Feel the holiday anticipation in Palo Alto! Discover all the top festive events and activities with our guide. From Palo Alto locals to holiday pilgrims, this guide illuminates the city's festive tapestry.
Experience the joy of skating under twinkling lights at the Union Square Ice Rink, where laughter and holiday spirit fill the air. Alongside this, Let’s Glow SF promises a mesmerizing display of seasonal lights and interactive art installations. And the enchanting trails of Enchant San Jose are something you definitely don't want to miss, offering stunning holiday-themed exhibits and activities for all ages. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Palo Alto
- Union Square Ice Rink (San Francisco)
- Enchant San Jose (San Jose)
- Let’s Glow SF (San Francisco)
- Thrive City’s Winter Wonderland (San Francisco)
- Holidays at Filoli (Woodside)
- Ghirardelli Square Holiday Events (San Francisco)
- SF’s Drag Queens on Ice (San Francisco)
- Bill Graham Menorah Lighting (San Francisco)
- Merry Meritage Winter Village (Napa)
- Santa Train Jolly Journeys with the Napa Valley Wine Train (Napa)
See these and even more events listed below!
Palo Alto Holiday Light Displays
Holidays at Filoli
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday light display with behind-the-scenes tours and festive activities.
Description:
Filoli Estate & Gardens transform into a spectacular holiday display with thousands of lights, 3,600 strands of lights, and over 7,000 ornaments. The event features a 210-foot-long light tunnel, daytime and evening admissions, and various seasonal activities.
Where: Woodside | More Info: Holidays at Filoli
Let’s Glow SF
What to Expect:
High-tech projection of animated art on iconic SF buildings.
Description:
Let's Glow SF is a free outdoor holiday event showcasing large-scale animated art across seven iconic SF buildings using high-tech projectors and lasers from December 6th to 15th.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Let’s Glow SF
Thrive City’s Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Immersive light displays and family-friendly entertainment.
Description:
Thrive City’s Winter Wonderland is a festive celebration featuring immersive light displays and entertainment for the whole family.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Thrive City’s Winter Wonderland
Ghirardelli Square Holiday Events
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with live music and festive lights.
Description:
Ghirardelli Square transforms into a holiday hub with festive lights, holiday tunes by the SF Boys Chorus, and Santa's arrival to illuminate the square. Visitors can enjoy live music, holiday movies, and the aroma of chocolate, creating a memorable holiday experience.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Ghirardelli Square Holiday Events
Enchant San Jose
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday light maze with a captivating original story.
Description:
Enchant San Jose features a world-class Christmas light maze, ice skating trail, and seasonal food and drink. The event includes visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, nightly caroling, and mainstage entertainment. It offers various ticket packages and special events like theme nights.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Enchant San Jose
Bill Graham Menorah Lighting
What to Expect:
Community-driven Hanukkah celebration with a giant public menorah.
Description:
The Bill Graham Menorah Lighting in Union Square is a 48-year tradition featuring a 25-foot menorah, live music, and various activities including kids' crafts and entertainment. It celebrates Hanukkah with community gatherings and lighting ceremonies each night from December 7th to 14th.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Bill Graham Menorah Lighting
Palo Alto Holiday Markets and Shopping
Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden Holiday Workshops
What to Expect:
Unique blend of holiday shopping and community celebration.
Description:
Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden's Winter Festival offers a variety of activities, including a festive marketplace, Over The Garden Fence Winter Edition sale, holiday raffle, and special events like the Grand Opening Party and Holiday Night with Santa. The event provides one-stop shopping for holiday gifts, greenery, and décor in a beautifully decorated and illuminated garden atmosphere.
Where: Palo Alto | More Info: Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden Holiday Workshops
Palo Alto Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Beautifully decorated garden with holiday shopping and activities.
Description:
Gamble Garden's Winter Festival is a weekend celebration featuring a festive marketplace, holiday shopping, wine tasting, and holiday activities for all ages.
Where: Palo Alto | More Info: Palo Alto Holiday Market
Palo Alto Holiday Shows and Entertainment
SF’s Drag Queens on Ice
What to Expect:
On-ice performances by Bay Area drag queens.
Description:
SF’s Drag Queens on Ice features an evening of glitz and glam with performances by Bay Area drag queens, offering a unique blend of holiday cheer and on-ice exuberance.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: SF’s Drag Queens on Ice
Hillsdale Shopping Center Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Live music tribute with tree lighting ceremony.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season with Hillsdale Shopping Center's Rockin' Holiday Show and Tree Lighting, featuring a live music tribute and dazzling lights.
Where: San Mateo | More Info: Hillsdale Shopping Center Tree Lighting
Palo Alto Other Holiday Activities
Union Square Ice Rink
What to Expect:
Unique blend of holiday festivities and ice skating with special themed events.
Description:
The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square, presented by Kaiser Permanente, offers outdoor ice skating and holiday festivities in downtown San Francisco. Special events include Drag Queens on Ice, Silent Skate, and Polar Bear Skate. Skaters with little to no experience can learn from professional instructors every weekend.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Union Square Ice Rink
Santa Skivvies Run
What to Expect:
Inclusive holiday underwear fun run supporting HIV/AIDS services.
Description:
Santa Skivvies Run is an annual holiday underwear fun run/walk that weaves through the iconic Castro neighborhood, supporting the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. Participants can choose to walk, run, scooter, skip, or skate the one-mile course while wearing festive holiday attire or their own skivvies. The event includes a drag show and award ceremony, providing a body-positive and inclusive celebration.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Santa Skivvies Run
Santa Train Jolly Journeys with the Napa Valley Wine Train
What to Expect:
Holiday train ride with Santa and festive meals.
Description:
Embark on a holiday journey with the Napa Valley Wine Train, featuring cheerful carolers, hot cider, and photo opportunities with Santa. Choose from various experiences, including Santa’s Cookie Car, Gourmet Holiday Express, Jingle on the Rails, and Very Merry Vista Dome. Each journey includes a festive meal, holiday cookies, and cocoa, making it a memorable experience for all.
Where: Napa | More Info: Santa Train Jolly Journeys with the Napa Valley Wine Train
Merry Meritage Winter Village
What to Expect:
Outdoor ice rink and igloos.
Description:
The Merry Meritage Winter Village transforms The Meritage Resort into a vibrant holiday destination with an outdoor ice rink, igloos, fire pits, and daily "snow." Enjoy luxury accommodations, unlimited ice skating for two, and a $50 daily resort credit for additional activities and amenities.
Where: Napa | More Info: Merry Meritage Winter Village
Filoli Historic House & Garden Holiday Workshops
What to Expect:
Elegant holiday tea service in a historic garden setting.
Description:
Filoli Historic House & Garden offers a variety of holiday workshops and activities, including holiday teas, wreath-making parties, and private fire pit experiences. Guests can explore the beautifully decorated house and gardens, indulge in elegant tea services, and participate in family-friendly activities like visiting Santa.
Where: Woodside | More Info: Filoli Historic House & Garden Holiday Workshops
Redwood City Downtown Holiday Events
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with diverse entertainment and activities.
Description:
Redwood City Downtown Holiday Events feature a variety of activities including complementary Santa pictures, assorted vendors, entertainment at Courthouse Square, and a Hometown Holidays Parade Extravaganza.
Where: Redwood City | More Info: Redwood City Downtown Holiday Events
San Mateo County Fairgrounds Holiday Events
What to Expect:
Year-round programs and exhibits showcasing community projects.
Description:
The San Mateo County Fairgrounds host a variety of holiday events, including competitive exhibits, special events, and commercial vendors. The grounds offer a range of activities and attractions that celebrate culture, technology, agriculture, horticulture, arts, and sustainability.
Where: San Mateo | More Info: San Mateo County Fairgrounds Holiday Events
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- East Palo Alto (2 miles)
- Menlo Park (2 miles)
- Los Altos (4 miles)
- Mountain View (5 miles)
- Redwood City (6 miles)
- Sunnyvale (8 miles)
- San Carlos (8 miles)
- Newark (8 miles)
- Belmont (9 miles)
- Cupertino (10 miles)
- Foster City (11 miles)
- Fremont (11 miles)
- Santa Clara (12 miles)
- Union City (13 miles)
- San Mateo (13 miles)
- Saratoga (14 miles)
- Campbell (15 miles)
- San Jose (15 miles)
- Burlingame (16 miles)
- Hayward (16 miles)
- San Lorenzo (17 miles)
- Millbrae (17 miles)
- Los Gatos (18 miles)
- Ashland (18 miles)
- Castro Valley (18 miles)
- San Leandro (20 miles)
- San Bruno (20 miles)
- South San Francisco (21 miles)
- Dublin (21 miles)
- Pacifica (22 miles)
- Alameda (24 miles)
- Visitacion Valley (24 miles)
- San Ramon (25 miles)
- Daly City (25 miles)
- Oakland (26 miles)
- Livermore (26 miles)
- Noe Valley (27 miles)
- Mission District (27 miles)
- Danville (27 miles)
- San Francisco (28 miles)
- Chinatown (28 miles)
- Berkeley (31 miles)
- Lafayette (31 miles)
- Walnut Creek (32 miles)
- Santa Cruz (33 miles)
- El Cerrito (34 miles)
- Morgan Hill (34 miles)
- Pleasant Hill (35 miles)
- Richmond (36 miles)
- Concord (38 miles)
- San Pablo (38 miles)
- Martinez (40 miles)
- Hercules (41 miles)
- Brentwood (42 miles)
- Bay Point (42 miles)
- Benicia (42 miles)
- San Rafael (42 miles)
- Watsonville (42 miles)
- Pittsburg (43 miles)
- Antioch (43 miles)
- Gilroy (44 miles)
- Tracy (44 miles)