Discover the essence of the holidays in Mission District! Our guide covers all the key festive events. From those who know Mission District's secrets to those eager to uncover them, our guide reveals festive treasures.
Popular events this holiday season include the Union Square Tree Lighting Ceremony, a captivating celebration where the city's iconic tree sparkles with thousands of lights. Another highlight is the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights, showcasing beautifully decorated boats illuminating the bay. And the FAN EXPO San Francisco 2024 is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a unique blend of holiday spirit and fandom. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Mission District
- San Diego Bay Parade of Lights (San Diego)
- FAN EXPO San Francisco 2024 (San Francisco)
- December Nights at Balboa Park (San Diego)
- Union Square Tree Lighting Ceremony (San Francisco)
- The Holiday Market and Trail at Petco Park (San Diego)
- Holidays at Filoli (Woodside)
- Illuminate SF Festival of Light (San Francisco)
- A Very Furry Christmas Celebration at Sesame Place (Chula Vista)
- The Great Dickens Christmas Fair (Daly City)
- San Francisco International Automobile Show (San Francisco)
See these and even more events listed below!
Mission District Holiday Light Displays
Embarcadero Center Building Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Spectacular light display with 17,000 lights and festive activities.
Description:
The Embarcadero Center Building Lighting Ceremony features a family fun carnival with activities like carnival games, face painting, and a special appearance by Santa and his elves. The event culminates in the illumination of the San Francisco skyline with 17,000 lights outlining Embarcadero Center.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Embarcadero Center Building Lighting Ceremony
Illuminate SF Festival of Light
What to Expect:
Dazzling light art installations by international and local artists.
Description:
San Francisco transforms into a radiant canvas of light art during the Illuminate SF Festival of Light, featuring over 40 artists and 60 installations across 17 neighborhoods. This event showcases a curated selection of illuminated artworks along the Embarcadero and in nearby neighborhoods, including permanent and temporary installations by world-renowned artists.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Illuminate SF Festival of Light
Union Square Tree Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Iconic 83-foot tree with 43,000 LED lights and 700 ornaments.
Description:
The 83-foot Macy's Great Tree in Union Square Park is decorated with 43,000 twinkling LED lights and 700 ornaments. This iconic tree is a central part of San Francisco's holiday celebrations, offering a stunning display of festive lights and decorations.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Union Square Tree Lighting Ceremony
Holidays at Filoli
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday light displays and unique private experiences.
Description:
Holidays at Filoli features beautifully decorated gardens and a historic house with immersive light displays, holiday teas, and private fire pit experiences.
Where: Woodside | More Info: Holidays at Filoli
Fairy Winterland
What to Expect:
Twinkling lights and culturally diverse holiday displays.
Description:
Fairy Winterland at Children's Fairyland in Oakland, California, features 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.
Where: Oakland | More Info: Fairy Winterland
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
What to Expect:
Lavishly decorated boats with a "Peace on Earth" theme.
Description:
The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights is a time-honored holiday tradition featuring approximately 80 lavishly decorated boats that parade through San Diego Bay, entertaining bayfront crowds with a festive and delightful experience.
Where: San Diego | More Info: San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
Mission District Holiday Markets and Shopping
The Holiday Market and Trail at Petco Park
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday experience with live reindeer and Santa visits.
Description:
The Holiday Market at Petco Park features local artisan shops, seasonal food and beverages, Santa, live reindeer, and enchanting light displays. Visitors can enjoy a 40-foot Christmas Tree, carousel rides, and live entertainment. The event offers a variety of activities for all ages, including visits with Santa and opportunities to tell him Christmas wishes.
Where: San Diego | More Info: The Holiday Market and Trail at Petco Park
Mission District Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair
What to Expect:
Immersive Victorian London experience with diverse activities and entertainment.
Description:
Immerse yourself in Victorian London at The Great Dickens Christmas Fair, featuring over 4 acres of winding lanes, music halls, theaters, pubs, and dance parties. Explore charming shops filled with handmade gifts and enjoy holiday revelry amidst hundreds of lively, colorful characters. New experiences include Port Chocolate and Champagne Tastings, a mysterious Pub Crawl, and the Dark Garden Corset Experience. Shop, play, and feast in this lamp-lit city brimming with Dickensian delights.
Where: Daly City | More Info: The Great Dickens Christmas Fair
San Francisco Hip-Hop Dance Festival
What to Expect:
World-class hip hop dance performances with diverse artists.
Description:
The San Francisco International Hip Hop DanceFest is a premier event showcasing world-class hip hop dance performances, featuring diverse artists and curated by Micaya. The festival includes the Respect Podcast, offering insights into the creative process of participating artists.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: San Francisco Hip-Hop Dance Festival
December Nights at Balboa Park
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with STEAM activities and free photos with Santa.
Description:
December Nights at Balboa Park is a two-day event featuring live music, STEAM activities, free photos with Santa, lights displays, and a variety of attractions and delicious food.
Where: San Diego | More Info: December Nights at Balboa Park
A Very Furry Christmas Celebration at Sesame Place
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday celebration with Sesame Street characters.
Description:
A Very Furry Christmas Celebration at Sesame Place features Sesame Street friends in holiday attire, with a 24-foot tall Christmas Tree, exciting rides, and activities like the Sesame Street Christmas show, parade, and dance party. Guests can also participate in games, enjoy special food and beverages, and shop for unique holiday merchandise.
Where: Chula Vista | More Info: A Very Furry Christmas Celebration at Sesame Place
Mission District Other Holiday Activities
FAN EXPO San Francisco 2024
What to Expect:
Ultimate celebration of pop culture with celebrity meet-and-greets and exclusive merchandise.
Description:
FAN EXPO San Francisco 2024 is a three-day celebration of pop culture, featuring celebrity guests, cosplay, comics, anime, and gaming. Attendees can meet iconic stars, participate in photo ops and autograph sessions, and explore exclusive merchandise. The event offers a vibrant playground for fans to connect with their favorite fandoms.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: FAN EXPO San Francisco 2024
San Francisco International Automobile Show
What to Expect:
Interactive exhibits and hands-on experiences with the latest automotive technology.
Description:
The San Francisco International Automobile Show is an annual event showcasing the latest automotive models, technologies, and innovations from various car manufacturers. It features a wide range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, SUVs, electric vehicles, luxury vehicles, and concept cars. Visitors can explore the latest models, interact with automotive experts, and learn about the latest trends in the automotive industry.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: San Francisco International Automobile Show
Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round
What to Expect:
Antique carousel with hand-carved wooden animals.
Description:
Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round features an antique carousel with hand-carved wooden animals, calliope-style music, and a wheelchair-accessible snack stand. It offers rides for all ages, including children under 38 inches who require a ticket but get a free adult chaperone.
Where: Berkeley | More Info: Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round
Tilden Park Steam Trains at Christmas
What to Expect:
Decorated steam train rides with festive holiday decorations.
Description:
Tilden Park Steam Trains transform into a toddler-friendly Holiday Train, decorated with twinkling lights, tiny snowflakes, and Christmas ornaments. The trains offer rides along a scenic ridge, providing a festive experience for families. Weather permitting, the steam trains are open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 7 pm, with Father Solstice riding a special train and waving to children.
Where: Berkeley | More Info: Tilden Park 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!
- San Francisco (1 miles)
- Noe Valley (1 miles)
- Chinatown (3 miles)
- Visitacion Valley (3 miles)
- Daly City (4 miles)
- South San Francisco (7 miles)
- Oakland (9 miles)
- Alameda (9 miles)
- San Bruno (9 miles)
- Pacifica (11 miles)
- Berkeley (11 miles)
- Millbrae (11 miles)
- El Cerrito (12 miles)
- Burlingame (12 miles)
- Richmond (13 miles)
- San Pablo (15 miles)
- San Mateo (15 miles)
- San Leandro (15 miles)
- San Rafael (16 miles)
- Foster City (16 miles)
- San Lorenzo (17 miles)
- Ashland (17 miles)
- Belmont (18 miles)
- Lafayette (19 miles)
- Castro Valley (19 miles)
- Hercules (19 miles)
- San Carlos (20 miles)
- Hayward (20 miles)
- Redwood City (21 miles)
- Walnut Creek (22 miles)
- Danville (23 miles)
- Pleasant Hill (23 miles)
- Martinez (24 miles)
- San Ramon (24 miles)
- Benicia (25 miles)
- Union City (25 miles)
- Menlo Park (25 miles)
- East Palo Alto (25 miles)
- Vallejo (25 miles)
- Concord (26 miles)
- Newark (26 miles)
- Palo Alto (27 miles)
- Dublin (27 miles)
- Fremont (28 miles)
- American Canyon (30 miles)
- Los Altos (31 miles)
- Bay Point (31 miles)
- Mountain View (32 miles)
- Sunnyvale (34 miles)
- Pittsburg (35 miles)
- Petaluma (35 miles)
- Livermore (36 miles)
- Cupertino (37 miles)
- Antioch (37 miles)
- Santa Clara (38 miles)
- Suisun (39 miles)
- Fairfield (40 miles)
- Saratoga (41 miles)
- San Jose (41 miles)
- Brentwood (41 miles)
- Campbell (42 miles)
- Oakley (42 miles)
- Rohnert Park (43 miles)
- Los Gatos (44 miles)