Looking for the best Christmas lights in the San Francisco Bay Area this year? You’re in the right place!
Christmas lights in the San Francisco Bay Area will light you up with delight this winter.
Not just San Francisco – a timeless urban retreat, but the cities like San Jose, San Carlos, Fremont, Palo Alto, Monterey, and Oakland, offer magical wonderlands of Christmas lights and decorations and exude a cheering warmth.
Stroll the mile-long stretches of streets decked with sparkling lights and see the houses beautifully and creatively festooned with decorations and soak up all the festive spirit.
Christmas is a perfect time to make new memories together with family and loved ones.
Here is a list of fabulous places to see Christmas Lights in the San Francisco Bay Area where you can bask in the glow of holiday light displays.
A magical ambiance awaits you at each of these places. Plan your December weekends ahead and enjoy.
Happy holidays!
What’s New for the 2026 Holiday Season
Planning your holiday lights tour? Here’s what’s changed this season!
- Train of Lights in Niles Canyon is already sold out for 2026.
- Glowfari at the Oakland Zoo returns Nov 6 with all-new lanterns, a VIP experience and its longest season yet.
- Garden of D’Lights adds higher peak pricing on Saturdays.
- The German Holiday Market in Mountain View is now at City Hall Plaza, not the Caltrain station.
- The Great Dickens Christmas Fair celebrates its 42nd season, with Early Bird tickets from Oct 16–31.
- Los Altos holds its 50th Festival of Lights Parade.
- Golden Gate Park: Night Bloom and Entwined no longer run, and the Conservatory of Flowers now hosts the free Photosynthesis projection show.
- Fantasy of Lights in Los Gatos is now walk-through only, with drone shows on four nights.
Where 2026 dates haven’t been announced yet, I’ve marked them TBD. Check back closer to the season!
Map to see Christmas Lights in the San Francisco Bay Area
When the nights are long and frost sparkles in the cold morning air, my thoughts turn to Christmas and I pine to see illuminated streets that come alive with strings of twinkling lights.
Like everyone else, Christmas lights fill my heart with warmth and joy. I enjoy exploring Christmas lights and traditions in different parts of the world.
Diverse and unique ways of Christmas celebrations in different countries entice me to witness all. While living in Switzerland, I enjoyed visiting fairy-tale Christmas markets and mountain Christmas villages.
I explored the cathedral complex of Pisa or the leaning tower of Pisa in Italy on a Christmas day. I loved drinking mulled wine at the Christmas market in Strasbourg – the oldest and biggest in Europe.
Once, during Christmas, I visited Magdeburg which lights up with more than a million LEDs and has the most extensive Christmas and winter lighting in central Germany.
I have been a resident of the San Francisco Bay Area for many years, and I have explored its beautiful corners during the holidays. Christmas in the Bay Area brings together many customs from other countries and cultures.
I love how the whole family comes together to decorate the Christmas tree and home with bright lights, wreaths, candles, holly, mistletoe, and ornaments.
Here I present some of the best places in the San Francisco Bay Area for you to enjoy Christmas lights. But first a map – it always comes in handy.
No matter where I go, the spirit of Christmas and joy among people remained the same everywhere in the world.
Not just San Francisco – a timeless urban retreat, but the cities like San Jose, San Carlos, Fremont, Palo Alto, Monterey, and Oakland, offer magical wonderlands of Christmas lights and decorations and exude a cheering warmth.… Share on X When the nights are long and frost sparkles in the cold morning air, my thoughts turn to Christmas and I pine to see illuminated streets which come alive with strings of twinkling lights. #Christmas #TravelPhotography Share on X1. Gorgeous Christmas Lights and decor at Eucalyptus street, San Carlos
- When: 2026 dates TBD (usually most of December)
- Hours: Dusk to about 10 p.m.
- Cost: Free
- Where: Eucalyptus Ave between Tamarack Ave and Cordilleras Ave, San Carlos
- Good to know: 2026 traffic and parking rules are TBD, so check the City of San Carlos website before you go
I was completely in awe while walking on Eucalyptus street in San Carlos. It was an experience like no other.
All the residents in the neighborhood decorate their houses and keep them illuminated for visitors to see. Needless to say, this is a completely free event.
I loved walking with the crowd brimming with Christmas spirit.
The concept of such an event is different from the Christmas markets widespread in Europe but the triumph of togetherness can be felt both in Europe and here in the Bay area. Let me inspire you with some photographs of the event.
Practical tips: Park your car a few blocks away and walk the street for a fulfilling experience.
The very first house with the address 1900 Eucalyptus Avenue was adorned with beautiful Poinsettias – the flowers of the holy night.
I first saw the bright red-hued Poinsettias on a snowy night at a Christmas party in Switzerland. Beautiful poinsettias instantly won my heart and luckily, one of the hosts gave me a pot of Poinsettias.
I cared for the vibrant plant throughout the winter. The decor of this house reminded me of how I came across Poinsettias for the first time.
Fun fact: Eucalyptus Avenue’s tradition began in 1968, when Rod and Pat Liner lit their home in white lights. Their Santa mailbox now gets thousands of letters every year!
Interesting facts about Poinsettias
Poinsettias have become synonymous with Christmas and for this to happen, all credit goes to some brilliant marketing by a German immigrant named Albert Ecke.
In 1902, Albert Ecke arrived in the United States from Germany with his wife, Henrietta, and their four children.
Before moving, Ecke owned and operated a vegetarian health spa, which was a part of Henrietta’s inheritance.
He was planning to move his family to Fiji to establish a similar business. But they decided to cut their journey short when they stumbled upon Los Angeles – a budding agricultural oasis.
They fell in love with the beautiful sights found in Los Angeles—specifically, the wild-growing poinsettia, which was named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the U.S.-Mexican ambassador who first brought it to the States in 1828.
Poinsettia plants are native to Central America, especially in an area of southern Mexico known as Taxco del Alarcon where they flower during the winter.
Ecke saw the appeal of the plant’s bright red leaves that blossomed in winter (it’s not actually a flower, despite the common assumption) and began marketing it from roadside stands to local growers as “the Christmas plant”.
By 1918, the Eckes established a successful business selling Poinsettias and began shipping to New York, Chicago, and St. Louis.
Poinsettias have become synonymous with Christmas and for this to happen, all credit goes to some brilliant marketing by a German immigrant named Albert Ecke. #Christmas Share on XThere is an old Mexican legend about how Poinsettias and Christmas come together.
The story goes like this: There was once a poor Mexican girl called Pepita who had no present to give the baby Jesus at the Christmas Eve Services.
As Pepita walked to the chapel, sadly, her cousin Pedro tried to cheer her up. ‘Pepita’, he said, “I’m sure that even the smallest gift, given by someone who loves him will make Jesus Happy.”
Pepita picked a small handful of weeds from the roadside and made them into a small bouquet. She put the bouquet at the bottom of the nativity scene.
Suddenly, the bouquet of weeds burst into bright red flowers, and everyone who saw them was sure they had seen a miracle.
From that day on, the bright red flowers were known as the ‘Flores de Noche Buena’, or ‘Flowers of the Holy Night’.
While taking a stroll, I stumbled upon another house whose decoration gave me a feeling of falling snow on a wintry night.
Nostalgia struck and I was flooded with memories of snowy Christmas nights I spent in Europe.
2. Christmas Lights at Crippsmas Place in Fremont
- When: 2026 dates TBD (usually early through late December)
- Hours: About 6–10 p.m.
- Cost: Free (donations support local charities)
- Where: Cripps Pl and Wellington Pl, off Nicolet Ave, Fremont
Crippsmas Place is a cheerful neighborhood display in north Fremont, a holiday tradition since the late 1960s.
More than 70 houses participate in Crippsmas Place and display around 300 unique painted plywood decorations.
My daughter loved seeing her favorite cartoon and movie characters displayed through life-size plywood cutouts.
Winnie The Pooh train, Disney characters, Super Mario, the nativity scene, Santa Claus with Elves, snowman, and many more such decorations won our hearts.
My daughter Chirantana was born in Lausanne, the French part of Switzerland. During the holidays I used to see big led displays everywhere with the words “joyeuses fêtes” which means happy holidays in French.
On Christmas day I used to say Joyeux Noel to wish someone Merry Christmas. While exploring Crippsmas Place in Fremont, when I saw Noel, all the memories came rushing back.
Christmas is not only about celebrating childhood but also about reminiscing old Christmas memories from youth or later years that bring smiles to our faces.
After writing a letter to Santa and dropping it inside a post box at Crippsmas Place, she was happy to say “Hi!” to the snowman.
This time, she reminded us how she enjoyed making a snowman at the shores of Lake Tahoe – the largest alpine lake in North America! Crippsmas place gifted us many memorable moments to cherish forever.
3. Christmas lights of Christmas Tree Lane at Fulton Street, Palo Alto
- When: 2026 dates TBD (usually mid- to late December)
- Hours: 5–11 p.m. nightly
- Cost: Free
- Good to know: There’s no parking on Fulton St in the evenings, and if you drive through, switch to your parking lights
Christmas Tree Lane is located in the 1700 and 1800 blocks of Fulton Street in Palo Alto.
The row of houses on Fulton Street off Embarcadero Road was the last street in Palo Alto in 1940 when four residents there gathered around a bridge table one day and discussed the upcoming holiday season.
It was during that game at the home of Judge Edward E. Hardy that one of Palo Alto’s longest-standing traditions was born.
The row of lighted trees and decorated homes are unrivaled on the Peninsula. Each house depicts a story related to Christmas. It was fun reading or inferring the story from the decorations.
I and my daughter had a burst of hearty laughter when we recognized the famous poem by Clement Clarke Moore depicted through the decoration of one house.
Later after coming back home, both of us read the poem aloud and the joy lingered long. She slept dreaming of toys, St. Nicholas, his miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.
I loved the multi-hued light decoration in one house on the dark winter night.
The fallen leaves were drifting slowly with the soft breeze and the rain-drenched street was reflecting the colored lights; the vivid greens, the royal flaunting purples, the warm yellow, and the bright orange. It was a kind of ambiance that inspires a person to write a cheerful letter to herself.
Happiness, after all, doesn’t come nowadays easily in this world of relentless pursuit.
4. Holiday lights at Oakland Temple
- When: 2026 dates TBD (usually late November through December)
- Hours: Lights on from dusk to 9 p.m.
- Cost: Free, with free parking
- Address: 4770 Lincoln Ave, Oakland
- Good to know: Free guided lights tours run from dusk to 8:30 p.m.
I can add hundreds of photographs of the illuminated Oakland temple but none will do justice to its beauty.
Against a backdrop of the white granite of the temple, the Christmas lights illuminate the fountains, bushes, and lush flowers.
The Christmas lights on 60 feet high palm trees and the five golden spires that crown the temple look spectacular all together.
When I visited the Oakland Temple on an evening in December, I saw an overspill of enthusiastic people walking in all sorts of directions and enjoying the bright and beautiful temple grounds shining with the holiday lights.
The Christmas spirit in me awoke from its year-long peaceful slumber in this place. Temple ground at Christmas-time is more than magical.
The spirit of Christmas can be felt. You need to see the beautiful Christmas lights at Oakland Temple through your own eyes and feel the happy and peaceful vibes.
While exploring the Oakland temple, I remembered my visit to Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah on my way to Yellowstone National Park.
When I stumbled upon the beautiful statue of Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus, my daughter stood beside me too. Both of us fell in love with the serene sculpture.
I don’t know what she felt but she held my hand firmly and gave me a beautiful smile. The true magic Christmas conjures is love!
The true magic Christmas conjures is love! #Christmas Share on X
Fun fact: The temple grounds sparkle with about 500,000 Christmas lights!
5. Glowfari at the Oakland Zoo
- Dates: Nov 6, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027 (closed some nights, including Dec 24–25)
- Hours: Entry 4:30–6:30 p.m.; open until 9 p.m.
- Cost: Dynamic pricing; 2026 prices TBD. Parking included
- Tickets: Timed tickets go on sale Oct 20 (members at 9 a.m., everyone else at noon)
- Address: 9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland
- New for 2026: All-new lanterns, a VIP experience and a longer season
Visit the Oakland Zoo to see the holiday lights with your kid and revel in the joy while strolling the starlit pathways.
My daughter loved the colorfully lit animal-themed structures throughout the zoo.
We all enjoyed riding the festively-lit gondolas up to the Landing Café and the spectacular Bay Area views at 650 feet above sea level. Make merry memories at Oakland zoo during the holidays.
Travel Tip: Dress warmly and ride the glowing gondola early in the evening, before the lines grow!
6. Garden of D’Lights at the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek
- Dates: Select nights, Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027
- Cost: $29 adults and $16 kids 5–17 on regular nights; $35 / $18 on Saturdays and Jan 1; under 5 free
- Tickets: Timed entry; buy ahead (public sale opens Oct 9)
- Address: 1552 Bancroft Rd, Walnut Creek
- Good to know: Leashed dogs are welcome. Not recommended for people with photosensitive epilepsy
Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek transforms itself with lights and lasers to a garden of delights. Beautiful cacti, succulents, and trees are transformed into magical and colorful botanical sculptures by thousands of lights! Art, nature, and lights all commingle under the evening sky in winter.
While meandering through the garden, I came across a beautiful and bright Christmas star on a bench.
An interesting biblical story about the Christmas Star: The Christmas star symbolizes the star of Bethlehem, which guided the three kings, or wise men, to the baby Jesus.
The star is also the heavenly sign of a prophecy fulfilled long ago and the shining hope for humanity.
7. Holiday Lights at the Golden Gate Park
- Photosynthesis: A free light projection show on the Conservatory of Flowers, nightly from about 30 minutes after sunset to midnight
- Tree lighting: Uncle John’s Tree at McLaren Lodge, 501 Stanyan St (2026 date TBD, usually early December)
- Cost: Free
- 2026 heads-up: Night Bloom and Entwined no longer run in Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park’s beloved holiday light installations are a must-see if you live in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The glowing Conservatory of Flowers, the historic tree lighting at McLaren Lodge and the Music Concourse at night are my favorites.
Fun fact: Uncle John’s Tree is a Monterey cypress more than 135 years old, first lit with 800 bulbs on park superintendent John McLaren’s 84th birthday.
Photosynthesis at the Conservatory of Flowers
Today, the Conservatory of Flowers glows with Photosynthesis, a free light projection show on its iconic glass facade. It plays nightly from about 30 minutes after sunset until midnight.
Years ago, I was completely immersed in the experience when the Conservatory of Flowers burst with vibrant and luminous displays during Night Bloom, the light show that came before it.
Music Concourse in Golden Gate Park
Do you love taking pictures like me? Then click and let the shutter open! You must capture Music Concourse – the huge, open-air plaza within Golden Gate Park with the holiday lights with your camera.
I remember it was a foggy, cold December night when I arrived in the Golden Gate Park to see the colorful holiday lights.
After a while, the fog started evaporating like details of dreams. And almost like magic, a gentle euphoria washed over me when I saw the changing colors of Spreckels Temple of Music, also called the “Bandshell,” – the focal point of the plaza.
My daughter quickly went up on the stage of the Bandshell and recited a beautiful poem. I took a stroll and captured the moment, the ambiance, and feeling like a poem with my camera instead of a pen.
Nestled right between the majestic buildings that housed art and nature, I sat on the bench for some time.
At the opposite side of the Bandshell, I saw the Skystar wheel. At my daughter’s request, we stepped inside one of the gondolas and marveled at the unparalleled views from downtown San Francisco to the Pacific Ocean. (The SkyStar wheel has since left Golden Gate Park.)
8. Christmas lights at Union Square, San Francisco
- Ice rink: Nov 4, 2026 – Jan 18, 2027; $22 general, $17 kids 8 and under (skates included)
- Holiday windows: SF SPCA adoptable pets in Macy’s windows, Nov 20 – Dec 31, Wed–Sun, noon–5 p.m.
- Tree: Macy’s Great Tree usually lights up in mid-November (2026 date TBD)
- Where: Union Square, Geary St and Powell St
Not just the beautiful Christmas tree but the bright and beautiful red heart reflecting lights from the Palm trees stole my heart at Union Square.
Needless to say, you must checkmark this square if you want to see Christmas Lights in San Francisco.
The moment I bent my neck, took position to capture the beautiful Christmas tree, a person in torn clothes asked me to give him a dollar.
I clicked the pic and gave him the dollar and then sat down thinking that this city has another side too which no one wants to see. I felt a grain of sadness amidst all the Christmas happiness.
THE RICH city of San Francisco at Christmas. From a vantage point on Telegraph Hill it’s a magnificent sight – the Bay Bridge a mammoth Meccano set, the Ferry Building tower a beloved toy, the reasonably mundane buildings of Embarcadero Center transformed into dreams by thousands of lights that out-twinkle the stars. Ah, the magic of oil-driven energy! There are carols in the streets, trees in the windows, enticing packages festooned with bows. … But there is everlasting guilt among the gilt, the most egregious conflict of the blessed and the damned season: the haves and have nots, the winners and the losers, the Scrooges and the scrooged. The charities have done their best and millions have been raised but it is still not enough, it is never enough, it never will be, and that is the shame of the richest country.
Herb Caen
Fun fact: 2026 marks the 40th year of the SF SPCA’s holiday windows at Macy’s!
9. Christmas lights at Pier 15, San Francisco
- BuckyBall: Lit nightly outside the Exploratorium at Pier 15
- Embarcadero Center: The annual lighting ceremony and holiday market is usually in mid-November (2026 date TBD)
- Cost: Free
- Good to know: The Embarcadero Center ice rink has not returned in recent years
At the entrance of the Exploratorium, one of the top 10 science museums in the United States, you can see the BuckyBall – a towering 25-foot illuminated sculpture.
Composed of 4,500 LED nodes arranged along with a series of pentagons and hexagons, Buckyball is animated by special software to display over 16 million colors.
The lights dynamically shift and fade in both sequential and random orders, generating vibrant hues that pour life into Exploratorium’s public space all day.
At night feel the breeze by the bay and get immersed in the surrounding lights and colors.
Walk towards the waterfront port of San Francisco and see the clock tower aglow with white lights. When I visited the last lap of autumn was still visible on the trees, despite the chill in the air.
Look at the Bay Bridge lights from the waterfront port of San Francisco. The Bay Lights is an iconic San Francisco light sculpture!
Embarcadero Center
Don’t miss seeing the illuminated Embarcadero Center with 17,000-holiday lights!
10. Christmas Lights at City Hall, San Francisco
- Winter Lights: A free projection show lit up City Hall every evening last holiday season; 2026 dates TBD
- Tree lighting: Civic Center Plaza (2026 date TBD, usually early December)
- Cost: Free
- Address: 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl, San Francisco
Every year, the San Francisco City Hall gets lit up in festive green and red in order to celebrate the holiday season.
I didn’t get time to visit, but you can stop by City Hall with your family and see the beautifully lit Christmas tree across the street in Civic Center Plaza.
Fun fact: More than 220 LED fixtures light up City Hall. Before 2016, changing its colors took seven people climbing onto the roof to swap colored gels!
11. Christmas lights in San Jose
- Where: Santana Row, Downtown San Jose and the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph, 80 S Market St
- Cost: Free to stroll
- Don’t miss: Skate Under the Palms at the Circle of Palms Plaza (2026 dates and prices TBD)
- 2026 heads-up: Mattos Orchard Lights is no longer at the family’s home; the display was donated to Christmas in the Park
In the heart of Silicon Valley, San Jose surprises its city dwellers and visitors with its glittering and shimmering holiday lights.
There are various events and display throughout the city. San Jose is one of the best places to see Christmas lights in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Christmas lights at Santana Row, San Jose
Santana Row is one of my favorite places, and more so during the holidays. I love walking the street at my own pace and seeing the lights.
If you are someone who wants to enjoy sights and bites then Santana Row is the place to be. It has lots of good restaurants too!
Christmas Lights at Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph in San Jose
I fell in love with the light and sound projection at the façade of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph, 80 S. Market Street in San Jose.
Holiday lights in San Jose Downtown
Plaza de Cesar Chavez features LED wrapped trees, archways, and a contemporary Christmas tree on the stage.
Also Read: Best Christmas Events and Lights in San Jose, California
12. Christmas Lights at Pebble Beach Resorts
- Cost: 17-Mile Drive $12.50 per vehicle, refunded with a $35+ meal at a Pebble Beach Resorts restaurant
- Hours: Gates open sunrise to sunset
- Where: 17-Mile Drive and The Lodge at Pebble Beach
- Good to know: Motorcycles are not allowed on 17-Mile Drive
A drive through the scenic 17-mile drive during Christmas is a must for all Bay Area residents.
You will not only get to see some beautiful Christmas decorations along the way but also a gorgeous illuminated tree at Pebble Beach Resorts.
Did I say that the soft breeze, sound of the waves, and a beautiful sunset come free with the drive?
Christmas decor on the 17-mile drive
Beautiful Christmas decorations await you at the houses along the 17-mile drive.
Explore other Bay Area Christmas Lights Spots
13. Filoli Gardens
- Dates: 2026 dates TBD (usually daily from late November to early January)
- Cost: 2026 prices TBD
- Tickets: Timed tickets, bought in advance
- Address: 86 Cañada Rd, Woodside
Dripping with festive finery and sparkling with garden lights, Filoli Gardens look beautiful during the holidays.
Take a stroll and enjoy the beauty of the garden adorned with lights and colorful decor. Also, enjoy new shopping and sensory experiences.
14. Train of Lights, Fremont
- Dates: Select evenings, Nov 20 – Dec 30, 2026 (no trains Dec 24–25)
- Departs: Niles at 4:30 p.m., Sunol at 7:30 p.m. (about 1.5 hours round trip)
- Cost: $40 general, $70 first class
- 2026 heads-up: Sold out as of early October. Join the railway’s email list to hear about next year’s sale early
How about an enchanting holiday excursion? The Train of Lights offers a rare opportunity to experience a train ride through Niles Canyon at night.
Fun fact: The Train of Lights is the Niles Canyon Railway’s biggest fundraiser, and the museum is run entirely by volunteers.
15. Magical Christmas Train, West Sacramento – Jingle all the way
- Dates: 2026 dates TBD (usually select dates in late November and December)
- Cost: 2026 prices TBD
- Tickets: Required; book online
- Address: 18095 County Road 117, West Sacramento
The River Fox Train’s Magical Christmas Train in West Sacramento will transport you to a holiday wonderland. Take a one-hour ride, then explore Santa’s Village on the lawn, with Santa’s ice castle, a tree farm and festive photo spots!
Fun fact: The River Fox line was built in 1911 by the Northern Electric Company, and electric passenger service ran on it until 1941.
16. Fantasy of Lights at Vasona Park, Los Gatos
- Dates: Walk-through nights only: Sat–Sun, Dec 5–6 and Dec 12–13, 2026
- Hours: 4–9 p.m.
- Cost: $25 adults, $10 kids 4–12, under 4 free
- Tickets: Prepaid only, on sale from Nov 1 at parkhere.org; free shuttle from 121 Albright Way
- Address: Vasona Lake County Park, 333 Blossom Hill Rd, Los Gatos
New for 2026, Fantasy of Lights becomes a walk-through event! Stroll Vasona Lake County Park past more than 50 themed light displays, then watch a drone light show lighting up the night sky.
Fun fact: Fantasy of Lights has been glowing at Vasona since 1999!
17. Christmas in the Park, San Jose
- Dates: Nov 27, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027; Opening Night Ceremony on Sat, Nov 28, 6–7 p.m.
- Hours: Noon–10 p.m. daily
- Cost: Free (donations welcome)
- Address: Plaza de César Chávez, 194 S Market St, San Jose
A Mile of smiles for you. See a display of over 200,000 lights and enjoy a synchronized light show with some of the holiday favorite tunes.
Also Read:
- Best Christmas Events and Lights in San Jose, California
- 8 Reasons to Visit Enchant Christmas in San Jose, California
18. Christmas on the Wharf, Monterey
- Dates: Decorations Dec 1, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027; weekend festivities Fri–Sun, Dec 4–20
- Don’t miss: The Brighten the Harbor Lighted Boat Parade on Sun, Dec 6 (boats pass around 5:30 p.m.)
- Cost: Free
- Where: Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey
Create wonderful memories at Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf!
Christmas on the Wharf features free weekend live entertainment including holiday choirs, youth dancers, singers, magic shows, Santa’s visits, and beautiful holiday decorations.
The majestic 23-foot Christmas tree will be surrounded by illuminated sea creatures and lots of festive decorations down the Wharf.
19. German Holiday Market in Mountain View
- Date: Sat, Dec 12, 2026
- Hours: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
- Cost: Free admission
- Address: Mountain View City Hall Plaza, 500 Castro St (the market moved here from the Caltrain station)
Christmas Markets in Europe are unique, beautiful, and traditional, and more so in Germany, where it all began.
Join the jovial atmosphere of a traditional open-air, German Holiday Market at Mountain View City Hall Plaza for a day.
Don’t forget to taste the mug of Glühwein (warm mulled wine), the hallmark of these winter markets.
20. Sausalito Lighted Boat Parade & Fireworks
- Date: Expected Sat, Dec 12, 2026 (39th annual; confirm on the Sausalito Winterfest site)
- Time: Parade around 6 p.m., fireworks around 7:15 p.m.
- Cost: Free to watch from shore
- Best viewing: Gabrielson Park, Anchor St and Humboldt Ave
A spectacular light display of decorated yachts and boats. Sausalito Lighted Boat Parade & Fireworks is a visual feast and a must-see event if you live or visit San Francisco during the holidays.
READ MORE: 12 Best Bay Area Boat Parades
21. Soak up the Christmas spirit at the re-created city of Bethlehem in Santa Clara
- When: 2026 dates TBD (usually a few evenings in early December)
- Cost: Free
- Address: Santa Clara First Baptist Church, 3111 Benton St, Santa Clara
Get transported to 1 AD with a crowded marketplace, live animals, and Roman soldiers. The re-created city of Bethlehem in Santa Clara is a fun and enriching experience for children and adults alike.
22. A few more places to see beautiful Christmas lights in San Francisco
- Cost: Free to admire from the sidewalk
- Good to know: These are private homes, so displays can change from year to year. Please be kind to the neighbors!
- Beautiful Christmas lights at 49 Eagle Street
- The house near Duboce Park at 68 Castro Street
23. North Pole Nights at Gilroy Gardens, Gilroy
- Dates: Select evenings, Nov 21 – Dec 31, 2026
- Cost: Single-day tickets from $65; parking $25; under 3 free
- Address: 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy
- Good to know: Some rides, like the Monorail and Paddle Boats, close during North Pole Nights
How about strolling through a 100-foot musical Tunnel of Lights amid trees twinkling with joyful little lights? If this sounds exciting, then head to North Pole Nights at Gilroy Gardens!
24. The Great Dickens Christmas Fair at Cow Palace, Daly City
- Dates: Weekends, Nov 21 – Dec 20, 2026, plus Fri, Nov 27
- Hours: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Cost: Adults $50, youth 5–12 $30 (plus fees); Early Bird $40 / $25 from Oct 16–31; under 5 free; parking $20
- Tickets: Online only at dickensfair.com
- Address: Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Ave, Daly City
A taste of the Dicken’s Christmas Fair. Enjoy street scenes and enchanting tableaus from ‘A Christmas Carol’, lively music, an enticing selection of hearty English foods, and handcrafted holiday gifts available for purchase.
Fun fact: The Dickens Fair has been a Bay Area tradition since 1970 and has filled the Cow Palace since 2000.
25. Festival of Lights Parade at Los Altos
- Date: 2026 date TBD (usually the Sunday after Thanksgiving at 6 p.m.)
- Cost: Free
- Where: Downtown Los Altos, along Main St and State St
- Good to know: Downtown closes to cars around 4 p.m.
Watch Festival of Lights Parade at Los Altos.
This year’s parade is the 50th, and it comes to life with colorful floats, local high school marching bands, costumed characters and, of course, Santa and his reindeer!
26. Dazzling Holiday Lights on Fourth Street, Berkeley
- When: Lights from early November through February
- Hours: On nightly from about 5 p.m.
- Cost: Free
- Where: Fourth St at Delaware St, Berkeley (parking at Fourth St and Virginia St)
Starting at dusk each night, Fourth Street in Berkeley is adorned with holiday lights, embellishing every tree and featuring glowing balls of light dangling from the branches.
This creates a sparkling spectacle along the three-block stretch.
27. Annual Holiday of Lights and Winter Wonderland, San Rafael
- When: 2026 date TBD (usually Shop Small Saturday after Thanksgiving)
- Cost: Free
- Where: City Plaza, Fourth St, Downtown San Rafael
Join the Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District for the Annual Holiday of Lights and Winter Wonderland.
This vibrant event in Downtown San Rafael is packed with holiday cheer. Past editions have featured a Makers Marketplace, a Human Snow Globe, an Ornament Craft Table, live music, food trucks, jumpies, a juggler, a toy drive, and an abundance of sweets.
Participate in the Elf Hunt, enjoy Shop Small Saturday merchant treats and discounts, and marvel at the creative Window Decorating Contest.
The festivities culminate with a DJ spinning holiday favorites, leading up to the grand lighting of the holiday tree. Don’t miss this delightful holiday extravaganza!
28. Stunning SF Christmas Trees
Discover stunning SF Christmas Trees across the city.
- PIER 39: A 60-foot live tree, up Nov 23, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027, with a tree lighting on Thu, Dec 3
- Palace Hotel: A towering tree under the Garden Court’s glass dome (2026 dates TBD)
- World Tree of Hope at Grace Cathedral: The world’s largest origami-decorated holiday tree, with over 20,000 hand-folded cranes and stars (2026 dates TBD)
- Westin St. Francis Sugar Castle: A 12-foot castle made from 1,200 pounds of sugar, free to see in the lobby (2026 dates TBD)
- Fairmont San Francisco: A 22-foot gingerbread house built from nearly 4,000 cookies (2026 dates TBD)
- Union Square: Macy’s Great Tree, about 83 feet tall with 43,000 LED lights (2026 dates TBD)
READ MORE: Step into a Life-Size Gingerbread House: A Magical Holiday Experience in San Francisco
29. IlluminOdyssey
- When: 2026 dates TBD (usually mid-November to late January)
- Cost: Included with museum admission
- Hours: Daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Address: CuriOdyssey, 1651 Coyote Point Dr, San Mateo
Experience “IlluminOdyssey,” a dazzling display of winter lights at CuriOdyssey in San Mateo, where mesmerizing interactive installations create a glowing forest of science and light.
30. Holiday Circle of Lights at Mountain View Cemetery, Oakland
- Dates: Dec 1, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027
- Hours: 5–9 p.m. nightly
- Cost: Free
- Address: 5000 Piedmont Ave, Oakland
Discover the unique charm of the Holiday Circle of Lights at Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland.
A peaceful stroll or drive through the cemetery reveals a festive light display circling a water feature, with holiday figurines and a beautifully decorated funeral home.
Perfect for a short visit with toddlers, this accessible event is free and pairs well with a casual dinner on nearby Piedmont Ave or in Rockridge.
Tips for Seeing Christmas Lights in the Bay Area
A little planning makes your holiday lights tour so much merrier. Here are my best tips!
- Book ticketed shows early. Train of Lights sold out by early October, and Glowfari, Garden of D’Lights and the Dickens Fair fill up fast on weekends.
- Go on a weeknight. Crowds are much smaller from Monday to Thursday.
- Park and walk. For neighborhood displays like Eucalyptus Avenue and Christmas Tree Lane, park a few blocks away and stroll.
- Bundle up. December nights get chilly, so bring layers and a thermos of hot cocoa.
- Take transit in San Francisco. BART and Muni get you to Union Square and City Hall without the parking hunt.
- Check before you go. Dates and hours can change with the weather, so look at each event’s site the week of your visit.
- Make a weekend of it. See my guides to Christmas in California and the best Christmas events in San Jose!
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Travel Realizations
The cities of the San Francisco Bay Area, being close to the ocean, may lack in the conventional Christmas atmosphere – snow, sleigh-bells, wooden huts in Christmas market, mulled wine, and the like but they more than makeup with light and color.
Christmas cheer fills the cold winter air. So get inside the car with a steaming travel mug of hot chocolate to explore the richness of Christmas lights in the San Francisco Bay area.
The glow of twinkling lights is one of the earliest and easiest ways to get into the holiday spirit. I hope this list of sights will come in handy in your explorations and of course, don’t forget to visit your own neighborhood too!
I wish a MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all, dear readers! The air is crisp, the vistas endless and hope eternal. Leave a comment below if you have any questions or DM me on Instagram @travelrealizations
I wish a very MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all, dear readers! The air is crisp, the vistas endless and hope eternal. #Christmas #Travel #Explore Share on XNewsletter
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Leave a comment below if you have any questions, or DM me on Instagram @travelrealizations.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to 30 Best Places to See Christmas Lights in The San Francisco Bay Area. You may also enjoy these Bay Area and California travel guides.
- 28 Best Places to Spend Christmas in California
- 8 Reasons to Visit Enchant Christmas in San Jose, California
- Best Christmas Events and Lights in San Jose, California
- Redding Garden Of Lights, California – A Wonderful Holiday Experience
- 30 Best Places to See Snow in California for Winter Fun
- Bay Area weekend getaways on California Highway 1
- 40 Best Day Trips from San Francisco, California
- Redding, California: A perfect Winter Getaway from the San Francisco Bay Area
- Timeless Holiday Magic: A Candlelit Journey through the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California
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