Though snow is never part of the equation, the Bay Area still loves to celebrate the holidays. Many cities and towns have free events for the whole family. Joyful and triumphant revelers can roam from county to county to take part in the season's fealty, buy one-of-a-kind Christmas crafts, enjoy the Hanukkah Festival of Lights, or celebrate Kwanzaa. This is certainly not an exhaustive list, though most events listed are free.
San Francisco
The Ferry Building is hosting free crafting events throughout the season, starting on Sunday with Beary Merry Holiday polar bear crafts beginning at 10 a.m. The next three weekends will feature snowflake crafts (Dec. 4), Deck the Halls ornament crafts (Dec. 11) and "Pretty Presents" crafts such as hot chocolate ornaments, herb sachets and personalized mugs (Dec. 18).
The San Francisco Public Library will be holding a Kwanzaa Game Day on Dec. 26 from 2 to 4 p.m. This will be the first day of Kwanzaa, also known as Umoja, or "unity." Ancestors will be honored by the lighting of the first candle of the season, followed by family-friendly games and refreshments.
The annual SantaCon SF bar crawl will take place on Dec. 10 starting in Union Square. It's free to take part, you need only dress up like some incarnation of Santa Claus. Participants hop from bar to bar, so if you plan on drinking any nog you'll have to pay for that.
Macy's holiday windows are in full effect now through Jan. 1. The popular attraction features adoptable dogs and cats, puppies and kittens in conjunction with the SF SPCA. The fur balls are on display from noon to 5 p.m., Thursdays through Sundays except for Christmas Eve and Day. Macy's is located in Union Square.
On Nov. 28, the Castro Holiday Tree lighting will take place at Castro and 18th Street. On hand will be Mayor London Breed, the SF Gay Men's Chorus, the SF Gay/Lesbian Freedom Band, and possible appearances from Supervisor Rafael Mandelman and State Senator Scott Wiener.
Local
The Fifth Annual Glowing Hanukkah Party will take place at Ghirardelli Square on Dec. 8. Sponsored by the Jewish Community Center San Francisco, this event will feature dreidels and holiday crafts, with a candle lighting and songs. It runs from 3 to 6 p.m.
Finally, the city will be hosting its 10th Annual Illuminate SF Festival of Light, with 62 light installations. For more information, including locations, go to illuminatesf.com.
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East Bay
PLEASANTON: The Hometown Holiday Parade will start at 5 p.m. on Dec. 3, complete with marching bands, floats, and community groups. A tree lighting ceremony will follow at 6:45 p.m. (approximate) with music, the mayor, and a special appearance by Santa Claus.
MARTINEZ: Christmas tree lighting and Santa even begins at 4 p.m. in the Main Street Plaza. The city's annual Hanukkah Community Celebration will take place starting on Dec. 18. Co-sponsored by Congregation B'nai Shalom, the traditional lighting of the menorah will be done every evening at dusk from Dec. 18 through 26 at the Main Street Plaza. There will be music, sufganiyot and fun for the whole family.
DANVILLE: Christmas at the Livery will feature free Santa visits, train rides, a snow zone, balloon twisters, face painters, holiday carolers and free jolly gift bags for kiddies. It takes place on Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. The Livery is located at 567 Sycamore Rd., Danville.
WALNUT CREEK: The Garden D'Lights will glow at the Ruth Bancroft Garden for the fourth straight year, featuring a drought-tolerant landscape full of cacti, succulents and California native plants get spiffed up with holidays lights, ornamentation, music and lit-up sculptures. The light installation at the garden runs now through Jan. 8 and is located at 1552 Bancroft Rd. Tickets must be purchased.
BERKELEY: Toddlers, children up to five and their parents are invited to a holiday carnival at Live Oak Community Center on Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will feature the Snowflake Toss, Big Rain Drop Throw, Windy Parachute Games and Pin the Nose on the Snowman. There will also be an arts and crafts station. Prizes and light refreshments will be available. The center is located at 1301 Shattuck Ave.
RICHMOND: Downtown Holiday Festival including goodie bag giveaways and pictures with Santa. The festival will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. on Dec 14 at the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts.
BRENTWOOD: The Grand Community Chanukah Festival kicks off on Dec. 18 at 4:30 p.m. There will be a menorah lighting with dignitaries, Chanukah donuts and latkes, chocolate gelt, plenty of crafts and even a fire and sword performer. It will take place in City Park in front of the Brentwood City Hall.
North Bay
PETALUMA: Santa and Mrs. Claus will cruise into town in a riverboat on Saturday via the Petaluma River, docking at the River Plaza Shopping Center. Petaluma Pete and the Pacific Empire Chorus wil entertain the crowd at 11:30 a.m. until Santa shows up at noon. Dancers from the Petaluma School of Ballet's "Nutcracker" will also twirl.
WINDSOR: The city's annual holiday celebration and tree lighting will take place on Dec. 1 from 5 to 8 p.m. on the Town Green. Local schools will present live music showcases at 5 p.m. and then at 7 p.m. the tree lighting will commence. There are also plenty of things for children, such as Santa's Mailbox, cookie decorating and craft workshops.
HEALDSBURG: The Merry Healdsburg festivities will take place downtown at Healdsburg Plaza on Dec. 2. A tree lighting ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by free photos with Santa. There will also be free carriage rides sponsored by Kiwanis and free hot chocolate. Live music will include the Healdsburg Chorus and Rocio La Dama de La Cumbia y Su Sonora.
GUERNEVILLE: The Parade of Lights starts after dark on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. on Main Street, with this year's theme being "A Very Fairy Christmas." This parade is known for its campy, offbeat fun.
CALISTOGA: Dubbed the "ultimate small town holiday celebration," Calistoga's Lighted Tractor Parade is definitely unique. Modern, vintage, and antique tractors will be bedecked with lights along with other construction equipment. The parade takes place from 7 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 3.
BENICIA: If you are looking for charming small-town Christmas parade, look no further than Benicia's annual event. This year it takes place on Dec. 10 and runs down First Street. The show starts at 10 a.m. and residents generally save their spots overnight, though there's always room for more. The parade is followed by a holiday market.
VALLEJO: The city's annual Mad Hatter Holiday Parade and Festival is not to be missed. It's weird and wonderful, with motorized contraptions from Obtainium Works, steam punk revelers, traditional holiday nods and more. The whole thing starts at 2 p.m. in Unity Plaza near the library on Santa Clara Street with dancing horses, crafts for kids, children's rides, and food. The parade begins on Georgia Street at 4:30 p.m. with a tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. at the library on Santa Clara Street. A lighted boat parade begins at 6:30 p.m. at the marina.
SAUSALITO: The Lighted Boat Parade and Fireworks celebration will kick off on Dec. 10 at 6 p.m., rain or shine, along the Sausalito waterfront.
MILL VALLEY: Winterfest is back. Featuring live entertainment, a giant slide, tons of children's activities and great food, the event culminates in the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. It takes place on Dec. 4 from noon to 5 p.m. in Mill Valley's Downtown Plaza.
ST. HELENA: Santa himself will make an appearance downtown on Dec. 9 from 3 to 6 p.m. There will be photo opportunities, music and food vendors.
NAPA: The city's Christmas Parade will take place on Dec. 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. in downtown Napa. This year's theme celebrates 175 years of Christmas in Napa.
YOUNTVILLE: How about a Latke Throw Down? Bardessono is hosting its second-annual throwdown at the Yountville Community Center, complete with a latke making competition. Tickets are $10 but guests will be able to watch the competition and even taste the entries. The event takes place on Dec. 15 from 5 to 6 p.m. at 6516 Washington St. Interested parties are encouraged to email their RSVP to events@bardessono.com.
AMERICAN CANYON: It's time for the Magic of the Season Lighted Parade and Tree Lighting. In addition to the parade there will be food vendors and a holiday gift marketplace. The event takes place from 3 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 3. in Shenandoah Park, 100 Sonoma Creek Way.
South Bay and Peninsula
SAN JOSE: Christmas in the Park takes place in the heart of downtown San Jose at the Plaza de Cesar Chavez. This free event has been going on for 40 years and offers musical and animated exhibits, glittering lights and a 50-foot tall Christmas tree. School and community groups along with businesses decorate an "enchanted forest of trees" and vendors are on hand if you get hungry. This event runs through Jan. 1.
Also in San Jose, Blinky's Holiday Drive Through is now open at Lake Cunningham Park, offering people a way to soak up a lighted display from the comfort of their cars. The event runs until Jan. 1. For more information, click here.
The world's largest Christmas attractions is also making an appearance in San Jose. "Enchant," the holiday-themed light event, is now in place at PayPal Park. The spectacular is officially opening on Black Friday and will feature a walk-thru light maze, a 100-foo-tall holiday tree, ice-skating trail, live entertainment, market place, holiday food and cocktails. For more information, click here.
LOS GATOS: Fantasy of Lights takes place at Vasona Lake County Park in Santa Clara County. It's a drive-thru event that showcases over 50 themed displays and a 90-foot twinkling tree. The event will run from Dec. 6 through Dec. 30 - except on Dec. 25 - from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Prepaid tickets are needed for entry and they range from $20 to $50. More information here.
MOUNTAIN VIEW: Bring a folding chair, your singing voice and open mind to the Holiday Sing-Along with TACO (Terrible Adult Chamber Orchestra) on Sunday. The event begins at 3 p.m. at Civic Center Plaza, 500 Castro St.
FOSTER CITY: Holiday music, light refreshments and Santa are all a part of this year's Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the recreation center at 650 Shell Blvd.
LOS ALTOS: The Festival of Lights Parade has been taking place in Los Altos since 1977, featuring floats, marching bands and costumed characters all lit up with lights. The revelry begins at 6 p.m. at First an State streets downtown.
BURLINGAME: A Holiday Tree Lighting will take place at City Hall on Dec. 2 and a festive Chanukah event featuring a huge Lego menorah will kick off on Dec. 18. There will also be latkes and donuts, arts and crafts, and selfies with a dreidel mascot. It's free but you need RSVP for the address to chabadnp.com/chanukah.
COLMA: Get ready for the Holiday Tree Lighting on Dec. 1 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Tall Hall Plaza on El Camino Real. Santa will be there with hot cocoa and treats.
HALF MOON BAY: There are three holiday events in Half Moon Bay in December, beginning with a lighted parade on Dec. 2 at 6:15 p.m. There's also a Kid's Zone and Santa will be there to sign autographs at Dutra Park after the parade. An Ugly Sweater Party rears its head on Dec. 9 and there will be a contest for most atrocious. Finally, the movie Elf will be shown on Dec. 16 in the Cunha's Country Store parking lot. All events take place in and around Main Street.
PACIFICA: The 2022 Rockaway Tree Lighting Festival is back this year on Dec. 4 from 4 to 7 p.m. Kids activities, food vendors and food trucks, "snow" flurries, pony rides, live music and Santa, of course. The party takes place on Rockaway Beach, Dondee Way.
REDWOOD CITY: There's a holiday parade but the whole thing is really an extravaganza, with pictures with Santa, live entertainment; food, beer and wine vendors, and the parade at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 10 in Courthouse Square. The 13th Annual Chanukah Festival will also take place on Dec. 18 from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. at Courthouse Square. Music, menorah lighting, latkes and donuts, moon bouncies and holiday crafts will all be had. Organizers are also touting the "first ever" graffiti menorah in Northern California.
Did we miss any events? If you want us to add an event to this list, please email us at newstips@nbcbayarea.com.
Bay City News contributed to the report.
