The festive season is here, San Pablo! Explore our guide for all the must-see holiday events and activities. For San Pablo residents and guests, our guide ensures you experience all the festive fun.
This holiday season, immerse yourself in the enchanting world of "A Whynot Christmas Carol," a unique twist on the classic tale that brings a fresh perspective to Scrooge's transformation. Cirque Dream: Holidaze dazzles with its vibrant performances and acrobatics, offering a delightful spectacle for all ages. And you definitely don't want to miss the San Francisco Ballet's iconic "The Nutcracker," a timeless tradition featuring stunning choreography and magical storytelling. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around San Pablo
- San Francisco Ballet - The Nutcracker (San Francisco)
- Filoli Holidays (Woodside)
- Cirque Dream: Holidaze (San Francisco)
- A Whynot Christmas Carol (San Francisco)
- A Golden Girls Festive Drag Parody (San Francisco)
- Entwined at Golden Gate Park (San Francisco)
- Fontana Festival of Winter (Fontana)
- Parade of Lights (Walnut Creek)
- Holiday Sparkle Sip & Shop & Tree Lighting (Martinez)
- Contra Costa Ballet's The Nutcracker (Walnut Creek)
See these and even more events listed below!
San Pablo Holiday Light Displays
Parade of Lights
What to Expect:
Special Tree Lighting Ceremony led by Santa Claus.
Description:
The Holiday Parade of Lights & Tree Lighting at Broadway Plaza is a vibrant evening event that kicks off the holiday season with music, entertainment, and a special Tree Lighting Ceremony led by Santa Claus.
Where: Walnut Creek | More Info: Parade of Lights
Filoli Holidays
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday light displays and unique experiences in a historic estate.
Description:
Filoli Holidays features a stunning display of holiday lights, decorations, and immersive experiences. The event includes daytime delights with warm drinks and hearty lunches, while evening admission transforms the garden into a mesmerizing display. Guests can also enjoy exclusive experiences like the Ballroom Signature Lounge and Private Fire Pit Experiences.
Where: Woodside | More Info: Filoli Holidays
Fairy Winterland
What to Expect:
Twinkling lights and diverse holiday displays.
Description:
Fairy Winterland at Children's Fairyland in Oakland, California, features thousands of twinkling lights, culturally diverse holiday displays, and activities like ornament making and candle dipping. Santa Claus leads a festive parade through the park, and hot cocoa and apple cider are available for all visitors.
Where: Oakland | More Info: Fairy Winterland
Entwined at Golden Gate Park
What to Expect:
Interactive light installation with wind-sensitive tree.
Description:
Entwined at Golden Gate Park features a 30-ft metal sculpted tree, Elder Mother, with a 25-ft canopy that moves in the wind and offers ever-changing illumination and color. The installation includes six unique QR codes allowing attendees to control the tree's lighting patterns.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Entwined at Golden Gate Park
San Pablo Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Sparkle Sip & Shop & Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Holiday shopping and tree lighting event with local vendors and drinks.
Description:
Join Downtown Martinez for a festive evening of holiday sparkle and shopping. Enjoy local vendors, delicious beverages, and the lighting of the town's iconic tree. This event is a celebration of community and holiday cheer, featuring a variety of activities and attractions.
Where: Martinez | More Info: Holiday Sparkle Sip & Shop & Tree Lighting
Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden Holiday Workshops
What to Expect:
Unique holiday shopping experience with a festive marketplace and special events.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden with a variety of activities, including a festive marketplace, holiday tea, and special events like the Grand Opening Party and Holiday Night with Santa. Enjoy one-stop shopping for holiday gifts, greenery, and décor in the beautifully decorated garden atmosphere.
Where: Palo Alto | More Info: Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden Holiday Workshops
San Pablo Holiday Shows and Entertainment
San Francisco Ballet - The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The Nutcracker by San Francisco Ballet is a classic holiday performance featuring Tchaikovsky's iconic score, elaborate sets, and choreography by Helgi Tomasson. It includes special performances for young audiences, a sensory-friendly show, and a benefit luncheon.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: San Francisco Ballet - The Nutcracker
A Whynot Christmas Carol
What to Expect:
Unique blend of humor and heart in a behind-the-scenes look at a small theater troupe.
Description:
A Whynot Christmas Carol is a joyous and puckishly funny adaptation of Charles Dickens's beloved classic. A small theater troupe in the town of Whynot gathers to put up their director's new version of A Christmas Carol. From the first rehearsal to opening night, we follow these sometimes-reluctant comrades on their quest to put on a great show with too little time and money but no shortage of opinions. The ingenious set and costume design by Tony Award winner David Zinn transports us behind the curtain as our ragtag cast boldly tackles prop mishaps and dance blunders, collaborating against all odds in hopes of a holiday miracle: real change. With festive music, magical ghosts, an effervescent cast of kids, and ample hijinks, this fresh telling amplifies Dickens's moving and evergreen call for true generosity all through the year.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: A Whynot Christmas Carol
Cirque Dream: Holidaze
What to Expect:
Whimsical holiday show with contemporary circus arts and Broadway-style production.
Description:
Cirque Dreams Holidaze is a dazzling family holiday spectacular featuring a world-renowned cast of performers, aerial circus acts, and original music twists on seasonal favorites.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Cirque Dream: Holidaze
A Golden Girls Festive Drag Parody
What to Expect:
Unique blend of drag performance and holiday nostalgia.
Description:
A festive drag parody of the iconic TV show "The Golden Girls," featuring local drag legends Coco Peru, Matthew Martin, D'Arcy Drollinger, and Holotta Tymes in two parody Christmas episodes. Directed by D'Arcy Drollinger, this show is a heartfelt tribute to the beloved characters, with a talented cast and live piano accompaniment.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: A Golden Girls Festive Drag Parody
Contra Costa Ballet's The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
Elaborate costumes and sets by talented young dancers.
Description:
Contra Costa Ballet presents The Nutcracker, a family-friendly production featuring colorful costumes, whimsical sets, and talented young dancers. Join Clara and her beloved nutcracker-turned-prince on a journey into the Candy Kingdom.
Where: Walnut Creek | More Info: Contra Costa Ballet's The Nutcracker
Bishop Ranch Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Santa's grand entrance with live music and performances.
Description:
The Bishop Ranch Tree Lighting features heartwarming performances by the Monte Vista band, singers, and dancers, culminating in Santa's grand entrance. Enjoy memorable visits with Santa throughout the holiday season.
Where: San Ramon | More Info: Bishop Ranch Tree Lighting
Hillsdale Shopping Center Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Live music tribute and tree lighting ceremony.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season with Hillsdale Shopping Center's Rockin' Holiday Show and Tree Lighting, featuring live music and a festive tree lighting ceremony.
Where: San Mateo | More Info: Hillsdale Shopping Center Tree Lighting
Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico
What to Expect:
Traditional Mexican music and dance celebrating the holiday season.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season with Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico, featuring Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar and Ballet Folklorico del Rio Grande. This vibrant show weaves cherished Mexican traditions into a heartwarming story of the season, capturing the spirit of Posadas, the majesty of the Reyes Magos, and the thrill of breaking piñatas.
Where: Rancho Cucamonga | More Info: Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico
San Pablo Other Holiday Activities
Oakley Friday Night Bites
What to Expect:
Live music and diverse food options in a family-friendly setting.
Description:
Join Oakley's Friday Night Bites at Civic Center Plaza, featuring 5-6 gourmet food trucks, dessert and beverage options, and live music by Nashville country artists CROSSMAN CONNECTION.
Where: Oakley | More Info: Oakley Friday Night Bites
Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round
What to Expect:
Antique carousel with hand-carved wooden animals.
Description:
Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round features an antique Herschell-Spillman carousel with hand-carved wooden animals, calliope-style music, and a wheelchair-accessible snack stand. The facility offers rides, hot chocolate, ice cream, hot dogs, and other carnival food.
Where: Berkeley | More Info: Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round
Tilden Park Steam Trains at Christmas
What to Expect:
Holiday train ride through decorated redwood forest.
Description:
Tilden Park Steam Trains transform into a toddler-friendly holiday train with twinkling lights, tiny snowflakes, and Christmas ornaments. The scenic ride through the redwoods is extra Christmasy in December, with Father Solstice riding a special train. The event takes place on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 7 pm, weather permitting.
Where: Berkeley | More Info: Tilden Park Steam Trains at Christmas
Fontana Festival of Winter
What to Expect:
Snow sledding and interactive activities for all ages.
Description:
The Fontana Festival of Winter is a free community event featuring train rides, attractions, live entertainment, photo opportunities with Santa, and a variety of vendors and activity booths. It includes snow sledding and a Tot Lot for kids to experience snow for the first time.
Where: Fontana | More Info: Fontana Festival of Winter
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Richmond (2 miles)
- El Cerrito (4 miles)
- Hercules (5 miles)
- Berkeley (7 miles)
- San Rafael (10 miles)
- Vallejo (11 miles)
- Oakland (12 miles)
- Benicia (12 miles)
- Chinatown (12 miles)
- Martinez (12 miles)
- Lafayette (13 miles)
- San Francisco (14 miles)
- Alameda (14 miles)
- Mission District (15 miles)
- American Canyon (15 miles)
- Noe Valley (15 miles)
- Pleasant Hill (16 miles)
- Walnut Creek (16 miles)
- Concord (17 miles)
- Visitacion Valley (17 miles)
- Daly City (19 miles)
- San Leandro (19 miles)
- Danville (21 miles)
- Bay Point (21 miles)
- South San Francisco (22 miles)
- Ashland (22 miles)
- San Lorenzo (23 miles)
- San Bruno (23 miles)
- Castro Valley (23 miles)
- San Ramon (24 miles)
- Petaluma (24 miles)
- Hayward (25 miles)
- Millbrae (25 miles)
- Pacifica (25 miles)
- Suisun (25 miles)
- Pittsburg (26 miles)
- Fairfield (26 miles)
- Burlingame (26 miles)
- San Mateo (28 miles)
- Foster City (28 miles)
- Dublin (29 miles)
- Antioch (30 miles)
- Belmont (31 miles)
- Union City (31 miles)
- San Carlos (32 miles)
- Rohnert Park (32 miles)
- Vacaville (33 miles)
- Redwood City (33 miles)
- Newark (34 miles)
- Oakley (35 miles)
- Fremont (35 miles)
- Brentwood (35 miles)
- East Palo Alto (36 miles)
- Menlo Park (36 miles)
- Livermore (37 miles)
- Palo Alto (38 miles)
- Santa Rosa (39 miles)
- Los Altos (42 miles)
- Mountain View (42 miles)
- Sunnyvale (44 miles)