We love our favorite annual traditions for Christmas in San Francisco. Here’s our go-to list of events and activities that add a little extra sparkle to family memories each year.
Thank you to the San Francisco Symphony for sponsoring our guide to family-friendly holiday outings in San Francisco. Join the San Francisco Symphony to ring in the holidays with festive family concerts throughout December.
Traditions and Lights | Shows and Performances | Activities to Do
Holiday & Winter Traditions for Families in San Francisco
Planning a Christmas visit to San Francisco to take in some extra holiday cheer? We got you! Whether you BART, ferry, or drive, there are so many ways to make a day of it by celebrating Christmas in the City.
Christmas windows! Did you know that Macy’s holiday window displays include live animals that can be adopted? From Nov. 21 to Dec. 31, from Wednesday to Sunday noon to 5 pm (except Thanksgiving and Christmas), the SPCA brings adorable kittens and puppies available to adopt from Macy’s the same day. Â Find out more or watch the live cam >
Cable car and cocoa. Wear a scarf, and this classic mode of transportation feels extra Christmasy. From Union Square (or Powell & Market), hop on either the Powell/Hyde or Powell/Mason lines and take them to the end of the line. Refuel at Starbucks with hot chocolate right at the turnaround.
Pro tip: for really little ones, I always get child-size cocoas and an extra cup to split the drink and cut them further with cool milk.
Union Square Winter Walk. As long as you’re in Union Square, visit the area between O’Farrell and Post on Stockton for a marketplace/playground vibe. Festive decor and a safe place blocked off from cars for kids to run around. On Friday, December 19, through Sunday, December 21, there’s a special chance to decorate the San Francisco Rose Bowl float at Winter Walk. No need to RSVP. Santa Claus comes to Winter Walk for four days only. Details here >
Thrive City’s Winter Wonderland. All around the Chase Center, find (digital) evening snowfall, a truly gigantic Christmas tree, a temporary ice rink, and a Santa mailbox. See the schedule >
Ticket alert: San Francisco Holiday Performances
Spotlight on the San Francisco Symphony
Enter the winter wonderland of a decked-out Davies Symphony Hall and ring in the holidays with festive family concerts throughout December. Enjoy the classic storybook fable of Peter and the Wolf; holiday films with live orchestra; ballet dancers, holiday characters, and carols at the Symphony’s beloved annual favorite, Deck the Hall; and more.
San Francisco Symphony presents A Merry-Achi Christmas
Enjoy a multicultural celebration and musical tribute to Mexico’s Christmas traditions.
Where: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
When: November 30, 2025, at 2 pm
Find tickets here >
San Francisco Symphony presents Deck the Hall
Treat your family to a concert of holiday favorites and sing-alongs led by conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser with members of the San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Boys Choir, guest artists, and beloved costumed characters. Play with instruments and get jolly with Santa Claus!
Where: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
When: December 7, 2025, at 11 am and 3 pm
Find tickets here >
San Francisco Symphony presents Frozen–Film with Live Orchestra
When her kingdom becomes trapped in perpetual winter, the fearless princess Anna sets out with an unlikely band of friends to find her sister, Queen Elsa, and break her icy spell. Set to moving orchestration performed by the San Francisco Symphony. Rated PG and beloved by most preschoolers (the snow monster can be scary). Kids’ tickets are half off.
Where: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
When: December 13, 2025, at 2 pm
Find tickets here >
San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra presents Peter and the Wolf
Prokofiev’s beautiful story of a boy and his animal friend brought to life by guest narrator Joshua Dela Cruz (Blue’s Clues & You!). Kids’ tickets are half off.
Where:Â Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
When: Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 2 pm
Tickets are here >
San Francisco Symphony presents Home Alone–Film with Live Orchestra
Experience the beloved holiday hit Home Alone on the big screen like never before, with John Williams’ exuberant score performed live by the San Francisco Symphony. Rated PG for cartoonish violence and naughty behavior. Kids’ tickets are half off.
Where: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
When: December 19-20, 2025, at 2 pm or 7:30 pm
Find tickets here >
San Francisco Symphony presents A Charlie Brown Christmas–Film with Live Orchestra
The classic animated holiday film will be on screen as the score is played by the orchestra live. Rated G and suitable to the youngest audience members. Kids’ tickets are half off.
Where: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
When: December 21-22, 2025, at 2 pm or 7:30 pm
Find tickets here >
San Francisco Nutcrackers, Holiday Dance, Music, and Theater Performances
ODC/Dance presents The Velveteen Rabbit
This 65-minute performance is adorable and features one intermission.Â
Where: Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA, San Francisco
When: Nov. 29-Dec. 7, 2025, at 11 am or 2 pm
Find tickets here >
Grand Kyiv Ballet presents The Nutcracker
Where: Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
When: Many dates between December 1-29, 2025
Tickets are here >
San Francisco Ballet presents The Nutcracker
This show has a 2-hour run time with one intermission. Offers one sensory-friendly performance on December 28.
Where: War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco
When: December 5-28, 2025 (times vary)
Tickets are here >
Mark Foehringer presents Nutcracker Sweets
Great for small children and is only 50 minutes long.
Where: Cowell Theater at Pier 2, Fort Mason, San Francisco
When: Weekends from December 6-21, 2025, multiple showtimes
Find tickets here >
San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band presents Dance-Along Nutcracker
Part comedy musical, part dance-it-yourself ballet, and part symphonic concert, this version of the show is anything but ordinary.
Where: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco
When: December 6-7, 2025 (multiple)
Look for tickets here >
San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus presents Holiday Spectacular
Described as “A little naughty but mostly very nice” with sparkling songs and dazzling choreography. This two-hour show includes a 20-minute intermission.
Where:Â Golden Gate Theatre, San Francisco
When: Sunday, December 12-13, 2025, at 2 pm
Tickets are here >
Grace Cathedral presents Sing You a Merry Christmas
A family-friendly sing-along about the toys of St. Nick’s workshop looking for the true meaning of Christmas. 60 minutes with no intermission.
Where: Grace Cathedral, San Francisco
When: Showtimes from December 13, 20, 22, 23, 2025 at 11 am
Find tickets here >
NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
Where: Golden Gate Theatre, San Francisco
When: December 17, 2025, at 7 pm
Find tickets here >
SMUIN Contemporary Ballet presents The Christmas Ballet
This show has a 2-hour run time with one intermission. The vibe is a little ballet and a little bit Broadway.
Where: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco
When: Showtimes from December 18-28, 2025
Find tickets here >
A.C.T. presents Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Jr. and A Christmas Carol
Enjoy the holiday double feature with young actors.
Where: Toni Rembe Theater, 415 Geary Street, San Francisco
When: December 18-20, 2025
Tickets are here >
Christmas Carolers at the SF Zoo
Enjoy holiday classics by the Merrie Olde Christmas Carolers while you have a blast visiting animals and going wild on the play structures. Included with ticket purchase.
Where: San Francisco Zoo, Sloat Blvd @ The Great Highway, San Francisco
When: December 20-21, 2025
More information here >
Find lots of Nutcracker and holiday performances >
Book Ahead for Special Visits & Activities
Meet reindeer at Cal Academy. On Saturday, Nov. 22, families will have a chance to meet two visiting baby reindeer, decorate cookies, make crafts, enjoy holiday magic, and take part in other winter fun — for one night only! Other frosty festivities will happen between Nov. 23 and Jan. 5.
Ice skating in the City. Lots of special outdoor ice rinks appear throughout the Bay Area, and San Francisco is no exception. Glide around the rink at Union Square (Nov. 5 to Jan. 19) or at Thrive City (Dec. 23-4, 26-30). Do yourself a huge favor and make reservations! There are special skating events scheduled throughout the season with fun themes. Find more places to ice skate in the Bay Area over the holidays >
Christmas High Tea in the City
High Tea at the holidays is a lovely, albeit pricey, tradition for some families of mostly well-behaved children. There are many places to try out your best outfits and shiny shoes for a morning or afternoon of goodies with pinkies out: The Fairmont Hotel (Nob Hill), Lovejoy’s Tea Room (Noe Valley), Children’s Magical Tea at Top of the Mark (Nob Hill), Sip Tea Room (Golden Gate Park), Teddy Bear Tea at The Ritz-Carlton (Nob Hill), Dollie + Me Holiday Tea at The Westin St. Francis (Union Square), and several others. Read about other charming Bay Area Christmastime tea services >
Holiday lights and festive decorations to see and love
Whether you plan a stroll or stay cozy in the car for a drive-by, we love holiday lights to get in the Christmas spirit. Add hot chocolate and a twinkling tree, and I’m happy.
Tree lighting celebrations. Watch trees more than 50 feet tall light up across the city. Tree lighting and events traditionally take place at Golden Gate Park, Civic Center, Pier 39, Union Square, and Grace Cathedral. Many events include music and other family-friendly festivities. Others are casual and allow for visiting on your own schedule.
Find more Bay Area tree lighting ceremonies here >
Friday, Dec. 13 Lighted Boat Parade. From 4 – 8 pm, Fisherman’s Wharf presents the oldest and largest lighted holiday boat parade on San Francisco Bay. Spectators can see it from Aquatic Park, PIER 39, Marina Green, and Crissy Field. FREE to watch. Website > There are more Bay Area lighted yacht parades, too.
Giant gingerbread house. Atop Nob Hill, Fairmont San Francisco’s two-story, life-sized gingerbread house in the hotel’s grand lobby is a wonderful holiday attraction. Debuting November 22, 2025 at 11 am, the gingerbread house is up through the entire holiday season. There’s an impressive moving train and a giant Christmas tree, too.
Let’s Glow SF. Walk around downtown to see the country’s largest holiday projection experience on six iconic buildings from 5-10 pm nightly from December 6-15. This year’s display will be on The Ferry Building, Top of Salesforce Tower, and four more. Details here >
Enormous Sugar Castle, beginning November 22 through January
Right off Union Square, the Westin St. Francis features a 12-foot rotating holiday sugar castle in the grand lobby of the hotel. The lobby is new this year, so we’re eager to see how it looks!
These holiday light displays in the East Bay (and beyond) are worth the drive >
Thank you to the San Francisco Symphony for sponsoring our guide to family-friendly holiday experiences in San Francisco. Join them for festive family concerts throughout December.
What do you like to do in SF for the holidays? Find our East Bay Christmas bucket list over here >
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