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!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Burlingame
- Holidays at Filoli (Woodside)
- Christmas at Kohl Mansion
- Calistoga Christmas Faire (Calistoga)
- Holiday in the Vineyards (Calistoga)
- Entwined at Golden Gate Park (San Francisco)
- Tilden Park Steam Trains at Christmas (Berkeley)
- Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round (Berkeley)
- Fairy Winterland (Oakland)
- Once Upon a Christmas (Walnut Creek)
- The Biggest Gift (Walnut Creek)
See these and even more events listed below!
Burlingame Holiday Light Displays
Holidays at Filoli
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
Fairy Winterland
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
Entwined at Golden Gate Park
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
Santa's Landing - Enchant: San Jose
What to Expect:
Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus in a festive setting.
Description:
At Santa's Landing, meet Santa Claus and share your holiday wishes. Enjoy storytime with Mrs. Claus and capture cherished moments with a photo.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Santa's Landing - Enchant: San Jose
Annual Holiday Tree Lighting
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
Burlingame Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas at Kohl Mansion
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
Calistoga Christmas Faire
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with live performances and local vendors.
Description:
The Calistoga Christmas Faire is a cherished annual event featuring local artisans, kids' crafts, a firefighter's toy drive, live performances, and a special visit from Santa Claus. Enjoy community performances, warm hospitality, delicious food, and local wines. Shop till you drop and participate in festive activities with local businesses and community groups.
Where: Calistoga | More Info: Calistoga Christmas Faire
Burlingame Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Contra Costa's "The Nutcracker"
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"
Smuin's The Christmas Ballet
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
The Biggest Gift
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
Once Upon a Christmas
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
Holiday Night with Santa
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
Santa Arrives by Helicopter
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
Burlingame Other Holiday Activities
Holiday in the Vineyards
What to Expect:
Unique culinary and wine pairing experience with local talent.
Description:
Indulge in mouthwatering creations from Napa Valley’s top culinary talent, perfectly paired with Calistoga’s finest wines. The event features a collaborative chefs' dinner, a grand wine tasting with live music, and a farewell brunch.
Where: Calistoga | More Info: Holiday in the Vineyards
Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round
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
Tilden Park Steam Trains at Christmas
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
Breakfast with Santa Claus
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
Winter Wonderland - Tilden Park Merry Go Round
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
Selfies with Santa - Center City Bishop Ranch
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
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Millbrae (2 miles)
- San Mateo (3 miles)
- San Bruno (4 miles)
- South San Francisco (5 miles)
- Foster City (5 miles)
- Belmont (7 miles)
- Pacifica (7 miles)
- San Carlos (8 miles)
- Visitacion Valley (9 miles)
- Redwood City (10 miles)
- Daly City (10 miles)
- Noe Valley (12 miles)
- Mission District (12 miles)
- San Francisco (14 miles)
- Menlo Park (14 miles)
- Alameda (14 miles)
- East Palo Alto (15 miles)
- San Lorenzo (15 miles)
- Chinatown (15 miles)
- San Leandro (15 miles)
- Palo Alto (16 miles)
- Ashland (16 miles)
- Oakland (16 miles)
- Hayward (17 miles)
- Castro Valley (17 miles)
- Newark (18 miles)
- Union City (19 miles)
- Los Altos (19 miles)
- Berkeley (21 miles)
- Mountain View (21 miles)
- Fremont (21 miles)
- El Cerrito (23 miles)
- Sunnyvale (23 miles)
- Richmond (24 miles)
- Lafayette (25 miles)
- Dublin (25 miles)
- San Ramon (25 miles)
- Cupertino (26 miles)
- Danville (26 miles)
- San Pablo (26 miles)
- Santa Clara (28 miles)
- Walnut Creek (28 miles)
- San Rafael (28 miles)
- Saratoga (29 miles)
- Pleasant Hill (30 miles)
- Hercules (30 miles)
- Campbell (31 miles)
- San Jose (31 miles)
- Martinez (33 miles)
- Los Gatos (33 miles)
- Concord (33 miles)
- Livermore (33 miles)
- Benicia (34 miles)
- Vallejo (36 miles)
- Bay Point (38 miles)
- Pittsburg (40 miles)
- American Canyon (41 miles)
- Antioch (42 miles)
- Brentwood (44 miles)