San Francisco Civic Center Plaza Tree Lighting 2026

Join us for a festive evening at San Francisco's Civic Center Plaza as we illuminate the holiday season! The annual Civic Center Plaza Tree Lighting returns December 2, 2026, from 4–7 pm! Add this fun, free, family-friendly holiday event in San Francisco to your calendar, featuring festive music, live performances, and appearances by The Tap Dancing Christmas Trees, Christmas VIPs, and the man-of-the-hour: Santa!

The event also features “snow” flurries, where kids (and kids at heart) can twirl and dance through the falling snow, and a toy giveaway for the first 500 children 12-and-under, led by Another Planet Entertainment and the San Francisco Police Department, with the Civic Center Community Benefit District.

In the Makers Village, SF Etsy will lead holiday-themed activities and the San Francisco Public Library will host a book giveaway. Bites will be available for purchase, along with a full bar featuring seasonal favorites.

The event takes place across from an illuminated City Hall in Civic Center Plaza. Event begins promptly at 4pm, with the lighting of Civic Center’s 50-foot noble fir at 5:30pm. Happening rain or shine!