Feel the holiday spirit in Foster City! Discover all the exciting events and activities with our guide. For Foster City residents and guests, our guide ensures you enjoy all the festive activities.
Popular events this holiday season include Enchant San Jose, a dazzling light maze and Christmas village that captivates visitors of all ages. Featuring beautifully crafted displays and holiday shopping, the Dickens Christmas Fair transports you to a Victorian holiday wonderland with live entertainment and unique artisanal goods. And the Civic Center Plaza Holiday Tree Lighting is something you definitely don't want to miss, as it showcases a stunning tree adorned with lights, accompanied by joyful community festivities. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Foster City
- Enchant San Jose (San Jose)
- Dickens Christmas Fair (Daly City)
- Holidays at Filoli (Woodside)
- Civic Center Plaza Holiday Tree Lighting (San Francisco)
- Holiday Open House & Wine Tasting (San Francisco)
- Mill Valley Lumber Yard Holiday Faire (Mill Valley)
- Napa Gifts ‘N Tyme Holiday Faire (Napa)
- Gamble Garden Winter Festival (Palo Alto)
- Holiday Magic - Gilroy Gardens (Gilroy)
- Pacifica Winter Elf Market (Pacifica)
See these and even more events listed below!
Foster City Holiday Light Displays
Civic Center Plaza Holiday Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Toy giveaway and holiday-themed activities in a festive setting.
Description:
The Civic Center Plaza Holiday Tree Lighting features festive performances, including the Tap Dancing Christmas Trees and magician Josh Farenbaugh. Enjoy holiday-themed activities like Santa letter writing and dreidel making, along with a toy giveaway for the first 400 children under 12. Festive bites and drinks are available for purchase, and the event culminates with the lighting of a 50-foot noble fir by Mayor London Breed at 5:30 PM.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Civic Center Plaza Holiday Tree Lighting
Enchant San Jose
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday light maze with a story-based adventure.
Description:
Enchant San Jose features an all-new World's Largest Christmas Light Maze, an ice-skating trail, and seasonal food and drink. Explore the captivating Reindeer Games maze, visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, and enjoy nightly caroling and mainstage entertainment.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Enchant San Jose
Santa's Landing - Enchant: San Jose
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday light maze with an original story.
Description:
At Santa's Landing - Enchant: San Jose, immerse yourself in a captivating holiday tale as you navigate through 80,000 square feet of breathtaking light sculptures. Explore the maze, glide along the ice skating trail, savor seasonal food and drink, and visit Santa and Mrs. Claus. This immersive experience offers something for everyone, from live music and entertainment to a charming holiday marketplace.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Santa's Landing - Enchant: San Jose
Holiday Tree Walk - Roaring Camp
What to Expect:
Winter-themed activities and Santa Claus visit.
Description:
Take a ride through the wintry redwoods of Bear Mountain aboard the Redwood Forest Steam Train. Enjoy hot cider and winter-themed activities while greeting Santa Claus in the town.
Where: Felton | More Info: Holiday Tree Walk - Roaring Camp
Holiday Lights Train - Roaring Camp
What to Expect:
Holiday lights train ride through Santa Cruz city streets.
Description:
Ride vintage train cars adorned with thousands of colorful lights through the streets of Santa Cruz, enjoying live music and hot cider while visiting Santa Claus.
Where: Felton | More Info: Holiday Lights Train - Roaring Camp
Foster City Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Open House & Wine Tasting
What to Expect:
Wine tasting and live jazz music in a beautifully decorated marketplace.
Description:
Celebrate the holidays at the Ferry Building Marketplace with a stroll through the decorated halls, wine tasting, and live music by the Awesome Orchestra Jazz Band. Enjoy warm drinks, holiday crafts, and a photo opportunity in the holiday portrait studio.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Holiday Open House & Wine Tasting
Mill Valley Lumber Yard Holiday Faire
What to Expect:
Live music and unique holiday 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. Enjoy the cozy ambiance by the fire pit and immerse yourself in the festive spirit.
Where: Mill Valley | More Info: Mill Valley Lumber Yard Holiday Faire
Napa Gifts ‘N Tyme Holiday Faire
What to Expect:
Unique blend of local art and gourmet food.
Description:
The 50th Annual Napa Gifts 'N Tyme Holiday Craft Faire showcases 82 local and regional artists with original crafts, artwork, holiday pieces, and gourmet foods. The event features a variety of handmade items, including Christmas ornaments, fine jewelry, watercolors, photography, pottery, and more. Gourmet food booths offer samples of olive oils, vinegars, fudge, and other special treats. Admission is free, and free parking is available all three days.
Where: Napa | More Info: Napa Gifts ‘N Tyme Holiday Faire
Gamble Garden Winter Festival
What to Expect:
Unique blend of holiday shopping and community events.
Description:
Gamble Garden's Winter Festival offers a variety of activities, including a festive marketplace, Over the Garden Fence sale, and holiday raffle. Enjoy wine tasting, holiday tree lighting, and special events like the Grand Opening Party and Holiday Night with Santa.
Where: Palo Alto | More Info: Gamble Garden Winter Festival
Pacifica Winter Elf Market
What to Expect:
Handmade crafts and local vendors.
Description:
The Pacifica Winter Elf Market is a holiday craft fair featuring handmade items from local artisans and community organizations. Visitors can shop for unique gifts and decorations while enjoying the festive atmosphere.
Where: Pacifica | More Info: Pacifica Winter Elf Market
Foster City Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Dickens Christmas Fair
What to Expect:
Immersive Victorian London setting with unique experiences.
Description:
Immerse yourself in Victorian London at the Dickens Christmas Fair, where historic Cow Palace exhibition halls are transformed into winding lanes and bustling playhouses. Enjoy theatres, pubs, dance parties, and charming shops filled with lively and colorful characters inspired by Charles Dickens. New experiences include Port and Chocolate Tastings, a mysterious Pub Crawl, and the Dark Garden Corset Experience.
Where: Daly City | More Info: Dickens Christmas Fair
Smuin's The Christmas Ballet
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with a blend of classical and contemporary dance.
Description:
Smuin's The Christmas Ballet is a vibrant holiday production blending ballet, Broadway, and contemporary dance. It features a mix of classical and modern pieces, including iconic numbers like "Santa Baby," set to festive carols and pop favorites. Choreographed by Michael Smuin, this annual extravaganza showcases the company's signature style with new additions each year.
Where: Walnut Creek | More Info: Smuin's The Christmas Ballet
Contra Costa's "The Nutcracker"
What to Expect:
Elaborate sets and costumes in a family-friendly ballet performance.
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"
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 show. Recommended for ages 3-6, the performance features an ASL-interpreted show on Saturday at 10 AM.
Where: Walnut Creek | More Info: The Biggest Gift
Once Upon a Christmas
What to Expect:
Award-winning ballet performance featuring youth performers.
Description:
Once Upon a Christmas is a fully narrated ballet featuring youth performers from The Ballet School. The story follows a clumsy Elf named Roho as he learns about believing in oneself and having confidence from the Dolls and Toys before their Christmas Eve journey. This holiday tradition is perfect for all ages and lasts approximately 60 minutes with no intermission.
Where: Walnut Creek | More Info: Once Upon a Christmas
Holiday Magic - Gilroy Gardens
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities with Santa's Workshop and live shows.
Description:
Gilroy Gardens presents a holiday celebration featuring jolly characters, live shows, ice skating, a grand feast in Snowflake Square, Santa's Workshop, and magical light displays. The event includes activities like Rudy's Roadtrip, Tinsel's Groove Train, North Pole Tonight, Mrs. Claus's Cookie Jam, and The Magic of Santa musical show. Visitors can also explore North Pole Village, meet Santa's elves, and enjoy festive food and drinks.
Where: Gilroy | More Info: Holiday Magic - Gilroy Gardens
Foster City Other Holiday Activities
Holidays at Filoli
What to Expect:
Elegant holiday events with bottomless sparkling wine and live piano music.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Filoli with beautifully decorated gardens, elegant events, and family-friendly activities. Enjoy daytime delights with warm drinks and hearty lunches, or indulge in evening experiences with immersive displays and live music.
Where: Woodside | More Info: Holidays at Filoli
Winter Wonderland - Tilden Park Merry Go Round
What to Expect:
Antique carousel with hand-carved animals and calliope music.
Description:
Tilden Park Merry Go Round offers a charming carousel ride with hand-carved wooden animals, calliope-style music, and a variety of snacks. The facility is wheelchair accessible and pet-friendly, with special events like Santa hours and holiday parties.
Where: Berkeley | More Info: Winter Wonderland - Tilden Park Merry Go Round
Selfies with Santa - Center City Bishop Ranch
What to Expect:
Interactive Santa photo sessions with a festive atmosphere.
Description:
Take photos with Santa at Alexander Square in City Center Bishop Ranch every Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 4pm. Parents can capture special moments with their little ones, and a North Pole mailbox is available for no postage required.
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!
- Belmont (3 miles)
- San Mateo (3 miles)
- San Carlos (4 miles)
- Redwood City (5 miles)
- Burlingame (5 miles)
- Millbrae (7 miles)
- Menlo Park (9 miles)
- San Bruno (9 miles)
- East Palo Alto (9 miles)
- South San Francisco (10 miles)
- Palo Alto (11 miles)
- San Lorenzo (12 miles)
- Pacifica (12 miles)
- Ashland (13 miles)
- Newark (13 miles)
- Hayward (13 miles)
- San Leandro (13 miles)
- Visitacion Valley (13 miles)
- Castro Valley (14 miles)
- Union City (14 miles)
- Daly City (15 miles)
- Alameda (15 miles)
- Los Altos (15 miles)
- Fremont (15 miles)
- Mountain View (16 miles)
- Noe Valley (16 miles)
- Mission District (16 miles)
- Oakland (17 miles)
- San Francisco (17 miles)
- Chinatown (18 miles)
- Sunnyvale (18 miles)
- Dublin (21 miles)
- Cupertino (21 miles)
- Berkeley (22 miles)
- San Ramon (22 miles)
- Santa Clara (22 miles)
- Danville (23 miles)
- Lafayette (24 miles)
- Saratoga (24 miles)
- El Cerrito (25 miles)
- San Jose (26 miles)
- Campbell (26 miles)
- Richmond (26 miles)
- Walnut Creek (27 miles)
- Los Gatos (28 miles)
- San Pablo (28 miles)
- Livermore (29 miles)
- Pleasant Hill (29 miles)
- Hercules (32 miles)
- Concord (32 miles)
- San Rafael (32 miles)
- Martinez (33 miles)
- Benicia (34 miles)
- Bay Point (37 miles)
- Vallejo (38 miles)
- Pittsburg (39 miles)
- Antioch (40 miles)
- Brentwood (41 miles)
- Santa Cruz (42 miles)
- American Canyon (43 miles)
- Oakley (43 miles)
- Morgan Hill (45 miles)