during the holidays. These events highlight the traditions that locals treasure and the experiences that visitors shouldn’t miss.

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Have an event to add or see an update we should make? Email us at info@thechristmas.com.