Last updated: November 11, 2024
Get a snapshot of the holidays in Berkeley! Our guide covers all the key festive events and activities. For those who know Berkeley's every corner and those just beginning to explore, our guide reveals hidden holiday gems.
Popular among locals and visitors alike, the Filoli Holidays invites you to stroll through beautifully decorated gardens and historic estates, bringing the spirit of the season to life. Additionally, the Enchant San Jose features a captivating light maze and enchanting displays perfect for families. And the Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering unique crafts and seasonal treats from local vendors. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Berkeley Holiday Light Displays
Fairy Winterland
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration with twinkling lights and Santa Claus visits.
- Description
- Fairy Winterland at Children's Fairyland features twinkling lights, festive music, and holiday crafts, along with visits from Santa Claus and special performances.
- Where
- Oakland | More Info : Fairy Winterland
Enchant San Jose
- What to Expect
- Interactive holiday light maze with a story-based adventure.
- Description
- Enchant San Jose features the World's Largest Christmas Light Maze, an ice skating trail, seasonal food and drink, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and live entertainment. The event is set against a captivating original story, Reindeer Games, where guests search for missing bells to help reindeer fly Santa's sleigh.
- Where
- San Jose | More Info : Enchant San Jose
Berkeley Holiday Markets and Shopping
Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair
- What to Expect
- Unique shopping experience with over 200 local artisans.
- Description
- The Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair offers a diverse array of handcrafted wares by local artisans, fine original art, and inexpensive gifts. Holiday shoppers can enjoy great music, fine food, and a multicultural shopping atmosphere with festive lights and colorful decorations.
- Where
- Berkeley | More Info : Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair
Menagerie Yuletide Oddities Market
- What to Expect
- Unique holiday shopping experience featuring dark art and curiosities.
- Description
- The Menagerie Yuletide Oddities Market is a unique gathering of artists and vendors showcasing extraordinary wares, dark art, and curiosities. Explore a treasure trove of handmade items, gothic home decor, and peculiar collectibles in a festive atmosphere.
- Where
- San Jose | More Info : Menagerie Yuletide Oddities Market
Head West Holiday Market
- What to Expect
- Sustaining local economy through diverse, community-conscious marketplaces.
- Description
- Head West Holiday Market is a curated marketplace featuring handmade, locally sourced goods and unique talents from emerging and established local brands. Each event fosters community and supports the local economy by connecting people and providing accessible spaces for small businesses to showcase their products.
- Where
- Alameda | More Info : Head West Holiday Market
Anti-Capitalist Holiday Market
- What to Expect
- Supporting local makers and artists.
- Description
- The Anti-Capitalist Holiday Market at The Birdcage in San Francisco showcases local artisans and entrepreneurs with a variety of handmade goods, including art prints, candles, and artisan wood homegoods.
- Where
- San Francisco | More Info : Anti-Capitalist Holiday Market
Creativity Explored holiday pop-up
- What to Expect
- Unique holiday shopping experience supporting local neurodiverse artists.
- Description
- Visit Creativity Explored at the Ferry Building for a holiday art pop-up shop featuring original drawings, paintings, prints, ceramics, tapestries, and one-of-a-kind fashions created by neurodiverse and disabled Bay Area artists. Stock up on gift-giving essentials like wrapping paper, greeting cards, artful accessories, books, stationery, and art supplies.
- Where
- San Francisco | More Info : Creativity Explored holiday pop-up
Berkeley Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Great Dickens Christmas Fair
- What to Expect
- Immersive Victorian London experience with live performances and shopping.
- Description
- Immerse yourself in Victorian London at the Great Dickens Christmas Fair, featuring music halls, theatres, pubs, and charming shops filled with colorful characters and holiday revelry.
- Where
- Daly City | More Info : Great Dickens Christmas Fair
Teddy Bear Tea at The Ritz-Carlton
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration with a teddy bear gift and charitable toy drive.
- Description
- At Teddy Bear Tea at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco, children gather for a lively holiday show, receive a teddy bear gift, and enjoy a keepsake photo opportunity. The event supports charitable causes by encouraging children to bring an unwrapped new toy to donate to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals.
- Where
- San Francisco | More Info : Teddy Bear Tea at The Ritz-Carlton
Berkeley Other Holiday Activities
Filoli Holidays
- What to Expect
- Immersive holiday displays and unique experiences in a historic estate setting.
- Description
- Filoli Holidays offers a variety of activities, including daytime and evening events, holiday light displays, and exclusive experiences like the Ballroom Signature Lounge and Private Fire Pit Experiences. Guests can explore the beautifully decorated House and Garden, enjoy festive music and carolers, and indulge in holiday teas and warm drinks.
- Where
- Woodside | More Info : Filoli Holidays
Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round
- What to Expect
- Antique carousel with hand-carved wooden animals.
- Description
- Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round features an antique carousel with hand-carved wooden animals, calliope-style music, and a snack bar offering hot chocolate, ice cream, and carnival food.
- Where
- Berkeley | More Info : Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round
Winter Walk in Union Square
- What to Expect
- Pedestrian plaza with diverse food trucks and live performances.
- Description
- Winter Walk in Union Square transforms two blocks into a vibrant pedestrian plaza with lush turf, diverse food truck offerings, enticing bars, and Instagram-worthy arctic-themed decor. The event features live performances and entertainment throughout its 10-day duration, making it a wonderful experience for the whole family.
- Where
- San Francisco | More Info : Winter Walk in Union Square
Bill Graham Menorah Lighting
- What to Expect
- Giant public menorah display with live music and activities.
- Description
- The Bill Graham Menorah Lighting in Union Square is a 48-year tradition featuring a 25-foot-tall menorah, live music, and various activities for all ages. It celebrates Chanukah with a giant public menorah display, inspired by the first such display outside of Israel.
- Where
- San Francisco | More Info : Bill Graham Menorah Lighting
Children’s Magical Tea at Top of the Mark
- What to Expect
- Family-friendly activities with stunning city views.
- Description
- Children’s Magical Tea at Top of the Mark features balloon art, face painting, cookie decorating, and a special appearance by Santa Claus, all set against breathtaking views of San Francisco’s skyline.
- Where
- San Francisco | More Info : Children’s Magical Tea at Top of the Mark
Dollie + Me Holiday Tea at The Westin St. Francis
- What to Expect
- Interactive doll crafting event for children.
- Description
- Join Dollie + Me Holiday Tea at The Westin St. Francis for a delightful mother-daughter afternoon tea, featuring doll crafting and sweet treats.
- Where
- San Francisco | More Info : Dollie + Me Holiday Tea at The Westin St. Francis
Holiday Tea at Filoli Historic House and Garden
- What to Expect
- Elegant holiday tea service with bottomless sparkling wine.
- Description
- Indulge in an elegant holiday tea service at Filoli Historic House and Garden, featuring delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, exquisite pastries, and sparkling wine in an exclusive setting.
- Where
- Woodside | More Info : Holiday Tea at Filoli Historic House and Garden
Holiday Tea at Claremont Club & Spa
- What to Expect
- Traditional high-tea experience with classic delicacies.
- Description
- Savor classic high-tea accompaniments, including delightful desserts and sandwiches, in the iconic Lobby Lounge.
- Where
- Berkeley | More Info : Holiday Tea at Claremont Club & Spa
Holiday Tea at Sip Tea Room
- What to Expect
- Unique holiday tea experience with festive decorations and live music.
- Description
- Sip Tea Room offers a delightful Holiday Afternoon Tea Experience featuring a prix fixe menu with a three-tier serving stand, including tea sandwiches, scones, and special holiday desserts, all served with festive drinks and live music.
- Where
- San Francisco | More Info : Holiday Tea at Sip Tea Room