Last updated: November 11, 2024
Celebrate the best of the holidays in Walnut Creek with our detailed guide. Whether you're a Walnut Creek veteran or a first-timer, this guide will make your holidays unforgettable.
Popular events during the festive season in Walnut Creek include the Walnut Creek Holiday Parade of Lights and Tree Lighting, where the streets sparkle with holiday spirit and community cheer. Another highlight is Holidays at Filoli, featuring stunning decorations and beautiful landscapes that transport visitors into a winter wonderland. And the Contra Costa Ballet's The Nutcracker is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing a classic holiday performance filled with enchanting choreography. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Walnut Creek Holiday Light Displays
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 celebration featuring an evening parade with music, refreshments, and a special Tree Lighting Ceremony led by Santa Claus.
- Where
- Walnut Creek | More Info : Walnut Creek Holiday Parade of Lights and Tree Lighting
Bishop Ranch Tree Lighting
- What to Expect
- Live music and Santa's grand entrance in a red convertible T-Bird.
- Description
- Join City Center Bishop Ranch for a holiday tree lighting ceremony featuring live music from the Monte Vista High School Band and SideNote a cappella singers, along with Santa's arrival in a red convertible T-Bird. Enjoy visits with Santa and roaming entertainers like jugglers and stilt walkers.
- Where
- San Ramon | More Info : Bishop Ranch Tree Lighting
Fairy Winterland
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration with twinkling lights and Santa Claus.
- Description
- Fairy Winterland at Children's Fairyland in Oakland, California, features twinkling lights, culturally diverse holiday displays, hot cocoa, apple cider, and a visit from Santa Claus. The event includes ornament making, Rangoli chalk art, and candle dipping, along with festive music and wintertime stories.
- Where
- Oakland | More Info : Fairy Winterland
Entwined in Golden Gate Park
- What to Expect
- Interactive light installation with wind-responsive tree.
- Description
- Entwined in Golden Gate Park features a 30-ft metal sculpted tree, Elder Mother, which moves with the wind and carries a 25-ft canopy with ever-changing illumination and color. The installation includes six unique QR codes allowing attendees to control the lighting patterns.
- Where
- San Francisco | More Info : Entwined in Golden Gate Park
Walnut Creek Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Sparkle Sip & Shop & Tree Lighting
- What to Expect
- Holiday shopping and tree lighting event.
- Description
- Join Downtown Martinez for a festive evening of shopping and tree lighting. Enjoy holiday cheer with local vendors, delicious treats, and the lighting of the town's iconic tree.
- Where
- Martinez | More Info : Holiday Sparkle Sip & Shop & Tree Lighting
Holiday Sip and Shop at Campos Family Vineyards
- What to Expect
- Unique blend of local vendors, music, and wine.
- Description
- Join us for the Annual Holiday Sip and Shop at Campos Family Vineyards, featuring over 40 vendors, live music, food trucks, and delicious wine.
- Where
- Byron | More Info : Holiday Sip and Shop at Campos Family Vineyards
Mill Valley Lumber Yard Holiday Faire
- What to Expect
- Live music and local artisan shopping.
- Description
- The Mill Valley Lumber Yard Holiday Faire offers a delightful holiday experience with live music, unique shopping opportunities, photos with Santa, a dog parade, crafts, delicious food, and warm drinks.
- Where
- Mill Valley | More Info : Mill Valley Lumber Yard Holiday Faire
Walnut Creek Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Contra Costa Ballet's The Nutcracker
- What to Expect
- Elegant introduction to the holiday classic with youth performers and professional guest artists.
- Description
- Contra Costa Ballet's The Nutcracker is a family-friendly production featuring youth performers and professional guest artists. The show brings the classic holiday tale to life with colorful costumes, whimsical sets, and talented young dancers in a one-hour performance.
- Where
- Walnut Creek | More Info : Contra Costa Ballet's The Nutcracker
Civic Center Plaza Holiday Tree Lighting
- What to Expect
- Toy giveaway for the first 400 children under 12.
- Description
- The Civic Center Plaza Holiday Tree Lighting features festive performances, a toy giveaway, holiday-themed activities, and festive bites and drinks. The event includes performances by the Tap Dancing Christmas Trees, magician Josh Farenbaugh, and singer Doris Bumpus, along with appearances by Christmas VIPs and Santa. It also offers "snow" flurries and a wonderful backdrop for photos across illuminated City Hall.
- Where
- San Francisco | More Info : Civic Center Plaza Holiday Tree Lighting
Walnut Creek Other Holiday Activities
Holidays at Filoli
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration with immersive light displays and historic natural beauty.
- Description
- Step into Filoli's beautifully decorated House and explore the vibrant winter Garden, featuring splendid decor and captivating light displays. Enjoy daytime delights with warm drinks by a firepit and a hearty lunch at the Quail Café, or immerse yourself in the evening's dazzling world of holiday cheer with immersive displays and historic natural beauty.
- Where
- Woodside | More Info : Holidays at Filoli
Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round
- What to Expect
- Antique menagerie carousel with hand-carved wooden animals.
- Description
- Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round features a historic, hand-carved carousel with calliope-style music, offering rides and a variety of snacks.
- Where
- Berkeley | More Info : Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round
Tilden Park Steam Trains at Christmas
- What to Expect
- Decorated steam trains with holiday decorations.
- Description
- Tilden Park Steam Trains transform into a toddler-friendly Holiday Train, decorated with twinkling lights, tiny snowflakes, and Christmas ornaments. The trains run on weekends before Christmas, offering a festive ride through the woods.
- Where
- Berkeley | More Info : Tilden Park Steam Trains at Christmas
Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink
- What to Expect
- Unique skating experience with private cabanas and fire pits.
- Description
- The Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink at City Center Bishop Ranch offers daily skating sessions and special weekend hours, with a grand opening ceremony featuring local skaters and performances by Kristi Yamaguchi. Enjoy the luxury of private cabanas and cozy fire pits during your 90-minute session.
- Where
- San Ramon | More Info : Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink
Walnut Creek on Ice
- What to Expect
- Completely cash-less experience with online and contactless payment options.
- Description
- Walnut Creek on Ice offers public skating sessions with 90-minute sessions available for general admission, including skate rental. The rink is subject to closure for holidays and private events, and advance booking is highly encouraged to ensure availability.
- Where
- Walnut Creek | More Info : Walnut Creek on Ice
Oakley Friday Night Bites
- What to Expect
- Live music and diverse food options in a community setting.
- Description
- Oakley Friday Night Bites is a family-friendly event featuring live music, 5-6 food trucks, and dessert/beverage trucks at Civic Center Plaza. Guests can bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy their meal and the concert in a park setting.
- Where
- Oakley | More Info : Oakley Friday Night Bites