Recent cold temperatures haven’t stopped San Francisco from heating up with another slate of fun activities.
Here are 18 events to check out this week in The City.
Rainbow World Fund tree lighting (Monday)
Rainbow World Fund, the LGBTQ organization that provides humanitarian aid throughout the world, hosts a holiday tree-lighting ceremony at Grace Cathedral. Drag performer Donna Sachet emcees the event, which includes performances by the San Francisco Boys Chorus and the Conspiracy of Beards Choir.
City Hall holiday pop-up (Tuesday)
More than 50 artisans and makers are setting up a seasonal market at City Hall’s North Light Court. Items being sold include watercolor painting kits, jewelry, candles and prints. The shop platforms women-owned, immigrant-owned, culturally relevant and emerging businesses.
The shop, which is being held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., is located at 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place.
Free workshop at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (Wednesday)
To celebrate Dec. 13’s Parol Lantern Festival, the YBCA is running an all-ages drop-in workshop at which participants can make three-dimensional charms that resemble the Filipino ornament from felt and other materials. All supplies will be provided.
All materials are provides as part of the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts’ free drop-in workshops.
Courtesy Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
‘The Holiday’ screening with live orchestra (Wednesday-Thursday)
The 2006 romantic comedy starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black is being screened at Davies Symphony Hall, accompanied by San Francisco Symphony performers playing the movie’s score live.
Haight Street Holiday Block Party (Thursday)
More than 25 merchants are holding the neighborhood’s first-ever holiday party. Spanning Haight Street from Masonic Avenue to Stanyan Street, the event features art, music, vendors, food and other special treats.
The seasonal bash will be thrown from 5 to 9 p.m.
‘Karaoke Chaos: CarolBomb’ presented by KALW (Thursday)
The San Francisco public radio station teams with the Fists of Improv, a Bay Area LGBTQ improv troupe, to host a contest in which players will have to sing songs at varying speeds while dancing or completing other tasks on stage. RSVPs include admission to an exhibition at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts.
Guests can RSVP online, with donations also being accepted. The show runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at 220 Montgomery St.
Holiday Night Bazaar (Friday)
Dozens of vendors are holding a night market in the Sunset, complete with family-friendly games, live music and other activities. The bazaar spans Irving Street from 22nd to 25th avenues.
The Holiday Night Bazaar is set for Friday on Irving Street between 22nd and 25th avenues.
Courtesy Sunset Mercantile
The event will be held from 5 to 10 p.m.
Excelsior Night Market (Friday)
This month’s neighborhood block party ameliorates residents’ gift shopping, with local artists selling handmade presents. There will also be holiday carols and seasonal treats such as hot chocolate and cookies.
Guests who RSVP online will be entered into a raffle. The party takes place from 5 to 10 p.m. at a Norton Street parking lot.
Holidays on Taraval (Saturday)
The third edition of this event brings makers and artists to Taraval Street between 21st and 23rd avenues. There will also be a tree-lighting ceremony at McCoppin Square, live performances, family-friendly games and other activities taking place.
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The party runs from 4 to 8 p.m.
Root Division’s first-ever artist fair (Saturday)
The Mid-Market visual-arts nonprofit is hosting its first artist fair, which features 20 participating vendors. A pop-up marketplace sells art, prints, food, drinks and other treats. Live music is being provided by four musical acts.
Guests who RSVP online receive a complimentary drink ticket. The fair runs from noon to 5 p.m. at 1131 Mission St.
Winter Craft Day at Randall Museum (Saturday)
The Corona Heights educational institution hosts a day of low-cost seasonal crafts that will connect participants with nature and science. Items can be designed as gifts or keepsakes.
Children make crafts in the Randall Museum’s art room in San Francisco on Friday, July 25, 2025.
Craig Lee/The Examiner
The admission-free event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 199 Museum Way.
Union Square Winter Walk opening day (Saturday)
The downtown shopping district’s annual event brings a seasonal marketplace, food trucks, live entertainment, decorations and other seasonal treats to the area. Spanning Stockton Street between Post and O’Farrell streets, the winter walk includes appearances by Santa Claus.
It operates Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Free holiday market at Clayworks (Saturday)
The Bayview community pottery studio is hosting a holiday market with more than 10 artists. They will be selling ceramics, jewelry, wood art and other creations.
The market runs from noon to 5 p.m. at 2240 Palou Ave.
Parol Lantern Festival (Saturday)
SOMA Pilipinas, The City’s Filipino cultural-heritage district, celebrates that society’s holiday symbols of blessings, hope and luck. Running from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, the festival features tastings of traditional holiday dishes, a parade, a dance party, drag performances and other activities
Free craft fair by Kimochi (Saturday)
The Japantown nonprofit, which works with Bay Area senior citizens, is hosting an arts and crafts fair at which dozens of vendors will be selling Asian and Pacific Islander-themed goods. There will be hourly raffle drawings.
The market runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1111 Gough St.
Phil Kline’s ‘Unsilent Night’ (Saturday)
Participants play the American composer’s original piece, which was created in 1992 and written to be performed outdoors during this time of year. It involves Bluetooth speakers and old boomboxes blaring one of four tracks as crowds move through an area as one.
Participants will loop around Mission Dolores Park on Saturday as part of a performance of Phil Kline’s 1992 piece “Unsilent Night”
Courtesy Josh Greene
Attendees will meet at Mission Dolores Park’s tennis courts at 7 p.m. before looping around the green space.
San Francisco Civic Music Association concert (Sunday)
Civic Strings, the San Francisco Music Association’s strings-focused ensemble, plays a concert featuring works from five composers. Audience members can RSVP online to the admission-free event.
Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The show takes place from 3 to 5 p.m. at 22 Waller St.
Peter and the Wolf live concert (Sunday)
San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra members bring the Russian composer and pianist’s tale to life with help from Joshua Dela Cruz, the former host of “Blue’s Clues & You!,” who will be the night’s guest narrator.
Tickets can be purchased online, ranging from $19.50 to $175.50. The show starts at 2 p.m. inside Davies Symphony Hall.