It's time for holiday cheer in San Lorenzo! Use our guide to find all the festive activities. Whether you're a San Lorenzo insider or an outsider looking in, this guide helps you embrace the festive spirit.
One of the highlights of the season is the Union Square Holiday Market, where charming stalls are filled with local crafts and delicious treats. Alongside this, the Winter Wonderland at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk boasts dazzling lights and thrilling rides, providing a unique coastal celebration. And the Old Sacramento Waterfront Holiday Market is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring a picturesque setting with Victorian charm and seasonal festivities. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around San Lorenzo
- Union Square Holiday Market (San Francisco)
- Winter Wonderland at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (Santa Cruz)
- Holidays at Filoli (Woodside)
- Old Sacramento Waterfront Holiday Market (Sacramento)
- Holiday Craft & Gift Fair at Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds (Watsonville)
- Holiday Lights at Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds (Watsonville)
- Roaring Camp Railroads: Holiday Tree Walk (Felton)
- Boulder Creek Tree Lighting and Santa Visit (Boulder Creek)
See these and even more events listed below!
San Lorenzo Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Lights at Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds
What to Expect:
Over 3/4 mile of festive light displays.
Description:
Holiday Lights at Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds features a 3/4-mile drive-through of spectacular lighted displays, including giant Christmas trees, Santa, reindeer, and snowmen, all while enjoying holiday carols from local radio stations.
Where: Watsonville | More Info: Holiday Lights at Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds
Holidays at Filoli
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday displays with historic and natural beauty.
Description:
Holidays at Filoli features a stunning display of holiday lights and decorations, including a 210-foot-long light tunnel and 3,600 strands of lights. The event offers daytime and evening experiences, with activities such as holiday teas, private fire pit experiences, and guided tours. Visitors can explore the beautifully adorned House and Gardens, enjoy warm drinks by a firepit, and indulge in a hearty lunch at the Quail Café.
Where: Woodside | More Info: Holidays at Filoli
San Lorenzo Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Craft & Gift Fair at Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds
What to Expect:
Unique handmade gifts and local shopping experience.
Description:
The Holiday Craft & Gift Fair at Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds features 125 vendors selling unique handmade gifts, including clothing, candles, and food. Attendees can shop local and enjoy a home-cooked dinner while browsing the fair.
Where: Watsonville | More Info: Holiday Craft & Gift Fair at Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds
San Lorenzo Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Old Sacramento Waterfront Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Immersive retelling of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" with live dramatization and special appearances.
Description:
The Theatre of Lights is a free, family-friendly performance retelling "Twas the Night Before Christmas" in a uniquely Sacramento way on the rooftops of Old Sacramento Waterfront. The show features an immersive retelling of Moore’s 1823 poem alongside stories of how Sacramento pioneers experienced the calamities and revelry of the new city in the 1850s. The performance includes a live dramatization on the balconies above K Street, complete with a special appearance by Jack Frost and the lighting of the 60-foot Christmas tree by St. Nick himself.
Where: Sacramento | More Info: Old Sacramento Waterfront Holiday Market
San Lorenzo Other Holiday Activities
Winter Wonderland at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with beachside activities and attractions.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk with select rides, attractions, and arcades. Enjoy festive holiday decorations, a 3-story tall Christmas tree, photos with Santa Claus, holiday shopping, and delicious Boardwalk treats.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Winter Wonderland at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Boulder Creek Tree Lighting and Santa Visit
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with Santa visit and festive activities.
Description:
Join Boulder Creek for a festive holiday event featuring music, tree lighting, Santa's arrival, a food court, and various vendors. Enjoy activities like a petting zoo, photos with Santa, and DIY crafts.
Where: Boulder Creek | More Info: Boulder Creek Tree Lighting and Santa Visit
Roaring Camp Railroads: Holiday Tree Walk
What to Expect:
Holiday tree walk with steam train ride and hot cider.
Description:
Ride the Redwood Forest Steam Train through wintry redwoods to Bear Mountain, sipping hot cider while greeting Santa Claus. Enjoy winter-themed activities in town.
Where: Felton | More Info: Roaring Camp Railroads: Holiday Tree Walk
Union Square Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Free ice skating lessons for beginners with professional instructors.
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 On Ice, Silent Skate, and Polar Bear Skate. The rink also features a Learn To Skate program for beginners, with free lessons including skate rental for those who sign up in advance.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Union Square Holiday Market
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Ashland (1 miles)
- Castro Valley (2 miles)
- Hayward (3 miles)
- San Leandro (3 miles)
- Union City (8 miles)
- Alameda (10 miles)
- Dublin (10 miles)
- San Ramon (11 miles)
- Newark (11 miles)
- Foster City (12 miles)
- Oakland (12 miles)
- Fremont (12 miles)
- Danville (12 miles)
- San Mateo (14 miles)
- Belmont (14 miles)
- San Carlos (14 miles)
- Lafayette (14 miles)
- East Palo Alto (15 miles)
- Burlingame (15 miles)
- Redwood City (15 miles)
- Berkeley (15 miles)
- Millbrae (15 miles)
- Visitacion Valley (16 miles)
- South San Francisco (16 miles)
- Walnut Creek (16 miles)
- Menlo Park (16 miles)
- San Bruno (16 miles)
- Palo Alto (17 miles)
- Mission District (17 miles)
- San Francisco (17 miles)
- Chinatown (17 miles)
- Noe Valley (18 miles)
- Daly City (19 miles)
- Pleasant Hill (19 miles)
- El Cerrito (19 miles)
- Livermore (19 miles)
- Pacifica (20 miles)
- Los Altos (20 miles)
- Mountain View (21 miles)
- Concord (21 miles)
- Richmond (21 miles)
- Sunnyvale (22 miles)
- San Pablo (23 miles)
- Martinez (23 miles)
- Santa Clara (24 miles)
- Hercules (25 miles)
- Cupertino (25 miles)
- Benicia (26 miles)
- Bay Point (26 miles)
- San Jose (27 miles)
- Pittsburg (27 miles)
- Antioch (28 miles)
- Campbell (29 miles)
- Brentwood (29 miles)
- Saratoga (29 miles)
- San Rafael (30 miles)
- Vallejo (30 miles)
- Oakley (31 miles)
- Los Gatos (32 miles)
- American Canyon (35 miles)
- Tracy (38 miles)
- Suisun (39 miles)
- Fairfield (40 miles)