Chase Center will be already decked out in holiday regalia and guests will receive a complimentary holiday scarf before the game, but expect the thrill of the game to pull you straight into the dimension of basketball. The Golden State Warriors play against the Dallas Mavericks in San Francisco on Dec. 25 at 2 p.m. Tickets available here.

A resident eats a holiday meal at Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco, California, on Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022. (Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images)
Share a meal with folks at Glide Memorial Church

It may sound a bit counterintuitive to say you’re getting away from Christmas and then spend Dec. 25 at a church. But each year, thousands of different folks from different faiths and life experiences go to Glide — in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District — for a warm meal and a chance to meet new people, many who are far away from loved ones during the holidays. All volunteer slots for Christmas Day have already been taken up, but Glide invites anyone who is hungry to come in from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A ‘Queersada’ in San Francisco’s Castro District

In many Spanish-speaking countries, it’s common for families during the December holidays to come together and host a “posada” — a reenactment of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph’s search through Bethlehem for a safe haven where Mary could give birth to Jesus Christ. While many families actually embark on a whole reenactment through their neighborhood, others opt to honor the experiences of the Nativity with a large dinner, featuring songs, gift exchanges and dancing.

The nonprofit BOSS Idea House has partnered up with the nightclub Beaux to host a free dinner on Thursday night for LGBTQ+ folks and allies who want to come together, either with their chosen family or to make new friends — and have named the event “Queersada,” or a queer posada. A dinner, which will include chicken pozole and pan con pavo, will be provided for free to all guests, who can also bring a dessert to share. Queersada will take place at Beaux in San Francisco on Dec. 25 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and requires an RSVP ahead of time (21+ event).

Platform viewing deck over pond in Moon Viewing Garden in San Francisco Botanical Garden with fall foliage color in Japanese Maple trees. (Courtesy of Saxon Holt)
Wander the San Francisco Botanical Garden for free — and stay for a light show

Many museums, like the Oakland Museum of California or SFMOMA, are closed on Thursday. But not only does one of San Francisco’s most popular outdoor museums stay open on Christmas, it’s also free that day. The San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park confirmed that it’ll be offering free admission to everyone on Thursday, regardless of where you live (free admission is usually based on San Francisco residency). The garden opens on Dec. 25 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.