Experience the best of the season in Castro Valley with our detailed guide. Whether you're here every year or just this once, our guide shows you the holiday wonders of Castro Valley.
This holiday season, immerse yourself in the magical glow of the Illuminate SF Festival of Light, showcasing stunning light installations that bring the city to life. Additionally, the Mission Inn Festival of Lights enchants visitors with over 5 million holiday lights and beautiful displays across the historic inn. And the San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a captivating performance that captures the essence of Christmas through exquisite dance. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Castro Valley
- Illuminate SF Festival of Light (San Francisco)
- San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker (San Francisco)
- Mission Inn Festival of Lights (Riverside)
- Holidays at Filoli (Woodside)
- The Guardsmen Tree Lot (San Francisco)
- Civic Center Plaza Holiday Tree Lighting (San Francisco)
- Parol Lantern Festival and Parade (San Francisco)
- Mill Valley Lumber Yard Holiday Faire (Mill Valley)
- Ferry Building Holiday Open House & Wine Tasting (San Francisco)
- Farley’s Christmas Wonderland (Santa Cruz)
See these and even more events listed below!
Castro Valley Holiday Light Displays
Illuminate SF Festival of Light
What to Expect:
Diverse light art installations by international and local artists.
Description:
Illuminate SF Festival of Light transforms San Francisco into a radiant canvas of light art, featuring dozens of site-specific artworks by world-renowned artists. The festival showcases both permanent and temporary installations, including iconic pieces like Leo Villareal’s Bay Lights and Jenny Holzer’s White Light. Most installations are accessible by public transportation and free to view.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Illuminate SF Festival of Light
Mission Inn Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Nation's largest holiday light collection.
Description:
The Mission Inn Festival of Lights is a cherished annual tradition featuring over 4.5 million twinkling lights, live entertainment, and holiday-themed decorations.
Where: Riverside | More Info: Mission Inn Festival of Lights
Holidays at Filoli
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday light displays and unique activities.
Description:
Filoli Historic House & Garden transforms into a vibrant holiday destination with stunning light displays, festive decorations, and various activities such as holiday teas, private fire pit experiences, and visits with Santa. The estate offers both daytime and evening admissions, allowing guests to explore the beautifully adorned House and Gardens in different settings.
Where: Woodside | More Info: Holidays at Filoli
Holiday Lights at Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds
What to Expect:
Spectacular lighted holiday displays with giant Christmas trees and festive decorations.
Description:
Holiday Lights at Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds features a 3/4 mile drive-through experience with millions of lights decorating tractors, trees, lawns, and buildings. Enjoy holiday carols from local radio stations while viewing community and family entries, including a youth designer awardee.
Where: Watsonville | More Info: Holiday Lights at Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds
Farley’s Christmas Wonderland
What to Expect:
Traditional Christmas display with fairy grotto and waterfalls.
Description:
Farley’s Christmas Wonderland is a traditional walk-in Christmas display in Santa Cruz, CA, featuring numerous Christmas trees, garlands, sleighs, an elf village, and a fairy grotto with waterfalls. Visitors can explore the exhibit, sit in the Fairy Garden, and enjoy the waterfall or relax in the log cabin by the fireplace.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Farley’s Christmas Wonderland
Entwined in Golden Gate Park
What to Expect:
Interactive light-controlled tree with wind movement.
Description:
Entwined in Golden Gate Park features a 30-ft metal sculpted tree, Elder Mother, with a 25-ft canopy that moves in the wind and offers 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
Castro Valley Holiday Markets and Shopping
The Guardsmen Tree Lot
What to Expect:
Unique holiday shopping experience with all proceeds supporting local youth.
Description:
The Guardsmen Tree Lot offers a vast selection of Christmas trees and holiday decorations, with all proceeds benefiting at-risk youth in the Bay Area. The event features a variety of special activities, including family days, comedy nights, and a crab feed, making it a unique and charitable holiday experience.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: The Guardsmen Tree Lot
Ferry Building Holiday Open House & Wine Tasting
What to Expect:
Napa wine tastings and live jazz music in a decorated marketplace.
Description:
The Ferry Building Holiday Open House & Wine Tasting features Napa wine tastings, live music by the Awesome Orchestra Jazz Band, holiday crafts, and a photo studio. Enjoy warm drinks and festive vibes in the beautifully decorated marketplace.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Ferry Building Holiday Open House & Wine Tasting
Mill Valley Lumber Yard Holiday Faire
What to Expect:
Local artisans and makers selling handmade goods.
Description:
The Mill Valley Lumber Yard Holiday Faire offers live music, unique holiday shopping, photos with Santa, a dog parade, crafts, delicious food, and warm drinks by the fire pit.
Where: Mill Valley | More Info: Mill Valley Lumber Yard Holiday Faire
Heritage Holiday Craft and Gift Fair
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience with handmade crafts and holiday lights.
Description:
The Heritage Holiday Craft and Gift Fair is a premier holiday event featuring three large buildings filled with handmade crafts, gifts, antiques, collectibles, and toys. Enjoy great food favorites in the Heritage Holiday Kitchens and stroll through the holiday lights throughout the fairgrounds.
Where: Watsonville | More Info: Heritage Holiday Craft and Gift Fair
Castro Valley Holiday Shows and Entertainment
San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker is a classic holiday ballet featuring Tchaikovsky's iconic score, elaborate sets, and costumes. The performance includes a variety of dances and characters, set in San Francisco in 1915 during the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. It is a family-friendly event suitable for all ages.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker
Civic Center Plaza Holiday Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Toy giveaway and holiday-themed activities.
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, singer Doris Bumpus, and appearances by Christmas VIPs and Santa. It also offers "snow" flurries and a wonderful backdrop for photos across from an illuminated City Hall.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Civic Center Plaza Holiday Tree Lighting
Castro Valley Other Holiday Activities
Parol Lantern Festival and Parade
What to Expect:
Traditional Filipino parols and cultural performances.
Description:
The Parol Lantern Festival is an annual celebration at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in December, featuring traditional Filipino parols, live music, cultural performances, and a Taste of Christmas with traditional holiday dishes. The event includes a Parol Stroll and the Tala Awards, showcasing community and professional parol lanterns.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Parol Lantern Festival and Parade
Boulder Creek Tree Lighting and Santa Visit
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with Santa visit and festive activities.
Description:
Join Boulder Creek for a festive holiday event featuring music, tree lighting, Santa's arrival, a food court, and vendors. Enjoy activities like a petting zoo, photos with Santa, and DIY crafts.
Where: Boulder Creek | More Info: Boulder Creek Tree Lighting and Santa Visit
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Christmas Celebrations
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with a 3-story tall Christmas tree and festive decorations.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk with festive decorations, holiday lights, and a 3-story tall Christmas tree. Enjoy select Boardwalk rides, attractions, and arcades, along with delicious treats and photos with Santa.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Christmas Celebrations
Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round and Steam Trains at Christmas
What to Expect:
Antique carousel with festive food and drinks.
Description:
Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round and Steam Trains offer a delightful holiday experience with hand-carved carousel animals and calliope-style music, accompanied by festive food and drinks.
Where: Berkeley | More Info: Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round and Steam Trains at Christmas
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Ashland (2 miles)
- Hayward (2 miles)
- San Lorenzo (2 miles)
- San Leandro (4 miles)
- Union City (8 miles)
- Dublin (8 miles)
- San Ramon (8 miles)
- Danville (10 miles)
- Alameda (11 miles)
- Fremont (11 miles)
- Newark (12 miles)
- Oakland (13 miles)
- Lafayette (13 miles)
- Foster City (14 miles)
- Walnut Creek (15 miles)
- East Palo Alto (16 miles)
- Belmont (16 miles)
- San Mateo (16 miles)
- Berkeley (16 miles)
- San Carlos (16 miles)
- Redwood City (17 miles)
- Burlingame (17 miles)
- Menlo Park (17 miles)
- Livermore (17 miles)
- Visitacion Valley (17 miles)
- Pleasant Hill (18 miles)
- Palo Alto (18 miles)
- Millbrae (18 miles)
- South San Francisco (18 miles)
- San Bruno (18 miles)
- Mission District (19 miles)
- Chinatown (19 miles)
- San Francisco (19 miles)
- Noe Valley (19 miles)
- El Cerrito (20 miles)
- Concord (20 miles)
- Daly City (21 miles)
- Mountain View (21 miles)
- Los Altos (21 miles)
- Richmond (22 miles)
- Pacifica (23 miles)
- Martinez (23 miles)
- Sunnyvale (23 miles)
- San Pablo (23 miles)
- Bay Point (24 miles)
- Santa Clara (25 miles)
- Benicia (25 miles)
- Hercules (25 miles)
- Pittsburg (26 miles)
- Cupertino (26 miles)
- Antioch (26 miles)
- San Jose (27 miles)
- Brentwood (27 miles)
- Campbell (29 miles)
- Oakley (29 miles)
- Vallejo (30 miles)
- Saratoga (30 miles)
- San Rafael (31 miles)
- Los Gatos (33 miles)
- American Canyon (35 miles)
- Tracy (36 miles)
- Suisun (38 miles)
- Fairfield (38 miles)