Searching for Christmas events in Bay Area? Then look no further! I created a comprehensive list of amazing Christmas events in Bay Area categorized per area of interest that is suitable for the entire family, whether you are a local resident or a visitor. This article deliberately does not cover Christmas activities in the city of San Francisco. Please check my Christmas Activities in San Francisco article for detailed information of what is happening in the City.
Christmas events in Bay area if you like THEME PARKS
California Great America, Santa Clara
California Great America hosts its annual WinterFest through the month of December. The festival includes an abundance of Christmas decorations, holiday performances, official lighting of the Christmas tree every night, holiday shopping and of course family friendly rides.
In addition the above there other fun family activities like skating, decorating cookies wit Mrs. Clause, writing and sending a letter to Santa and more.
Fairyland, Oakland
Fairyland is a theme park geared to younger kids (children 8 years and under would probably have most fun here). Their annual Fairy Winterland usually runs for about 10 days in the second half of December. During this daily event kids can watch holiday performances in the Storybook Puppet Theater and a Festival of Lights Parade, visit with Santa, make holiday-themed arts and crafts and enjoy other holiday entertainment in addition to the traditional kiddy rides.
Gilroy Gardens, Gilroy
Holiday at Gilroy Gardens is a nightly event held all December with a special event on New Year’s Eve. The park is all decked out for the holidays. The visitors can enjoy their favorite rides, ice skate, visit with Santa and savor a great holiday meal of roast turkey and all the trimmings. The highlight of the evening is a live Charlie Brown Christmas show.
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Valejo
Six Flags’s Holiday in the Park event runs through December till January 5. Visitors can enjoy holiday decorations and festive shows throughout the park. Santa will be on site too for you to whisper your wishes to him.
Christmas events in Bay area if you like CHRISTMAS DISPLAYS
Oakland Zoo, Oakland
Oakland Zoo organizes its annual Christmas event called ZooLights. This event includes the following entertainment:
“Music in Motion” watch Laser Light Show during which you can sing along to your favorite holiday tunes.
Winter Wonderland: enjoy swirling snowfalls over a dazzling Winter Wonderland attraction featuring Santa every night in his workshop for the ultimate holiday experience.
Dancing Lights: stroll through holiday lights, decorated animal structures & dancing lights.
Gondola: enjoy sweeping views of the entire Bay Area from our festively lit gondolas.
Holiday Train: experience Wild Australia at night on the illuminated Outback Express Adventure Train
Additional weekend activities: face painting, holiday-themed crafts, live performances and more.
Christmas in the Park, San Jose
Christmas in the Park is a beloved South Bay tradition. It runs from the end of November (right after Thanksgiving) to the beginning of January. It is a huge event where visitors can experience 3 things: static displays, activities and special events.
Static displays at Christmas in the Park consist of dozens of Christmas trees decorated by the local community: businesses, schools, etc. Each tree is unique and therefore every year the display will be different. There is a vireity of other Christmas decorations throughout the park and millions of Christmas lights.
Activities include walking through a Christmas tree maze, amusement rides, skating and much more. Each year there is always something new added.
Special events at Christmas in the Park typically include opening day parade, breakfast with Santa, community stage performances and more.
Except for amusement rides, skating and ticketed events Christmas in the Park is a FREE event.
Fantasy of Lights, Los Gatos
Fantasy of Lights event in Vasona Park typically runs December 1-30. The park is being decorated with illuminated Christmas installations along the 1.5 miles path. You can either walk or drive through the park. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Christmas Tree Lane, Palo Alto
Christmas Tree Lane is a neighborhood Christmas display in Palo Alto, where each house on that portion Fulton St. off Embarcadero is meticulously decorated for everybody’s enjoyment. The event runs December 15-31 and it is FREE to the public.
Christmas events in Bay area if you like HISTORIC MANSIONS
Fililoi Estate and Gardens, Woodside
Holidays at Filoli is not just one but a variety of Christmas events that are held at the estate from the end of November through December. These are:
Holiday Teas at the Café – traditional high tea service;
Santa Saturdays – a special event for the little ones, where kids can meet Santa, read with Mrs. Clause, do a holiday craft and dance and sing to holiday tunes in the ballroom;
Decadence Nights – a weekly event organized by See’s Candies on Thursdays during the holiday season with wine and chocolate tasting, DIY holiday crafts and music.
Self-guided holiday tours of the lavishly decorated mansion and gardens are available on selected evenings. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings there will be music performers in the garden and/or in the ballroom for your enjoyment.
Patterson House at Ardenwood Farm, Freemont
Christmas Tours at the Patterson House on Ardenwood Farm is a great way to learn about Victorian Christmas traditions and life on the farm in 1800s. Each room of the house is beautifully adorned with time appropriate decorations. This is a fun and educational guided tour for all ages. And the best part? It only costs a couple of bucks per person!
Winchester Mystery House, San Jose
The spookiest place in Bay Are becomes the jollies place during the holiday season with its grand event called Spirit of Christmas. During your Christmas tour of the house you can enjoy Victorian decorations, 20 festive trees, live music, some appetizers and desserts and a “snowfall” in the courtyard.
Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate, Oakland
Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate opens its doors for A Holliday Tradition event for three consecutive weekend in December. Visitors can tour the 37-room mansion, which features turn-of-the-century holiday decorations, enjoy the Adult or Children’s Holiday Teas, ride the romantic horse-drawn carriage, and sip something warm while being entertained by holiday performers. The kids are welcome to the Kid’s Zone with pony-rides, holiday face-painting, crafts and the Breakfast with Santa.
Christmas events in Bay area if you like MUSEUMS
CuriOdissey, San Mateo
CuriOdissey museum will set stage for its annual IlluminOdissey event from the second week of November till January 5. It is an interactive light experience geared for younger kids (I would say 8 years and younger). The photo below is courtesy of CuriOdissey museum.
Christmas events in Bay area if you like ICE SKATING
There are many ice rinks open during the holiday season in Bay Area. Some of them are located within bigger attractions that I already mentioned in this article, such as Gilroy Gardens, California Great America, Christmas in the Park in San Jose, etc. As for stand alone ice rinks our family especially loves two: San Mateo on Ice and Winter Lodge in Palo Alto. Both locations offer outdoor skating under the lights of a festive Christmas tree, convenient location and sufficient nearby parking.
Christmas events in Bay area if you like UNIQUE EVENTS
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair, Daily City
There are no other Christmas events in Bay Area like the Great Dickens Christmas Fair! Basically, the entire of Victorian London is transported into Cow’s Palace in Daily City with stores, pubs, crafts shops, etc. You can stroll the streets of London from the docks to Victoria and Albert Music Hall and have a full immersive experience. You can meet a variety of colorful characters on the streets from beggars to the Ghost of Jacob Marley from “The Christmas Carol” to Her Majesty Queen Victoria herself. For everybody’s enjoyment do not be shy and play along if they interact with you!
Watch a variety of performances on several stages, have a nice cup of English tea with traditional sweets, do some great holiday shopping and come to meet Father Christmas. There are also a variety of activities specifically for kids like decorating candles and making Christmas ornaments (for an additional fee)
Some people come dressed in traditional Victorian era costumes but it is not requirement.
Christmas events in Bay area if you like TRAINS
Holiday Lights Train, Santa Cruz
Holiday Lights Train is operated by Roaring Camp Railroad. Ride a brightly lit train along the streets of Santa Cruz, sing holiday carols, sip hot cider and visit with Santa. After the ride continue your holiday fun evening on the Santa Cruz Boardwalk since 1 Boardwalk activity is included in the price of your train ticket.
Christmas events in Bay area if you like SHOPPING
Santa’s Wonderland, Bass Pro Shops, San Jose
Bass Pro Shops around the country have a great holiday tradition: from the 2nd week of November till Christmas they create a magical Santa’s Wonderland inside the stores with many FREE Christmas activities for kids. Not all activities are the same in all stores but we checked out Bass Pro Shop in San Jose and here is what you can expect to find there: crafts station, letters to Santa station, photo with Santa and multiple games, such as a ball pit, remote control trucks, Lincoln Logs, laser arcade and more.
Christmas events in Bay area if you like PERFORMANCES
Nutcracker Ballet, Redwood City
Academy of American Ballet presents a family friendly “Nutcracker” production as a yearly tradition. The performance is about 1,5 hours long and children of all ages are welcome.
Nutcracker Ballet, Oakland
Nutcracker at Oakland Ballet is a traditional holiday performance together with Oakland Symphony and Peidmont’s East Bay Children’s Choir.
The Christmas Story Musical, Berkeley
Berkley Playhouse is happy to present The Christmas Story musical based on the beloved Christmas movie.
Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts – Various events, Mountain View
Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts has several Christmas performances on its calendar each holiday season including, but not limited to:
Snow Queen, ballet
Nutcracker, ballet
The Christmas ballet
Holliday Sing-Along
Hendel’s Messiah, choral performance
Holiday Gospel concert
Check the Center’s website for the specific dates and times.
Tips for attending Christmas events in Bay Area
- Many of the ticketed Christmas events in Bay Area sell out early therefore plan on buying tickets well in advance.
- Those Christmas events in Bay Area that run from November to early January will be much less crowded in November and January.
- Outdoor events typically take place rain or shine. If you are a visitor to San Francisco Bay area plan for changing weather and potentially rain and wind. If it rains badly and you can’t get to your favorite Christmas event in Bay Area check out my detailed list of things to do in San Francisco when it rains.
Are you visiting San Francisco Bay Area? Check out current great deal on lodging at Booking.com
If you are planning a Christmas vacation you may also find these articles useful:
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