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 to Filoli, historic home and garden, for sponsoring our guide to our favorite festive Christmas and holiday activities in the East Bay and beyond. Filoli hosts Santa Weekends throughout December.
Holidays at Filoli | 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!
No Events FoundFree Bay Area Christmas Delights
Holidays at Filoli are from Nov. 18 to Jan. 7
Our sponsor, Filoli, makes the holidays magical with twinkling lights in the house and acres of outdoor gardens. Warm up with festive drinks and hot chocolate. Open daily from 10 am to 4 pm, stroll the Estate Trail, and see peak fall foliage and the decorations aglow in the winter sun. Open evenings from 4 pm to 9 pm during the holidays for the best light viewing and drinks around the crackling firepits.
Santa Claus visits on the weekends (Find him December 2,3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 22, & 23) for photo opportunities on a golden throne in a lush setting. No additional charge to say “hi” to Santa while you’re there.
Sensory early hours are available certain days, too. Email in advance for information about a sensory-sensitive Santa visit.
What makes Filoli special? This one-of-a-kind setting is just South of San Francisco with 16 acres of outdoor space and a one-mile Estate Trail with room to run, play, and be merry.
See over 20 miles worth of lights strung throughout the 16-acre Garden; count 14 Christmas trees in the historic House with each room lavishly decorated; find sounds and scents that bring history to life.
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.
- 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.
- San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park lights up with a glorious light installation called Entwined from Dec. 7 through April.
Big thanks to our sponsor today, Filoli. We love to see them shine and twinkle during the holidays.