Updated for 2025
December has always been my favorite time of year. I love Christmas, the whole Holiday season. Growing up, my dad always took off two weeks around Christmas and filled it with seasonal activities. We would get hot cocoa and see holiday lights, visit a living nativity scene, and our annual trip into New York City to see the tree at Rockefeller Plaza and the amazing store windows. Now that I have a family of my own I wanted to create these memories with my own children, here in the Bay Area. Here are the activities we have enjoyed and ways to create holiday magic with your family.
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East Bay
Tilden Merry-Go-Round – Berkeley
This is one we go to every year. The old fashion Merry-Go-Round at Tilden decorate for the holiday with lights and runs at night. $4 a ride, plus there was a Santa and a field with lights you could run around. Who wouldn’t love it! From December 4th – 22nd they are open until 8pm so you can enjoy the lights. Santa visits from 5:30 to 7:30pm. They have a Breakfast with Santa, in December, check the site for more details.
Glowfari at the Oakland Zoo – Oakland
Oakland Zoo Lights has always been a fun event, but in 2020, the Oakland Zoo decided to step up their game with Glowfari. Instead of lights and decorations, the zoo has hundreds of giant animal glowing lanterns that are beautifully created. Glowfari is now open and tickets are available. Glowfari will be at the Zoo until the end of January. Everyone in the family will enjoy it. But make sure to book your tickets online, this one is popular and sells out early.
Christmas Tree Lane – Alameda
Unofficially known as Christmas Tree Lane, there is a neighborhood in Alameda that goes all out for Christmas every single year. Each house is elaborately decorated with lights and decorations. There is a Santa who sees kids, and some houses who sold hot chocolate to support local Scout troops. People come from all over the Bay Area. You can drive through and see the lights, or park (outside the neighborhood) and walk up and down. I prefer walking because you can hear the music, see performances, and spend more time enjoying each of the displays.
Sundar Shadi Holiday Display – El Cerrito
Every year, on a hillside in El Cerrito, volunteers set up the Sundar Shadi Holiday Display. This is a display that show not only the typical nativity scene but shows the town of Bethlehem and Jerusalem. It’s lit up in lights, and a gorgeous site that can be seen from all around. The hillside encapsulates the hills in Israel itself and is a beautiful tribute to the season. There is usually parking along the street, so you can get out and take a quick picture and closer look.
Marin County
Holiday in the Park – Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Now that our family are season pass holders, the kids and I agreed this is a must attend this every year. Around the holidays, Six Flags will deck out the park in beautiful decorations. There are new shows they add, holiday themed character meet and greets, photos with Santa, festive lights, and entertainment around the gigantic Christmas Tree! It’s incredibly fun for all ages.
Santa Train– Napa Valley Wine Train
Santa trains are always fun but combine that with wine in one of the best wine valleys in the country and you know you are in for a good time. We did this when the kids were little, and they loved riding on the train, seeing Santa and the Elves, singing songs and seeing the North Pole from the train windows. The adults loved the gourmet hot chocolate accompanied by some of the best wines in the area. Now, they have different levels you can enjoy. There is the Santa Cookie Car, the cheapest option with just a cookie, to gourmet options that include kid friendly three course meals. All include visits with Santa. Book something that will make the kids and the parents happy with the experience.
Peninsula/South Bay
Holiday at Filoli – Redwood City, CA
In 2024 we got the chance to visit the beautiful Filoli Estate. This beautiful historic estate has a home built in 1915 was first used by the Bourne family as a country home for entertaining. The home is open in the evenings to visit and each room is decorated to the nines for the holidays, each room in a different theme and/or time period. Outside, the estate and gardens are covered in more than 20 miles of holiday lights. There is a 210 foot light tunnel, Chinese lanterns illuminating the rose garden, and glowing orbs in the entrance. After wandering and admiring the garden, you can stop at the Holiday chalets and get a hot chocolate, mulled wine, and a sweet treat while sitting by a fire pit. It’s a beautiful way to spend an evening, the kids will marvel at the lights and the teens will love all the Instagram-able moments.
All Over the Bay Area
Outdoor Ice Skating – Various Locations
There are several locations around the Bay that are planning to bring back their outdoor temporary ice skating rings. We have enjoyed taking a day in San Francisco, and attending the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square. But for those who want to stick to the east bay, there is a nice one in The Little Ice Rink at Alameda Point, the Ice at the Veranda in Concord, and Walnut Creek on Ice.
The Nutcracker – San Francisco and Oakland
Since my daughter was 4 and first started ballet classes, we have seen the Nutcracker every year. We usually go to the Nutcracker in San Francisco which is a world class production in the beautiful War Memorial Opera House. We love to dress up. go to the dinner in the city, and then attend one of their family performances, that include photo opportunities with the dancers, and other activities. In 2019 we attended the Oakland Ballet Nutcracker and were amazed at the quality of the performance. It’s done in the Paramount Teacher, a beautiful 1920s Art Deco theater in the heart of downtown Oakland.
I can already tell the lasting impact these memories have on my children. My daughter and I have seen the Nutcracker in multiple places and never miss a year. My kids keep asking me when we are going to Glowfari. We plan out our cookie baking weekend, and our weekend to see the lights. The excitement they feel is contagious, and it makes the whole family excited for the holiday. I hope that my children will have the same lasting memories and love of the season that my parents installed in me. I hope sharing this with you, you can make your own memories that last a lifetime.
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