By Katy St. Clair. Bay City News.
Although snow is never part of the equation, it does kick off holiday celebrations in the Bay Area. Many cities and towns have free events for the whole family. Joyful and triumphant revelers can travel from county to county to take part in the holiday festivities, shop for unique holiday crafts, enjoy the Hanukkah Festival of Lights, or celebrate Kwanzaa. This is certainly not an exhaustive list, though most of the events listed are free.
SAN FRANCISCO
The Ferry Building is hosting free craft events throughout the season, starting Sunday with Beary Merry Holiday polar bear crafts starting at 10 a.m. and “Pretty Presents” crafts like hot chocolate ornaments, herbal sachets and personalized mugs on Dec. 18.
The San Francisco Public Library will host a Kwanzaa Game Day on December 26th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. This will be the first day of Kwanzaa, also known as Umoja, or “unity.” Ancestors will be honored with the lighting of the first candle of the season, followed by games and refreshments for the whole family.
The annual SantaCon SF bar crawl will take place on December 10th starting in Union Square. Participating is free, you just need to dress up as an incarnation of Santa Claus. Participants hop from bar to bar, so if you plan on drinking punch, you'll have to pay for that.
Macy's holiday windows are in full effect now through January 1. The popular attraction features adoptable dogs and cats, puppies and kittens in conjunction with the SF SPCA. The furballs are on display from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, except Christmas Eve and Day. Macy's is located in Union Square.
On Monday, the Castro Holiday Tree Lighting will take place at Castro and 18th Street. Mayor London Breed, the SF Gay Men's Chorus, the SF Gay/Lesbian Freedom Band, and possible appearances by Supervisor Rafael Mandelman and State Senator Scott Wiener will be in attendance.
The Fifth Annual Shining Hanukkah Party will be held at Ghirardelli Square on December 8. Sponsored by the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, this event will feature dreidels and festive crafts, with candle lighting and singing. It runs from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Finally, the city will host its 10th Annual Illuminate SF Light Festival, featuring 62 light installations. For more information, including locations, go to https://www.illuminatesf.com.
EAST BAY
Pleasanton – The Hometown Holiday Parade will begin at 5 p.m. on Dec. 3, with marching bands, floats and community groups. A tree lighting ceremony will follow at approximately 6:45 p.m. with music, the mayor and a special appearance by Santa Claus.
Martinez – The Christmas tree and Santa lighting begins at 4 p.m. on Main Street Plaza. The city’s annual Hanukkah community celebration will take place beginning Dec. 18. Co-sponsored by Congregation B’nai Shalom, the traditional menorah lighting will take place nightly at dusk from Dec. 18-26 on Main Street Plaza. There will be music, sufganiyot and fun for the entire family.
Danville – Christmas at the Livery will feature free visits from Santa, train rides, a snow zone, tongue twisters, face painting, Christmas carols and cheerful gift bags for children. Held Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. The Livery is located at 567 Sycamore Rd., Danville.
Walnut Creek: The Garden D'Lights will shine in Ruth Bancroft Garden for the fourth year, featuring a drought-tolerant landscape filled with cacti, succulents and native California plants that are adorned with holiday lights, ornamentation, music and illuminated sculptures. The garden light installation runs through Jan. 8 and is located at 1552 Bancroft Rd. Tickets must be purchased.
Berkeley: Toddlers, children ages five and under, and their parents are invited to a holiday carnival at the Live Oak Community Center on Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will feature Snowflake Toss, Big Rain Drop Throw, Windy Parachute Games, and Pin the Nose on the Snowman. There will also be an arts and crafts station. Prizes and refreshments will be available. The center is located at 1301 Shattuck Ave.
Richmond – Downtown Holiday Festival featuring gift bag giveaways and photos with Santa. The festival will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on December 14 at the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts.
Brentwood – The Great Community Hanukkah Festival begins on December 18 at 4:30 p.m. There will be a menorah lighting with dignitaries, Hanukkah doughnuts and latkes, chocolate gelt, lots of crafts and even a fire and sword artist. It will take place in City Park in front of Brentwood City Hall.
NORTH BAY and WINE COUNTRY
Petaluma: Santa and Mrs. Claus will roll into town via riverboat Saturday across the Petaluma River, docking at the River Plaza shopping center. Petaluma Pete and the Pacific Empire Chorus will entertain the crowd at 11:30 a.m. until Santa appears at noon. The Petaluma Ballet School's "Nutcracker" dancers will also be twirling.
Windsor – The town’s annual Christmas celebration and tree lighting will take place on December 1 from 5 to 8 p.m. on the Town Green. Local schools will host live music displays at 5 p.m. and then the tree lighting will begin at 7 p.m. There’s also plenty for kids to do, including Santa’s Mailbox, cookie decorating and craft workshops.
Healdsburg: Merry Healdsburg festivities will be held downtown at Healdsburg Plaza on Dec. 2. A tree lighting ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by free photos with Santa. There will also be free hayrides sponsored by Kiwanis and free hot chocolate. Live music will include the Healdsburg Choir and Rocio La Dama de La Cumbia y Su Sonora.
Guerneville – The Parade of Lights kicks off after dark on December 3 at 7 p.m. on Main Street, with this year’s theme being “A Very Fairy Christmas.” This parade is known for its campy, offbeat fun.
Calistoga – Known as the “last small town holiday celebration,” the Calistoga Lighted Tractor Parade is definitely one of a kind. Modern, vintage and antique tractors will be adorned with lights along with other construction equipment. The parade runs from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on December 3.
Benicia: If you're looking for a charming small-town Christmas parade, look no further than Benicia's annual event. This year it takes place on December 10th and runs down First Street. The show starts at 10 a.m. and residents usually save their spots for the night, though there's always room for more. The parade is followed by a holiday market.
Vallejo: The city's annual Mad Hatter's Holiday Festival and Parade is not to be missed. It's weird and wonderful, with motorized contraptions from Obtainium Works, steam punk revelers, traditional holiday nods and more. It all starts at 2 p.m. at Unity Plaza near the library on Santa Clara Street with dancing horses, kids' crafts, kids' games and food. The parade starts on Georgia Street at 4:30 p.m. with a tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. at the library on Santa Clara Street. A lighted boat parade starts at 6:30 p.m. at the marina.
Sausalito - The Lighted Boat Parade and Fireworks Celebration will begin at 6 p.m. on December 10, rain or shine, along the Sausalito waterfront.
Mill Valley– Winterfest is back. Featuring live entertainment, a giant slide, tons of kid-friendly activities and great food, the event culminates with the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. It takes place on December 4th from noon to 5 p.m. at Mill Valley’s Downtown Plaza.
St. Helena – Santa himself will make an appearance downtown on December 9 from 3 to 6 p.m. There will be photo opportunities, music and food vendors.
Napa – The city’s Christmas Parade will be held on December 10th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in downtown Napa. This year’s theme celebrates 175 years of Christmas in Napa.
Yountville… How about a Latke Throw Down? Bardessono is hosting its second annual event at the Yountville Community Center, featuring a latke-making competition. Tickets are $10, but guests will be able to watch the competition and even sample the entrees. The event will take place on Dec. 15 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 6516 Washington St. Interested parties are encouraged to email their RSVP to events@bardessono.com.
American Canyon: It's time for the Magic of the Season with the Lighted Parade and Tree Lighting. In addition to the parade, there will be food vendors and a holiday gift market. The event will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on December 3 at Shenandoah Park, 100 Sonoma Creek Way.
SOUTH BAY
San Jose – Christmas in the Park takes place in the heart of downtown San Jose at Cesar Chavez Plaza. This free event has been running for 40 years and features musical and animated displays, bright lights, and a 50-foot-tall Christmas tree. School and community groups along with businesses decorate an “enchanted tree forest,” and vendors are on hand if you get hungry. This event runs through January 1.
Mountain View: Bring a folding chair, your singing voice and an open mind to the Holiday Sing-Along with TACO ‒Terrible Adult Chamber Orchestra‒ on Sunday. The event begins at 3 p.m. at Civic Center Plaza, 500 Castro St.
Foster City: Holiday music, light refreshments and Santa are part of this year's Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the recreation center at 650 Shell Blvd.
Los Altos: The Festival of Lights Parade has been held in Los Altos since 1977, featuring floats, marching bands and costumed characters all illuminated by lights. The revelry begins at 6 p.m. at First and State streets downtown.
Burlingame: A holiday tree lighting will be held at City Hall on Dec. 2, and a festive Chanukah event with a giant Lego menorah will begin on Dec. 18. There will also be latkes and doughnuts, crafts and selfies with a dreidel mascot. It's free but requires RSVP to the address at chabadnp.com/chanukah.
Colma – Get ready for the Christmas tree lighting on December 1 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Tall Hall Plaza on El Camino Real. Santa will be there with hot chocolate and treats.
Half Moon Bay: There are three holiday events in Half Moon Bay in December, starting with a lighted parade on December 2 at 6:15 p.m. There is also a kids' zone and Santa will be there to sign autographs at Dutra Park after the parade. An ugly sweater party rears its head on December 9 and there will be a contest for the most atrocious. Finally, the movie Elf will be shown on December 16 in the parking lot of Cunha's Country Store. All events take place on and around Main Street.
Pacifica – The 2022 Rockaway Tree Lighting Festival returns this year on December 4th from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Kids’ activities, food vendors and food trucks, flurries of “snow,” pony rides, live music, and Santa Claus, of course. The festival takes place at Rockaway Beach, Dondee Way.
Redwood City: There’s a Christmas parade, but the whole thing is really one big show, with photos with Santa, live entertainment; food, beer and wine vendors; and the parade at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 10 in Courthouse Square. The 13th Annual Hanukkah Festival will also be held Dec. 18 from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. in Courthouse Square. There will be music, menorah lighting, latkes and doughnuts, moonwalking and holiday crafts. Organizers are also touting the “first menorah” painted in Northern California.
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