Ready for a magical holiday season in Daly City? Let our guide show you the best festive activities! For Daly City inhabitants and visitors alike, this guide highlights the season's best events and activities.
Celebrate the holiday spirit at the Great Dickens Christmas Fair, where you can immerse yourself in Victorian-era festivities and cheer. Lace up your skates at the Union Square Ice Rink, where you can glide under the twinkling lights and embrace the joy of the season. And the Golden Gate Park Holiday Tree Lighting is something you definitely don't want to miss, with its dazzling display and community warmth. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Daly City
See these and even more events listed below!Daly City Other Holiday Activities
Great Dickens Christmas Fair
What to Expect:
Immersive Victorian-era Christmas experience
Description:
Step back in time to Victorian London at the Great Dickens Christmas Fair. This immersive experience transports visitors to the world of Charles Dickens, complete with costumed characters and period-accurate shops. Stroll through lamp-lit streets, engage in lively conversations with street vendors, and savor traditional English fare. The fair pays homage to Dickens' influence on modern Christmas traditions, including the popularization of "A Christmas Carol." You can even participate in a Victorian dance lesson, learning the steps of a 19th-century ballroom.
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Nearby Events
Union Square Ice Rink (San Francisco)
What to Expect:
Outdoor ice skating in the heart of San Francisco
Description:
Glide beneath the towering palm trees at Union Square's outdoor ice rink. This urban oasis transforms into a winter playground, offering a unique contrast of tropical scenery and icy fun. The rink's location amidst bustling shops and historic buildings creates a distinctive San Francisco holiday experience. Skaters can practice their pirouettes while taking in views of the square's massive Christmas tree. Union Square has been a central gathering place for San Franciscans since the 1850s, and the ice rink continues this tradition of community celebration.
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Golden Gate Park Holiday Tree Lighting (San Francisco)
What to Expect:
Eco-friendly LED light display in a historic park
Description:
Golden Gate Park's holiday tree lighting ceremony illuminates the night with a dazzling eco-friendly LED display. The event takes place near the Conservatory of Flowers, a Victorian-era greenhouse that provides a stunning backdrop. Visitors can explore the surrounding gardens, which showcase native Californian plants decorated for the season. The park, established in the 1870s, has been a cherished green space for generations of San Franciscans. Listen to local choirs perform holiday classics as the switch is flipped, bathing the area in a warm glow.
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Golden Gate Park Holiday Tree Lighting
Pier 39 Tree Lighting Celebration (San Francisco)
What to Expect:
Waterfront tree lighting with sea lion serenade
Description:
Pier 39's tree lighting celebration combines holiday cheer with San Francisco's famous marine residents. As the towering tree springs to life with thousands of lights, the neighboring sea lions add their distinctive barks to the festivities. This unique blend of urban celebration and wildlife creates an only-in-San-Francisco experience. Visitors can sample local seafood delicacies while enjoying the waterfront views. Pier 39, originally constructed for the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition, continues to be a vibrant hub of entertainment and marine life observation.
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Pier 39 Tree Lighting Celebration
Illuminate SF Festival of Light (San Francisco)
What to Expect:
City-wide light art installations
Description:
Illuminate SF Festival of Light transforms San Francisco into an open-air gallery of light art. This innovative event features over 40 installations scattered throughout the city, created by both local and international artists. Visitors can embark on self-guided tours to discover these luminous works, each telling a unique story about San Francisco's culture and history. The festival highlights the city's commitment to public art, a tradition dating back to the Works Progress Administration of the 1930s. Witness the Bay Bridge transform into a canvas of moving light patterns, visible for miles.
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Illuminate SF Festival of Light
SantaCon San Francisco (San Francisco)
What to Expect:
Massive Santa-themed pub crawl
Description:
SantaCon San Francisco floods the city streets with a sea of red suits and white beards. This unconventional holiday event sees thousands of participants dressed as Santa Claus, embarking on a merry pub crawl across the city. The event's route changes annually, keeping the experience fresh for returning revelers. SantaCon originated in San Francisco in 1994 as a countercultural response to holiday commercialization. Participants can join in caroling sessions with a twist, belting out both traditional and irreverent holiday tunes.
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Zoo Lights at San Francisco Zoo (San Francisco)
What to Expect:
Animal-themed light sculptures and conservation education
Description:
Zoo Lights at San Francisco Zoo combines holiday illumination with wildlife conservation awareness. The event features intricate light sculptures of animals, creating a nocturnal safari experience. Visitors can walk through tunnels of dancing lights while learning about endangered species and conservation efforts. The zoo, which opened in 1929, uses this event to highlight its ongoing commitment to animal welfare and education. Encounter reindeer up close and personal, learning about these iconic holiday animals from knowledgeable zookeepers.
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Zoo Lights at San Francisco Zoo
Nutcracker at War Memorial Opera House (San Francisco)
What to Expect:
World-class ballet in a historic opera house
Description:
The San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker at the War Memorial Opera House is a pinnacle of holiday performances. This production, set in 1915 San Francisco, offers a unique local twist on the classic tale. The opulent opera house, built in 1932, provides a grand setting that enhances the ballet's splendor. Audiences are treated to live orchestral music, bringing Tchaikovsky's score to life. The San Francisco Ballet holds the distinction of performing the first full-length American production of the Nutcracker in 1944, starting a nationwide holiday tradition.
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Nutcracker at War Memorial Opera House
Fairmont Gingerbread House (San Francisco)
What to Expect:
Life-sized, walk-through gingerbread house
Description:
The Fairmont San Francisco's gingerbread house stands as an architectural confection. This life-sized creation, constructed with real gingerbread bricks, invites visitors to step inside a sweet holiday fantasy. The two-story structure fills the air with the warm aroma of gingerbread and cinnamon. Guests can marvel at the intricate details, from candy cane columns to gumdrop decorations. The Fairmont, opened in 1907, has been crafting this edible edifice for over a century, making it a cherished San Francisco tradition.
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Holiday Lights at Ghirardelli Square (San Francisco)
What to Expect:
Chocolate-themed holiday light display
Description:
Ghirardelli Square's holiday lights celebration infuses Christmas cheer with the rich history of San Francisco's chocolate industry. The square, once home to the Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory, now glows with thousands of lights, creating a sweet winter atmosphere. Visitors can indulge in hot chocolate while admiring the illuminated iconic Ghirardelli sign. The event pays homage to Domingo Ghirardelli, who established his chocolate empire in San Francisco during the Gold Rush era. Explore the beautifully lit Victorian-era buildings, now housing unique shops and eateries.
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Holiday Lights at Ghirardelli Square
Christmas at St. Patrick's Catholic Church (San Francisco)
What to Expect:
Midnight Mass in a historic Gothic Revival church
Description:
Christmas at St. Patrick's Catholic Church offers a solemn and spiritual celebration in the heart of San Francisco. The Gothic Revival architecture, dating back to 1851, provides a majestic backdrop for the traditional Midnight Mass. Visitors can admire the church's stunning stained glass windows, illuminated by candlelight during the service. The church's history is intertwined with that of San Francisco, having survived the 1906 earthquake and fire. Listen to the angelic voices of the choir as they fill the vaulted ceilings with timeless carols.
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Christmas at St. Patrick's Catholic Church