Last updated on May 13th, 2026
If you love city sidewalks, festive energy, and iconic holiday experiences you can only find in a big city, San Francisco absolutely needs to be on your Christmas wish list.
From towering Christmas trees to outdoor ice skating rinks to some amazing holiday events, there are countless ways to celebrate the season.
I’ve lived in California for more than 25 years, but I grew up in New York. And honestly? San Francisco – particularly Union Square – is the closest I’ve come to experiencing New York City energy during the holiday season. (Think ice skating in Rockefeller Center but without the brutal cold!)
To help you plan the perfect winter escape, here are 15 fun things to do during Christmas in San Francisco.
Where to Stay in San Francisco at Christmas
Here are the best places to stay if you’re visiting San Francisco during the holiday season.► Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square – great location overlooking Union Square Christmas Tree, the ice rink, and Macy’s
► Fairmont San Francisco Hotel– historic, upscale hotel with a massive Gingerbread House you can enjoy during the holiday season
► Courtyard by Marriott San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf – budget-friendly, waterfront hotel in easy walking distance to the Pier 39 Christmas Tree, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Ghirardelli Square
San Francisco Christmas Events & Things to Do
San Francisco is enchanting any time of year – but during the holidays, the city transforms into a holiday wonderland of twinkling lights, cable cars wrapped in garlands, live performances, festive hotel lobbies, holiday markets, and merry traditions.
Here are 15 magical ways to experience San Francisco during the holiday season.
1. Ride a Holiday-Decorated Cable Car
Nothing says San Francisco more than its iconic cable cars. And riding them during the holiday season is the best way to experience them!
San Francisco’s cable cars sometimes get holiday wreaths, ribbons, and lights — making them extra festive. Even undecorated, riding one during the holidays feels magical and is a must-do.
Tickets are $9 per ride, making this a fairly inexpensive way to experience one of the best things to do in San Francisco at Christmas.
2. Visit Union Square
I’ll kick off this list in Union Square, because Union Square is truly the epicenter of Christmas cheer in San Francisco. The towering Christmas tree, ice rink, cable cars, and nonstop energy just exude holiday cheer.
A giant Hanukkah menorah is lit each night during Hanukkah, and live music and pop-up performances are common throughout the season. Even if you do nothing else, just being in Union Square during the holidays puts you in a festive mood.
Last year, we stayed at the iconic Westin St. Francis Hotel, in a room overlooking Union Square. We could see the ice rink, Christmas tree, and even cable cars jangling past below. It was the perfect place to stay and soak up all the amazing San Francisco Christmas vibes.
3. Macy’s Holiday Windows & SPCA Pet Adoptions
Macy’s Department Store in Union Square is a must-see destination during the holidays. The store’s towering exterior is adorned with wreaths and Christmas lights, and their window displays are spectacular during the holiday season.
But the highlight of visiting Macy’s is their San Francisco SPCA Holiday Windows, where real rescue pets nap, play, and look for their forever families.
If you are an animal-lover like me, you will love Macy’s at Christmastime. They have made a heart-warming tradition out of turning store windows into an adoption center for dogs and cats in need of loving families during the holiday season.
The fur babies will be “on display” in the windows from November 21 through December 31, 2025. Hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m. (With the announcement of Macy’s closing their Union Square location possibly as early as next year, this might be your last chance to them.)
Even if you are not in the market for a new pet, the window displays are adorable and who doesn’t want to look at cute animals? Kids will love watching the pups and cats play, and if you feel so inspired you can even make a little donation.
4. Let’s Glow SF
One of the newest holiday events in San Francisco, Let’s Glow SF, the country’s largest holiday projection event.
Let’s Glow SF runs for 10 nights, December 5 through 14, 2025. Experience breathtaking animated projections illuminating eight iconic buildings across the city’s core, transforming them into colossal, colorful canvases featuring work by 19 artists from around the globe. This year there is also a free audio tour available to download; this is your portable guide packed with easy-to-follow directions, artwork descriptions, and words from the artists.
For 2025, you can see Let’s Glow SF at the following San Francisco locations:
- The Ferry Building
- East Cut Electric – 425 Folsom Street
- Salesforce Tower – 415 Mission Street
- 101 California Street
- Mechanics Monument Plaza – 488 Market Street
- Yerba Buena Lane at Market Street
- Hobart Building – 828 Market Street
- Pacific Exchange – 301 Pine Street
- Transamerica Pyramid Center – 545 Sansome Street
5. Westin St. Francis Sugar Castle & Sweet Shop
Each holiday season, the Westin St. Francis Hotel reveals its life-size Medieval Sugar Castle — made of more than 1,200 pounds of sugar and handcrafted details like glowing windows, tiny royal rooms, and toy trains. It’s jaw-dropping and free to visit in the lobby.
Since we stayed there last year for our most recent San Francisco Christmas season getaway, it was a fantastic treat to see it and see everyone enjoying the Westin St. Francis Hotel sugar castle every time we walked though the lobby.
Handcrafted by Executive Pastry Chef Jean François Houdré and his team, the towering 12-ft. Medieval Sugar Castle resembles a life-like magical French Chateau. The castle weighs more than 1,200 pounds and features 20 grand circular towers, 30 rooms, glowing windows and two trains running around the castle.
The castle is on display from Thanksgiving through January 2. There is also a special sweet shop in the lobby during the holidays.
6. Fairmont Hotel Gingerbread House
The gingerbread house stands at more than 25 feet high and 35 feet wide. It features more than 6,000 house-made gingerbread bricks (largest bricks to date), 1,650 pounds of candy and 3,300 pounds of royal icing.
7. Holiday Tea at the Fairmont
For a refined and cozy experience, enjoy Holiday Tea at Laurel Court. With polished silver, fine china, elegant décor, tea, scones, and treats, this family-friendly tea time always feels like stepping back in time into a Victorian Christmas scene!
Afternoon tea has been a tradition at the Fairmont San Francisco Hotel since 1907. Holiday Tea is served starting at 1 p.m. daily, beginning in mid-December. Reservations sell out quickly, so book early.
8. San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker
The Nutcracker is an iconic holiday ballet, and if you are in San Francisco during the holidays, this is the place to see it! Performances will run December 5 through 28, 2025.
The Nutcracker actually made its American debut in San Francisco in 1944. Since then, it has been a holiday tradition every year in San Francisco.
In addition to the regular performances, there are several family performances geared toward younger kids. SF Ballet will host its fourth annual Sensory Friendly Performance of Nutcracker on Sunday, December 28 at 11 a.m., in partnership with Autism Society SF Bay Area, creating a welcoming space where neurodiverse audiences of all ages and abilities can experience the wonder of Nutcracker in a relaxed setting.
The Nutcracker is performed by the SF Ballet at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco’s Civic Center District.
9. See the Christmas Tree at Pier 39
San Francisco has so many beautiful Christmas trees on display during the holiday season! You’ll find them at almost all the big hotels and shopping centers, and many other tourist attractions.
But don’t worry if you’re not able to make the official tree lighting ceremony, which usually takes place right after Thanksgiving. At Pier 39, the beautiful 60-foot-tree lighting ceremony happens every night from late November through early January.
Pier 39’s nightly Christmas tree lighting sees the tree come to life every half hour between 5 and 10 p.m. Synchronized to holiday music, the tree transforms into a kaleidoscope of swirling colors, adorned with thousands of specialty lights and ornaments.
10. Fisherman’s Wharf Boat Parade
San Francisco’s oldest Christmas parade takes place on the water! Head to the wharf for the Fisherman’s Wharf Lighted Boat Parade and watch 75 to 100 boats cruise by dressed up in holiday lights.
You can watch the parade from anywhere along the route, which begins just off Pier 39 and goes past Fisherman’s Wharf, Fort Mason, and the St. Francis Yacht Club before turning around near Crissy Field to return to Pier 39.
This free annual event will take place on December 13, 2025 from 6 to 8 p.m.
11. San Francisco Love Tours Holiday Lights
View San Francisco’s holiday trees, decorations, and lights from aboard a 1970s VW hippie bus. It is truly a unique and fun way to see San Francisco.
Complete with shag carpet and holiday music, San Francisco Love Tours takes you around the city at night to see the best holiday lights and views. We did the regular tour before the Christmas season and it was so cool; I can only imagine what a dash of holiday cheer adds to the experience!
The hippie buses take only up to six people at a time, so it’s an intimate experience and the small vehicle can go places that big tour buses cannot. Two photo stops are included on the two-hour tour, and a picture in front of the VW is a great photo op in itself.
13. Visit Ghirardelli Square
Ghiradelli Square is one of our favorite San Francisco landmarks to visit any time of year, but the holiday season makes it even more special. During Christmastime, Ghirardelli Square comes alive with festive decor, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities.
Located in the Marina area just a short walk from Fisherman’s Wharf, Ghirardelli Square decorates its 50-foot-tall Christmas tree with lights and oversized chocolate bars! Don’t miss this sweet display, and while you’re there, stop into the shop for some chocolatey gifts and other sweet treats.
14. The Great Dickens Christmas Fair
San Francisco transforms into Victorian London for this elaborate Christmas party. Experience what Christmas was like during Victorian times while enjoying shopping, holiday treats (roasted chestnuts!) and entertainment. You’ll see all of Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas characters roaming around during this immersive holiday event.
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair takes place at the Cow Palace Arena & Event Center in Daly City. For the 2025 holiday season, the event will take place for five weekends from November 22 through December 21, including the Friday after Thanksgiving, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
15. Go Ice Skating
Nothing says holiday fun like ice skating. This is an especially fun activity if you are looking for family-friendly things to do San Francisco at night.
There are two major ice skating rinks in San Francisco:
- The Embarcadero Holiday Ice Rink: Located adjacent to the Hyatt Regency and across from San Francisco’s historic Ferry Building, the Holiday Ice Rink at Embarcadero Center offers views of the Bay Bridge and waterfront.
- The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square: This is probably the most popular of all the San Francisco Bay Area outdoor ice skating rinks. Families can skate beside a gorgeous tree and surrounded by festive lights and the sounds of the holiday season. If you’ve ever visited Rockefeller Center in New York City during the holidays, you’ll definitely get that same vibe at the Union Square ice rink!
16. Winter Events at the California Academy of Sciences
If you are visiting San Francisco with kids, they’ll love visiting the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. It is one of the most kid-friendly museums in San Francisco any time of year, but it’s even more special during the holidays.
During the “‘Tis the Season for Science” event, you can enjoy indoor snow flurries, meet real reindeer, watch a movie inside the Snowman Theater, and learn about animals that live in winter climates. Animals include polar bears, weasels, snow geese, and snow leopards. (There is also a really cool planetarium here. We saw the “Expedition Reef” show – not at all Christmas-related but still awesome!)
Final Thoughts: Christmas in San Francisco
Christmas in San Francisco blends cozy traditions, glittering lights, and lots of fun things to do you won’t find any other time of year. Whether you’re seeing The Nutcracker, exploring Union Square, or sipping cocoa by the Bay, the city offers something magical for everyone during the holidays. The weather is just crisp enough to feel like winter, yet not too cold to enjoy being outside. There are lots of Christmas decorations and light displays all across the city.
If you love the idea of a bustling, urban destination during Christmas time, San Francisco is one of the best places to celebrate the holiday season.
Read these articles for more help planning your trip to San Francisco:
- Fun Things to Do in San Francisco with Kids
- Things to Do at Night in San Francisco with Family
- Why Every Disney Fan Should Visit The Walt Disney Family Museum
- Devil’s Slide Trail: Easy California Coastal Hike
- Day Trip to Oakland: Jack London Square & Beyond
- San Francisco Museums the Whole Family Will Love
Save These San Francisco Christmas Events & Activities for Later!
Planning a visit to the San Francisco Bay Area during the holidays? Pin the image below for future reference.
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