Last updated: 10/24/2019
If you are planning to spend the end of the year in San Francisco, be sure to enjoy the Christmas events that take place in the city starting in November. The city is all decorated, full of lights, ice skating rinks and much more! Check out the Christmas attractions in San Francisco that we have separated for you!
20 CHRISTMAS ATTRACTIONS IN SAN FRANCISCO
CHRISTMAS DECORATION
1. Decoration at the San Francisco Zoo
- Description: O Zoo Lights at the San Francisco Zoo is an animal-shaped Christmas lighting event.
- Schedule: December 14, 2018 (programming in this link) (to confirm)
2. Decoration on Union Street
- Description: O Union StreetFantasy of Lights it is a commercial concentration area that is decorated at the end of the year with many Christmas lights and characters such as snowman, elves, nutcrackers and, of course, Santa Claus.
- Schedule: from December 1, 2018 (to confirm)
3. Decoration at the Embarcadero Center and Ferry Building
- Description: Christmas lights in the Embarcadero Center and Ferry Building.
- Schedule: from November 22, 2019 (more information in this link)
CHRISTMAS PARADES
4. Lighted Boat Parade
- Description: The Lighted Boat Parade is a free event that takes place in North San Francisco in the Fisherman's Wharf area. There will be more than 60 boats, all decorated with lights and Christmas decorations, parading along the shore. The best places to view the parade are at Pier 39 and Aquatic Park (499 Jefferson St.)
- Schedule: December 13, 2018 from 6pm to 8pm
5. Parol Lantern Parade
- Description: O Parol Lantern Parade is a free Filipino-American festival of colorful and illuminated lanterns that takes place from St. Patrick's.
- Schedule: December 8, 2018 from 5pm to 9pm (to confirm)
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CHRISTMAS TREES
6. Christmas Tree at Pier 39
- Description: The Christmas decorations and a beautiful 18 meters high Christmas tree make the famous Pier 39 even more charming!
- Schedule: Christmas lighting and decorations at Pier 39 begin November 26, 2019 (see details in this link) with a big party.
7. Christmas Tree at Ghirardelli Square
- Description: The Ghirardelli Chocolate factory has been setting up its Christmas tree in Ghirardelli Square for over 50 years.
- Schedule: from November 29 at 4 pm (more information in this link).
8. Christmas Tree in Union Square
- Description: In the city's most famous shopping center, the big Macy's Christmas tree stands out.
- Schedule: the tree lights up event will take place on November 29, 2019 from 5:30 pm (see more information in this link).
CHRISTMAS CONCERTS (SF Symphony Orchestra)
9. Deck the Hall
- Description: It is a family-friendly event that includes a concert and a Christmas party for children of all ages. see more details in this link.
- Schedule: December 8, 2018 at 11 am and 3 pm
- Tickets: from US$ 46
10. Various Christmas Concerts
- Description: Experience a Christmas classic with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. This program includes celebrated Christmas carols and orchestrations. see more details in this link. This year there's a music special by film director Tim Burton (Tim Burton's Night Before Christmas (12/1 & 6) and Merry-achi Christmas (12/09).
- Schedule: selected days during the month of December
- Tickets: from US$ 15
SAVINGS TIP: ACTIVITY CARDS
San Francisco is not a cheap city. If you intend to visit several attractions that have paid admission, the tip is to purchase one of the activity cards that include tickets to several attractions at a price well below that if you were to buy them individually at the box office. Discover 7 of the main options:
GO SAN FRANCISCO CARD: This card saves you up to 60% on 28 of the city's top attractions and tours, including the hop-on hop-off bus! You even have discounts and special offers in stores and restaurants! The card is available in 1, 2, 3 or 5 day versions. Price: from US$ 78
SAN FRANCISCO CITYPASS: This pass includes tickets to famous attractions and lots of discounts! The pass includes: 3 days unlimited transport by Cable Car and Muni, admission to the California Academy of Sciences, admission to a boat cruise across the bay, access to the San Francisco Aquarium and admission to either the Exploratorium or the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Price: from US$ 94
SAN FRANCISCO MEGA PASS: This pass includes 3, 4 or 5 options from over 20 tours and attractions in San Francisco. It is valid for 7 days and gives you the freedom to create your own itinerary. Price: from US$ 79.99
THE SAN FRANCISCO SEIGHTSEEING PASS: Choose 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 attractions and visit them at your own pace over a period of 30 days. There are more than 20 attractions to choose from! Price: from US$ 54
SAN FRANCISCO FISHERMAN'S WHARF PASS: Admission to 5 iconic attractions in the Fisherman's Wharf area, including the Aquarium, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, 7D Experience, The San Francisco Dungeon and a Bay Cruise. Price: from US$ 90
IVENTURE CARD: Take must-see tours, see attractions and enjoy San Francisco day cruises for a much lower price! The card includes a 48-hour Hop-On Hop-Off ticket and 2 or 4 attractions to choose from. Check details in versions of 3 days or 5 days. Price: from US$ 65
PIER 39 ATTRACTION PASS: The pass includes admission to the Aquarium, Bay Cruise, 7D Experience, 48-hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket, Magowan Infinite Mirror Labyrinth admission, and Pier 39 discounts and coupons. Price: from US$ 90.95
Read more: California: What to do in San Francisco – 5-Day Itinerary
11. A Charlie Brown Christmas
- Description: Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the gang bring this television classic to life! With live actors, a lively backdrop and timeless music by Vince Guaraldi performed live by the SF Symphony. see more details in this link.
- Schedule: December 21, 22 and 23, 2019
- Tickets: from US$ 42.50
12. “NUTCRACKER” BALLET
- Description: The famous ballet Nutcracker, the Nutcracker, by Russian composer Tchaikovsky, is performed by the dancers of the San Francisco Ballet. For more information, see this link and watch the official video below.
- Address: 301 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94109 (San Francisco's War Memorial Opera House)
- Schedule: December 11-29, 2019 (various times)
- Tickets: from US$ 25
13. THEATER “A CHRISTMAS TALE”
- Description: “A Christmas Carol” is a theatrical performance, based on the acclaimed book by Charles Dickens, which received the Portuguese name of “Um Conto de Natal” and became one of the greatest Christmas classics of all time.
- Address: 415 Geary St. San Francisco, CA 94102 (ACT's Geary Theater)
- Schedule: from November 29 to December 24, 2019
- Tickets: from US$ 15 (buy in this link)
ICE SKATING
14. Embarcadero Center
- Address: Justin Herman Plaza
- Schedules: from November 6, 2019 to January 5, 2020
- Prices: US$ 12 adults / US$ 7 children under 7 years / US$ 5 skate rentals
- Information: access this site
15. Union Square
- Address: union square
- Schedules: from November 6, 2019 to January 20, 2020
- Prices: US$ 18 (includes skate rental) / US$ 13 children under 8 years old
- Information: access this site
16. CHRISTMAS CAR RIDE
- Description: Is there anything more classic in San Francisco than cable cars? At the end of the year, they are even more charming decorated, lit up and with Christmas music! You still get a red hat just like Santa's when boarding. Tours last about 70 minutes and depart from Fisherman's Wharf and Union Square. For more information access this link.
- Address: 190 Napoleon St. San Francisco, CA
- Schedule: November 22 to December 30, 2019
- Price: US$42
17. CHRISTMAS FAIR
- Description: The Great Dickens Christmas Fair, is a traditional Christmas market that has been around since 1970, which seeks to maintain a Victorian-era London Christmas style with food, drink, dancing, Christmas decorations, shops and much more. There are many people in costumes who are interacting with the audience. Everything takes place in a large warehouse with more than 11,000 m². For more information access this link and watch the official video below.
- Address: Cow Palace Exhibitions Hall – 2600 Geneva Ave, Daly City, CA 94014
- Schedule: on weekends from November 23 to December 22, 2019 from 10 am to 7 pm
- Entrance: Check prices and buy tickets by visiting this link.
18. TOURS BY SAN FRANCISCO AND CHRISTMAS DINNERS
- Description: Experience Christmas in a different way, taking San Francisco city tours to see the lights, or enjoying a San Francisco Bay cruise with a special dinner on Christmas Eve. Check out the different options in this link.
- Schedules: vary
- Prices: vary
The last two attractions are in areas very close to San Francisco and easily accessible by car:
19. EVENTS AT WINCHESTER MYSTERY HOUSE (SAN JOSE)
THE Winchester Mystery House is a haunted mansion in Silicon Valley that at the end of the year is decorated with lights and Christmas decorations. special events, as a breakfast with Santa it is a gingerbread decorating workshop.
- Address: 525 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose, CA 95128
- Description: The Winchester Mystery House is beautifully decorated with dozens of trees and wreaths. The festive glow of 100,000 bright lights and the sounds of Christmas music greet visitors.
- Entrance: from US$ 20 (to confirm)
20. SANTA TRAIN, NO NAPA VALLEY WINE TRAIN (NAPA)
A delightful attraction in the Napa Valley wine country is the Wine Train, the Wine Train, a Christmas special, on the so-called tour Santa Train. It is a super special tour for children, with a beautiful decoration and the presence of Santa Claus, elves, snowmen, among other characters.
- Address: 1275 McKinstry St, Napa, CA 94559
- Schedule: Monday to Thursday between November 19 and December 27, 2019 (consult website to see available times)
- Duration: 3 hours tour
- Entrance: from US$ 79.99
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