Get ready for an adventure-filled holiday season in Chinatown! Our guide features all the top festive events. For those who know Chinatown's every corner and those just beginning to explore, our guide reveals hidden holiday gems.
Popular events this season include the enchanting San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker, where magical performances capture the spirit of the holidays. Another highlight is SeaWorld San Diego Christmas Celebration, known for its stunning light displays and festive atmosphere. And the Knott’s Merry Farm is something you definitely don’t want to miss, offering a delightful mix of holiday charm and thrilling rides. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Chinatown
- Knott’s Merry Farm (Buena Park)
- SeaWorld San Diego Christmas Celebration (San Diego)
- San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker (San Francisco)
- Mission Inn Festival of Lights (Riverside)
- Enchanted Forest of Light (La Cañada Flintridge)
- Union Square Christmas Tree Lighting (San Francisco)
- Winter Fest OC (Costa Mesa)
- LA Zoo Lights (Los Angeles)
- Pier 39 Christmas Tree (San Francisco)
- Coachella Valley Magic of Lights (Indio)
See these and even more events listed below!
Chinatown Holiday Light Displays
Union Square Christmas Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Iconic 83-foot tall tree with 43,000 lights and 700 ornaments.
Description:
The Union Square Christmas Tree, a 83-foot tall tree decorated with 43,000 twinkling lights and 700 ornaments, stands in the heart of Union Square Park. This iconic tree is a symbol of the holiday season in San Francisco, attracting both locals and visitors with its grandeur and festive atmosphere.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Union Square Christmas Tree Lighting
Pier 39 Christmas Tree
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show on a massive Christmas tree.
Description:
A 60-foot tall, 13,000-pound White Fir Christmas tree at Pier 39 is adorned with over 15,000 energy-efficient LED lights and 500 ornaments. The tree transforms into a kaleidoscope of swirling colors synchronized to holiday music every half hour from 5-10 PM.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Pier 39 Christmas Tree
City Hall Holiday Lighting
What to Expect:
Dynamic LED lighting showcasing architectural details.
Description:
San Francisco City Hall is illuminated by over 220 state-of-the-art LED lighting fixtures every evening at sunset. The soft white glow showcases the play of light and shadow on the full façade and dome. Frequently, special lighting schemes celebrate events, seasons, and holidays.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: City Hall Holiday Lighting
Bill Graham Menorah Lighting
What to Expect:
Largest public menorah outside Israel.
Description:
The Bill Graham Menorah Lighting in Union Square is a 48-year tradition featuring a 25-foot-tall menorah, live music, and festive activities celebrating Hanukkah.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Bill Graham Menorah Lighting
Fairy Winterland
What to Expect:
Twinkling lights and diverse holiday activities.
Description:
Fairy Winterland at Children's Fairyland in Oakland, California, features twinkling lights, festive music, and activities like ornament making and candle dipping. Santa Claus visits, and there are puppet shows and holiday crafts.
Where: Oakland | More Info: Fairy Winterland
Broadway Plaza Holiday Parade of Lights
What to Expect:
Special Tree Lighting Ceremony led by Santa Claus.
Description:
The Broadway Plaza Holiday Parade of Lights is a festive holiday event featuring an evening parade, music, and a special Tree Lighting Ceremony led by Santa Claus.
Where: Walnut Creek | More Info: Broadway Plaza Holiday Parade of Lights
Enchanted Forest of Light
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations in a botanical garden setting.
Description:
Descanso Gardens transforms into a spectacular display of light and color with Enchanted Forest of Light, featuring intricate installations and ambient music that highlight the natural beauty of the gardens.
Where: La Cañada Flintridge | More Info: Enchanted Forest of Light
LA Zoo Lights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting with immersive lantern displays.
Description:
LA Zoo Lights features dazzling lantern sculptures of animals among blooming flowers, towering trees, and glowing rivers. This nature-focused holiday celebration includes a magical Holiday Forest with majestic pine trees and snow-loving animals, spectacular holiday photo spots, and the return of Santa himself. The event offers various special experiences, such as sensory-inclusive evenings and all-ages Pride Nights.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: LA Zoo Lights
Mission Inn Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Nation's largest holiday light collection with animated figures.
Description:
The Mission Inn Festival of Lights is a cherished annual tradition featuring over 500,000 visitors annually. It showcases one of the nation's largest holiday light collections, voted "Best Public Lights Display" by USA Today. The event includes lighted decorations, photo opportunities, food vendors, and activities, making it a special time for people of all ages.
Where: Riverside | More Info: Mission Inn Festival of Lights
Lightscape at San Diego Botanic Garden
What to Expect:
Immersive light and sound experience with over one million twinkling lights.
Description:
Lightscape at San Diego Botanic Garden features a one-mile walking trail with international artistic installations, including California poppy-inspired displays, illuminated laser skies, and fiber optic flowers, all coming to life with color, imagination, and sound.
Where: Encinitas | More Info: Lightscape at San Diego Botanic Garden
Imaginarium at Cal Expo
What to Expect:
Spectacular LED light displays with interactive experiences.
Description:
Imaginarium at Cal Expo features millions of lights, an LED rose garden, mirror worlds, and enchanted forests with larger-than-life creatures. It includes carnival rides, games, ice skating, and daily circus performances.
Where: Sacramento | More Info: Imaginarium at Cal Expo
Christmas Tree Lane
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday light display with unique house themes.
Description:
Christmas Tree Lane in Alameda, CA, features a century-old tradition where residents transform their homes into dazzling light spectacles, creating a mesmerizing corridor of holiday cheer with intricate decorations and elaborate themes.
Where: Alameda | More Info: Christmas Tree Lane
Christmas Tree Lane
What to Expect:
Historic deodar cedars strung with Christmas lights.
Description:
Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena features a mile-long driveway of 138-year-old deodar cedars adorned with Christmas lights, creating a spectacular holiday display.
Where: Altadena | More Info: Christmas Tree Lane
Coachella Valley Magic of Lights
What to Expect:
Spectacular light displays with life-sized dinosaurs and holiday characters.
Description:
Coachella Valley Magic of Lights is a dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience featuring favorite holiday scenes and characters using the latest LED technology and digital animations.
Where: Indio | More Info: Coachella Valley Magic of Lights
Imaginarium at Fairplex
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday light show with interactive experiences.
Description:
Imaginarium at Fairplex features 1.5 miles of holiday lights, a free 3x daily circus, Christmas trees, illuminated stars, and balloon drops. It includes nightly synchronized music and light shows, infinity mirror rooms, game experiences, and life-like interactive creatures.
Where: Pomona | More Info: Imaginarium at Fairplex
Zoo Lights at Santa Barbara Zoo
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday light display with interactive lanterns.
Description:
ZooLights at the Santa Barbara Zoo features thousands of handcrafted silk-covered lanterns lit with over 50,000 LED bulbs, showcasing animal and nature scenes from around the world.
Where: Santa Barbara | More Info: Zoo Lights at Santa Barbara Zoo
Chinatown Holiday Markets and Shopping
San Jose SFMade Holiday Fair
What to Expect:
Large-scale holiday craft fair with diverse vendors.
Description:
The San Jose SFMade Holiday Fair is a premier event featuring over 355 makers, artists, designers, and creative small businesses showcasing handmade goods and seasonal items. This event offers a diverse array of products, including food producers and workshop guides, all under one roof.
Where: San Jose | More Info: San Jose SFMade Holiday Fair
Chinatown 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. It tells the story of Clara's journey on Christmas Eve, including her encounters with the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Nutcracker Prince. The production includes a variety of colorful dances and historical settings, making it a delightful experience for all ages.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker
Golden Girls Christmas Episodes
What to Expect:
Parody Christmas episodes with drag legends.
Description:
The Golden Girls Live: The Christmas Episodes is a drag send-up and heartfelt tribute to the beloved TV show, featuring four drag legends in two parody Christmas episodes. Directed by Drollinger, the show includes Coco Peru as Dorothy, Matthew Martin as Blanche, D’Arcy Drollinger as Rose, and Holotta Tymes as Sophia. The cast also features Manuel Caneri, Michael Phillis, and Tom Shaw on piano.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Golden Girls Christmas Episodes
Katya: A Christmas Spectacular
What to Expect:
Unique blend of opera, pop, and comedy.
Description:
Katya: A Holiday Spectacular is a subversive and titillating holiday event featuring Countess Katya Smirnoff-Skyy, blending opera, pop, and booze-drenched comedy. The show includes classic holiday fare, madcap medleys, and full-disco Klezmer lunacy.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Katya: A Christmas Spectacular
Knott’s Merry Farm
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday shows and unique dining experiences.
Description:
Knott’s Merry Farm transforms into a classic holiday festival with thousands of twinkling lights, themed garland, and picturesque seasonal settings. Enjoy Christmas shows, a beloved ice show starring the Peanuts Gang, and delectable holiday dining food. The event also features a Christmas Crafts Village and a magical Snow and Glow experience.
Where: Buena Park | More Info: Knott’s Merry Farm
SeaWorld San Diego Christmas Celebration
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with live reindeer and synchronized light displays.
Description:
SeaWorld San Diego's Christmas Celebration features dazzling new Christmas shows, live reindeer, a 30-foot Christmas tree, and a music-activated tunnel of lights. Enjoy seasonal treats and meet Santa in his village while experiencing the wonders of SeaWorld with thrilling rides and animal presentations.
Where: San Diego | More Info: SeaWorld San Diego Christmas Celebration
Chinatown Holiday Giving Opportunities
Enchanted Village
What to Expect:
Fundraising event for Noah Homes with community activities.
Description:
Enchanted Village is a holiday event that brings joy to the community by raising funds for Noah Homes, providing exceptional residential care to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The event features various activities and fundraisers to support this noble cause.
Where: Spring Valley | More Info: Enchanted Village
Chinatown Other Holiday Activities
Sugar Castle at Westin St. Francis
What to Expect:
Interactive AR experience within a life-sized sugary castle.
Description:
The Sugar Castle at Westin St. Francis is a 12-foot-tall, hand-crafted French Chateau-inspired castle featuring 20 circular towers and 30 rooms. It includes a charming village and offers an augmented reality experience. The castle is a yearly tradition since 2005, created by Executive Pastry Chef Jean-Francois Houdré.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Sugar Castle at Westin St. Francis
Gingerbread House at Fairmont
What to Expect:
Edible holiday display with real gingerbread and See’s Candies.
Description:
The life-sized Gingerbread House at Fairmont San Francisco is a stunning edible structure made with hundreds of bricks of real gingerbread and pounds of See’s Candies, creating a delightful holiday display.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Gingerbread House at Fairmont
GoCar Tours
What to Expect:
Guided city tours in storytelling cars with GPS navigation.
Description:
GoCar Tours offers self-guided, GPS-enabled sightseeing adventures in various cities, allowing tourists to explore local landmarks and hidden gems at their own pace.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: GoCar Tours
Winter Fest OC
What to Expect:
Hands-on agricultural and culinary workshops.
Description:
Winter Fest OC at the OC Fair & Event Center offers a variety of activities, including farm garden workshops, live music, and family-friendly entertainment. The event features hands-on learning experiences about food preservation and chocolate truffle making, making it an ideal destination for those interested in agriculture and culinary arts.
Where: Costa Mesa | More Info: Winter Fest OC
Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square
What to Expect:
Unique outdoor ice skating experience with special events.
Description:
The Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square offers outdoor ice skating in downtown Los Angeles, featuring 60-minute sessions with general admission including skate rental. Special events include weekly DJ Spotlight Nights and Learn to Curl sessions.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square
Folsom Zoo Wild Nights
What to Expect:
Family-friendly Halloween event with various fun activities.
Description:
Join us at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary for the 4th Annual Wild Howl-O-Ween, featuring fun hands-on activities and a howling good time.
Where: Folsom | More Info: Folsom Zoo Wild Nights
Christmas on the Farm Ice Skating Rink
What to Expect:
Ice skating and holiday hayrides in a festive farm setting.
Description:
Vossler Farms presents Christmas on the Farm, featuring an ice skating rink, festive lights, and holiday hayrides. Enjoy family fun in a seasonal setting with activities for all ages.
Where: Visalia | More Info: Christmas on the Farm Ice Skating Rink
Paradise on Ice
What to Expect:
Comprehensive ice skating and hockey programs for all ages.
Description:
Ice Paradise offers public skating, expert lessons, and competitive ice hockey leagues for all ages. The rink features daily sessions, teen nights, college nights, and various programs including figure skating, youth hockey, and adult hockey. After skating, enjoy tasty snacks and drinks at the Rinkside Cafe.
Where: Paradise | More Info: Paradise on Ice
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- San Francisco (2 miles)
- Mission District (3 miles)
- Noe Valley (3 miles)
- Visitacion Valley (5 miles)
- Daly City (7 miles)
- Oakland (8 miles)
- Alameda (8 miles)
- Berkeley (9 miles)
- El Cerrito (10 miles)
- South San Francisco (10 miles)
- Richmond (10 miles)
- San Bruno (11 miles)
- San Pablo (12 miles)
- Pacifica (13 miles)
- Millbrae (14 miles)
- San Rafael (14 miles)
- San Leandro (15 miles)
- Burlingame (15 miles)
- Hercules (17 miles)
- San Mateo (17 miles)
- Lafayette (17 miles)
- San Lorenzo (17 miles)
- Ashland (18 miles)
- Foster City (18 miles)
- Castro Valley (19 miles)
- Hayward (20 miles)
- Walnut Creek (20 miles)
- Belmont (20 miles)
- Martinez (21 miles)
- San Carlos (22 miles)
- Pleasant Hill (22 miles)
- Benicia (22 miles)
- Danville (22 miles)
- Vallejo (23 miles)
- Redwood City (23 miles)
- San Ramon (24 miles)
- Concord (24 miles)
- Union City (25 miles)
- Dublin (27 miles)
- Menlo Park (27 miles)
- East Palo Alto (27 miles)
- Newark (27 miles)
- American Canyon (27 miles)
- Palo Alto (28 miles)
- Fremont (29 miles)
- Bay Point (29 miles)
- Petaluma (33 miles)
- Los Altos (33 miles)
- Pittsburg (33 miles)
- Mountain View (33 miles)
- Antioch (36 miles)
- Livermore (36 miles)
- Sunnyvale (36 miles)
- Suisun (37 miles)
- Fairfield (37 miles)
- Cupertino (39 miles)
- Santa Clara (39 miles)
- Brentwood (40 miles)
- Oakley (40 miles)
- Rohnert Park (41 miles)
- San Jose (42 miles)
- Saratoga (42 miles)
- Campbell (43 miles)
- Vacaville (45 miles)