It’s that time of the year for holiday cheer and to indulge in all your favorite traditions: the Nutcracker, Sausalito’s lighted boat parade, Christmas music shows, garden ice rinks and oodles of holiday craft fairs. Here’s the scoop on all that — and more.
Annual Fairs & Festivals | Arts, Theater & Lectures | Comedy | Film | Fundraisers & Galas | Music | Museums | Outdoor Fun | Other Events
Get Involved: Community Happenings
Guide Dogs for the Blind Holiday Fundraising Luncheon
Fundraisers & Galas
Hot Tickets, Media Partners & Premium Calendar Listings
Guide Dogs for the Blind Holiday Fundraising Luncheon
December 5
San Francisco
The Westin St. Francis Hotel in Union Square
335 Powell Street
800.295.4050
Photo courtesy of Guide Dogs for the Blind.
This celebration and fundraiser will include delicious food, premium wine, and heartwarming stories about the human-canine connection of GDB’s guide dog teams. There will be plenty of working guide dog teams in attendance, as well as K9 Buddy teams. And you don’t have to wait for New Year’s Day for a parade, as the event also features a special holiday puppy parade! All proceeds support GDB in fulfilling its life-changing mission to empower individuals who are blind or visually impaired to navigate the world more safely and confidently.
Annual Fairs & Festivals
Mill Valley Holiday Craft Fair
December 6
Mill Valley
Mill Valley Community Center
180 Camino Alto
415.383.1370
The yearly artisan holiday craft fair at the Mill Valley Community Center draws in crowds eager to revisit their favorite vendors and search for uncommon goods. Free, ample parking makes it even more attractive.
Landmarks Arts & Crafts Fair
December 6
Belvedere Tiburon
Landmarks Art and Garden Center
841 Tiburon Boulevard
415.435.1853
This small arts fair in Tiburon features local artists and craftspeople offering gifts for sale. All proceeds benefit the Landmarks Society’s historic sites.
Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair
December 6 & 7
Muir Beach
Muir Beach Community Center
19 Seacape Drive
415.383.9969
Locally hand-made jewelry, fashion accessories, wreaths, and ornaments crafted of glass and wood are just a few of the options at a fair famous for stand appearances by the Muir Beach Quilters and the Muir Beach Volunteer Fire Department.
20th Annual World Tree of Hope Lighting Ceremony
December 8
San Francisco
Grace Cathedral
1100 California Street
A symbol of peace and unity, the Rainbow World Fund’s World Tree of Hope is the largest origami-decorated holiday tree. Submit a wish year round (though they are only added throughout December) for it to be displayed this year or the following. Be sure not to miss the tree’s 20th lighting, or visit during Grace Cathedral’s hours between Dec. 1–Jan. 9.
Fort Mason Night Market
December 19
San Francisco
Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture
2 Marina Boulevard
415.345.7500
This outdoor market transforms the historic Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture campus into a dynamic showcase of local artisans, cuisine, and entertainment. This free public event combines premier craft vendors with outstanding food offerings, against a backdrop of stunning waterfront views.
Holiday Events
PIER For the Tree Lighting
December 4
San Francisco
PIER 39
The Embarcadero & Beach Street
There’s no start to the holiday season like watching a 60-foot Christmas tree come to life. With other seasonal entertainment including Christmas carolers, a visit from Santa Claus and live holiday music performed by The Death & Taxes Swing Band. Plus, drinks will also be available for the first time. The tree lighting is just the beginning, though — PIER 39 will host a variety of other festive happenings through January 11, so be sure check out the lineup on their website.
Winter Wonderland
December 5–7 & 12–14
Ross
Marin Art and Garden Center
30 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
415.455.5260
Lace up your skates and take a spin on the Marin Art and Garden Center’s holiday rink under falling snow and twinkling lights. Festivities include the Ross Auxiliary’s Winterfest on Dec. 7, with train rides and an appearance from Santa Claus.
Great Dickens Christmas Fair
December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21
Daly City
Cow Palace
2600 Geneva Avenue
415.404.4100
During one of the Bay Area’s most time-honored holiday traditions, the Cow Palace is transformed into a maze of Victorian streets in old London town, laden with shops bedecked in holiday finery and bursting with handmade treasures, music halls, dance parties, sing-alongs and hundreds of costumed characters.
Sausalito Gingerbread House Tour
December 8–31
Sausalito
While strolling the streets and window-shopping in downtown Sausalito, look out for feats of gingerbread structural engineering during the 18th annual Sausalito Gingerbread House Tour. Businesses of all kinds build their own cookie creations, and visitors are invited to explore the streets and vote for their favorite. Might as well do some holiday shopping while you’re there, before stopping by a local restaurant for seasonal specials.
Holiday Heroes at Oracle Park
December 9
San Francisco
Oracle Park
24 Willie Mays Plaza
415.972.2000
See a ballpark transformed into a holiday wonderland for the annual Holiday Heroes, put together by the Wender Weis Foundation for Children and multiple Bay Area sports team. The celebrity-filled evening offers boundless holiday fun to over 400 children and their families, many of whom come from underserved communities.
Not So Silent Night
December 13
Novato
Downtown Novato
881 Grant Avenue
800.897.1164
Downtown Novato keeps up the holiday cheer with an evening of shopping and live music. Shops will stay open late for holiday shopping (shop local!), and downtown’s many restaurants, bars and taprooms will keep the good times rolling. The evening begins at 4 p.m. and runs through 9 p.m.
Winterfest Sausalito
December 13 & 14
Sausalito
Photo by Kimber Communications
A favorite Marin holiday highlight, Winterfest starts with its annual Lighted Boat Parade featuring brightly decorated boats cruising the Sausalito harbor, followed by a fireworks show. The following day, the Jingle Bell 5K and brunch at the Spinnaker are both a fun run and fundraiser for the Dipsea Kids.
Giant Menorah Lighting in Downtown San Rafael
December 21
San Rafael
Downtown San Rafael Plaza
100 Fourth Street
Chabad of Marin and the City of San Rafael are lighting a giant menorah on the first Sunday evening of Chanukah at the Downtown San Rafael Plaza. There will also be music, dancing, and a chocolate gelt drop—plus anyone who brings a non-perishable food item for the SF/Marin Food Bank receives a free hot chocolate and a latke.
Bouncy Ball Drop
December 31
Novato
Downtown Novato
881 Grant Avenue
800.897.1164
Usher in the new year while wearing a hard hat! At noon in Downtown Novato, a crane will drop 25,000 bouncy balls for 2025 for this free event. Kids can keep as many bouncy balls as they can fit in their pockets, and they can walk away with souvenir hard hats, too.
Union Square Ice Rink
Through January 19
San Francisco
Union Square
The Holiday Ice Rink in San Francisco’s Union Square is a fun way to end, or begin, a day of holiday shopping in San Francisco’s iconic shopping district.
Arts, Theater and Lectures
Marin Ballet’s Nutcracker
December 6 & 7
Novato
Novato Center for the Arts
625 Arthur Street
415.453.6705
Lavish Victorian sets and elaborate costumes for 125 dancers are just part of this classic ballet production, performed at the new Marin School of the Arts.
Mark Foehringer’s Nutcracker Sweets
December 6–21
San Francisco
Cowell Theater at Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture
2 Marina Boulevard
628.400.1348
This 50-minute version of the Nutcracker is specifically designed for families with young children. This year’s production includes new choreography, scenic elements, fun costumes and a scene where it snows on the audience.
The Velveteen Rabbit
Through December 7
San Francisco
ODC Theater
3153 17th Street
415.549.8534
ODC/Dance’s annual whimsical holiday show is based on the children’s classic book by Margery Williams. Weekend showgoers can also opt-in for a Velveteen Rabbit-themed brunch at the St. Regis prior to the show.
Wait Until Dark
Through December 14
Ross
The Barn Theater at Marin Art & Garden Center
30 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
415.456.9555
This classic tale of deception, darkness and resilience follows a recently blinded woman who becomes the target of three con men. When her husband is lured away, Susy is forced to defend herself against these intruders.
The Gift of Nothing – A Musical for Children of All Ages
December 13–14 & 19–22
Mill Valley
Marin Theatre
397 Miller Avenue
415.388.5208
This charming musical based on the Patrick McDonnell book and featuring the beloved characters from Mutts comics, is premiering on the West Coast. With humor, songs and a touching message, this delightful show reminds us that spending quality time with quality friends is the greatest gift of all.
The Christmas Ballet
Through December 24
San Francisco
Smuin Contemporary Ballet
1830 17th Street
415.912.1899
A signature mix of ballet, contemporary, character, Broadway, jazz and tap from Smuin keeps the energy flowing at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts this holiday.
A puckishly funny adaptation of Charles Dickens’s beloved classic features festive music, magical ghosts, an effervescent cast of kids and ample hijinks.
Film
Another Hole in the Head
December 1–25
San Francisco
Balboa Theater
3630 Balboa Street
415.793.6868
Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures
A three-week film festival dedicated to the realms of science fiction, fantasy, horror and other genres showcases new independent films from around the world with dozens of feature films and hundreds of shorts.
30 Years of Pixar at the Lark Theater
December 1–29
Larkspur
Lark Theater
549 Magnolia Avenue
415.924.5111
Celebrate the end of the year by revisiting the best films from the animation masters at East Bay’s Pixar. Throughout the month, the Lark is screening new and old favorites, including Turning Red, Lightyear, Inside Out 2, and Elio.
Home Alone with a live orchestra
December 19 & 20
San Francisco
Davies Symphony Hall
201 Van Ness Avenue
415.864.6000
Experience the beloved Christmas hit film Home Alone on the big screen like never before — with John Williams’s classic score performed live by the San Francisco Symphony. Enjoy half-priced tickets for the kids.
Music
Ms. Lisa Fischer & Orrin Evans Trio
December 4–7
San Francisco
Robert N. Miner Auditorium, SFJAZZ Center
201 Franklin Street
866.920.5299
Photo courtesy of SFJAZZ
See why she stands alone, as the two-time Grammy winner joins forces with acclaimed pianist Orrin Evans and his trio for a week devoted to the classic Philly Soul sound of the 1970s, 80s and 90s.
Holiday Choral by Candlelight
December 6–7
San Rafael
St. Raphael’s Church
1104 5th Avenue
415.479.8100
The Marin Symphony plays both traditional and contemporary holiday music set to candlelight in the beautiful setting of St. Raphael’s Church, with both instrumental and choral performances.
Souls of Mischief
December 7
Mill Valley
Sweetwater Music Hall
19 Corte Madera Avenue
415.388.3850
Repping the beloved Hieroglyphics collective, Oakland’s Souls of Mischief — of 93 Til Infinity fame — will perform its singular brand of conscious, joyous hip-hop at this highly anticipated Mill Valley show.
Holiday Spectacular
December 12, 13, 20, 21 & 24
San Francisco
Golden Gate Theatre
1 Taylor Street
888.746.1799
The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus presents its annual holiday concert at Golden Gate Theatre, blending the enchantment of the season with the transformative power of compassion and community. They’ll also hold two concerts at Davies Symphony Hall on Christmas Eve.
The Allman Betts Family Revival
December 21
San Francisco
The Fillmore
1805 Geary Boulevard
415.346.3000
The sons of Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts, along with other musicians, perform classic songs from the Allman Brothers Band at the Fillmore.
Museums
‘Tis the Season for Science
Through January 5
San Francisco
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Drive
415.379.8000
Get a dose of gratitude for nature this holiday season at the California Academy of Sciences. This year’s annual event features baby animals, reindeer, camels and yaks.
The Museum of International Propaganda
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
San Rafael
Museum of International Propaganda
1000 5th Avenue
415.526.3057
This museum presents 30 years of political art from 25 countries, such as North Korea and the Soviet Union.
Exhibits and Noon Year’s Eve at Bay Area Discovery Museum
December 31
Sausalito
Bay Area Discovery Museum
557 McReynolds Road
415.339.3900
An inspiring visit to this kids museum is the perfect way to ring in the new year without the late-night struggle. This annual celebration offers a live DJ, dance party, festive programming and a thrilling countdown to the ball drop at noon.
Comedy
Tuesday Night Comedy at the Throckmorton
December 2 & 9
Mill Valley
142 Throckmorton Theatre
142 Throckmorton Avenue
415.383.9600
Throckmorton’s acclaimed Tuesday Night Live Comedy features fresh talent on the rise, alongside veteran comics from around the world. The weekly event showcases 5-7 different comedians at the top of their game. With a theatre-style stage, an intimate comedy club atmosphere, and unbeatable line-ups, you are guaranteed laughs and a truly memorable experience.
Kelsey Cook
December 5–6
San Francisco
Cobb’s Comedy Club
915 Columbus Avenue
415.928.4320
As the daughter of an international yo-yo champion and a pro foosball player, Kelsey Cook says she had zero chance of having a normal career one day. That’s good news for local comedy fans, as she brings her stand-up show to Cobbs for two days this month. Don’t miss the chance to see what made her newest stand-up special “Mark Your Territory” cross one million views on Hulu and YouTube.
Greg Fitzsimmons
December 11–13
San Francisco
Punch Line Comedy Club
444 Battery Street
415.397.7573
Photo courtesy of Greg Fitzsimmons
Mixing an incisive wit with scathing sarcasm, Greg Fitzsimmons has achieved success as a stand-up, Emmy Award winning writer and host on both radio and TV. Don’t miss his effortlessly biting delivery at the legendary Punch Line, a local comedy institution that has hosted everyone from Dave Chappelle to late local treasure Robin Williams.
Give Back When You Go Out: Volunteer
Looking for more ways to give back to our community by volunteering your time? Here’s a list of Marin County nonprofits supporting a variety of causes — ranging from helping our most vulnerable residents to keeping our environment healthy — where your assistance can really make a difference.
