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San Francisco Christmas Lights 2025: Where to See Holiday Decorations All Around Town
By: Jill Loeffler • Updated: December 1, 2025
San Francisco Christmas lights are one of my favorite things about the holidays. You will find colorful displays all around town including Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf, and City Hall.
Throughout the holiday season, you will find Christmas trees, buildings lit in traditional green and red, and other holiday decorations.
My list includes displays on public buildings as well as some of the most colorful lights on private residences.
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Union Square
Sparkling Union Square acts as the centerpiece to SF's downtown commercial district, especially during the holidays.
Not only will they have a huge Christmas tree lit up with over 33,000 twinkling lights and 1,100 ornaments, but there will also be an ice skating rink and plenty of Christmas decorations in all the store windows surrounding it.
This is a festive part of town to walk around and do some holiday shopping.
The tree is lit and it will stay on through the holidays.
>> More to see and do in Union Square
Pier 39
One great place to find San Francisco Christmas lights is at Pier 39, where the magnificent 60-foot-tall Christmas tree will be glistening every night during the holiday season.
It will also offer a light show every half hour between 5 pm and 10 pm.
Red is one of several colors you will see on the Pier 39 tree during its light shows each night through the holidays.Pier 39 is one of San Francisco's premier tourist destinations for its variety of restaurants, shops, family activities, and proximity to the waterfront and ferries.
This is a great place to hang out and soak in the holiday cheer.
The first lighting will take place on December 4 and will remain lit through January 11.
>> Find out more about visiting Pier 39
Fisherman's Wharf Sign
The perfect place to take a holiday photo with San Francisco Christmas lights is at the Fisherman's Wharf Sign, which will be decked out for the season.
It's a lovely postcard image to show friends and family that you enjoyed your holiday vacation in SF and visited the top attractions.
>> Fun things to do in Fisherman's Wharf this holiday season
Let's Glow SF 2025
Let's Glow SF 2025 is in its fifth holiday season. It offers holiday projections on eight iconic buildings around downtown San Francisco at the start of the holiday season.
This event officially kicks off on December 5 at 6:00 p.m., with the lights flickering on at 7:00 p.m. They will stay lit the first night until 10 pm.
Here are the locations for 2025:
- Ferry Building
- East Cut Electric at 424 Folsom Street
- 101 California
- Mechanice Monument Plaza at 488 Market Street
- Yerba Buena Lane at Market Street
- Hobart Building at 828 Market Street
- Pacific Exchange at 301 Pine Street
- Transamerica Pyramid Center at 545 Sansome Street
- Salesforce Tower
From December 6 - 14, this free outdoor event will offer projects on these buildings from 5:30 pm to 10 pm each night.
Sugar Castle at the Westin St. Francis
This year, the Westin St. Francis in Union Square will once again display its famous Sugar Castle to the public.
Created by Executive Pastry Chef Jean-Francois Houdre, it will sit in the hotel lobby through the holidays.
It's on display through January 2.
The main lobby is still under construction, so you will need to enter through the doors off Geary Street to access it.
Gingerbread House at the Fairmont
The Fairmont, one of SF's grandest hotels, has a long tradition of creating elegant Christmas displays designed to enchant its guests and the public.
The highlight every year is the completely edible two-story gingerbread house in the lobby.
Head over to the Nob Hill neighborhood to admire the details and aroma of this extremely sweet holiday treat.
This fun Gingerbread House is open, and will be on display to the public through the New Year.
>> Additional fun things to do in Nob Hill
Ghirardelli Square Sign
The famous Ghirardelli Square sign lights up every year in red and green for the Christmas season. The sign is already showing its wonderful colors and will stay lit throughout the holidays.
More Fun Holiday Activities
Winter Wonderland & Lighted Boat Parade (TBD for 2025)
On TBD, starting at around 4 pm, you can enjoy Winter Wonderland at the San Francisco Marina.
Part of the fun includes the annual lighted boat parade, where you will find boats lit up with holiday decorations that then cruise along the SF waterfront.
Head down to the Marina Green or Crissy Field to watch the parade of lights!
Parol Lantern Festival and Parade
The Parol Lantern Festival is a Filipino-American holiday tradition that showcases some of the most unique and festive Christmas lights in San Francisco.
The annual event will take place on December 13.
Leading up to that day, the Bayanihan Community Center will offer workshops teaching the public how to create colorful, star-shaped lanterns, which will then be displayed along Yerba Buena Lane.
These lanterns are an important symbol of peace, hope, luck, and light.
Outside Lights at City Hall
For several days in December, City Hall will be adorned with red and green lights to celebrate Christmas.Every year, SF City Hall gets into the Christmas spirit by glowing red and green throughout the holiday season.
Normally shining white with its beautiful golden dome, the alternating colors on its columns really make this architectural gem a treat to look at on cold winter nights.
The best place to snap your photos is from the Civic Center Plaza on the eastern side. You can easily get here by taking BART or Muni light rail to the Civic Center Station and walking two blocks west.
The east side is also where you can view their Christmas Tree, which will be lit starting on December 3 and will remain lit throughout the holiday season.
Check the schedule here to see what color City Hall will be each night.
World Tree of Hope at Grace Cathedral
Beginning December 8, 2025, with the annual tree lighting ceremony, you can stop by anytime to see the dazzling Tree of Hope on display in Grace Cathedral. At 22 feet tall, it is the world's largest origami-decorated Christmas tree.
It's adorned with over 15,000 handmade paper cranes and stars, each containing hopeful messages for the future, contributed by people of all nationalities. Simply walk inside to visit.
It will be on display through early January 2026.
>> Use the Hop On Hop Off to get here
Tree Lighting Ceremonies & Other Holiday Events
Every year, all around San Francisco and the Bay Area, you can be part of the holiday season kickoff by attending tree lighting ceremonies in public squares, parks, shopping centers, and more.
Many of these events feature live entertainment, refreshments, family activities, or a visit from Santa in addition to the fabulous decorations.
Beyond Christmas trees, there are also menorahs, giant gingerbread houses, snowflakes, and more on display.
Click the link below to find dates and times to enjoy these ceremonies and San Francisco Christmas lights displays.
>> Find a full list of events here
Things to Do on Christmas Eve & Day
Make your Christmas in the City by the Bay a special one! In addition to viewing the San Francisco Christmas lights, you'll find lots of special holiday events going on, including Christmas Eve performances of The Nutcracker ballet, musicals, bay cruises, and more.
On Christmas day, some attractions will be closed, but many of them you can still visit! Find out which sights will be open, ticketing information for shows, restaurant recommendations, and more for these special days.
>> Discover a full schedule of things to do this Christmas
Where to See Santa
Santa Claus is a busy man, but he manages to make his rounds to the major malls, Christmas displays, and family attractions in San Francisco.
He'll make several appearances this season.
Click on the link below to find out exact locations, dates, and times, so you can plan your kids' visit with the jolly man in the red suit. Get your wish lists and cameras ready!
>> Where to see Santa this holiday season
SF Ballet's Nutcracker
Apart from the many San Francisco Christmas lights, one of the most popular attractions of the holiday season are the December performances of The Nutcracker by the SF Ballet.
This company was the first to bring this Russian holiday classic to the US. The timeless Tchaikovsky score, colorful costumes, and enchanting scenes are a wonderful treat for the whole family.
>> Check out the December calendar for dates this year
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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