Christmas is one of the best times to be in San Francisco because this City by the Bay takes on a different glow. It shimmers with all the lights and shines with lots of decorations! It’s a city with a tradition of watching ballet, musical shows, and plays in prestigious theaters such as Davies Symphony Hall. The city has unique ways of celebrating the holidays like a peek-a-boo game at the San Francisco Zoo or having dinner in a giant Gingerbread House. You can tour the city and see its fabulous light displays by riding a hippie van tour or by getting a personal guide. Both will take you to iconic landmarks such as Fisherman’s Wharf, Macy’s, and Union Square. If you need a list of the best things to do at Christmas in San Francisco, California, then scroll down and read on to help you get started.
1. Join the jolly Holiday Lights Tour
Hop on the Holiday Lights Tour and see San Francisco twinkling with all its lights! The tour requires you to join as a small group. You will ride a colorful ‘70s-themed Volkswagen van on a two-hour trip around town. Enjoy the view of holiday displays and brightly lit attractions such as Macy’s Holiday Display, Lombard Street, and Chinatown. You are provided with a driver, a Santa hat, and live commentary.
Holiday Lights Tour of San Francisco
Duration: 2 hours
2. Book your Magic Christmas Private Tour in San Francisco (from USD 376.0)
If you want a more intimate tour of San Francisco, then book a Magic Christmas Private Tour in San Francisco. You have a personal guide who will take you on a walking tour of the famous and most decorated places of San Francisco. You will be filled in on the importance of these locations and snippets of the city’s Christmas legends. You can also taste the local food and drinks that are unique to the city.
Your guide will meet you at Barbary Coast Trail and take you to different stops around the city. You will pass by Union Square, 1111 Gough St, 950 Mason St, and San Francisco historic center.
Magical Christmas Wonders: A San Francisco Stroll
Duration: 2 hours
3. Enjoy your Breakfast with Santa at the Westin St. Francis
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Save the date: Saturday, December 10 from 9 AM–12 PM! Enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet with a special guest, Old...
Posted by The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square on Sunday, October 9, 2022
Start your Christmas countdown with a fancy breakfast at The Westin St. Francis. Just a few weeks before Christmas, you can gather your family and friends for an early celebration at this lavish hotel. Everyone will be served a hearty American breakfast with a mimosa for every adult. Kids will be given holiday crafts to play with. Santa will make a special appearance and you can take selfies with him, too.
Breakfast with Santa at the Westin St. Francis
Address: The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square, 335 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States
Website: Breakfast with Santa at the Westin St. Francis
Opening hours: December 10 (Sat) 9am – 12pm
Price: from 65 USD
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4. Ride the festive Fire Engine Holiday Lights Tour (from USD 45.0)
Put on some fireman’s gear while you ride this old-fashioned fire truck on a Holiday Lights Tour. You’ll feel like a firefighter for a day as you go around the city on the open-air firetruck lit with flashing lights and holiday music. Your personal guide will give you fun facts about the places you are visiting. This tour, which takes about 90 minutes, will take you to the glowing displays of Fisherman’s Wharf, Embarcadero, Union Square, and many more.
San Francisco Fire Engine Holiday Lights Tour
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
5. Watch A Christmas Carol at A.C.T.
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
November 27–December 24, 2016 A.C.T.’s Geary Theater act-sf.org/carol A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Adapted by...
Posted by American Conservatory Theater on Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Start your family tradition this year by watching this classic Christmas story that will be performed on stage at the Toni Rembe Theater (formerly Geary Theater). This season’s performance starts on November 30 and ends on Christmas eve. You can watch as storybook characters come to life with a cast of dozens adorned in colorful costumes and filled with lively music.
The decades-long performances of the A.C.T. Repertory have stayed true to the original Charles Dickens story. Watching the play is a family tradition for the holidays in the Bay Area.
Watch A Christmas Carol at A.C.T.
Address: THE TONI REMBE THEATER, 415 Geary Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Website: Watch A Christmas Carol at ACT
Opening hours: Timings vary depending on the dates
Price: starts at 15 USD
6. Be Santa for a day at the SantaCon SF
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Santacon SF on Monday, September 26, 2022
Join millions of people who participate in the annual SantaCon SF. Santa Conventions happen all over the world but it’s more special here in San Francisco. While the exact details of when and what will happen are kept confidential by the organizers up to the last minute, they plan a schedule like the activities of last year.
The event starts off at 11:30am at Union Square where would-be Santas congregate. People put on their best Santa outfits and donate a toy for the toy drive. Then just follow the trail of people walking around the streets spreading Christmas cheer. Bring cash so you can drop in to drink and dine at the bars you’ll be passing by. It’s free to attend, but you have to be at least 21 years old.
See SantaCon SF
Address: Union Square, 333 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94108, United States
Website: See SantaCon SF
Opening hours: December 10 (Sat): 11.30am
Price: Free
7. Watch "How The Grinch Stole Christmas"
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Davies Symphony Hall on Monday, November 23, 2015
Let the Grinch steal your heart away with the beautiful rendition of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. You’ll fall in love with this classic musical piece played by the world-renowned San Francisco Symphony. Their harmonious melody will take you back to your childhood memories of this Dr. Seuss classic being told on Christmas eve. Now as adults, you can bring your kids and let them appreciate the music played by a full orchestra in a lavish theatre hall.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Address: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA
Website: How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Opening hours: December 16 (Fri) 7:30pm; December 17 (Sat): 2pm
Price: starts from 30 USD
8. Have dinner at the amazing Fairmont Gingerbread House
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Our Gingerbread House is lit and the holiday season has officially begun. A true labor of love with hours of work...
Posted by Fairmont San Francisco on Saturday, November 27, 2021
The giant Gingerbread House is one of the main holiday attractions at Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. It’s made fresh every year with a different motif. This year, it’s a 25 feet (7.6 meters) high, 2-story Victorian-style house. It’s made of 8,000 baked bricks decorated with sweets and icing, as well as tons of lights.
Bring out your inner child and book a private family dinner right inside the Gingerbread house. To dine in this swanky sugary home, you must pay the rental fee and around 1,200 USD for food and drinks. It only seats up to eight guests, so book now and enjoy a different kind of holiday experience. It’s on display from Thanksgiving to New Year.
Fairmont Gingerbread House
Address: 950 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94108, United States
Website: Fairmont Gingerbread House
Opening hours: by appointment
Price: 300 USD for 2-hour rental
9. Play hide-and-seek at Joy at San Francisco Zoo
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by San Francisco Zoo on Thursday, March 17, 2022
Santa’s elves will be representing Old Man Santa at the zoo this year. Holiday houses will be on display around the zoo as well as pieces of the elves’ clothing. Guests are encouraged to join the Skipper’s Elf ‘n’ Go Seek.
It’s a hide-and-seek game with the elves spearheaded by Skipper, a North American river otter. Once you find the elves’ clothes, you can put them on and take lots of selfies. Have a break at Lemur Cafe and taste the zoo’s specialty beer. There’s a gift shop and a magical ride called Little Puffer.
Joy at San Francisco Zoo
Address: San Francisco Zoo & Gardens Sloat Blvd &, Upper Great Hwy, San Francisco, CA 94132, United States
Website: Joy at San Francisco Zoo
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: Children under 2 years old and SF Zoo members are free. Price starts at 15 USD
10. Participate in The Great Dickens Christmas Fair
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
This Christmas, visit Cow Palace Exhibition Halls for it is transformed into Victorian London. Travel back in time as you see hosts dressed up as the characters of this Charles Dickens classic. Explore the winding paths that take you to delightful shops, music halls, pubs, and theaters. There’s lots of dancing, singing, and the heartwarming scent of holiday sweets in this lamp-lit mini-city. Savor the food and handcrafted holiday items that brim the shops and streets. You can enjoy this fair until the weekend before Christmas. As a special treat, it will also be open on the Friday after Thanksgiving, so you can plan a family trip here.
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair
Address: Cow Palace Exhibition Halls, 2600 Geneva Ave, Daly City, CA 94014, United States
Website: The Great Dickens Christmas Fair
Opening hours: November 19 - December 18: 10am & 3pm (Sat & Sun)
Price: starts at 25 USD
Celebrate Christmas at the City by the Bay
San Francisco offers so many holiday sights and activities that are unique to this City by the Bay. By using our list of the best things to do in San Francisco, you will be able to experience all that the city offers.
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