Christmas in San Francisco
San Franciscans have a batch of Christmas traditions of their own, including a lighted city skyline and some great musical events.
- Christmas Tree Lighting: Big trees go up at Ghirardelli Square, Pier 39 and Union Square, with the first lighting usually happening right after Thanksgiving. Take a photo tour of Union Square at Christmas.
- Chanticleer Christmas:
The San Francisco-based a capella singing group is a San Francisco area favorite, performing Gregorian chants and popular tunes in some of the area's prettiest venues, including historic Spanish missions in Santa Clara and Carmel.
- City Lights: The San Francisco skyline along the waterfront gets outlined in lights every holiday season. The best place to see them may be from Treasure Island (the one in the middle of the Bay Bridge).
- Black Nativity: The Lorraine Hansberry Theater offers a Gospel celebration inspired by the works of Langston Hughes, late November through December.
- Dickens Christmas Fair: A slice of the Old Country runs for five weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas at the Cow Palace with entertainment, food and drink and shopping.
- Carols in the Caves: Performer David Auerbach uses rare and unusual musical instruments to interpret Christmas standards in a new way. He performs in Napa Valley wine caves and other interesting spots.
More: Christmas in Los Angeles |
Christmas in Orange County |
Christmas in the rest of California