Get set for a holiday adventure in San Bruno with our guide. Discover all the exciting festive happenings. From San Bruno regulars to holiday tourists, our guide unlocks the city's festive treasures for everyone.
Popular events highlight the charm of the season, such as the Union Square Ice Rink, where you can glide across sparkling ice amid festive decorations. The enchanting SF Ballet’s Nutcracker brings the holiday spirit to life with its captivating performances and delightful music. And the Holidays at Filoli is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring stunning gardens and beautiful light displays. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around San Bruno
- Union Square Ice Rink (San Francisco)
- SF Ballet’s Nutcracker (San Francisco)
- Holidays at Filoli (Woodside)
- Pier 39 HapPIER Holidays (San Francisco)
- Ghirardelli Square Christmas Activities (San Francisco)
- Thrive City’s Winter Wonderland (San Francisco)
- Winter Wonderland at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (Santa Cruz)
- Holiday Magic - Gilroy Gardens (Gilroy)
- Holiday Lights Train - Roaring Camp (Felton)
- Tree Lighting Ceremony - Downtown Santa Rosa (Santa Rosa)
See these and even more events listed below!
San Bruno Holiday Light Displays
Holidays at Filoli
What to Expect:
Historic estate with extensive holiday lighting and decorations.
Description:
Filoli Estate transforms into a vibrant holiday destination with meticulously adorned houses and gardens, featuring over 3,600 strands of lights, a 210-foot light tunnel, and 7,000 ornaments. Guests can enjoy daytime delights with warm drinks and lunch at the Quail Café, while evening admission offers immersive displays under the stars.
Where: Woodside | More Info: Holidays at Filoli
Thrive City’s Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Tree lighting ceremony with local celebrity tree lighters.
Description:
Thrive City’s Winter Wonderland is a festive celebration featuring a tree lighting ceremony with local celebrity tree lighters, immersive attractions, and family-friendly entertainment.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Thrive City’s Winter Wonderland
Holiday Tree Lighting - Colma Town Hall
What to Expect:
Holiday tree lighting ceremony with Santa visit and toy donations.
Description:
Join your neighbors for the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Colma Town Hall. Festivities include a visit from Santa, hot cocoa, and treats. The holiday tree lights will illuminate Town Hall at 7:15 PM, officially welcoming the holiday season. Toy donations for charity are also accepted.
Where: Colma | More Info: Holiday Tree Lighting - Colma Town Hall
Tree Lighting Ceremony - Downtown Santa Rosa
What to Expect:
Community-driven lighting ceremony with festive lights.
Description:
The Tree Lighting Ceremony in Downtown Santa Rosa is a cherished annual event where the community comes together to illuminate the city square with festive lights, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with holiday cheer and community spirit.
Where: Santa Rosa | More Info: Tree Lighting Ceremony - Downtown Santa Rosa
Holiday Lights Train - Roaring Camp
What to Expect:
Vintage train cars with thousands of colorful lights.
Description:
The Holiday Lights Train by Roaring Camp Railroads features vintage excursion cars adorned with thousands of colorful lights, rolling through Santa Cruz city streets past homes. Live music by Steve Bennett and visits with Santa Claus and his elves add to the festive atmosphere.
Where: Felton | More Info: Holiday Lights Train - Roaring Camp
Holiday Tree Walk - Roaring Camp
What to Expect:
Holiday train ride through wintry redwoods with hot cider and Santa Claus.
Description:
Ride the Redwood Forest Steam Train through wintry redwoods and Bear Mountain, sipping hot cider while greeting Santa Claus. Enjoy winter-themed activities in the town.
Where: Felton | More Info: Holiday Tree Walk - Roaring Camp
Light Maze - Enchant: San Jose
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday light maze with a story-based adventure.
Description:
Wander through the 80,000 square feet of breathtaking light sculptures in the Reindeer Games maze, where you'll search for the missing bells the reindeer need to fly Santa's sleigh. The maze is part of a captivating original story that unfolds as you explore.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Light Maze - Enchant: San Jose
Santa’s Landing - Enchant: San Jose
What to Expect:
Personalized Santa visits and storytime with Mrs. Claus.
Description:
Meet Santa Claus and share your holiday wishes at Santa’s Landing, where you can also enjoy storytime with Mrs. Claus and capture cherished memories.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Santa’s Landing - Enchant: San Jose
San Bruno Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Boutique - City of San Bruno
What to Expect:
Community-oriented event showcasing unique, handmade gifts.
Description:
The Holiday Boutique in San Bruno features dozens of local artisans selling handcrafted items, offering a great opportunity for holiday shopping.
Where: San Bruno | More Info: Holiday Boutique - City of San Bruno
San Bruno Holiday Shows and Entertainment
SF Ballet’s Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker is a timeless holiday classic featuring Tchaikovsky's iconic score, elaborate sets, and world-class dancers. Set in early 20th-century San Francisco, this production includes a historic setting, beautiful costumes, and a delightful storyline.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: SF Ballet’s Nutcracker
Holiday Night with Santa - Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with Santa and a ballet performance.
Description:
Join Gamble Garden for a holiday night with Santa, featuring beautifully decorated gardens, a ballet performance, and photo opportunities with Santa and his sleigh.
Where: Palo Alto | More Info: Holiday Night with Santa - Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden
Holiday Magic - Gilroy Gardens
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with interactive activities and festive entertainment.
Description:
Gilroy Gardens transforms into the North Pole with jolly characters, live shows, ice skating, a grand feast, Santa's Workshop, and magical light displays.
Where: Gilroy | More Info: Holiday Magic - Gilroy Gardens
Days of Christmas - Temple Hill
What to Expect:
Breathtaking Christmas light displays and diverse family-friendly performances.
Description:
Temple Hill presents a festive Christmas celebration with stunning light displays, family-friendly events, and various performances, all free to the public.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Days of Christmas - Temple Hill
San Bruno Other Holiday Activities
Union Square Ice Rink
What to Expect:
Unique blend of holiday festivities and ice skating.
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
Ghirardelli Square Christmas Activities
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with festive lights and decorated Christmas trees.
Description:
Ghirardelli Square transforms into a holiday destination with festive lights, holiday movies, and the aroma of chocolate. Enjoy a self-guided Christmas Tree Stroll with trees decorated by talented students, shop at the Holiday Marketplace, and take photos with Santa.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Ghirardelli Square Christmas Activities
Pier 39 HapPIER Holidays
What to Expect:
Family-friendly celebration with live entertainment and iconic sea lion viewing.
Description:
Pier 39 HapPIER Holidays features a variety of special events, including the citywide celebration of Fleet Week, classic events like the Sea Lion Anniversary, and Tulipmania. The event offers a lively atmosphere with diverse activities for all ages.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Pier 39 HapPIER Holidays
Winter Wonderland at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
What to Expect:
Holiday-themed rides and decorations with a 3-story tall Christmas tree.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk with select rides, attractions, festive decorations, and delicious treats.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Winter Wonderland at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Selfies with Santa - Center City Bishop Ranch
What to Expect:
Interactive Santa chats with a North Pole mailbox.
Description:
At City Center Bishop Ranch, meet Santa every Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 4pm in festively decorated Alexander Square. Parents can take photos of their children's chats with Santa, and a North Pole mailbox is available for those too shy for an in-person chat.
Where: San Ramon | More Info: Selfies with Santa - Center City Bishop Ranch
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 classic carousel experience with hand-carved and painted wooden animals, accompanied by calliope-style music. Enjoy hot chocolate, cafe latte, matcha, apple cider, hot dogs, burgers, sandwiches, and other snacks. The event is pet-friendly and LGBTQ-friendly, with special hours and reservations available.
Where: Berkeley | More Info: Winter Wonderland - Tilden Park Merry Go Round
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- South San Francisco (2 miles)
- Millbrae (3 miles)
- Burlingame (4 miles)
- Pacifica (4 miles)
- Daly City (6 miles)
- Visitacion Valley (6 miles)
- San Mateo (7 miles)
- Noe Valley (8 miles)
- Mission District (9 miles)
- Foster City (9 miles)
- San Francisco (10 miles)
- Belmont (11 miles)
- Chinatown (11 miles)
- San Carlos (12 miles)
- Alameda (13 miles)
- Redwood City (14 miles)
- Oakland (14 miles)
- San Leandro (15 miles)
- San Lorenzo (16 miles)
- Ashland (17 miles)
- Menlo Park (17 miles)
- Hayward (18 miles)
- Berkeley (18 miles)
- Castro Valley (18 miles)
- East Palo Alto (19 miles)
- Palo Alto (20 miles)
- El Cerrito (20 miles)
- Richmond (21 miles)
- Newark (21 miles)
- Union City (22 miles)
- San Pablo (23 miles)
- Los Altos (23 miles)
- Lafayette (24 miles)
- Fremont (24 miles)
- San Rafael (25 miles)
- Mountain View (25 miles)
- San Ramon (26 miles)
- Danville (26 miles)
- Dublin (26 miles)
- Walnut Creek (27 miles)
- Sunnyvale (27 miles)
- Hercules (28 miles)
- Pleasant Hill (29 miles)
- Cupertino (30 miles)
- Martinez (31 miles)
- Santa Clara (31 miles)
- Concord (32 miles)
- Benicia (32 miles)
- Saratoga (33 miles)
- Vallejo (34 miles)
- Campbell (35 miles)
- San Jose (35 miles)
- Livermore (35 miles)
- Los Gatos (37 miles)
- Bay Point (37 miles)
- American Canyon (38 miles)
- Pittsburg (40 miles)
- Antioch (42 miles)
- Petaluma (43 miles)
- Brentwood (44 miles)