A lovely time to visit San Francisco is at Christmas, when the weather is just right for strolling about the city in its cozy atmosphere. Holiday lights are seen around the city, and citizens enjoy a range of events, from theatrical performances to shopping in Union Square and Pier 39 and a plethora of Christmas productions, such as the Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol, presented by the San Francisco Ballet. An annual tradition since its first performance on Christmas Eve in 1944, the Nutcracker by the San Francisco Ballet is a sure hit. Also, the San Francisco Symphony puts on Christmas concerts around the city. One other Christmas tradition that has been going strong in the Bay Area since 1970 is the Great Dickens Christmas Fair held at the Cow Palace.
-> See also: Christmas in America
Christmas Traditions in San Francisco
People from all around the world come to San Francisco to celebrate Christmas in style. Among the most popular ones, here are a few San Franciscan holiday traditions that both residents and tourists may partake in while in the city:
Christmas Windows: The Christmas window decorations at Macy’s include live animals. From November 17th through December 31st, from Thursday through Sunday, from noon to 5 pm (excluding holidays), the SPCA brings lovely puppies and kittens to Macy’s for adoption on the same day.
Union Square: Holiday shoppers should make a beeline for San Francisco’s Union Square, the city’s primary retail hub. Macy’s Great Christmas tree, which stands at 83 feet, is a gift from Macy’s to the city, and there are also more conventional flagship department stores like Neiman Marcus and Macy’s. On the sixth level of the store, you’ll find Santa’s Workshop and ice skating rinks.
Ghirardelli Square: It is still worthwhile to stroll around Ghirardelli Square during Christmas to see the lights on the buildings and the square itself, since Ghirardelli Square is completely changed with lights everywhere. Boudin also provides a spot where kids may sit on Santa’s knee on certain evenings.
Presidio: Beginning on the first Friday of December, a gorgeous tree in the Presidio is adorned with multicolored lights, which remain illuminated all through the Christmas season.
Christmas Celebrations: The San Francisco Symphony hosts joyful family concerts all through December, among other holiday-themed activities and performances happening all across the city.
Places to Visit in San Francisco During Christmas
From dining and shopping to live music and theatrical performances, these venues have it all.
- San Francisco Botanical Garden: The San Francisco Botanical Garden is a stunning venue to visit, situated in the heart of Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.
- San Francisco Zoo: Another fantastic destination is the San Francisco Zoo, which is situated in the city’s southwest corner.
- Chinatown: The Christmas season is the perfect time to explore Chinatown, a lively area that is always a must-see.
- California Academy of Sciences: Among the world’s most prestigious and extensive museums devoted to natural history is the California Academy of Sciences.
- Union Square: San Francisco’s Union Square is the place to be during the holiday season. Lights are strung over it every year, and the shops that line the square’s old buildings put up spectacular displays.
- Embarcadero Center: During Christmas, the four buildings that make up the San Francisco Embarcadero Center are adorned with 17,000 lights, creating a visual impact on the city skyline.
- Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies: Large crowds are sometimes seen during Christmas tree lighting rituals. Union Square, Pier 39, and Ghirardelli Square are home to the largest and most eye-catching trees.
- Local Communities: If you like perusing communities and homes that have been adorned with holiday lights, you can find hundreds of listings on California Christmas Lights.
History of Christmas in San Francisco
The tradition of celebrating Christmas in San Francisco has been going strong for decades. In the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s, the celebration took on extra significance. A department store located at 150 Stockton St. was known as the City of Paris. The tinsel-covered Christmas tree, which stood at 60 feet, was its claim to fame, and decorations, toys, and snacks adorned this tree. A lot of individuals still think about the time they had exploring the store’s floors while pointing to the things they wanted.
Rooftop carnivals for children were formerly held at the Emporium in San Francisco. Its sponsored Santa Claus parades along Market Street were likewise famously extravagant. The firehouses used to be in a decorating contest with each other. For a long time, people called Eighteenth Avenue Christmas Tree Lane.
Driving down the marina and seeing the lights on the buildings and boats is a memory that some city dwellers may have. A frequent sight along Hyde Street was the sound of carolers atop the cable cars. Many of these customs may have died down over the years, but Christmas in San Francisco is still a worthy time.