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Last updated: November 11, 2024

Experience the joy of the holidays in Burlingame! Our guide highlights all the special festive events and activities. For Burlingame natives and holiday travelers alike, our guide is your festive roadmap.

Popular Events: Immerse yourself in the festive spirit at Holidays at Filoli, where the historic estate transforms into a winter wonderland with twinkling lights and seasonal decorations. For those captivated by rich history, Christmas at Kohl Mansion invites you to explore a beautifully adorned mansion, filled with holiday cheer and classic charm. And the Holiday in the Vineyards is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a delightful blend of viniculture and merriment amidst the scenic wineries. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!

Contact information and details below.

Burlingame Holiday Light Displays

What to Expect:

Dazzling light displays and immersive holiday experiences in a historic estate.

Description:

Filoli Historic House & Garden transforms into a vibrant holiday destination with dazzling light displays, festive decorations, and immersive experiences. Visitors can explore the beautifully adorned House and Garden, enjoy warm drinks by a firepit, and indulge in a hearty lunch at the Quail Café. The event features a variety of activities, including Santa visits, holiday teas, and private fire pit experiences.

Where: Woodside | More Info: Holidays at Filoli

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What to Expect:

Twinkling lights and diverse holiday displays.

Description:

Fairy Winterland at Children's Fairyland in Oakland, California, features thousands of twinkling lights, festive music, wintertime stories, seasonal crafts, and a visit from Santa Claus. Enjoy hot cocoa and apple cider while exploring culturally diverse holiday displays and participating in activities like ornament making and candle dipping.

Where: Oakland | More Info: Fairy Winterland

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What to Expect:

Interactive light installation with wind-responsive tree.

Description:

Entwined at Golden Gate Park features a monumental shade-bearing tree, Elder Mother, which moves in the wind and offers ever-changing illumination and color. The installation includes six unique QR codes that allow attendees to control the tree's lighting patterns, creating an immersive experience that combines art, technology, and nature.

Where: San Francisco | More Info: Entwined at Golden Gate Park

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What to Expect:

Holiday tree lighting ceremony with Santa visit and toy donations.

Description:

Join your neighbors for the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Colma Town Hall. Festivities begin at 6:30 PM with a visit from Santa, hot cocoa, and treats. The holiday tree lights will illuminate Town Hall at 7:15 PM, officially welcoming the holiday season. Toy donations for charity are also accepted.

Where: Colma | More Info: Annual Holiday Tree Lighting

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Burlingame Holiday Markets and Shopping

What to Expect:

Unique holiday shopping experience with over 65 vendors.

Description:

The Christmas at Kohl Mansion event features over 65 vendors displaying unique holiday treasures, jewelry, clothing, and decorations. The Victorian mansion, formerly known as The Oaks, is decorated with thousands of twinkling lights, garlands, and Christmas trees. A docent presentation about the history of Kohl Mansion is also available, along with light holiday snacks for sale.

Where: Burlingame | More Info: Christmas at Kohl Mansion

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Burlingame Holiday Shows and Entertainment

What to Expect:

Family-friendly ballet performance with colorful costumes and whimsical sets.

Description:

Contra Costa Ballet presents a family-friendly production of "The Nutcracker," featuring youth performers and professional guest artists. The performance includes colorful costumes, whimsical sets, and a delightful journey through the Candy Kingdom. This one-hour show is an elegant introduction to the holiday classic.

Where: Walnut Creek | More Info: Contra Costa's "The Nutcracker"

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What to Expect:

World-class ballet performance with a mix of classical and contemporary styles.

Description:

Smuin's The Christmas Ballet is a vibrant holiday performance blending ballet, Broadway, and contemporary dance. It features a classical first act and a fun, jazzy second act with new numbers alongside iconic pieces like "Santa Baby." The show is a big-hearted production that keeps its spirit bright with each new addition.

Where: Walnut Creek | More Info: Smuin's The Christmas Ballet

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What to Expect:

ASL-interpreted performance for the Deaf community.

Description:

Join Tucker the elf and his toy friends as they set out to save Christmas in this fun and laughter-filled performance. The show is approximately 45 minutes long with no intermission and is recommended for ages 3-6. An ASL-interpreted performance is available on Saturday at 10 AM.

Where: Walnut Creek | More Info: The Biggest Gift

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What to Expect:

Award-winning ballet with youth performers.

Description:

Once Upon a Christmas is a fully narrated ballet based on a Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble story about a clumsy Elf named Roho. The performance brings Dolls and Toys to life as they celebrate before their Christmas Eve journey, teaching Roho about believing in oneself and having confidence. This story is perfect for all ages and features youth performers.

Where: Walnut Creek | More Info: Once Upon a Christmas

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What to Expect:

Holiday celebration with Santa and a ballet performance.

Description:

Join Gamble Garden for a holiday night filled with photo opportunities with Santa, a beautiful ballet performance, and holiday shopping in a beautifully decorated setting.

Where: Palo Alto | More Info: Holiday Night with Santa

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What to Expect:

Santa's helicopter arrival and Christmas carol performance.

Description:

Santa arrives at the Hiller Aviation Museum via his personal helicopter. The event features Christmas carols by the West Bay Community Band, and Santa will be available to listen to holiday wishes from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. The museum doors open at 9:30 AM.

Where: San Carlos | More Info: Santa Arrives by Helicopter

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Burlingame Other Holiday Activities

What to Expect:

Antique carousel with hand-carved wooden animals.

Description:

The Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round is an antique carousel with hand-carved and painted wooden animals, offering rides and a variety of snacks. It is pet-friendly and LGBTQ-friendly, with tickets available for purchase at the MGR Cafe-Snack Bar.

Where: Berkeley | More Info: Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round

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What to Expect:

Decorated steam train rides through the Redwood Valley Railway.

Description:

Tilden Park Steam Trains transform into a toddler-friendly holiday train during Winterfest, offering rides through a decorated route with twinkling lights, tiny snowflakes, and Christmas ornaments. The steam trains are extra Christmasy in December, running from 11 am to 7 pm on weekends.

Where: Berkeley | More Info: Tilden Park Steam Trains at Christmas

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What to Expect:

Early holiday gift and photo opportunity with Santa.

Description:

Join Santa for a special holiday breakfast at the Colma Community Center. Each child and adult will receive breakfast, and all children will receive a photo for their annual holiday card and a special gift from Santa.

Where: Colma | More Info: Breakfast with Santa Claus

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What to Expect:

Antique carousel with hand-carved wooden animals and calliope music.

Description:

Ride the antique Herschell-Spillman Merry-Go-Round, featuring hand-carved wooden animals and calliope music. Enjoy hot chocolate, cafe latte, and other treats at the MGR Cafe while taking in the scenic views of Tilden Park.

Where: Berkeley | More Info: Winter Wonderland - Tilden Park Merry Go Round

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What to Expect:

Interactive Santa photo opportunities with a festive backdrop.

Description:

Take photos with Santa at City Center Bishop Ranch every Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 4pm from November 24th through December 23rd. Parents can capture chats with Santa, and a North Pole mailbox is available for those too shy for an in-person chat.

Where: San Ramon | More Info: Selfies with Santa - Center City Bishop Ranch

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