My Kat Life

I love the winter holidays — all the lights, the cheer, spending time with family and friends, and the food! I won’t be home for the holidays this year, but it’s I know this is where most of my readers are, so here’s where to take friends, family, and loved ones to experience Bay Area holiday fun. Most of these events are free to the public. Events that require purchased tickets are noted with links to purchase.

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All-Bay Area

Caltrain’s Holiday Train is back on December 4 and 5, making limited stops down the Peninsula on each day. Station entertainment and onboard entertainment will be announced closer to the date. Check train schedule here.

San Francisco

• Nob Hill Tree Lighting at Huntington Park: Monday, November 29 from 5:30-7:30pm featuring live music by French American Jazz Quartet and refreshments courtesy of the InterContinental Mark Hopkins, the Fairmont, the Huntington, Stanford Court, and The Ritz-Carlton hotels.
• Castro Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Bank America Plaza: Monday, November 29 from 6-6:30pm featuring live music.
• Salesforce Park’s Rooftop Holiday Lighting Celebration at Salesforce Park: Tuesday, November 30 5-7pm. Meet in the main plaza for festivities.
  • There’s also a weekend of free activities Friday through Sunday, December 17-19 including crafts and gift-wrapping, live music and holiday carolers, silent disco, culminating in a double-feature movie showing Sunday evening.
• Civic Center Plaza Holiday Tree Lighting at Civic Center Plaza: Wednesday, December 1 from 4-7pm featuring holiday entertainment, “snow” flurries, festive bites and drinks (for purchase), free holiday crafts from community organizations, and a toy giveaway for the first 400 children (under age 12).
• Winter Lights in Golden Gate Park: Uncle John’s tree in front of McLaren Lodge will be lit on December 2 at 6pm followed by live music and Entwined’s first lighting of the year at 7pm. The evening will also include carnival rides, food trucks, and snow.
• Entwined Meadow returns to Golden Gate Park’s Peacock Meadow on December 2 and will feature new immersive and refined designs from last year’s exhibit.
• Ferry Building Holiday Craft Station: Sundays, December 5, 12, and 19th (10am-4pm) feature craft activities for the holidays! Activities are free and perfect for the family. Get some holiday shopping done in the marketplace after you’re done.
• Rainbow World Fund’s World Tree of Hope Celebration at Grace Cathedral: Monday, December 6 from 6:30-8pm featuring live music and performances. Send your wishes for the world for free; inscribed cranes will adorn the tree.
• The life-sized gingerbread house at the Fairmont San Francsico is back up! Pop in for a visit for some holiday photos; it really is a sight to see! The lobby also has several giant decorated trees.
• South of San Francisco: The Dickens’ Fair is a drive-through experience this year as the Drive Thru Dickens’ London. Purchase a vehicle ticket online and enjoy food from the comfort of your car or experience and shop the fair online at home.

North Bay

• Sausalito Holiday by the Bay at Plaza Cascais kicks off Wednesday, December 1 from 4-7pm featuring live music, tree lighting, and refreshments
• 15th Annual Gingerbread House Tour: gingerbread houses by local businesses will be on display December 1-31. Download the map and vote for your favorite.
• Winterfest Sausalito Lighted Boat Parade & Fireworks at the waterfront: Saturday, December 11 from 6-7:15pm. Purchase tickets for reserved seating.
• Maker’s Faire (Santa’s Workshop) at Plaza Cascais: Saturday-Sunday, December 18-19 from 12-6pm on both days. Meet the Sausalito “Makers” and Santa’s Elves and shop at Santa’s Workshop! Photos with Santa from 1-3pm.
• Wine Country: Merry Meritage is back this year with an ice rink! I had such a fun visit last year, so I looked up their holiday events for this year, and was excited to see the new addition. The Meritage and Vista Collina are sister properties, so you can stay at either one and book reservations for various tasting rooms, restaurants, the fire pits, ice skating, and holiday brunch all within walking distance from each other.

Peninsula

• IlluminOdyssey winter light experience at CuriOdyssey in San Mateo is open through January 9, 2022 from 10am-4pm and until 8pm on December 3 and January 1. Ticket for admission required.
• Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo has a number of special events including photos with Santa through December 24, Santa pet nights through December 12, and Mrs. Fields free cookie nights every Tuesday evening from 6-8pm through December 14.
• Christmas Tree Lane, San Carlos: park along the street and walk over to 1900 Eucalyptus Avenue to take a stroll down Christmas Tree Lane.
• Holidays at Filoli: check their events page for themed Monday evenings (book your tickets in advance and come dressed for a special gift) and Santa Weekends leading up to Christmas.

South Bay

• Christmas in the Park in Cesar Chavez Park is now open through January 2, 2022 from noon-midnight every day. Take a stroll through the village, shop for gifts, and grab some food and warm drinks throughout the park. Additional information here. I highly recommend carpooling because parking in downtown can get pricey.
• Santana Row events: get your holiday shopping done and snap some photos with the holiday decor.
  • 12 Days of Christmas: check the Instagram page every day December 1-12 for a different shopping incentive each day; visit the retailer to redeem.
  • Mommy & Me and Daddies Too Free Kids Club: December 14 from 10am-12pm. Snap a selfie with special holiday characters, enjoy live music and holiday storytime, themed arts and crafts, face painting, balloon twisting, and more. The event will also feature larger-than-life décor including glowing reindeer, camels, and giraffes.
• Breakfast with Santa at Stanford Shopping Center: Saturday, December 4 from 9-11am. Reserve your free ticket to redeem a free breakfast pastry!
  • Reservations for photos with Santa are also available through December 24.
• Christmas Tree Lane, 1700-1800 Fulton Street in Palo Alto: decorated homes will be lit each night from December 11-31 from 5-11pm each night. Note that Christmas Tree Lane is an entirely car-based activity to comply with COVID guidelines
• German Holiday Market at Mountain View Caltrain Station on Saturday, December 11 from 11am-9pm. Enjoy German foods and drinks, shop German handcrafted items, and enjoy live entertainment.
• Drive-through light experiences:
  • Fantasy of Lights at Vasona County Park in Los Gatos
  • Blinky’s Illuminated Holiday at Lake Cunningham in San Jose

East Bay

• Glowfari at the Oakland Zoo is open through January 30, 2022. Take a mile-long stroll among new illuminated animals for 2021 and ride the gondola to the land of bugs, featuring a 65-foot Queen Ant Tunnel. Visit with Santa and ride the Express Train the Winter Wonderland. See website for closures and tickets; get your tickets early — the event sold out in 2020.
• Christmas Lights at the Oakland Temple: the lights are on from dusk until 9:15pm through December 31.
• Garden of D’Lights at the Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery in Walnut Creek is back December 3-23. Tickets must be purchased online.
• Holiday Tree Lighting at Jack London Square: December 11 from 6-8pm, featuring snow, live entertainment and live music, and Santa!
• Crippsmas Place, Fremont: 70+ houses with plywood decorations, many featuring beloved Disney characters, will be illuminated from December 11-31 from 6-10pm each night. The non-profit will also be collecting donations to support various charities.
• Fairy Winterland at Children’s Fairyland: open December 17-30 from 4-7pm. Ticket required. Black Santa will lead the physically-distanced Festival of Lights Parade and a treat will be given to all the kids at the end. Unfortunately, no lap-sitting this year, but don’t forget to bring your child’s “Letter to Santa” to drop off in the special mailbox at the Chapel of Peace.