Experience the joy of the holidays in San Mateo with our detailed guide. For San Mateo insiders and outsiders alike, this guide is your passport to festive fun.
One highlight of the season is the enchanting Holidays at Filoli, where you can admire beautifully decorated gardens and historic estate while enjoying holiday-themed activities. The Winter Wonderland at the Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round invites families to revel in classic carousel rides under festive lights. And the Winter Wonderland at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring rides and attractions that embrace the holiday spirit. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around San Mateo
- Holidays at Filoli (Woodside)
- Winter Wonderland - Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (Santa Cruz)
- Winter Wonderland - Tilden Park Merry Go Round (Berkeley)
- Garden D'Lights - Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursey (Walnut Creek)
- Holiday Magic - Gilroy Gardens (Gilroy)
- Holiday Lights Train - Roaring Camp (Felton)
- Holiday Tree Lighting - Downtown Santa Rosa (Santa Rosa)
- Christmas Tree Lighting - Center City Bishop Ranch (San Ramon)
- Tree Lighting - City of Cupertino, CA (Cupertino)
- Annual Holiday Tree Lighting - Colma Town Hall (Colma)
See these and even more events listed below!
San Mateo Holiday Light Displays
Garden D'Lights - Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursey
What to Expect:
Dazzling nighttime display of illuminated cacti and succulents.
Description:
The Ruth Bancroft Garden transforms into a dazzling nighttime spectacle with thousands of colorful lights, art installations, and lasers, illuminating cacti, succulents, and other plants.
Where: Walnut Creek | More Info: Garden D'Lights - Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursey
Holiday Tree Lighting - Downtown Santa Rosa
What to Expect:
Family-friendly event with live entertainment and skating show.
Description:
The Holiday Tree Lighting in Downtown Santa Rosa features live entertainment, delicious holiday drinks and treats, photos with Santa, and the official lighting of the Courthouse Square tree accompanied by a skating show by Redwood Ice Theatre Company.
Where: Santa Rosa | More Info: Holiday Tree Lighting - Downtown Santa Rosa
Holiday Lights Train - Roaring Camp
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration on a vintage train with festive lights and live music.
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
Annual Holiday Tree Lighting - Colma Town Hall
What to Expect:
Santa visit and holiday tree lighting ceremony.
Description:
Join your neighbors for the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting at Colma Town Hall, featuring 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.
Where: Colma | More Info: Annual Holiday Tree Lighting - Colma Town Hall
Tree Lighting - City of Cupertino, CA
What to Expect:
Community tree lighting with music and caroling.
Description:
Join the City of Cupertino for a festive evening as the community tree is lit up with hundreds of twinkling lights, filling the air with a joyful glow. The event features music and caroling, creating a memorable holiday experience.
Where: Cupertino | More Info: Tree Lighting - City of Cupertino, CA
Christmas Tree Lighting - Center City Bishop Ranch
What to Expect:
Live music and Santa's grand entrance.
Description:
Join City Center Bishop Ranch for the Holiday Tree Lighting, featuring heartwarming performances by the Monte Vista band, singers, and dancers. Witness Santa's grand entrance and enjoy live music, Santa visits, and festive activities.
Where: San Ramon | More Info: Christmas Tree Lighting - Center City Bishop Ranch
Parade of Lights & Winter Wonderland - Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities with local treats and decorations.
Description:
Downtown San Rafael's Parade of Lights & Winter Wonderland features a makers marketplace, human snow globe, ornament craft table, live music, food trucks, jump houses, juggler, toy drive, and sweets galore. The event includes an elf hunt, shop small Saturday merchant treats and discounts, and a window decorating contest. The highlight is the holiday tree lighting at City Plaza.
Where: San Rafael | More Info: Parade of Lights & Winter Wonderland - Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District
IlluminOdyssey
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations exploring photoluminescence and refraction.
Description:
IlluminOdyssey is an immersive, interactive winter light experience where visitors explore the physical properties of light through luminous botanical geometry, rainbow refraction, and phosphorescent surfaces. The four-level Redwood Hall transforms into a glowing forest, offering hands-on exhibits that awaken curiosity and build critical thinking skills.
Where: San Mateo | More Info: IlluminOdyssey
San Mateo Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holiday Magic - Gilroy Gardens
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with interactive activities and festive lights.
Description:
Gilroy Gardens transforms into the North Pole with jolly characters, live shows, ice skating, a grand feast, and magical light displays.
Where: Gilroy | More Info: Holiday Magic - Gilroy Gardens
Once Upon a Christmas - Lesher Center for the Arts
What to Expect:
Fully narrated ballet with youth performers.
Description:
Once Upon a Christmas is a fully narrated ballet featuring youth performers, based on the story of a clumsy Elf named Roho. The event follows the journey of dolls and toys as they come to life to celebrate Christmas Eve, teaching Roho about believing in oneself and having confidence.
Where: Walnut Creek | More Info: Once Upon a Christmas - Lesher Center for the Arts
The Nutcracker - San Mateo Performing Arts Center
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The Nutcracker at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center is a classic ballet performance featuring elaborate sets and costumes, showcasing the timeless tale of a young girl's adventures with her nutcracker doll.
Where: San Mateo | More Info: The Nutcracker - San Mateo Performing Arts Center
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve - SAP Center
What to Expect:
Visually dazzling concert with giant video screens and pyrotechnics.
Description:
Trans-Siberian Orchestra brings their iconic holiday show to the SAP Center, featuring a blend of rock, classical, and holiday music with stunning visuals and pyrotechnics.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve - SAP Center
Holiday Night with Santa - Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden
What to Expect:
Photo opportunities with Santa and a ballet performance.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season with Gamble Garden's Holiday Night with Santa, featuring a beautifully decorated garden, photo opportunities with Santa, and a beautiful ballet performance.
Where: Palo Alto | More Info: Holiday Night with Santa - Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden
San Mateo Other Holiday Activities
Holidays at Filoli
What to Expect:
Elegant holiday events with immersive displays and historic natural beauty.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Filoli with festive music, carolers, and holiday cheer in a smaller, more intimate setting. Enjoy warm drinks and hearty lunches while exploring the beautifully decorated House and Garden.
Where: Woodside | More Info: Holidays at Filoli
Winter Wonderland - Tilden Park Merry Go Round
What to Expect:
Antique carousel with hand-carved wooden animals.
Description:
Tilden Park Merry Go Round offers a charming antique carousel with hand-carved and painted wooden animals, accompanied by calliope-style music. The facility includes a wheelchair-accessible snack stand and offers various beverages and snacks. It is pet-friendly and LGBTQ-friendly, with special events like the Annual Breakfast with Santa and a buffet party.
Where: Berkeley | More Info: Winter Wonderland - Tilden Park Merry Go Round
Winter Wonderland - Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
What to Expect:
Holiday-themed rides and attractions along the beach.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk with select rides, attractions, festive decorations, and delicious treats.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Winter Wonderland - Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Winter Wonderland at Marin Art and Garden Center
What to Expect:
Outdoor skating rink with snow and music under bistro lights.
Description:
Winter Wonderland at Marin Art and Garden Center features an outdoor skating rink, holiday crafts, and local artisans' works. Enjoy snacks and hot cocoa at The Watering Can, and explore the cozy warming hut with an outdoor fireplace. The event includes activities for all ages, such as cookie decorating kits from Babaloo Bakes and a holiday greens sale.
Where: Ross | More Info: Winter Wonderland at Marin Art and Garden Center
Glowfari at Oakland Zoo
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays and animal-themed lanterns.
Description:
Oakland Zoo's Glowfari features hundreds of larger-than-life animal lanterns, each telling the story of wildlife's ongoing journey and the importance of every species on our planet. The event includes new themes such as floating down Africa's longest river, visiting ancient Egyptian structures, and hiking to see animals at the highest peaks.
Where: Oakland | More Info: Glowfari at Oakland Zoo
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Burlingame (3 miles)
- Foster City (3 miles)
- Belmont (4 miles)
- Millbrae (4 miles)
- San Carlos (5 miles)
- San Bruno (7 miles)
- Redwood City (7 miles)
- South San Francisco (8 miles)
- Pacifica (10 miles)
- Menlo Park (11 miles)
- Visitacion Valley (11 miles)
- East Palo Alto (12 miles)
- Daly City (12 miles)
- Palo Alto (13 miles)
- San Lorenzo (14 miles)
- Noe Valley (14 miles)
- San Leandro (15 miles)
- Mission District (15 miles)
- Ashland (15 miles)
- Alameda (15 miles)
- Hayward (15 miles)
- San Francisco (16 miles)
- Newark (16 miles)
- Castro Valley (16 miles)
- Chinatown (17 miles)
- Los Altos (17 miles)
- Union City (17 miles)
- Oakland (17 miles)
- Mountain View (18 miles)
- Fremont (18 miles)
- Sunnyvale (21 miles)
- Berkeley (22 miles)
- Cupertino (23 miles)
- Dublin (23 miles)
- San Ramon (24 miles)
- El Cerrito (24 miles)
- Santa Clara (25 miles)
- Lafayette (25 miles)
- Danville (25 miles)
- Richmond (26 miles)
- Saratoga (27 miles)
- San Pablo (28 miles)
- Walnut Creek (28 miles)
- Campbell (28 miles)
- San Jose (28 miles)
- Los Gatos (30 miles)
- Pleasant Hill (30 miles)
- San Rafael (31 miles)
- Hercules (31 miles)
- Livermore (32 miles)
- Concord (33 miles)
- Martinez (33 miles)
- Benicia (35 miles)
- Vallejo (38 miles)
- Bay Point (38 miles)
- Pittsburg (40 miles)
- Antioch (42 miles)
- American Canyon (42 miles)
- Brentwood (43 miles)
- Santa Cruz (44 miles)
- Oakley (45 miles)