Magical Holiday Concerts at Grace Cathedral
I can't imagine a more spectacular setting for a Bay Area holiday concert than San Francisco's magnicifent Grace Cathedral. This gothic revival Episcopal cathedral on the summit of Nob Hill boasts soaring architecture, amazing acoustics, stunning stained-glass windows, and a beautiful, serene atmosphere that make Christmas concerts here really something special. In addition, families will find enough fun activities nearby to make for a fun holiday day out.
This December, Grace Cathedral offers a variety of concerts for all ages. Families with younger children will love Sing You a Merry Christmas, where you can join the with the toys of St. Nicholas’s workshop in singing along with your favorite Christmas carols. Performances last for one hour with no intermission and take place on Saturday, December 7, 14 and 21 at 11 am, and Monday, December 23 at 3 pm. It's affordable, too, with tickets ranging in price from $10 to $30! We've attended this concert and it's a lot of fun and the perfect Christmas performance for families with young children.
A Cathedral Christmas features the Cathedral's Choir of Men and Boys, a full orchestra, and the magnificent 7,466 pipe organ performing classic Christmas carols and other sacred music for the holiday season. There are even a couple opportunities to sing along, too. It's a truly unforgettable holiday experience! Performances take place Saturday and Sunday, December 14, 15, 21, and 22 at 3 pm and Monday, December 23 at 7:30 pm. Tickets range in price from $20 to $100. Children are welcome at this concert if they can quietly enjoy a 90-minute performance with no intermission. My kids have always loved it!
Christmas concerts at Grace should really be on your holiday to-do list! A Cathedral Christmas is always one of the highlights of our holiday season. Other Christmas concerts at the cathedral include a Brass and Organ Christmas on December 16 and Soulful Joy on December 20. Learn more about Grace Cathedral and its Christmas offerings and order tickets at www.gracecathedral.org/christmas.
While you're there, take advantage of Grace Cathedral's Nob Hill location and enjoy some more holiday fun at the iconic Fairmont Hotel, located just a block away. The Fairmont's elegant lobby is dominated by an enormous Christmas tree and of course you can't miss the amazing two-story, life-sized gingerbread house right behind it! You can walk through the house, made from over 6,000 pieces of real gingerbread (you can smell the spices), and even reserve a holiday tea party or dinner in there.
Huntington Park is yet another option for families on Nob Hill. It has a children's playground and plenty of areas to run, play, and burn off some energy, as well as delightful holiday lights. You may even see a cable car decorated for the holidays as it goes by!
If you go
To get to Grace Cathedral and Nob Hill, take Highway 101 across the Golden Gate Bridge and follow Doyle Drive to Lombard Street. Turn right on Gough and take Gough to California Street where you'll turn left. Follow California Street up to Nob Hill. Street parking is available, although limited, but there's plenty of parking in the Grace Cathedral, Masonic, Crocker and other garages.
