We found so many lovely events, activities, performances, and outings in celebration of the Christmas season, that you might have a hard time choosing a few that sound best for your family.
Thank you Alameda South Shore Center for sponsoring our guide to our favorite festive Christmas and holiday activities in the East Bay and beyond.
Calendar of Christmas Events | Book Ahead Christmas Outings | Free, Festive, & Family-Friendly
Book Now: Special Holiday Events & Outings
Upcoming East Bay Christmas Events for Kids & Families
Here are 10 cool Christmas events for families coming soon. Our calendar picks keep changing. Check back for more inspiration throughout the holiday season!
Saturday, December 13, 2025
10:00 AM: Free Family Matinee: How The Grinch Stole Christmas @ Rialto Cinemas Cerrito, El CerritoSunday, December 14, 2025
10:00 AM: Free Family Matinee: How The Grinch Stole Christmas @ Rialto Cinemas Cerrito, El CerritoSaturday, December 20, 2025
10:00 AM: Free Family Matinee: Elf @ Rialto Cinemas Cerrito, El CerritoFree Bay Area Christmas Delights
Holidays at Alameda South Shore Center
Our sponsor, South Shore Center, makes the holidays magical with twinkling lights and lots of free family programming. You can enjoy the outdoor tree lighting or menorah lighting and do family shopping. Warm up with hot chocolate and enjoy easy meals together. Visit with Santa Claus for annual photos and see Christmas classic movies on their outdoor screen. Restless little ones can enjoy the playground, too.
What makes Alameda South Shore special? With easy parking and so much Christmas magic, you’ll want to visit again and again.
More Favorite Christmas Outings
Christmas isn’t here until we visit these East Bay spots (year after year).
- Fairy Winterland: Children’s Fairyland is all done up for the winter holidays from Dec. 15 to 30.
- Twinkling lights at the Mountain View Cemetery are lovely and a walkable, strollable, EASY, free outing for little ones throughout December.
- Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round: Evenings at the carousel are a seasonal delight. Special events include a Santa Brunch.
- Tilden Park Steam Trains at Christmas is another beautiful, wintry good time for two weekends only.
Big thanks to our sponsor, Alameda South Shore Center. We love to see them shine and twinkle during the holidays.
