Family Holiday Activities and Events in Marin and the San Francisco Bay Area
Get the whole family into the holiday spirit with one of these fun activities, celebrations, performances, and events in Marin and the San Francisco Bay Area! Keep in mind that many of these holiday events and performances may require advance reservations and often sell out. We'll update our list with new Marin and Bay Area Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year's events as we learn about them and plans are finalized, so check back often.
November 2–January 16
The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square will usher in the holiday season 2022.
Saturday, November 5–December 25
Get in the holiday spirit and visit the amazing Christmas House at San Rafael's West End Nursery.
November 11–January 29, 5–10 pm
An unforgettable experience for all ages, with hundreds of larger-than-life animal lanterns throughout the zoo. Santa will be on hand for visits through December 23!
November 19–December 18, 2022
Visit London at the historic Cow Palace! Enter the winding lanes of Victorian London and immerse yourself in a world of music halls, theatres, pubs, dance parties, and charming shops overflowing with hand-made holiday treasures.
Daily November 22–January 8, 5–10 pm
Enjoy the holidays all season long with Pier 39's nightly tree lighting musical moments on its 60’ Christmas tree.
November 23–December 24
The magic of the holiday season comes alive with a visit to Santa’s winter wonderland in the Village's Macy's Court.
November 25–December 25
An old-style circus show based on the French tradition of the 1920's, Cirque de Bohème will transport you into a magical world filled with enchantment, adventure and wonder.
November 26–January 2, 1 & 3:30 pm
The holiday season is not complete without a celebration of tradition and magic with Fairmont’s Holiday Tea.
Friday, November 25–Sunday, January 1
Macy's at Union Square presents San Francisco's most recognized Christmas tree.
Saturday & Sunday, November 26–December 23, 10 am & 1 pm
Gather for a holiday Teddy Bear Tea in the festively decorated Terrace Room at the Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco.
Open daily November 26–January 1
Step into the ultimate winter wonderland at the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill!
November 25–December 24
Here’s your chance to visit the busiest man of the season inside the Macy's Union Square store. Advance reservatons required.
Friday, December 2, 4–8 pm
Join us for a night in Winter Wonderland where there will be hot cocoa, ginger bread man decorating, wreath making, photos with Santa and more.
December 2–4, Friday, 7:30 pm; Saturday, 2 & 7:30 pm, Sunday, 2 pm
Experience an all-new holiday show in 2022 from Transcendence Theatre Company live on stage at Hanna Center in Sonoma.
Saturday, December 3, 8:30 & 10 am
Santa's coming! He's making a special trip to the Sausalito Yacht Club to eat breakfast with you and your family.
December 3–23, 8:30–11 am
Enjoy unlimited rides, a buffet breakfast, and a visit with Santa at the Tilden Park Merry Go Round.
Saturday, December 3, 10:30 am–noon
Le Petit Jardin is pleased to announce its 13th Annual event in honor of this special time of year, our “Teddy Bear Tea à la Française”.
Saturdays & Sunday, December 4–18
Mark Foehringer Dance Project|SF announces the 14th season of its annual holiday show, Mark Foehringer's Nutcracker Sweets.
Larkspur Library presents The Fratello Marionettes' North Pole Review. It's a high-energy, fun filled marionette puppet show perfect for the whole family. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Larkspur Library. This event will take place in the Hall Middle School Gymnasium.
Saturday, December 3, 10 & 17, noon–3 pm
Santa Claus will arrive by fire truck at Bon Air the first three Saturdays of December. Free photos with Santa for children, families and furry friends, printed while you wait.
Saturday, December 3, 10 & 17, 12–4 pm
Visit Santa at Northgate mall, snap your own photo, and kids get a free gift.
Saturdays & Sunday, December 3–24
This holiday tradition in the Claremont's iconic Lobby Bar features all of the classic high tea accompaniments including delightful desserts and sandwiches.
December 9–10 & 16–24, 11 am–4 pm
Celebrate the holidays at Town Center Corte Madera with free photos with Santa and gift wrapping.
Saturday, December 10, 8 am
Breakfast with Santa takes place on the second Saturday in December at the Ross Valley Fire Station.
Saturday, December 10, 9 am–noon
Bring the family for breakfast and a special visit with Santa overlooking the city skyline of San Francisco.
Saturday, December 10, 10 am & 1 pm
Create a new holiday tradition this year in Mill Valley! Children are invited to gather for a Teddy Bear Tea at the Homestead Valley Community Center.
Saturday, December 10, 10:30 am–noon
Le Petit Jardin is pleased to announce its 13th Annual event in honor of this special time of year, our “Teddy Bear Tea à la Française”
December 10, 17, 21 & 22
Sing along with your favorite holiday carols as the toys of St. Nicholas’s workshop lead you on an extraordinary journey.
December 10–18, seatings at 11 am & 2 pm
Holiday teas from Crown and Crumpet are back at Marin Art & Garden Center this December.
December 10, 11, 17, 18, 23 & 24, 11 am–6 pm
Holiday shoppers will be treated to good cheer, great music, fine food, with handcrafts by some of Northern California's finest artists.
December 10 & 11, 1 & 5 pm
Enjoy the wonder of Marin Ballet’s Nutcracker! Clara’s whimsical Christmas Eve dreams come to life through the art of classical ballet, enriched by clever storytelling, mischievous humor, and heroic characters.
December 10, 11, 17 & 18, 3 pm; December 23, 7:30 pm
The Choir of Men and Boys accompanied by full orchestra and organ will transport you with their exquisite performances of favorite carols and holiday masterpieces.
Saturday & Sunday, December 10 and 11
A dressed up stage reading of a holiday favorite play. Two performances only (December 10 & 11). Doors at 4 PM, curtain at 4:30.
Saturday, December 10, 6–7:15 pm
Set up a chair anywhere along the Sausalito waterfront to view the brightly decorated boats in the 35th annual Lighted Boat Parade.
December 10, 6:30 pm
A family favorite holiday event for decades, Petaluma's Holiday Lighted Boat Parade returns in 2022!
Sunday, December 11 & 18, 8:30 am
Join Neiman Marcus San Francisco for Breakfast with Santa and get your picture taken in a photo booth!
Sunday, December 11, 10 am–1 pm
Pick a sweet treat for your little one at the beloved annual bake sale organized to benefit Pixie Park!
Sunday, December 11, 11 am–2 pm
Hanukkah Inside Out! Come bring the entire family to the Osher Marin JCC to celebrate this free and fun Hanukkah holiday event
Sunday, December 11, 12 pm
This family friendly concert series featuring Willy Claflin is free to the public.
Tuesday, December 13, 7 pm
Celebrate the season as the Marin Symphony Orchestra presents a program of holiday-inspired music.
Wednesday, December 14, 2:30–3:30 pm
Come enjoy a sweet Hanukkah Storytime and fun craft with Chabad of Mill Valley.
Friday, December 16, seatings from noon–4 pm
Join Mrs. Claus in Sip’s festively decorated tea room to enjoy a delicious feast, hot chocolate, fresh baked gingerbread men, and loads of fun.
Friday, December 16, 3–6 pm & Saturday, December 17, 1–4 pm
Enjoy the snowfall, snap photos with Santa, take part in festive arts and crafts, and indulge in seasonal treats.
Saturday, December 17, 2 sessions: 9:30–10:30 am & 11 am–noon
Help Novato Parks & Recreation build the City of Novato out of Gingerbread!
Saturday, December 17, 11 am–4 pm
Join us on Old Courthouse Square Downtown Santa Rosa for our second annual French Christmas Market!
Saturday & Sunday, December 17 & 18, 12–2 pm
Introducing the first annual holiday tradition at The Westin St. Francis in San Francisco: Dollie & Me Tea.
Saturday, December 17 & Sunday, December 18,
Join Marin Dance Theatre for the 26th anniversary of their beloved holiday production.
Sunday, December 17, 6 pm
This lighted boat parade is one of the biggest in the country and has been a Marin tradition since 1966!!
Sunday, December 18, 2–6 pm
The annual lighting of the Union Square menorah kicks off on Sunday, December 18 with "Bill Graham Menorah Day".
Sunday, December 18, 2–4 pm
Denver Tribute is an unforgettable and intimate experience that will take you back to the ’70s when John Denver’s music permeated the radio airways.
Sunday, December 18, 3:30 pm
Bring the entire family to enjoy fresh latkes, donuts, soup and hot drinks, children's crafts, a Hanukkah themed 'photo booth,' and the lighting of the grand nine foot Menorah after sunset!
Sunday, December 18, 4 pm
Join together as we light up the night with a Chanukah Celebration!
Sunday, December 18, 4–6 pm
Join Chabad of Larkspur-Corte Madera for a community Chanukah celebration, with a grand gumball menorah, gelt drop, and more.
Sunday, December 19, 6–7 pm
Kick off the holiday season with the Holiday Parade of Lights in downtown Penngrove.
Monday, December 19, 5:15 pm
Celebrate Hanukkah with Bon Air! Chabad of Marin will serve up latkes and hot cocoa courtesy of Mollie Stone’s Market and Hanukkah cookies from Victoria Bakery.
Monday, December 19, 7 pm
Join the Sewer Band for a free Holiday Concert at Marin Center.
Tuesday, December 20, 6–8 pm
Enjoy live Jewish music, dinner, latkes, donuts, games, and more.
Wednesday, December 21, 2:30–3:30 pm
Listen to the familiar tale of a Gingerbread Boy or Girl on the loose, then decorate your own delicious cookie companion to take home.
Thursday, December 22, 5–6 pm
Join Chabad of Larkspur-Corte Madera for a community Chanukah celebration and menorah lighting.
Saturday, December 31, 10 am–2 pm
Ring in the new year without keeping your family up past bedtime at the BADM.
Saturday, December 31, 10 am
Celebrate the New Year with the Peanuts Gang!
Saturday, December 31, 10 am–1 pm
Celebrate the culture of Kwanzaa and ring in 2023 with Noon Year’s Eve at Chase Center.
Saturday, December 31, 10 am–1 pm
Kids and parents, come celebrate the New Year with music, activities, face painting and a countdown to THREE GIANT balloon drops at noon!
Saturday, December 31, 11 am–4 pm
Ring in the new year without staying up late! When it’s noon in Oakland, it will be 2022 somewhere on the planet.
Saturday, December 31, 11 am
Usher in the New Year with the purifying rings of a Japanese Buddhist temple bell.
Sunday, December 31, 11:30 am–12:15 pm
Join us for a Noon Year's Eve party !Join us around 11:30am for stories, songs, crafts and a balloon countdown!
Saturday, December 31, 12 pm
Kids of all ages are invited to Downtown Novato to see what happens when 22,000 small bouncy balls are dropped onto the street from a ladder truck 40 feet in the air!
