Thank you to The Oakland Ballet Company for sponsoring our guide to holiday activities and outings in the East Bay.
There are so many community events, activities, and outings in celebration of the holiday season, we thought we'd make a list to help you narrow in on a few that sound best for your family.
TICKET ALERT! Graham Lustig’s The Nutcracker
Join Marie and her charming Nutcracker Prince as they battle the King of the Rats and then get swept away by dancing snowflakes to the magical Land of the Sweets. Oakland Ballet's version of this timeless holiday classic features fresh and spirited dancing, magnificent scenery, and colorful costumes – all to Tchaikovsky’s brilliant score performed by the Oakland Symphony. Brimming with magic, this is a holiday tradition that is fun for the entire family!
When: December 23 at 1pm, December 23 at 5pm, and December 24 at 1pm
Where: The Paramount Theatre with the Oakland Symphony
Buy tickets >
Tilden Park Carousel
During special holiday hours, the area around the Merry-Go-Round will be decorated all in twinkle lights and silly inflatables with FREE Santa Claus pictures Thursday through Sunday. Olaf on select days. Cocoa and gingerbread cookies for sale in the snack bar. See details about our visit to the Tilden Christmas Carousel.
When: Friday, Nov. 24 through Dec. 23, from noon to 8:30pm on weekends and 4pm to 8:30pm on weekdays
Where: Tilden Regional Park at the intersection of Central Park Drive and Lake Anza road
View website >
Holiday Stroll in Montclair
Businesses will be open late to offer extra shopping and special treats to the community. There will be trolley rides, tap-dancing trees, snacks, and Santa visits.
Cost: FREE
When: Thursday Nov. 30, 5:30-8:00
Where: Montclair Village, Oakland
More details >
Circle of Lights at Mountain View Cemetery
This kid-friendly light display goes on each night. Cruise by and view out the car window or get out and run around.
Cost: FREE
When: Dec 1, nightly from 5-9, until New Year's Day.
Where: Mountain View Cemetery, Piedmont
Jack London Square Lights Up for the Holidays
Live reindeer, holiday music, and the lighting of a 55-foot tree.
Cost: FREE
When: Friday, December 1, 5pm to 7pm
Where: Jack London Square, Oakland
More details >
Orinda Tree Lighting
Santa visits + horse & carriage rides; Lamorinda Theater Academy Performance; Kids ornament workshop
When: Saturday, December 2, 6 pm to 8pm
Where: Orinda Theatre Square More Details>
Piedmont Avenue Holiday Stroll
Watch as the Piedmont tree lights up for the holidays. Santa will be there, along with other live performances.
Cost: FREE
When: Saturday, December 3 at 4 pm to 7pm
Where: Downtown Piedmont, CA
More details >
Where to see Santa in the East Bay
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Christmas Tea in the Bay Area: a family tradition
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Favorite East Bay Christmas tree lots & farms
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Ticket Alerts: Bay Area Nutcrackers, Velveteen Rabbit, and other holiday performances
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8 places to take kids ice skating in the Bay Area
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Best holiday lights in the East Bay
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Holiday train rides around the Bay Area
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Hanukkah Guide: Family-friendly events for the Festival of Lights
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Oakland ZooLights
Colorfully lit animal-shaped structures are placed throughout the Zoo with musical accompaniment. Gondola promises to be spectacular this year. The Zoo is closed on Christmas Eve and Day and New Year's Eve and Day.
Cost: $10 adults; $9 children; FREE under age two
When: December 1 – December 30 (except Christmas Eve and Day).
Where: Oakland Zoo More details>
Snow in the Gourmet Ghetto
This North Berkeley event offers pony rides, crafts, and more, including a “sandbox of snow” for young children to play in. (Bring boots and mittens!)
Cost: FREE
When: Sunday December 3, from 10 am to 3 pm.
Where: Between Rose and Vine on Upper Shattuck. More details >
TICKET ALERT! U.S.S. Potomac Santa Kids Cruises
Enjoy a visit with Santa, cocoa, cookies and candy canes, plus a one hour cruise along the estuary. The ship will be decorated for Christmas and full of holiday cheer.
Cost: $35 adults/ $10 ages 2-12.
When: Dec. 3 and Dec. 10, 4 pm and 6 pm cruises
Where: Leaves from 540 Water Street, Oakland (Jack London Square)
More info >
Alameda's Christmas Tree Lane
A street on which every house is lit up to its fullest. Don't miss this wonderful walk with your children, available and free any night before New Year's Eve.
Cost: FREE
When: Nightly from Sunday, December 3-December 31 from about 6:30pm to 8pm
Where: 3200 block of Thompson Ave in Alameda
More details>
Water Sleigh Ride on Lake Merritt
Tours depart from the Lake Merritt Boating Center and include hot cider and cookies in the Holiday Room before boarding a pontoon boat. A tour in the dark will allow you to enjoy the lights of Lake Merritt and be a part of it by riding on a lit-up water craft.
Cost: Rides are $8 per person. Groups can charter a sleigh for $120 and bring up to 19 people, leaving anytime between 3 pm and 8 pm.
When: At 6 pm on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings from December 1 until December 23.
Where: Lake Merritt Boating Center
More details >
Habitot's Gingerbread House Event
Help decorate a giant gingerbread house that will be donated to a local family shelter at Habitot.
When: Saturday Dec. 23 FREE admission 1pm to 4:30
Where: More details >
More gingerbread houses! Build a reusable wooden gingerbread house at Home Depot on 12/2. Drop kids off age 4 to 10 for $25 while they build gingerbread houses at Twirl on 12/16.
Fairy Winterland / Festival of Lights Parade
Admission on these days includes free treats, hot cider, and a parade, including Santa Claus, plus unlimited rides and attractions as usual. Fairyland is open until 7 pm during Fairy Winterland hours and the Festival of Lights parade is at 6:15 pm each night. Weather permitting.
Cost: $10 per person ($5 for members)
When: December 15-23 Noon to 7pm
Where: Children's Fairyland Oakland
Even more holiday fun in the East Bay!
Don't miss our guide to the best holiday lights in the East Bay! Or, our round-up of Nutcracker and other holiday dance performances.
Related:
- Hanukkah Guide for East Bay Families
- Where to have a Christmas tea party
- Most festive Christmas tree lots
Thank you to The Oakland Ballet Company for sponsoring our guide to holiday activities and outings in the East Bay.
[Photos of Oakland Ballet Company by John Hefti; used with permission]
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