San Francisco Festivals and Events in December | San Francisco Travel
Children run in a tunnel of Christmas lights that shine blue

San Francisco
Festivals and Events in December

As the year is winding down, the place to be is San Francisco. Our top festivals and events during December are just a click away.

All dates and locations are subject to change and should be confirmed with sponsors before making travel plans.

Beach Break Film Festival

Just a short drive down Highway 1, the Beach Break Film Festival is a showcase for independent California filmmakers, featuring stories that promote hope, expand knowledge, and inspire change.

Bill Graham Menorah Lighting

Union Square

Join one of San Francisco's most cherished holiday traditions, the Bill Graham Menorah Lighting in Union Square. Dating back to 1975, this iconic 22-foot menorah was one of the first public menorahs erected outside Israel, thanks to legendary rock promoter Bill Graham. See the lighting celebration on the first night of Hanukkah, December 25th, and the lighting events each night through January 2nd. 

Downtown First Thursdays

Second Street (between Market and Howard Streets)

DFT is a free monthly street party hosted in Downtown San Francisco, taking place every first Thursday of the month from 5 to 10 p.m. Get ready for disco in the streets, DJs, live music, drag, martial arts, fashion, street performances, and many other surprises! The fun takes place on Second Street (between Market and Howard Street) and along neighboring alleyways ready for you to explore. The event will also feature two 21+ outdoor bars on Minna and Natoma.

Elf - Film w/ SF Symphony Orchestra

The SF Symphony is decking Davies Symphony Hall with holiday spirit for a showing of the classic Christmas movie Elf, starring Will Ferrel. Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York in full elf uniform, searching for his real father. Watch this movie as every note of John Debney’s wonderful score is played live to picture.

Holidays at Filoli

86 Cañada Rd, Woodside, CA

Celebrate the season with Holidays at Filoli, a festive experience at the Filoli Historic House and Gardens, just south of San Francisco. Explore the beautifully decorated historic house and stroll through the illuminated winter garden. By day, capture picture-perfect moments amid vibrant displays, and by night, enjoy the dazzling glow of lights and enchanting holiday installations. It’s the perfect way to create magical memories this December!

The Great Dickens Christmas Fair

2600 Geneva Avenue, Daly City

The Great Dickens Christmas Fair is an immersive holiday adventure set in Victorian London, featuring hundreds of costumed performers in over 140,000 square feet of music halls, pubs, shops, and festive settings. It’s always Christmas Eve at this cherished Bay Area tradition, where visitors can explore winding lanes filled with Dickensian characters, street vendors, and handmade gifts. Enjoy delicious food, new experiences, and even a live steam train arriving in the Victoria Station lobby. A must-see holiday celebration since 1970!

The Guardsmen Tree Lot

Festival Pavilion at Fort Mason

Every year since 1947, The Guardsmen Tree Lot has sold Christmas trees in San Francisco to benefit at-risk youth in the Bay Area. Enjoy this family-friendly Christmas Wonderland at Fort Mason, including fun events all throughout the month of December. Bars for adults and bouncy houses for kids - The Tree Lot has something for everyone. The proceeds from this Christmas tradition have given tens of thousands of at-risk kids the opportunity to attend summer camps, after school programs and private schools.

Kung Pao Kosher Comedy

818 Washington Street

One of San Francisco’s longest-running comedy shows, Kung Pao Kosher Comedy, answers the age-old question: “What are Jews supposed to do on Christmas?” This year’s 32nd Annual shows will take place at Kung Pao’s new home, Imperial Palace Restaurant, in San Francisco’s Chinatown, on Dec 24-26 with 2 shows a day. Headliner: Ophira Eisenberg from NPR’s “Ask Me Another.”

Parol Lantern Festival and Parade

Yerba Buena Gardens

The Bay Area Filipino community gathers for the Parol Lantern Festival and Parade, the annual celebration of holiday spirit, hope, unity, and pride. It’s a family fun-filled evening of dancing lights, music, games, and prizes.

San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker

War Memorial Opera House

Every year, America’s oldest ballet company presents Tchaikovsky’s beloved family classic, The Nutcracker.

Illuminate SF Festival of Light

Citywide

Explore dozens of site-specific artworks by acclaimed creators from all over the world across San Francisco's many neighborhoods during the Illuminate SF Festival of Light. Some are permanent fixtures that have become familiar icons of the city. Others are fleeting, one-time-only creations that dazzle visitors with their complexity. Best of all, most of these artworks are free to experience. Highlights include Let's Glow SF, the popular light installation series that transforms some of downtown's most notable landmarks into canvasses for astounding animations (Dec. 6-15 only).

Invisalign Bay Area Women's Classic

Chase Center

Elite women's college basketball comes to Chase Center on December 20 for the Invisalign Bay Area Women’s Classic, a thrilling doubleheader featuring four powerhouse teams! Two games, one day. Stanford vs. Ohio State at 5:30 pm and UCLA vs. Creighton at 8:00 pm. Book your tickets now

Santa Con

Union Square

Get ready for a holly, jolly spectacle as SantaCon returns to San Francisco on December 14th! Don your festive Santa suit (or holiday attire) and join the fun as participants parade around Union Square before taking over other SF neighborhoods. Expect Santa sightings, pub crawls, and plenty of photo ops for a merry way to celebrate the season in SF!

Winter Walk

Union Square 

Winter Walk returns to Union Square from December 13 – 22, located on Stockton Street from O’Farrell to Post! This 10-day event will turn two blocks into a pedestrian plaza with lush turf, diverse food truck offerings, enticing bars, and Instagram-worthy arctic-themed décor. Enjoy live performances and entertainment throughout this festive event!

Free Programs in Union Square Plaza

Every week, you can enjoy a variety of free activities in the middle of Union Square. From chess lessons and live music to crafting activities and juggling demonstrations, these programs are perfect for visitors of all ages. Be sure to stop by every second Saturday for special cultural activities, showcasing the diversity of San Francisco.

The cable cars are decorated for the holidays.

Best Areas to Stay in San Francisco for the Holidays

'Tis the season for San Francisco! Not only is the city full of holiday cheer, it's also full of great hotel deals.

Explore
Share
Part Of
The Golden Gate Bridge at sunset with a multicolored sky and the San Francisco Bay in the foreground.
Stay Connected with SF

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Be the first to know about upcoming events and festivals, new restaurants, special deals, and everything else happening in the City by the Bay.