The holidays are going to look a little different this year, but even with the detour, there are still plenty of San Francisco Christmas events you and your family can safely enjoy. 

From a classy night listening to the symphony to the neighborhood holiday light shows, we have a list of San Francisco Christmas Events that we know you and your family are going to love.

Most of the holiday events in San Francisco will have social distancing and other COVID-safety measures put in place to keep everyone safe. To learn more about any of the San Francisco Christmas events you plan on visiting this year, be sure to visit their respective websites or social media for more information.

During the holiday season, GoCar Tours is also offering Christmas events in San Francisco that are COVID-safe. You can use promo code HOLIDAY15 for 15% off any of our San Francisco tours!

Here is our list of the best San Francisco Christmas events in 2020:

  1. Sonoma Community Fine Craft & Holiday Trunk Show
  2. SF Symphony Deck the Hall Virtual Celebration
  3. Half Moon Bay’s Nights of Lights
  4. Union Square Holiday Festivities
  5. Santa’s Suites at the Fairmont Hotel
  6. Alameda Holiday Lights
  7. Go on a GoCar Tour

1. Sonoma Community Fine Craft and Art Holiday Trunk Show

If you are looking for a unique holiday shopping experience or need some last-minute gifts or stocking stuffers, the Sonoma Community Fine Craft and Art Holiday Trunk Show is one of the best San Francisco Christmas events to do during the holidays.

Granted, Sonoma isn’t in San Francisco, but the quick drive is worth it to support local artists and buy truly unique gifts. The show is free to the public, and social distancing and masks are required.  For those who would like a jump on public admission, there is a ticketed entrance at 10 am for $20.  General public admission is 11 am to 4 pm every Saturday till Christmas.

2. SF Symphony Deck the Hall Virtual Celebration 

If you are missing the excitement of holiday performances like the Nutcracker, SF Symphony’s Deck the Hall Virtual Celebration is a perfect way to celebrate the season. 

Conducted by Daniel Stewart, the San Francisco Symphony and San Fransico Boys Chorus present a collection of holiday favorites including Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Russin Dance from The Nutcracker. 

You can catch the performance on the following airwaves:

  • December 19, 2020 on the NBC Bay Area affiliate at 3:30 pm
  • December 25th, 2020 on the NBC Bay Area affiliate and Telemundo 48 at 11 am

For an extra special treat, the symphony offers a VIP package that includes a special home delivery of selected goodies and a personal video call from the North Poles number one celebrity, Santa Claus!

3. Half Moon Bay’s Nights of Lights

Shopping small is a great way to support local businesses during a really tough year, and Half Moon Bay’s Night of Lights makes shopping small an adventurous San Francisco Christmas event with 4 Nights of Lights!

The Friday night festivities include watching the Coastside Jewish Community light the candles on the Menorah at Mac Dutra Park on December 11th and visiting Santa and the nativity scene at Mac Dutra Park on December 18th.

Half Moon Bay’s Main Street shops will be open until 8 pm and there will be beautiful lights adorning the trees and shop windows to light your way to a happy holiday!  Social Distancing and Masks are required for these festivities, but most of the lights can be enjoyed from outside, or even from a moving vehicle!

4. Union Square Holiday Festivities

Union Square is traditionally one of the best Christmas events in San Francisco. From lighting the tree in Union Square to having a hot chocolate in Macy’s overlooking the park, Union Square has always been the go-to spot for Bay Area Holiday cheer.

Unfortunately, there is no skating rink this year, and social distancing and masks will be enforced.  But fewer crowds mean it will be easier to stroll around downtown with a hot beverage and check out some of the fun Christmas displays in store windows. But even with all of the changes, the giant Christmas Tree is still a part of the Union Square tradition and will remain up until January 5th.

5. Santa’s Suites at the Fairmont Hotel

The Fairmont Hotel, at the very top of San Francisco’s famous Nob Hill, is one of the most elegant hotels in the city and has been featured in several films including “Vertigo” and “The Rock”. 

The hotel also offers one of the swankiest San Francisco Christmas events. This year, the hotel’s Santa Suites offer guests a stay in Santa and Mrs. Claus’s San Francisco “home” away from the North Pole. Santa Suite packages include overnight accommodations in a one-bedroom luxury suite, decked out in Santa-inspired décor, continental breakfast for up to four guests in Laurel court, an inspired holiday-themed hot chocolate bar (with ingredients for both traditional and adult beverages), holiday cookies, and a DIY gingerbread house kit.

6. Alameda Holiday Lights

A local San Francisco Christmas event favorite is driving over the Bay Bridge to the island of Alameda. 

For decades, almost all the houses along the 3200 block of Thompson Ave have lit their homes with intricate holiday decorations that embody the holidays and Alameda’s small-town charm. People from all over the Bay Area park and walk the length of the block to visit the nostalgic displays. Santa Claus can’t fit it in this year, but there will be a letterbox available for letters and those with legible return addresses will still get a reply from Santa himself! This nightly event runs from Saturday, December 5, 2020, through New Year’s Eve.

7. Go on a GoCar Tour

Maybe we’re a bit bias, but our customers agree: A GoCar tour is definitely one of the best San Francisco Christmas events to do in 2020.

GoCar’s GPS Guided Tours are naturally socially distanced, and with our strict cleaning protocols and open-air rental lot, we are able to provide a safe holiday experience for multiple households who want to spend time together for a unique holiday experience this year.

Zoom through some of San Francisco’s most beautiful neighborhoods with one of our GPS guided vehicles. It feels great to have the fresh ocean air grace you while on the road (you can drive mask-free, although they are required at the shop or if you choose to park).  GoCar also has electric vehicle upgrades, and these vehicles have heated seats and roofs to make the drive even cozier. So grab a cup of hot chocolate and get some friends together for a caravan of fun in GoCar this holiday season. 

For all of our San Francisco tours, use promo code HOLIDAY15 for 15% off!