Greetings! The winter season of December 2025 is glowing up San Francisco and the broader Bay Area with various holiday enchantments. Consider, the San Francisco Ballet will present the show, The Nutcracker, for a limited engagement from December 13th to the 21st at the War Memorial Opera House, Christmas in the Park in glowing splendor from November 21st to December 31st at Plaza de César Chávez in San Jose, and the Great Dickens Fair will return on weekends leading up to December 22nd at Cow Palace. In addition, there is ice skating in Union Square and concert performances throughout San Jose, while many other activities abound in Oakland, Palo Alto, and surrounding towns. Our local rides make hopping between these spots a breeze—no stress, just fun!
Why You’ll Love Catching December Events in sf This Year
San Francisco in December is an experience in itself, you know? The city shines bright with all the twinkling lights, the smells of freshly prepared street food, and the excitement of people getting into the holiday spirit. If you’re Googling events in SF December, you are in for a treat, as there are events all over the spectrum of different experiences; from family fun experiencing a chill day out, to fancy, upscale nights out. We’ve been zipping folks around the Bay for over 25 years here at Bay Area Transports, and let me tell you, we’ve seen it all—from dodging holiday traffic to dropping off at the perfect spot for photos.
These SF events in December blend old-school traditions with fresh twists, keeping things exciting. Imagine wandering a street fair with hot cider in hand or settling in for a concert that gives you all the feels. As your go-to for reliable rides, we use clean, comfortable cars (many of which are electric) and apps that show exactly where your driver is. Our drivers? Total locals who love chatting about hidden gems, like the best spot for post-show treats.
Must-See Holiday Events and Festivals Happening Right Now
Let’s dive into the top things to do in San Francisco this holiday season. I’ve pulled together a bunch of favorites with all the details so you can plan without the hassle:
San Francisco Ballet’s The Nutcracker: Kicks off December 13 and runs through the 21st at War Memorial Opera House. It’s got that classic music, amazing dancers, and kid-friendly vibes—grab tickets early!
- San Francisco Ballet’s The Nutcracker: Kicks off December 13 and runs through the 21st at War Memorial Opera House. It’s got that classic music, amazing dancers, and kid-friendly vibes—grab tickets early!
- Moulin Rouge! The Musical: From December 16 to 28 at the Orpheum Theatre. Super fun with all the glitz, songs, and dancing. Perfect if you’re in the mood for something upbeat.
- Union Square Ice Rink: Open every day until January 5 right in the heart of Union Square. Skate under the big tree and lights—perfect for a romantic evening or a fun time with friends. Rentals are easy to get.
- Great Dickens Fair: Weekends from November 23 to December 22 at Cow Palace. Feels like you’ve time-traveled to old London with characters, shops, and tasty bites. One of those immersive festival events everyone raves about.
- Holidays at Filoli: All month long starting December 1 at Filoli Historic House & Garden in Woodside. Walk the lit-up paths, catch some live tunes. It’s peaceful and pretty.
- Bill Graham Menorah Lighting: December 8 at Embarcadero Plaza. Hanukkah celebration with music, treats, and that huge menorah by the water.
- Let’s Glow SF: Certain nights in December at Pier 39. Cool, glowing art and interactive elements are great for Christmas events in the SF Bay Area.
On the hunt for events in SF this weekend, events in SF today, or even events in SF tonight? Things pop up at the last minute, such as the Candlelight Concerts held at various locations throughout the month. Download our app for quick updates!
More Holiday Cheer: Events in SF Next Week and All Over the Bay
The fun doesn’t stop in the city events in SF next week spill over into the whole area, and it’s so easy to explore. Oakland’s got the Dunsmuir-Hellman Historic Estate Holiday Lights from December 1-23 (drive-through magic!), and Palo Alto hosts Winter Wonderland weekends in December at Stanford Shopping Center with carolers and Santa.
Head south to San Jose for some real standout holiday events. We cover rides from SF all the way down, plus Oakland, Palo Alto, and everywhere in between with our affordable transport options.
- Christmas in the Park: November 21 to December 31 at Plaza de César Chávez in San Jose. Millions of lights, plus the drive-thru option on select dates—book ahead for that.
- Symphony San Jose Holiday Spectacular: December 6 and 7 at California Theatre. Carols, orchestra, and even some fireworks—family gold.
- The San Jose Nutcracker: Shows on December 13 (2pm & 7pm) and 14 at Center for the Performing Arts. A cool, modern spin with live music.
- Winter Wonder Market: December 13-14 at South Hall in downtown San Jose. Local makers, warm drinks, and entertainment—kinda like a mini San Francisco Christmas market.
You’ll find concerts, maybe a sports game if the Warriors are home, fairs, and street parties galore in San Francisco December. It’s all connected, and we make getting there simple.
How We Keep Your Rides Safe and Smooth for Bay Area Holidays
We’ve been in the transportation game for over 15 years, and we love being part of your holiday stories. Our rides follow all the rules from the California Public Utilities Commission, plus federal safety stuff, so you can relax. We’re Bay Area born and raised, teaming up with places like the opera house for smooth pickups and drop-offs. What builds trust? Our track record. Folks keep coming back because we’re on time (like, 98% of the time!) and genuinely care
What Our Riders Are Saying: Real Talks from Real Trips
Hear it straight from people like you:
- Sarah T. from SF: “Took Bay Area Transports to the Nutcracker zero worries about parking in the craziness. The driver was chatty and showed us extra lights on the way. Best reliable rides ever!”
- The Lopez Family’s Story: Last year, this crew of five went from Oakland to San Jose’s Christmas in the Park. We fit everyone (including car seats!), stopped for snacks, and got them there happily. “Made our night magical, no meltdowns!” says Maria. They’ve booked us again for the Dickens Fair.
These stories are why we do what we do with local transportation services that feel like hanging with a friend.
Quick Tips to Make Your December in San Francisco Even Better
- A few friendly pointers for San Francisco December events in sf:
- Book your ride soon—holidays get busy!
- Please dress in layers; SF fog is real, but we’ve got blankets.
- Plan a full day: Event + fair? We’ll route it perfectly.
Searching for holiday events or festivals in San Francisco? This is your spot for all the deets.
Let’s Get You to the Fun Book a Ride Now!
December events in SF are all about making memories, from Christmas events in SF Bay Area to those awesome San Francisco festivals. Don’t let getting around steal the show. Golden State Limousine or give us a ring at 4154855012 to grab your ride. We’re here to make it easy and fun what event are you hitting up first? Drop a comment below!