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San Francisco Events in December 2025: Festivals, Lighting Ceremonies, & Christmas Activities
By: Jill Loeffler • Updated: November 11, 2025
December is one of my favorite months in San Francisco. The city sparkles with holiday lights, tree lighting ceremonies fill the plazas, and there's a little magic in the air everywhere I walk.
Living right here in the heart of the city, I love soaking up the season.
I never tire of watching the dancers take the stage for The Nutcracker, catching a holiday concert, and exploring all the festive pop-ups and markets around town.
Here are some of my favorite events and celebrations taking place in San Francisco this December.
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Most Popular San Francisco Events in December 2025
Click the links below to jump to the section with more information on these top December events.
SF Broadway & Other Theater in December
Here is what you can expect on stage this month in SF:
- Moulin Rouge! The Musical at the Orpheum Theatre, December 16 - 28
- Dear San Francisco at Club Fugazi
- Cirque du Soleil - Echo, Under the Big Top at Oracle Park, November 20 - December 21
>> Click here for a full calendar of theater productions in SF in December
Live Music & Concerts in SF
Dates: Several
Lucky for live music fans, San Francisco is a city with lots of great concert venues.
They range from large auditoriums to more intimate spaces, and they welcome both big and small names from various genres.
This month, catch top performances at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, the Nob Hill Masonic Center, or The Fillmore. You will also find several top shows around the SF Bay Area.
The links provide more details and ticketing information for each show.
- 12/6: Katseye at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
- 12/6: Pink Martini at The Masonic
- 12/8: An Acoustic Evening With Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs at the Palace of Fine Arts
- 12/23: Rain, A Tribute to the Beatles at the Golden Gate Theater
>> See a full list of the top upcoming shows as well as ticketing information
Cruises Around the SF Bay
One of the best San Francisco events in December is a cruise around the SF Bay. You will find about a dozen cruises each day of the year.
Top options offer you the chance to spend an hour or two on the SF Bay as you soak in the sights along the shoreline.
Almost all of them cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge - twice! You will also cruise near Alcatraz. Many of them leave from the piers in or near Fisherman's Wharf.
Some offer a few drinks, others offer some light appetizers, and all of them provide time for you to relax and unwind. They are all experiences you will never forget!
- 60 Minute Bay Cruise: This cruise is the most popular option, running several times each day. Your tour starts and ends in Fisherman's Wharf. It includes a ride along the waterfront, under the Golden Gate Bridge, and around Alcatraz Island. Find tickets.
- San Francisco City Lights Cruise: This evening option is another popular pick. It's a 90-minute cruise in the evening that leaves Fisherman's Wharf at 4:45 pm (December 1-24) or 5:30 pm (December 25-31). It runs once a night every Thursday - Sunday. Find tickets.
- Luxury Brunch or Dinner Cruise: If you are interested in spending a little more time on the water, this is a great option! It's a 2 to 2.5-hour cruise that offers you the chance to have a nice meal and a drink or two as you cruise around the SF Bay. Find dates, times, and ticketing information.
Golden State Warriors Basketball
Dates: 12/2, 12/20, 12/22, 12/25
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Don't miss your chance to see the 2025/2026 Golden State Warriors on the court this month.
Their games are among the most popular events in San Francisco during December. This month, they play just a handful of home games at the Chase Center.
Here is the full schedule for this month, along with links to ticketing information for each game.
- Oklahoma City Thunder, 12/2
- Phoenix Suns, 12/20
- Orlando Magic, 12/22
- Dallas Mavericks, 12/25
Great Dickens Christmas Fair
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays from 11/22 - 12/21 + Friday, 11/28
For the first three weekends of December in San Francisco, you have the unique opportunity of immersing yourself in a world centuries and half a globe away, to Charles Dickens' Victorian London, where it's always Christmas Eve.
Here you'll find hundreds of costumed guests, as well as lamplit lanes, pubs, theaters, music halls, and shops, like a Victorian Christmas card come to life.
>> Visit their site for details and tickets
SF Ballet: The Nutcracker
Dates: December 5 - 28
Tickets: Ticketmaster
The SF Ballet will perform The Nutcracker again this December at the War Memorial Opera House.
It was performed in San Francisco for the first time in the US on Christmas Eve, 1944.
Although it's now performed all around the county, this one is a popular ticket, so make sure to get yours early.
It's one of the best family-friendly San Francisco events in December.
Free Museum Days
Dates: Several in December
Whether your interest is in art, history, technology, or gardening, you are sure to be delighted by SF's variety of world-class museums, including the Asian Art Museum, Conservatory of Flowers, de Young Fine Arts Museum, Legion of Honor, and more.
Even better, you don't have to break the bank to visit them!
Many of them offer the chance to view their permanent collection. Some of them also allow you to view their temporary collections, and others require separate tickets.
>> Find out which San Francisco museums offer free admission in December
>> Additional free things to do this month
Top Places to Stay
If you plan to check out some of these great San Francisco events in December, then I recommend staying a few nights as well. The best places to stay are in SF's Union Square and Fisherman's Wharf.
Both offer great access to the rest of the city. You might also want to try one of our lovely boutique hotels or splurge on a five star gem.
Check out recent guest reviews and great deals today!
Booking: Find great deals all around San Francisco for your upcoming stay!
TripAdvisor: What's the #1 hotel in San Francisco? Read reviews & find hotel deals on TripAdvisor!
VRBO: Besides hotels, you'll also find some great places to stay locally through VRBO. Book an apartment or a room and feel more like a local. Find some great places to stay on VRBO here.
Tree Lighting Celebrations & Other Holiday Festivals
The Ferry Building is one of several sights around downtown SF that participate in the annual Let's Glow Project Festival every December.Dates: Several in December
The whole city is getting into the holiday spirit.
Christmas Tree and holiday lighting ceremonies continue to illuminate San Francisco this month as the holidays draw near, and it doesn't stop there!
Other events this holiday season include craft markets, Let's Glow, and visits with Santa!
>> Check out the full schedule of ceremonies and holiday festivals
Holiday Lights Tour: This is also a fun way to see the lights! This holiday lights tour offers you the chance to sit back, relax and have someone else drive you around as you enjoy all of SF's beautiful holiday lights. Find out more here.
Ice Skating in SF
Dates: Throughout the month
Without a white Christmas, San Francisco still manages to bring the wintry magic of the holidays right to the heart of downtown.
While you're out shopping, eating, and taking in the urban holiday decor of Union Square, take a break to catch a nice breeze on one of the outdoor skating rinks that only appear during this season.
One-hour to 90-minute sessions are available. You can either rent skates or use your own.
>> Get more details about session times and rentals at Union Square
>> Top outdoor rinks in the SF Bay Area this season
Nightlife at the California Academy of Sciences
Date: 12/4
One of the hottest San Francisco events in December at our local museums is Nightlife. This 21+ event is at the California Academy of Sciences.
This month, you will find one Nightlife event on December 5, and it's all about Santa Claude!
This rare white alligator will get you in the holiday mood with cocktails, shopping, music, and other fun activities.
The event runs from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The California Academy of Science is in Golden Gate Park.
>> Find tickets
SantaCon
Date: 12/13
This is what you will find in normal years for this event, when it's officially scheduled.
SantaCon is a huge annual event held in large cities all over the country and world, in which thousands of everyday people dress up as Santa and walk through the streets together spreading holiday cheer.
Either put on your jolly red suit to join in, or head towards downtown to take in the unique sight.
The event starts with a gathering in Union Square. All Santas will then head to one of several designated districts around SF for drink specials and other holiday merriment.
>> Find out more about this funky Santa event
Parol Lantern Festival & Parade
Date: 12/13
Don't miss the Annual Parol Lantern Festival and Parade, a Filipino-American tradition in San Francisco showcasing the beautiful colors of their culture.
Festivities begin at 4 pm, and the parade of star-shaped lanterns, accompanied by dozens of local organizations, starts from Yerba Buena Gardens at 6:15 pm.
Leading up to the event, you can make your own parol lantern at the Soma Pilipinas Filipino Cultural Heritage District.
>> Get the details for this year's festival
Santa Skivvies Run
Date: 12/7
This is not your average run to raise awareness and fight HIV/AIDS.
This is a festive and fun tradition in San Francisco's Castro district, where you get to jog approximately one mile through this neighborhood among hundreds of other Santas in their underwear!
You can wear your skivvies, underwear, bras, Speedos, or other red undergarments. You can also wear a fun holiday costume. The entire run is in the Castro district, and it is a fun way to raise awareness and money to fight HIV/AIDS.
Click the link below to register today!
>> Visit their site to register
Santa Claus in SF
Dates: Several in December
Another top San Francisco event in December is when Santa Claus starts making his rounds.
You can find him and take pictures with him at Pier 39, Park Chalet, and Stonestown Mall, as well as at the Macy's in Union Square, the Fairmont's life-sized gingerbread house, the Ritz Carlton, Ghirardelli Square, and more!
>> Click here for details on how to track down the man in the big red suit
Lighted Boat Parade
Date: TBD
The Lighted Boat Parade has been a holiday tradition and one of the popular San Francisco events in December since 1994.
It is a unique event that brings the holiday spirit out onto the bay and invites everyone to enjoy San Francisco's waterfront.
Watch the decorated boats parade pass Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, Fort Mason, and Crissy Field. It runs from 4 pm to 8 pm.
SF 49ers at Home
Date: 12/14 & 12/28
Tickets: Ticketmaster | TicketNetwork
The SF 49ers have three home games this month at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.
They play host to two teams this month.
- 12/14: Tennessee Titans at 1:25 pm
- 12/28: Chicago Bears at 5:20 pm
Arrive early for pre-game tailgating and to explore their new stadium.
Christmas Eve & Day
Dates: 12/24 & 12/25
If you're planning to be in town for Christmas Eve and/or Day, don't worry; you'll find plenty of things to do and see.
Christmas Eve is full of fun shows and performances. Many of our top attractions and museums are open, but close early.
On Christmas Day, you will find several museums and attractions open. You will also find that many tours offer several options all day long.
Check out the list of attractions, tours, and restaurants that remain open on this holiday and even offer special menus and services. In addition, you may want to catch a holiday performance of The Nutcracker or A Christmas Carol.
>> Discover the full list of what to do on Christmas Eve and Day
New Year's Eve
Date: 12/31
Whether you prefer getting dressed up for a fancy dinner, having a night out dancing, watching fireworks, or attending a special performance of the SF Symphony, you will love New Year's Eve in San Francisco.
You will find many attractions are open on NYE, but close a little early. You will also find several tours and activities running on a regular schedule that day.
Additionally, I've included a few ideas and fun activities to do on New Year's Day.
Ring in your 2026 in the City by the Bay!
What to Pack for December
Are you looking for ideas on what to pack for your visit? My weather guide for December will give you information on the average temperatures, what to expect during your stay and some ideas on what to bring along. It's a great way to help you prepare for your visit.
>> Tips to prepare for your visit in December
December Events Around the SF Bay Area
Christmas in the Park in San Jose
Dates: 11/28 - 1/1
Starting in the early 1950s, Christmas in the Park has been a holiday tradition in San Jose. This wonderful event runs for several weeks and includes a traditional tree lighting, a dog day in the park, breakfast with Santa, and many other activities.
This event is free, and food and drink will be available for all to enjoy. Santa has a special booth in the park, so be sure to visit him and take a photo or two with your family.
This year, they will have both drive-through and walk-through options.
San Jose Sharks
Dates: 12/1, 12/3, 12/16, 12/18, 12/20, 12/31
The San Jose Sharks are another one of the top SF Bay Area events in December 2025.
Here are this month's games:
- Utah Mammoth, 12/1
- Washington Capitals, 12/3
- Calgary Flames, 12/16
- Dallas Stars, 12/18
- Seattle Kraken, 12/20
- Minnesota Wild, 12/31
All games are at the SAP Center in San Jose.
First Night Monterey
Date: 12/31
Even though it is titled, "First Night Monterey", it is actually held on New Year's Eve, the last day of the year, in the historic downtown of Monterey. Starting at 3 pm with the Kids' Night Event and the always joyous twilight parade, kids of all ages will have a blast.
First Night continues with The Main Event which includes music and over 65 different dance performances located all around the area. These range from Latin, to ballet, to modern and to other world dances. The Finale Performance includes live music as the countdown to the first day of 2024 arrives at 12:00 am.
>> More things to do this month in Monterey
Napa Events in December
Other top SF Bay Area events in December are in Napa.
This month, you will find plenty to do, including the Calistoga Christmas Faire, Winter in the Wineries, and the Holidays in Yountville.
You will also find several wineries with open houses and other holiday events.
>> Find more things to do in Napa
Hi, I’m Jill!
I’ve been sharing San Francisco travel advice since 2009 and have helped millions of people explore the city like a local. Whether you’re dreaming of sea lions, cable cars, or a great sourdough bread bowl, I’m here to help you plan an unforgettable trip with real tips from someone who actually lives here.
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