Last updated: November 11, 2024
Prepare for a festive season of adventure in Antioch! Our guide has all the exciting holiday events. Whether you're an Antioch native or a holiday pilgrim, our guide helps you navigate the festive landscape.
Experience the magic of the Walnut Creek Holiday Parade of Lights and Tree Lighting, where glowing floats and cheerful music illuminate the streets, setting the perfect holiday ambiance. With delightful performances and the community coming together, this event captures the spirit of the season. And don't forget Concord’s Annual Tree Lighting & Mayor’s Sing-Along, which features a special musical performance that unites families and friends. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Have suggestions or corrections? Contact us!
Antioch Holiday Light Displays
Holidays at Filoli
- What to Expect
- Immersive holiday light displays and unique behind-the-scenes tours.
- Description
- Filoli Estate & Gardens transform into a vibrant holiday display with thousands of lights, decorations, and festive activities, offering daytime and evening experiences.
- Where
- Woodside | More Info : Holidays at Filoli
Fairy Winterland
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration with twinkling lights and festive activities.
- Description
- Fairy Winterland at Children's Fairyland in Oakland, California, features twinkling lights, festive music, and holiday crafts. Santa Claus visits, and there are puppet shows and a festive parade. Enjoy hot cocoa and apple cider while exploring the park's holiday decorations.
- Where
- Oakland | More Info : Fairy Winterland
Twinkling lights at Mountain View Cemetery
- What to Expect
- Holiday light display in a historic cemetery setting.
- Description
- Twinkling lights at Mountain View Cemetery feature a month-long holiday light exhibition with scenes from Santa's workshop and other holiday themes, including a giant Nutcracker soldier, reindeer sled, snowmen, and playful penguins. The display begins at the front fountain and includes hundreds of tiny bright lights outlining the buildings and trees.
- Where
- Oakland | More Info : Twinkling lights at Mountain View Cemetery
Entwined in Golden Gate Park
- What to Expect
- Interactive light control via QR codes on a 30-ft metal sculpted tree.
- Description
- Entwined in Golden Gate Park features a monumental shade-bearing tree, Elder Mother, which moves with the wind and offers ever-changing illumination and color. The installation includes six unique QR codes allowing attendees to control the tree's lighting patterns. This immersive experience, designed by San Francisco artist Charles Gadeken, combines art, technology, and nature.
- Where
- San Francisco | More Info : Entwined in Golden Gate Park
Walnut Creek Holiday Parade of Lights and Tree Lighting
- What to Expect
- Special Tree Lighting Ceremony led by Santa Claus.
- Description
- The Walnut Creek Holiday Parade of Lights and Tree Lighting is a vibrant evening event that kicks off the holiday season with music, entertainment, and a special Tree Lighting Ceremony led by Santa Claus.
- Where
- Walnut Creek | More Info : Walnut Creek Holiday Parade of Lights and Tree Lighting
Lite Up The Streets
- What to Expect
- Synchronized light and sound show in a premier shopping and dining destination.
- Description
- The Streets of Brentwood presents Lite Up The Streets, an evening of vibrant lights and entertainment that transforms the shopping center into a spectacular display of illumination and activity.
- Where
- Brentwood | More Info : Lite Up The Streets
Oakley Christmas Tree Lighting
- What to Expect
- Family-friendly event with Santa Claus and live entertainment.
- Description
- The Oakley Christmas Tree Lighting is a family-friendly event held at Civic Center Plaza, featuring free cookies and cocoa, arts and crafts, live entertainment, and a special visit from Santa Claus. The event includes performances by local organizations and the lighting of the live Christmas tree near the Veterans Memorial.
- Where
- Oakley | More Info : Oakley Christmas Tree Lighting
Bill Graham Menorah Celebration
- What to Expect
- Giant public menorah lighting since 1975.
- Description
- The Bill Graham Menorah Celebration is a 48-year tradition featuring a 25-foot menorah in Union Square, San Francisco, lighting up every night of Hanukkah with live music, kids' crafts, and community events.
- Where
- San Francisco | More Info : Bill Graham Menorah Celebration
Antioch Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Delites Sip & Shop Artisan Fair
- What to Expect
- Family-friendly shopping event with local artisans.
- Description
- The Holiday Delites Sip & Shop Artisan Faire is a family-friendly event featuring music, wine, beer, food, and over 30 artisan vendors. It offers a great opportunity to knock out your Christmas shopping list while supporting local handmade artisans.
- Where
- Antioch | More Info : Holiday Delites Sip & Shop Artisan Fair
Martinez Holiday Sparkle Sip & Shop & Tree Lighting
- What to Expect
- Holiday shopping and tree lighting in downtown Martinez.
- Description
- Martinez Holiday Sparkle Sip & Shop & Tree Lighting is a festive event featuring holiday shopping, local vendors, and a tree lighting ceremony, creating a vibrant atmosphere in downtown Martinez.
- Where
- Martinez | More Info : Martinez Holiday Sparkle Sip & Shop & Tree Lighting
Holiday Street Fair
- What to Expect
- Unique shopping experience with local artisans and festive decorations.
- Description
- Holiday shoppers will be treated to an abundance of good cheer, great music, fine food, and unique handcrafts by Northern California’s finest artists. This fair offers a unique opportunity to buy fine original art and inexpensive gifts in the same place, with 200 local artisans offering their handcrafted wares for sale. Festive lights and colorful decorations complete the friendly multicultural shopping atmosphere.
- Where
- Berkeley | More Info : Holiday Street Fair
Antioch Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Concord’s Annual Tree Lighting & Mayor’s Sing-Along
- What to Expect
- Live performances and holiday crafts.
- Description
- Concord’s Annual Tree Lighting & Mayor’s Sing-Along features live performances, holiday crafts, and Santa’s Village with handmade artisan goods. Families can take pictures with Santa, feed his reindeer, and enjoy festive activities.
- Where
- Concord | More Info : Concord’s Annual Tree Lighting & Mayor’s Sing-Along
Bishop Ranch Tree Lighting
- What to Expect
- Heartwarming performances by local talent and Santa's grand entrance.
- Description
- The Bishop Ranch Tree Lighting features heartwarming performances by the Monte Vista band, singers, and dancers, culminating in Santa's grand entrance. The event includes memorable visits with Santa on various dates throughout the holiday season.
- Where
- San Ramon | More Info : Bishop Ranch Tree Lighting
Civic Center Plaza Tree Lighting
- What to Expect
- Toy giveaway and holiday-themed activities.
- Description
- The Civic Center Plaza Tree Lighting features festive performances, a toy giveaway, holiday-themed activities, and festive bites. The event takes place across the illuminated City Hall and Civic Center Plaza, culminating in the lighting of a 50-foot noble fir tree at 5:30 PM.
- Where
- San Francisco | More Info : Civic Center Plaza Tree Lighting
Smuin's The Christmas Ballet
- What to Expect
- World-class ballet performance with a mix of classical and modern styles.
- Description
- Smuin's The Christmas Ballet is a vibrant holiday production blending ballet and Broadway, featuring new and iconic numbers to brighten your spirits.
- Where
- San Francisco | More Info : Smuin's The Christmas Ballet
Navidad en Mexico
- Traditional Mexican dance and music performance.
- Celebrate Mexico's festive Christmas traditions and folklore through music, song, and dance with Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Carlos Moreno.
- San Leandro | More Info : Navidad en Mexico
Graham Lustig's "The Nutcracker"
- What to Expect
- World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
- Description
- Graham Lustig's "The Nutcracker" is a classic ballet featuring beautiful dancing, magnificent scenery, and imaginative costumes. The performance brings to life the story of Marie and her soldiers as they rescue the Nutcracker Prince from the evil Rat King, culminating in a journey to the Land of Sweets where luscious treats await. The Oakland Symphony and Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir bring Tchaikovsky's magnificent score to life.
- Where
- Oakland | More Info : Graham Lustig's "The Nutcracker"
Antioch Other Holiday Activities
Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round
- What to Expect
- Historic, hand-carved carousel with seasonal events.
- Description
- Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round features a historic, hand-carved carousel with wooden animals, offering rides and a snack bar with seasonal treats. It is pet-friendly and LGBTQ-friendly, with special events like Breakfast with Santa.
- Where
- Berkeley | More Info : Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round
Tilden Park Steam Trains at Christmas
- What to Expect
- Holiday-themed steam train rides with festive decorations.
- Description
- Tilden Park Steam Trains transform into a toddler-friendly Holiday Train during Christmas, featuring holiday decorations, twinkling lights, and Christmas ornaments along the route.
- Where
- Berkeley | More Info : Tilden Park Steam Trains at Christmas
City of Antioch Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony
- What to Expect
- Family-friendly holiday celebration with music, wine, and artisan vendors.
- Description
- The City of Antioch Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony features a festive parade, family-friendly activities, and a tree lighting ceremony at Waldie Plaza. The event includes music, wine, and beer, as well as over 30 artisan vendors.
- Where
- Antioch | More Info : City of Antioch Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony