Thank you to 3Crosses Church for sponsoring this post of what’s open on Christmas for families.
Our family tradition is to take a Christmas Day hike. If that’s not your scene, find a range of activities open on December 24 & 25.
What’s Open on Christmas Eve
- There’s always church! 3Crosses Church offers four Christmas Eve candlelight services at 3 pm, 4:30 pm, 6 pm, and 7:30 pm. With Christmas carols, beautiful performances, and lighting the last advent candle, this service was made for the whole family (infant care available).
- Fun and Games.
- Six Flags Holiday in the Park is open in Vallejo from noon to 7 pm. Entertain the older cousins here!
- High Scores Arcade is open in Alameda.
- Oakland Ice Center has several open skate sessions.
- Urban Air Adventure Park in Concord is open from 10 am to 6 pm.
- Jump around at Pump It Up in Oakland. It’s open for Preschool Jump from 9:30 to 11 am.
- Bounce off the walls at Sky Zone in Dublin from 9 am to 3 pm.
- Go to Plank in Oakland for food, bowling, and arcade fun. It’s historically open in the afternoon.
- Find a dozen outside places to play below.
- Education and Culture.
- Play in the nature playspace at OMCA is open from 11 am to 5 pm.
- Lindsay Wildlife Experience in Walnut Creek is open from 10 am to 2 pm.
- Reserve tickets to the Oakland Zoo, which is open from 10 am to 3 pm.
- Ride a ferry into San Francisco. It’s my favorite public transportation in the area and a thrill for both kids and adults.
- San Francisco Botanical Garden is open until 4 pm. Enter between 7:30 am and 9 am for free entry.
- Cal Academy in San Francisco is open from 9:30 am to 5 pm.
- Visit the de Young Museum from 9:30 am to 4 pm.
- Road trip to Imaginarium in Sacramento; open from 5 to 10 pm.
- Plan a day trip to Monterey Bay Aquarium; open from 10 am to 5 pm.
- Go to the movies; many theaters are open over major holidays including the drive-in. Mufasa and Sonic 3 join the family-friendly fare in theaters.
What’s Open on Christmas Day
- Bowlero in Alameda is historically open—try to get a strike!
- The Hayward location of Round1 Bowling & Entertainment, with kid-friendly karaoke and arcade games, is historically open in the afternoon and evening.
- The New Parkway Theatre has a showing in the evening.
- Many ice skating rinks offer public skating sessions on Christmas Day. Reserve a space in advance.
- Cal Academy in San Francisco is open from 11 am to 5 pm.
- Road trip to Imaginarium in Sacramento; it’s open from 5 p to 10 pm.
- San Francisco Botanical Garden hosts a Free Admission Day from 7:30 am to 4 pm. Run through the lush lawns, hide in the trees, or visit the spectacular Children’s Garden.
- The San Francisco Zoo is open 365 days each year including Christmas from 10 am to 4 pm. [More fun stuff to see and do for Christmas in San Francisco >]
Outside Stuff that Doesn’t Close That’s Fun at Christmastime
- Little Farm is open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day because the animals still gotta eat!
- A big list of outdoor destinations for families, most of which are accessible on holidays and totally toddler-friendly.
- Plan your day around being at a great holiday light show when it gets dark. We like Christmas Tree Lane in Alameda.
- Head toward the water. Try Oakland’s Shoreline Park where you can see the big container ships. Or fly kites in the Berkeley Marina if it’s not raining.
- Head to the Oakland Hills. Search for salamanders in the Redwoods or walk the labyrinth at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve.
- Bring your wheels to a flat elementary school playground or the Ohlone Parkway in North Berkeley (more places to learn to ride a bike >).
- Explore some of the East Bay’s secret paths and staircases.
Thank you again to 3Crosses Church for sponsoring this post of what’s open on Christmas for families.
