Last updated: November 11, 2024
Experience the holiday joy in Oakland! Our guide has all the exciting festive happenings. Whether you're an Oakland local or a globetrotter, this guide ensures a memorable holiday experience.
One of the season's highlights is Holidays at Filoli, where visitors can stroll through beautifully decorated gardens and stunning historic estates. The Union Square Ice Rink offers a charming outdoor skating experience, complete with twinkling lights and a festive atmosphere. And the Glowfari at the Oakland Zoo is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring enchanting light displays that transform the zoo into a winter wonderland. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Oakland Holiday Light Displays
Holidays at Filoli
- What to Expect
- Immersive holiday light displays and historic natural beauty.
- Description
- Filoli Historic House & Garden transforms into a vibrant holiday destination with extensive light displays, festive decorations, and various activities such as holiday tea, private fire pit experiences, and guided tours. The event offers daytime delights with warm drinks and hearty lunches, while evening admission features immersive displays and historic natural beauty.
- Where
- Woodside | More Info : Holidays at Filoli
Thrive City’s Winter Wonderland
- What to Expect
- Vibrant holiday light displays and festive ambiance.
- Description
- Thrive City presents a spectacular lighting ceremony featuring vibrant displays and festive ambiance, creating a memorable holiday experience.
- Where
- San Francisco | More Info : Thrive City’s Winter Wonderland
Enchant San Jose
- What to Expect
- Interactive holiday light maze with a captivating original story.
- Description
- Enchant San Jose features an all-new World's Largest Christmas Light Maze, an ice skating trail, seasonal food and drink, Santa and Mrs. Claus visits, and a bird’s-eye view of dazzling lights from the Ferris Wheel.
- Where
- San Jose | More Info : Enchant San Jose
Oakland Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Graham Lustig's The Nutcracker
- What to Expect
- Unique ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
- Description
- Graham Lustig's The Nutcracker is a family-friendly ballet performance featuring beautiful dancing, magnificent scenery, and imaginative costumes. The Oakland Symphony and Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir bring Tchaikovsky's magnificent score to life. The event includes a unique twist on traditional vignettes, such as an ornamental bird taking flight and Polichinelles dancing in and out of a clown's legs.
- Where
- Oakland | More Info : Graham Lustig's The Nutcracker
SF Ballet’s Nutcracker
- What to Expect
- World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
- Description
- San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker is a classic holiday performance featuring Tchaikovsky's iconic score, elaborate sets, and costumes. The ballet tells the story of Clara and her adventures on Christmas Eve, set against the backdrop of early 20th-century San Francisco.
- Where
- San Francisco | More Info : SF Ballet’s Nutcracker
Fairy Winterland at Children's Fairyland
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
- Description
- This whimsical event transforms Children's Fairyland into a wonder of lights, decorations, and holiday cheer. Families can stroll through the enchanting paths, enjoy themed activities, and experience delightful performances. The atmosphere is filled with the sounds of laughter and festive music, creating memories for children and parents alike.
- Where
- Oakland | More Info : Fairy Winterland at Children's Fairyland
Oakland Other Holiday Activities
Glowfari at the Oakland Zoo
- What to Expect
- Large-scale animal lanterns with various themes.
- Description
- Glowfari at the Oakland Zoo features hundreds of larger-than-life animal lanterns, each telling the story of wildlife's ongoing journey and the importance of every species on our planet. The event includes new themes like floating down Africa's Nile River, visiting a farm with barnyard favorites, and hiking to see animals at the top of the world. It concludes with a train ride through an Avian Odyssey.
- Where
- Oakland | More Info : Glowfari at the Oakland Zoo
Holiday Tea at the Claremont Club & Spa
- What to Expect
- Elegant holiday tea experience with a three-tiered tower.
- Description
- The Holiday Tea at the Claremont Club & Spa offers a luxurious and memorable experience with elegant furniture, twinkling Christmas trees, and a three-tiered Holiday Tea tower featuring scones, biscuits, sandwiches, and sweet treats. The event is perfect for special family time that doesn't center around Santa or gifts.
- Where
- Oakland | More Info : Holiday Tea at the Claremont Club & Spa
Union Square Ice Rink
- What to Expect
- Unique blend of outdoor ice skating and holiday entertainment.
- Description
- The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square, presented by Kaiser Permanente, offers outdoor ice skating and holiday festivities in downtown San Francisco. Special events include Drag On Ice, Silent Skate, and Polar Bear Skate. Skaters with little to no experience can learn from professional instructors during free weekend lessons.
- Where
- San Francisco | More Info : Union Square Ice Rink
Merry Meritage in Napa
- What to Expect
- Ice skating under a 40-foot tall Christmas tree.
- Description
- The Merry Meritage Holiday Ice Rink in Napa offers an evening of ice skating, lounging by the fire with a warm drink, and listening to live carolers. The event is highlighted by a 40-foot tall Christmas tree and twinkling vines.
- Where
- Napa | More Info : Merry Meritage in Napa
San Francisco SantaCon 2024
- What to Expect
- Large-scale pub crawl with exclusive drink specials and holiday-themed activities.
- Description
- Thousands of people dressed in Santa costumes gather in San Francisco to celebrate the holiday season with festive drinks, music, and camaraderie at various bars and venues.
- Where
- San Francisco | More Info : San Francisco SantaCon 2024
Oakland SantaCon 2024
- What to Expect
- Thousands of Santas exploring Oakland's best bars.
- Description
- Join thousands of Santas for a festive bar crawl in Oakland, featuring holiday-themed drinks, live DJs, and exclusive bar specials.
- Where
- Oakland | More Info : Oakland SantaCon 2024
Dollie + Me Holiday Tea at The Westin St. Francis
- What to Expect
- Interactive doll crafting event for children.
- Description
- Join Dollie + Me for a special holiday afternoon tea at The Westin St. Francis in San Francisco. Families will enjoy a festive afternoon filled with holiday tea, Dollie + Me crafting, and fun activities. Adults will savor a full tea service with champagne, while children delight in hot chocolate, sweet treats, and assorted tea sandwiches. Each child will receive a goodie bag with precious crafts to enjoy year-round with their dolls.
- Where
- San Francisco | More Info : Dollie + Me Holiday Tea at The Westin St. Francis
Breakfast with Santa
- What to Expect
- Interactive breakfast with Santa and arts activities.
- Description
- Join Santa for breakfast, arts and crafts, and take a photo with the big guy. This event is designed for families to enjoy quality time together during the holiday season.
- Where
- Walnut Creek | More Info : Breakfast with Santa
Santa at Shadelands Ranch
- What to Expect
- Holiday meet and greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus at a historic ranch.
- Description
- Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Shadelands Ranch Gazebo for a holiday meet and greet. Bring your own camera to capture the moment.
- Where
- Walnut Creek | More Info : Santa at Shadelands Ranch