TheatreWorks Silicon Valley presents Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley at Palo Alto’s Lucie Stern Theatre.
Tracy Martin
ONGOING
Warm up in a Winter Wonderland at the Vault Garden throughout December.
Brianna Danner
The recently opened Winter Wonderland at the Vault Garden returns for its sixth year, offering new festive cocktails, holiday tunes and views of the twinkling tree at 555 California Street, with a tree-lighting ceremony taking place on December 2. Through December 31. vaultgarden.com
Holidays at Filoli are underway! The historic mansion and its 16 acres of formal gardens have transformed into an immersive Night Garden with light arrangements and festive decor. Through January 11. Tickets: $49. filoli.org/holidays
Pick out the perfect Christmas tree at the Guardsmen Tree Lot at Fort Mason, where volunteers in festive green jumpsuits greet you amid the warm glow of community spirit and support of Bay Area youth. Through December 18. sftreelot.guardsmen.org
3: Head to Nob Hill for The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco’s annual tree-lighting ceremony, which delights with Dickensian carolers, live trumpeters and complimentary refreshments. Betty Yu and Liam Mayclem cohost the community event, with the special lighting led by a child representing Make-A-Wish® Greater Bay Area. 5:30–7:30 p.m. ritzcarlton.com
3: TheatreWorks Silicon Valley presents a Jane Austen romance for the holidays, Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley, at Palo Alto’s Lucie Stern Theatre. A team of women is behind the production; it’s written by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon and directed by TheatreWorks Artistic Director Giovanna Sardelli. Through December 28. Tickets: from $34. theatreworks.org
4: As part of its House of Celebration holiday programming, the St. Regis San Francisco debuts its St. Regis Holiday Salon, a pop-up boutique with luxe, curated offerings in its onsite event space, The Williams. 5–7 p.m. (Thursdays and Fridays). Through December 12. marriott.com
The 20th anniversary of The Golden Girls Live: The Christmas Episodes stars D’Arcy Drollinger as Rose, Miss Coco Peru as Dorothy, Holotta Tymes as Sophia and Matthew Martin as Blanche at the Curran Theatre.
Gooch
4: It’s a platinum anniversary for The Golden Girls Live: The Christmas Episodes, which celebrates 20 years of holiday humor with an entertaining engagement at the Curran Theatre. Through December 21. Tickets: from $38. broadwaysf.com
5: This year, San Francisco Ballet’s enchanting tradition, Helgi Tomasson’s Nutcracker, coincides with the SF Ballet Orchestra’s 50th anniversary, making this heartwarming seasonal treat all the sweeter. Through December 28. Tickets: from $44. sfballet.org
5: The Ferry Building shines at After Glow (5–8 p.m.) to kick off Let’s Glow SF, which brings its massive holiday projections, presented by the Downtown SF Partnership, back to iconic downtown buildings for the fifth year. After the clock tower is illuminated, the free event’s festivities continue with a silent disco, cookie decorating, ornament crafting and hot cider. (Let’s Glow SF’s projected art displays take place nightly 5:30–10 p.m. through December 14.) downtownsf.org; ferrybuildingmarketplace.com
6: A winter wonderland, complete with real snow, dazzles in Menlo Park with Springline’s fourth annual Holiday Celebration. The merrymaking event includes festive libations, savory bites, live music, a tented silent disco, holiday card crafts, face painting and a vendor marketplace. 4–8 p.m. eventbrite.com
6: A Drag Queen Christmas, featuring its lineup of superstars from RuPaul’s Drag Race, returns to San Francisco with a Saturday show at BroadwaySF’s Orpheum Theatre during its 38-city national tour. Nina West hosts this longest-running drag tour in the country. 8 p.m. Tickets: $74. broadwaysf.com
6: If a December weekend finds you up in Healdsburg, try Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen at Hotel Healdsburg, which hosts Holiday Tea for all ages with Russian River Tea Company custom teas, house-made pastries and live piano music. 1–2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through December 21. Tickets: $49 (children under 12); $85 (adults). drycreekkitchen.com
7: At SFMOMA’s Holiday Makers Market, 20 Bay Area artists offer jewelry, ceramics, art prints, accessories and more. Pick up a handmade, one-of-a-kind gift in the Helen and Charles Schwab Hall on Floor 2. The event is free to attend and open to the public. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. museumstore.sfmoma.org
8: SFFilm Awards Night draws star-studded attendees to Fort Mason Center’s Gateway Pavilion at Pier 2 in support of the organization’s “bold mission to transform the world through the creativity and inspiration of film.” 6 p.m. Tickets: from $1,250. sffilm.org
9: Holiday Heroes transports the season of giving to Oracle Park, where a winter extravaganza is filled with cookie decorating, costumed characters and celebrity athletes, including 49ers Christian McCaffrey and Ricky Pearsall. This heartwarming gathering gives underserved children and their families an evening of joy and memorable holiday magic. Tickets: from $200. holidayheroes.org NHG Sponsored
10: San Francisco Symphony puts one of the season’s favorite flicks, Nancy Meyers’ The Holiday, on its big screen with Anthony Parnther conducting the Symphony’s live performance of the 2006 film’s Hans Zimmer–composed score. 7:30 p.m. Through December 11. Tickets: from $99. sfsymphony.org
11: Silent Skate Party returns to the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square for an immersive silent disco event tuned in to the live spinning of WiLD 94.9’s Jeanine da Feen, Star 101.3’s Magic Matt or the Bay’s DJ Von. 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Tickets: $35. unionsquareicerink.com
11: Sonoma County Vintners centers sparkling wines from across the region for its Pour + Explore event this month at Gloria Ferrer in Carneros. Discover a new favorite for a bubbly New Year’s Eve celebration. 5:30 p.m. Tickets: $88. sonomawine.com/pour-explore
12: Lucky us. The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus delivers its Holiday Spectacular to BroadwaySF’s Golden Gate Theatre not once but thrice! 7:30 p.m. (Friday); 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (Saturday). Through December 13. The beloved ensemble also performs its Home for the Holidays — Special Christmas Eve Edition at Davies Symphony Hall on December 24 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. All tickets: from $35. sfgmc.org
Circus Bella Cofounder and Director Abigail Munn conceived Starlight, running in East Cut December 12 through January 4.
Kirk Marsh Photography
12: San Francisco’s Circus Bella unveils Starlight, a new winter spectacular with a 26-performance run at The Crossing at East Cut. Through January 4, 2026. Tickets: from $58. circusbella.org
13: Celebrate the season with a winter wreath–making workshop at 1 Hotel San Francisco led by floral designer Natalie Bowen. Pick up helpful tips and tricks to make your wreath last, and enjoy a cocktail from Terrene, transformed into a Winter Greenhouse, as you design. 2–4 p.m. Tickets: $135. nataliebowendesigns.com
13: Experience In Winter’s Glow when the San Francisco Girls Chorus and New Century Chamber Orchestra perform a radiant program together at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. 2 p.m. Tickets: from $35. cityboxoffice.com
The Westin St. Francis on Union Square hosts the fifth annual Dollie + Me Holiday Tea.
13: The fifth annual Dollie + Me Holiday Tea takes place at The Westin St. Francis on Union Square. The adored event, hosted by Kit & Sis, features sweet treats, crafting activities and fun goodie bags. BYOD (or stuffed animal). 11 a.m. Through December 14. Tickets: $147. eventbrite.com
13: Join the annual Parol Lantern Festival, a vibrant holiday celebration, where the iconic “parol” lanterns light up Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. The free celebration features Filipino holiday treats, live music and a magical lantern parade. 3–8 p.m. parollanternfestival.com
14: Celebrate the first night of Hanukkah with the Jewish Folk Chorus of San Francisco at the JCC for Songs of Light & Joy, a free hour-long winter concert held at the Pottruck Family Atrium. The chorus, now entering its 100th year, will perform songs of light, hope and freedom in a variety of languages — helping you connect to the holiday season through music. 1–2 p.m. jccsf.org
14: The annual Bill Graham Menorah Lighting Ceremony in Union Square celebrates its 50th anniversary! This free landmark event, which is coordinated by Chabad of San Francisco and draws thousands to reflect on unity and hope through light, features live music, children’s crafts and the lighting of the towering public menorah. 2 p.m. Daily activities continue through December 22. billgrahammenorah.org
16: Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story Told by Jefferson Mays brings the holiday classic to Berkeley Rep’s Roda Theatre for a one-week run when Tony Award winner Jefferson Mays plays not one, but over 50 (!) roles. Through December 21. Tickets: from $49. berkeleyrep.org
17: Attend the one-night-only performance of NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet at the Golden Gate Theatre. Featuring all-new choreography from acclaimed Ukrainian choreographer Viktor Davydiuk, the production includes an ensemble of 40 professional ballet artists from more than 10 countries. 7 p.m. Tickets: from $40. broadwaysf.com
Celebrate with a family-friendly Kwanzaa and Noon Year’s Eve celebration at Thrive City.
18: Thrive City’s annual Hanukkah Celebration features its special menorah-lighting ceremony, ice skating, live music, arts and crafts and a bounty of Jewish treats and drinks. RSVP requested. 4–7 p.m. thrivecity.com
18: Following a Mountain View run (December 11–14), Smuin’s The Christmas Ballet arrives at YBCA’s Blue Shield of California Theater in San Francisco. December 19’s 7:30 p.m. performance offers ASL interpretation, December 21’s 2 p.m. performance offers audio description and December 27’s 7:30 p.m. performance is a special LGBTQ+ Night with a guest appearance by Lady Camden. Through December 28. Tickets: from $25. smuinballet.org
18: Bay Area native George Cole and his orchestra bring Nat King Cole’s 1960 album The Magic of Christmas to ensemble life at the Joe Henderson Lab. Through December 21. Tickets: from $39. sfjazz.org
19: Take in Tomáseen Foley’s A Celtic Christmas when the show’s Irish dancers, musicians and storytellers perform at the United Irish Cultural Center of San Francisco, with a special guest appearance by members of the City’s Whelan Academy of Irish Dance. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: from $13. irishcentersf.org/events
19: The Lorraine Hansberry Theatre presents Soulful Christmas, a vibrant reimagining of Christmas classics. Directed by Margo Hall and led by Yvonne Cobbs, the concert showcases an ensemble of powerful Bay Area voices. Through December 21. Tickets: $47–$67. magictheatre.org
20: The Park Chalet sets a festive scene for a new tradition with its first annual Santa Brunch, with kid- and parent-friendly menu items, photo ops with Kris Kringle himself and carols on live acoustic guitar. 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Through December 21. Reservations recommended via Yelp. parkchalet.com
20: As part of its 60th anniversary season, Oakland Ballet Company presents two performances of Graham Lustig’s The Nutcracker at the Paramount Theatre. The Oakland Symphony and the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir accompany. 1 p.m. Through December 21. Tickets: from $35. oaklandballet.org
23: Beatles fans of all ages can rejoice. RAIN — A Beatles Christmas Tribute treats Golden Gate Theatre to both band hits and holiday favorites. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: from $34. broadwaysf.com
25: As part of its 150th anniversary celebrations, the Palace Hotel’s festive holiday programming shines extra bright with a Grand Christmas Day Brunch (1 p.m.) and Buffet (4 p.m.), offering seasonal delights and global dishes set in the elegant Garden Court. Tickets: $250–$275; $95 (kids). www.sfpalace.com/#festive
28: Celebrate the third day of Kwanzaa at the San Francisco Public Library, where musician and storyteller Azere Wilson performs alongside Nigerian-born percussionist Manas Itene. Following the performance, guests can share a community feast that honors and promotes unity. 2–4:30 p.m. sfpl.org
31: Bring the kids to Thrive City to celebrate Kwanzaa and Noon Year’s Eve with a family-friendly daytime concert, crafts and countdown drop outside Chase Center. RSVP requested. 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. thrivecity.com
31: Bid farewell to 2025 at Chotto Matte, Union Square’s sleek Nikkei restaurant, with an unforgettable New Year’s Eve soirée, complete with a multicourse dinner, exclusive countdown cocktail party featuring craft drinks and a live DJ. Party tickets: $150. Dinner: $250. chotto-matte.com/sanfrancisco
The Top of the Mark at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins welcomes guests to a New Year’s Eve feast and festivities.
31: Set your sights on 2026 from the Top of the Mark. Seafood, roe, caviar and charcuterie bars, a four-course meal and plenty of martinis and champagne are all on the menu at its New Year’s Eve Gala. Meanwhile, the Mark Hopkins Orchestra will get guests on their feet before a midnight balloon drop. 8 p.m.–1 a.m. Reservations: $589 per adult with a two-person minimum; email sfmarkhopkins.holidays@ihg.com or check opentable.com.