With the holiday season in full swing, December is full of exciting and festive events — from making turns on the ice rink to peeking inside a sugar castle to taking in holiday dance and theater performances.
We’ve done the deep research for you on the best things to do in San Francisco in December including museums, cultural events and food tours and more. Speaking of food, we also have an extensive list of our best restaurants in San Francisco, and if you’re planning a weekend, the best places to stay. Feeling like a high tea? We also know the city’s best holiday afternoon teas. Take a peek below and join in on all the fun!
Featured photo by Gordon Mak.
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair
November 23–December 22
Visit London at the historic Cow Palace Exhibition Halls! Enter the winding lanes of Victorian London and immerse yourself in a world of music halls, theatres, pubs, dance parties, and charming shops overflowing with hand-made holiday treasures. Enticing aromas of roasted chestnuts and hearty foods fill the air. Discover holiday revelry through the works of Charles Dickens any weekend this month (including Fridays) through December 22.
More info: dickensfair.com
Holiday Ice Rink at Union Square
Now through January 20
Looking for a cute and romantic December date idea? How about ice skating together in Union Square’s annual Holiday Ice Rink? Lace up a pair of skates and glide across the fresh ice with your date. This year, the rink hosts several special skate events, like 80s nights, a drag queen performance on ice, a polar bear skate where skaters don swimsuits and more! Afterwards, you two can warm up with some hot cocoa at Union Square Coffee, then explore the rest of the downtown area.
More info: unionsquareicerink.com
A Whynot Christmas Carol
November 26–December 24
The American Conservatory Theatre (ACT) has put on an annual production of Charles Dickens’s classic tale for years. But this year, they’re mixing up the tradition with a zany adaptation of the well-loved story. It’s a meta story, as a theater troupe in a small town called Whynot races to execute their own show of A Christmas Carol.
More info: act-sf.org
Glowing Hanukkah Pop-Up
December 25
This annual tradition returns to Ghirardelli Square with candle lightings, a live glowing piano performance, Hanukkah crafts with local artists, dreidel games, freshly fried donuts and more. Light up the night by dressing up in your favorite light-up, glittery, glow-in-the-dark outfits.
More info: jccsf.org
SF Ballet Presents Nutcracker
December 6–29
The SF Ballet puts on one of the most revered versions of Tchaikovsky’s treasured holiday productions. Step into the reverie of little Clara in this unforgettable holiday tale with a magical wonderland of toy soldiers, a blizzard of snowflakes, and a kaleidoscope of more than 150 dancers. Battle the King of Mice and of course, dance through the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
More info: sfballet.org
Winter Walk 2024
December 13–22
This holiday season, don’t miss the highly anticipated return of Winter Walk on Stockton Street — a festive pop-up holiday extravaganza that stretches from Post to Geary Street and Geary to O’Farrell Street. The lively pedestrian plaza will be adorned with green turf, a tempting array of food trucks and captivating live performances.
More info: unionsquarefoundation.org/winterwalk
Event Venues
Looking to see what’s happening right now in SF? Our comprehensive list of venues across the city below will help you find what you need to know what’s going on.
Looking for more things to do in the area?
Visit our What to Do in Northern California page!
