Get excited for the holidays in Union City! Our guide has everything you need for a festive season. Whether you're intimately familiar with Union City or just getting to know it, this guide maximizes your seasonal joy.
One highlight to embrace during this time is the enchanting SF Ballet’s Nutcracker, which captures the spirit of the holiday season through stunning performances and classic music. Another way to experience the festive charm is by gliding across the Union Square Ice Rink, where visitors can enjoy the delight of ice skating in a vibrant urban setting. And don’t forget that SantaCon adds a playful twist to the season, as participants don festive attire and spread cheer around the city. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Union City
- SF Ballet’s Nutcracker (San Francisco)
- Union Square Ice Rink (San Francisco)
- Enchant San Jose (San Jose)
- SantaCon (San Francisco)
- Union Square Winter Walk (San Francisco)
- Bill Graham Menorah (San Francisco)
- Drag Queens on Ice (San Francisco)
- Holidays at Filoli (Woodside)
- Polar Bear Skate (San Francisco)
- Union Square Menorah Lighting (San Francisco)
See these and even more events listed below!
Union City Holiday Light Displays
Holidays at Filoli
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday light displays and unique behind-the-scenes tours.
Description:
Filoli Historic House & Garden transforms into a vibrant holiday destination with breathtaking decorations, immersive light displays, and family-friendly activities. Explore the beautifully adorned House and Garden, indulge in holiday teas, and enjoy festive music and carolers.
Where: Woodside | More Info: Holidays at Filoli
Enchant San Jose
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday light maze with a captivating original story.
Description:
Enchant San Jose features the World's Largest Christmas Light Maze, an ice skating trail, Santa visits, live entertainment, and a charming holiday marketplace.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Enchant San Jose
Union Square Menorah Lighting
What to Expect:
First giant public menorah outside Israel.
Description:
The Bill Graham Menorah in Union Square is a 48-year tradition featuring a 25-foot menorah lit every night of Hanukkah, with special activities and entertainment on the fourth night.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Union Square Menorah Lighting
Filoli Estate & Gardens Light Display
What to Expect:
Dazzling light displays and historic decorations.
Description:
Filoli Estate & Gardens features 3,600 strands of lights stretching over 25 miles, a 210-foot-long light tunnel, and over 7,000 ornaments. The estate's historic House and Gardens are beautifully decorated with holiday cheer, offering daytime delights with warm drinks and hearty lunches, and evening experiences with immersive light displays.
Where: Woodside | More Info: Filoli Estate & Gardens Light Display
Union City Holiday Markets and Shopping
Union Square Winter Walk
What to Expect:
Pedestrian plaza with diverse food trucks and live performances.
Description:
Union Square Winter Walk transforms two blocks into a vibrant pedestrian plaza with lush turf, diverse food trucks, enticing bars, and Instagram-worthy arctic-themed decor. The event features live performances and entertainment, making it a delightful holiday experience for all.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Union Square Winter Walk
Union City Holiday Shows and Entertainment
SF Ballet’s Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker is a timeless holiday classic featuring Tchaikovsky's iconic score, elaborate sets, and world-class dancers. This production brings the historic 1915 world's fair to life in San Francisco, with a cast of over 150 dancers and 110 SF Ballet School students.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: SF Ballet’s Nutcracker
Civic Center Plaza Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Toy giveaway and holiday-themed activities.
Description:
The Civic Center Plaza Tree Lighting features festive performances, a toy giveaway, holiday-themed activities, and festive bites and drinks. The event includes performances by Tap Dancing Christmas Trees and appearances by Christmas VIPs, including Santa. It takes place across the illuminated City Hall and Civic Center Plaza, offering a wonderful backdrop for photos.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Civic Center Plaza Tree Lighting
Smuin's The Christmas Ballet
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with a mix of classical and contemporary dance.
Description:
Smuin's The Christmas Ballet is a vibrant holiday production blending ballet, Broadway, and contemporary dance. It features a classical first act and a lively second act, "Cool Yule," making spirits bright with its big-hearted production. New additions keep the show evergreen.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Smuin's The Christmas Ballet
Drag Queens on Ice
What to Expect:
Glitzy drag performances on ice.
Description:
Drag Queens on Ice is an evening of glitz and glam where attendees can lace up their skates and twirl alongside the Queens and Kings, or grab a prime spot ringside to watch the fiercest drag personalities deliver holiday performances.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Drag Queens on Ice
Union City Other Holiday Activities
Union Square Ice Rink
What to Expect:
Free ice skating lessons for beginners.
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
SantaCon
What to Expect:
Large-scale holiday bar crawl with exclusive drink specials and festive atmosphere.
Description:
Thousands of cheerful Santas, elves, and holiday enthusiasts gather in San Francisco for a vibrant holiday bar crawl, featuring festive drinks, lively music, and diverse Santa costumes.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: SantaCon
Bill Graham Menorah
What to Expect:
Largest public menorah outside of Israel.
Description:
The Bill Graham Menorah is a 48-year-old tradition in San Francisco's Union Square, featuring a 25-foot-tall menorah that lights up every night of Hanukkah. The event includes live music, kids' crafts, and entertainment, culminating in a grand lighting ceremony honoring George Zimmer.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Bill Graham Menorah
Merry Meritage Winter Village
What to Expect:
Outdoor ice skating with private igloos and fire pits.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at The Meritage Resort and Spa with an outdoor ice rink, private igloos, fire pits, and festive activities like cocoa and s'mores stations, optional carolers, and Santa visits.
Where: Napa | More Info: Merry Meritage Winter Village
Santa Train The Magic Returns
What to Expect:
Holiday train ride with Santa and festive light displays.
Description:
Join us for a holiday train ride where Santa Claus greets each child with a festive golden bell, followed by spectacular light shows and family fun activities.
Where: Suisun City | More Info: Santa Train The Magic Returns
Polar Bear Skate
What to Expect:
Unique beach attire contest on ice.
Description:
The Polar Bear Skate is an event where participants wear their wildest beach attire to start the New Year on the ice in Union Square. Skaters are invited to wear their most inventive swimsuits in hopes of winning cool prizes based on theme, originality, and overall appearance.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Polar Bear Skate
Bill Graham Menorah Day
What to Expect:
Largest public menorah outside of Israel.
Description:
The Bill Graham Menorah Day is a significant event in San Francisco's Union Square, celebrating the 48th year of the giant public menorah. It features live music, kids' crafts, and a fourth lighting ceremony honoring George Zimmer. The event is a testament to the enduring spirit of Hanukkah, inspiring thousands of menorah displays worldwide.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Bill Graham Menorah Day
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Fremont (4 miles)
- Newark (5 miles)
- Hayward (6 miles)
- Castro Valley (8 miles)
- San Lorenzo (8 miles)
- Ashland (9 miles)
- Dublin (9 miles)
- East Palo Alto (11 miles)
- San Leandro (12 miles)
- Palo Alto (13 miles)
- San Ramon (13 miles)
- Menlo Park (13 miles)
- Foster City (14 miles)
- Redwood City (14 miles)
- San Carlos (15 miles)
- Mountain View (15 miles)
- Livermore (15 miles)
- Belmont (15 miles)
- Los Altos (15 miles)
- Danville (16 miles)
- Sunnyvale (16 miles)
- San Mateo (17 miles)
- Santa Clara (17 miles)
- Alameda (18 miles)
- Cupertino (19 miles)
- San Jose (19 miles)
- Burlingame (19 miles)
- Oakland (20 miles)
- Millbrae (20 miles)
- Lafayette (21 miles)
- San Bruno (22 miles)
- Walnut Creek (22 miles)
- South San Francisco (22 miles)
- Campbell (22 miles)
- Visitacion Valley (23 miles)
- Saratoga (23 miles)
- Berkeley (24 miles)
- Pleasant Hill (24 miles)
- Mission District (25 miles)
- Noe Valley (25 miles)
- San Francisco (25 miles)
- Daly City (25 miles)
- Chinatown (25 miles)
- Los Gatos (26 miles)
- Pacifica (26 miles)
- Concord (26 miles)
- El Cerrito (27 miles)
- Brentwood (29 miles)
- Richmond (30 miles)
- Martinez (30 miles)
- Bay Point (30 miles)
- Antioch (31 miles)
- Pittsburg (31 miles)
- San Pablo (31 miles)
- Benicia (32 miles)
- Oakley (32 miles)
- Hercules (33 miles)
- Tracy (34 miles)
- Vallejo (37 miles)
- Morgan Hill (38 miles)
- San Rafael (38 miles)
- American Canyon (42 miles)
- Santa Cruz (43 miles)
- Lathrop (44 miles)
- Suisun (44 miles)