San Francisco Tree Lighting & Holiday Events 2025

Kick off your holiday celebrations at one of these colorful events in San Francisco.

This year's activities include tree lighting ceremonies and holiday winter wonderland festivals.

You can also participate in one of several Menorah Lighting celebrations.

The list includes events both in San Francisco and other popular festivals throughout the Bay Area.

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Pier 39

Pier 39's annual tree lighting ceremony takes place on December 4th from 5 pm to 9 pm. They plan to light the tree for the first time around 6 pm.

It will include specials from merchants, as well as to-go beer, wine, and cocktails available throughout the pier.

Other events include live performances by The Death & Taxes Swing Band, roaming entertainment, Christmas carolers, games, and more holiday fun.

Santa will also be on hand to join in on the fun! 

After this ceremony, the tree will "come to life" every half hour each night from 5 pm to 10 pm through January 11.

>> More things to do at Pier 39

Civic Center Tree Lighting Ceremony

Head over to the Civic Center for this year's tree lighting event on Wednesday, December 3. Activities run from 4 pm to 7 pm and include performances and a visit from Santa.

This year, you can enjoy a few "snow" flurries and a toy giveaway for the kids. 

The official tree lighting is at approximately 5:30 pm by Mayor Daniel Laurie. 

Stay warm with some tasty seasonal drinks or enjoy their full bar selection. All of these drinks are available for purchase. Other festive bites will also be for sale throughout the event.

>> Find out more on their official site

Rainbow World Tree of Hope Lighting at Grace Cathedral

This year marks 20 years of the Rainbow World Tree of Hope at Grace Cathedral. This inspiring tree is covered with over 20,000 hand-folded origami cranes and stars, each bearing a wish for a better world from people all over the globe.

The heartfelt tree lighting gathers a diverse community. This year, it will take place on Monday, December 8.

The event will kick off at 6:30 pm with performances by the Grammy Award-winning San Francisco Boys Chorus, Leberta Loral, and other artists. All activities will wrap up at 8 pm.

Admission to the event is free! The tree will remain on display throughout the holiday season, but there is usually a small admission charge for sightseers. 

Grace Cathedral in Nob Hill is beloved year-round for its stunning Gothic architecture, beautiful stained glass, and peaceful labyrinths, but during the holidays it truly shines.

>> Visit their official site for more details and to register for this free event

Union Square Tree Lighting

The Union Square Christmas Tree is lit for the season! It will be lit nightly through the holidays. 

It's a fun one to stop by and check out as you are doing your holiday shopping around the square!

>> Find additional fun things to do in Union Square

More Holiday Lightings for 2025

Nob Hill Tree Lighting (12/1): The annual lighting of the tree at Huntington Park in Nob Hill starts at 5:30 pm and runs until 7:30 pm. This two-hour event will include the tree lighting, light snacks, and live music. 

Yerba Buena Gardens Tree Lighting Ceremony (12/6): Enjoy some holiday cheer at the Yerba Buena Gardens at 750 Howard Street in the South of Market District. It runs from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Holiday Tree Lighting at McLaren Lodge (12/4): This event runs from 4 pm to 8 pm at John McLaren Lodge in Golden Gate Park. The tree lighting countdown starts at 6 pm. Will include kids' activities such as carnival rides, arts & crafts, and other holiday fun!

Noe Valley Holiday Tree Lighting (12/1): This fun annual event includes live music, hot cocoa, and an LED acrobatic show. It runs from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Noe Valley Town Square.

Let's Glow: Holiday Projection Arts Festival 2025

The nation's largest free holiday projection arts festival kicks off this year on 12/5 with countdown event in front of the Ferry Building. Enjoy some free hot chocolate and wait for the lights to switch on!

From December 6 to 14, spend some time in downtown San Francisco to admire the rest of the annual Let's Glow event. 

You'll find some of our most iconic buildings lit up with larger-than-life projections of creative artwork designed specifically to highlight the stunning architecture. 

You can pick up a map with more details at all locations. The artwork goes live from 5:30 pm to 10 pm each night during this free festival.

Some locations have chairs, allowing you to sit and watch for as long as you want. 

Locations:

• Ferry Building: 1 Ferry Building (Embarcadero)
• East Cut Electric: 425 Folsom Street (SOMA)
• 101 California Street (Financial District)
• Mechanics Monument Plaza: 488 Market Street (Financial District)
• Yerba Buena Lane at Market Street (Union Square)
• Hobart Building: 828 Market Street (Union Square)
• Pacific Exchange: 301 Pine Street (Financial District)
• Transamerica Pyramid Center: 545 Sansome Street (Financial District)
• Salesforce Tower: 415 Mission Street (SOMA)

Botanical Gardens Lightscape

The San Francisco Botanical Gardens is another spot to soak in the holiday lights. Their annual Lightscape event runs from November 21 to January 4.

It features a mile-long trail of light and color with music. More than 1 million lights will twinkle nightly through the holidays.

The garden will also feature food and beverages.

>> Visit their site for ticketing information

Holiday Tours Around San Francisco

Sugar Castle at the Westin St. Francis

The Westin St. Francis once again invites the public to see their grand Sugar Castle. It's a 12-foot-tall revolving replica of a French château by Executive Pastry Chef Jean-François Houdré and his team.

It weighs over 1,200 pounds, features more than 20 circular towers, and is a spectacular sight every holiday season. My favorite part is the running train that circles the castle. 

It will be unveiled on November 26 at 11 am. The event includes complimentary hot chocolate and small treats.

It will then be open through January 2.

Popular Holiday Events for 2025

• Cirque de Soleil - Echo, Under the Big Top near Oracle Park, 11/20 - 1/18
• San Francisco Ballet's The Nutcracker, 12/5 - 12/28
• International Ballet Stars, The Nutcracker, 12/1
• San Francisco Symphony - Christmas with the Count Basie Orchestra, 12/3
• The Golden Girls Live, The Christmas Episodes, at the Curran, Select Dates from 12/4 - 12/21
• SF Symphony, Handel's Messiah at Davies Symphony Hall, 12/5, 12/6
• Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Gloria at the Herbst Theatre, 12/5
• A Drag Queen Christmas at the Orpheum Theatre, 12/6
• SF Symphony, Deck the Hall at Davies Symphony Hall, 12/7
• SF Symphony, The Holiday, Film Live with Orchestra at Davies Symphony Hall, 12/10 - 12/11
• Grand Kyiv Ballet: The Snow Queen at the Palace of Fine Arts, 12/11
• San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus at the Golden Gate Theatre, 12/12 - 12/13, 12/20
• Peabo Bryson & Sheena Easton: Home for the Holidays at Davies Symphony Hall, 12/16
• Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet at the Golden Gate Theatre, 12/17
• SF Symphony, Holiday Gaiety at Davies Symphony Hall, 12/17
• Home Alone, Film with Live Orchestra with the SF Symphony, 12/19 - 12/20
• A Charlie Brown Christmas with the SF Symphony at Davies Symphony Hall, 12/21 - 12/22

Randall Museum Winter Craft Day

The Randall Museum is one of San Francisco's hidden gems for families with children, as its hands-on activities promote creativity and curiosity about science, nature, and art, with no entry fee.

The annual Winter Craft Day is no exception: this is a free event for children of all ages to get into the holiday spirit, crafting one-of-a-kind gifts and decorations for the season. This includes building toy trains, rolling beeswax candles, soap-making, creating candy houses, and much more.

The event will take place on Saturday, December 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. All activities are free or low-cost.

>> Visit their website for more details

Bill Graham Menorah Project

Stop by Union Square on Sunday, December 14, at 4:45 pm for the first lighting. The live ceremony runs from 2 pm to 6 pm. 

Here are additional dates and times for this annual lighting ceremony:

• Monday, December 15: Second lighting at 5 pm
• Tuesday, December 16: Third lighting at 5 pm
• Wednesday, December 17: Fourth lighting at 5 pm
• Thursday, December 18: Fifth Lighting at 5 pm
• Friday, December 19: Sixth lighting at 2:30 pm
• Saturday, December 20: Seventh lighting at 8:30 pm
• Sunday, December 21: Eighth lighting is at 5 pm

>> Visit their site to learn more

Additional Events Around SF this Season

• Moulin Rouge at the Orpheum Theatre, 12/16 - 12/28
• Peter Pan - Panto in the Presidio at the Presidio Theatre, 11/29 - 12/28
• Golden State Warriors Basketball at the Chase Center, Multiple Games this Holiday Season

Great Dickens Christmas Fair

The annual Great Dickens Christmas Fair is a fun Victorian London holiday party with hundreds of costumed players, food, holiday shops, music halls, dance pubs, and so much more.

You can also stop by and take some pictures with Father Christmas. He's there a few times throughout the day, visiting with kids at the Father Christmas stage.

This fun annual event takes place at the Cow Palace just south of SF in Daly City. 

It runs for five weekends starting on November 22. You can catch the action every Saturday and Sunday through December 21. They are also open the day after Thanksgiving. 

>> Visit their official site for ticketing information

Gingerbread House at the Fairmont Nob Hill

Admire one of the best Gingerbread House displays in the entire Bay Area at the historic Fairmont Hotel in Nob Hill.

It's a life-sized Victorian gingerbread house consisting of two stories of baked bricks and more than 1,900 pounds of candy, measuring 25 feet tall!

The display opened on November 22 and will stay open through the end of the year.  

More San Francisco Holiday Events

• 1890 Bryant Street Studios Holiday Extravaganza: December 6-7, a variety of artists will showcase their unique pieces, including prints, fine art, ceramics, jewelry, and more. This event runs from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on both days.
• The Guardsmen Tree Lot Party: December 13 from 8 pm to 1:30 pm at the Festival Pavilion at the Fort Mason Center, including dancing, a hosted bar, and more fun holiday activities.
• Winter Walk in Union Square: Runs for 10 days between December 13 and December 24, along Stockton Street in Union Square between O'Farrell and Post, includes food trucks, bars, themed decor, live performances, and several visits from Santa, Monday - Wednesday from 11 am to 7 pm and Thursday - Sunday from 10 am to 9 pm
• Dollie + Me Holiday Tea: This is a family-fun event at the Westin St. Francis. On December 13 & 14, the evening will feature full tea service with champagne for adults and hot chocolate for the kids. It also features some fun tea sandwiches and sweet treats. It's $125 per person.
• Holidays on the Hill: Sunday, December 14, along Cortland Avenue in Bernal Heights, this annual arts and crafts fair runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and features local artists and small businesses.
• Fort Mason Holiday Night Market: Friday, December 19, from 5 pm to 10 pm at the Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture, 50 top retail shops, live music, family activities, and more.
• Dogpatch Winter Market (12/6): 11 am to 5 pm at 610 22nd Street, features dozens of local vendors with handmade crafts, gourmet food, and other holiday gifts.

2025 Holiday Events Around the Bay Area

Monterey Cannery Row Tree Lighting

The tree lighting event has already happened, but you can still check out the tree through the end of the year. Also, Santa will be in Monterey on Saturdays and Sundays through December 21 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Bring your own camera for free pictures!

This is the tree lighting details for 2025, which have already passed. 

The beautiful waterfront town of Monterey will celebrate the holidays on Friday, November 28.

This year's event runs from 2 pm to around 9 pm, with the tree lighting set for 5:45 pm.

Other fun things to do include checking out the holiday lights, checking out the local shops, and grabbing a bite to eat. 

All events will be in Steinbeck Plaza and the area in front of Bubba Gump's.

Half Moon Bay Nights of Lights

The 2025 Night of Lights Christmas Tree Lighting in Half Moon Bay is on Friday, November 28 at 6 pm. It will take place at Mac Dutra Plaza.

Other events this year include:

• December 5 at 6 pm is a Lighted Parade and Block Party, Santa will also be on hand to greet kids after the parade! It all takes place around Mac Dutra Plaza.
• December 12 at 6 pm is an Ugly Sweater Party and Contest, featuring dancing, delicious food, and refreshments. This will take place along Main Street.
• December 19 at 6 pm is the movie Elf and a Spaghetti Feed. The event will take place at Jupiter & Main in the parking lot of Cunha's Country Store.

Many of the stores will stay open late, so you can also get in a little holiday shopping during your visit.

>> Learn more here

More Bay Area Holiday Events

• Sausalito Tree Lighting (12/3): Spend an evening in Sausalito for their annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. It will include a community sing-along, a visit from Santa, and more! All events are at Vina del Mar Park in downtown Sausalito. It begins at 5 pm.
• Walnut Creek Holiday Parade of Lights & Tree Lighting (12/4): Starting at 6 pm, Broadway Plaza is the place to kick off the holiday season in Walnut Creek. This annual event begins at 6 pm, with the parade starting at 7 pm, and Santa will light the tree around 7:45 pm. 
• San Jose Holiday Lights (11/14 - 1/4): This year, San Jose will light their tree at Discovery Meadow on Friday, November 14. The event starts at 4:30 pm. The event runs through the new year with glowing tunnels, themed holiday zones, a holiday market, and more! 

2026 Events

Welcome Winter Night at the California Academy of Sciences

This year's special event at the California Academy of Sciences will take place on TBD, from 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm. This is an all-ages event.

It will include: 

• Visiting reindeer (which are visiting for one night only)
• Explore and dance through their exhibits, which are open late.
• Decorate holiday cookies, create winter animals at the craft tables, get your face painted, and enjoy magic shows.
• The Holiday Bazaar will be open to meet all your holiday shopping needs.

>> Find out more about this year's event and pick up your tickets today.

Embarcadero Center Holiday Market and Building Lighting

This November, Embarcadero Center kicks off its holiday season with a Holiday Market and Building Lighting celebration.

It's free, and the first 200 people will receive a free drink. It's a fun time to shop for gifts this holiday season. 

The event will take place on Wednesday, November 19, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. It ends with the seasonal lighting of the Embarcadero Center.

Throughout the season, you can see more than 17,000 lights on display at night at this shopping center.

More 2026 Holiday Events

• Fall Holiday Chocolate Salon and Festival: TBD from 11 am to 4:30 pm at the San Francisco Fair Building/Hall of Flowers
• National AIDS Memorial Lighting Ceremony (TBD): This marks the first time the National AIDS Memorial Grove will be illuminated for the holidays. The ceremony takes place the evening before World AIDS Day, and the event runs from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Find tickets.
• Winter Wonderland Lighting Ceremony (TBD): Winter Wonderland at Thrive City (1 Warriors Way), including their annual tree lighting, live music with Louis Cato, and special appearances by a Warriors legend, the Valkyries Mascot Violet, and other holiday entertainment. Grab a seasonal treat and drink as you enjoy the entertainment. The event starts at 4 pm. Space is limited to first-come, first-served.
• Santa Lights the Square (TBD): Join Santa as he lights Ghirardelli Square. This event runs from 4:30 pm to 8 pm and includes a visit from Santa, peppermint hot cocoa, and a chance to watch Ghirardelli Square and its famous sign light up for the holidays.

Jack London Square in Oakland

On TBD for 2026, Oakland's Jack London Square will light up for the holidays.

Join them for this annual celebration from 5:45 pm to 8 pm on the plaza near Plank.

In addition to the tree lighting ceremony, you can enjoy two laser light shows, and, no matter the temperature, you will also see some snow falling from the sky. Santa, Frost, and a Christmas Teddy Bear will also be on hand, so don't forget your camera.

>> Learn more here

On a Search for Santa?

In addition to the places mentioned above, Santa will make dozens of additional stops all around San Francisco. He will be taking pictures at the Japantown Center Malls, Stonestown Galleria, and the Westfield Shopping Center. He will also stop by to celebrate the season at the Hyatt Regency and the SF Zoo.

Learn More: Full List of Places to See Santa

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