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San Francisco Festivals - December 2008
Additional holiday events will post as dates become available. Details are subject to change. Always check with the organization or venue for updates.
The San Francisco New Year's Eve guide has Dec 31, 2008 events.
Ongoing Events - Through December 2008
Reindeer Romp and Ice Skating
Nov 22, 2008 to Jan 1, 2009 - San Francisco Zoo
Kids can visit with Santa's reindeer, enjoy ice skating and other activities
Velveteen Rabbit
Nov 27 to Dec 14 - Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater
ODC/Dance presents its 22nd season of the beloved dance/theater production
Great Dickens Christmas Fair
Nov 28 to Dec 21 - Cow Palace
Holiday adventure into Victorian London - costumed players in 90,000+ square feet of theatrically-lit music halls, pubs, dance parties and Christmas shops
Holidays at the Mark
Through December - Top of the Mark (Intercontinental Mark Hopkins)
Events from holiday tea and children's tea to Christmas and New Year's Eve dinners and dance
Oakland - Strolling Carolers
Dec 2 to Dec 19 - Oakland City Center/Plaza
Carolers stroll the plaza every Tuesday and Friday from 11a to 1p
A Christmas Carol
Dec 4 to 27 - ACT (American Conservatory Theater)
Bay Area holiday tradition directed by Domenique Lozano
Teddy Bear Tea at the Ritz
Dec 5 through Dec 24
Ritz-Carlton San Francisco
Children and their favorite stuffed animals gather daily at The Lobby Lounge's fireplace for traditional tea with Binky the Elf
San Francisco Symphony-Holiday Concerts 2008
Dec 7 to Jan 1 - Davies Symphony Hall
Series of holiday concerts for the entire family
Holiday Events at Grace Cathedral
Holidays at Ardenwood Historic Farm (Fremont)
- Dec 5-7 - Christmas at Ardenwood
- Dec 12 - Evening at the Patterson House
- Dec 13 & 14 - Patterson House Christmas Teas
- Dec 11-14 and 18-21 - Christmas House Tours
Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train
Nov 29, Dec 6-7, 12-14, 19-22
Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton
Sip hot-spiced cider, listen to carolers while riding the holiday train
Gilroy Gardens Holiday Lights
Dec 5-7, 12-14, 19-23, 26-28 (4p to 9p)
MIllions of lights, all-you-can-eat traditional holiday feast, ice skating, rides, in a Charlie Brown Christmas theme
Living LEGO-cy: Holiday Train Display
Museum of American Heritage - Palo Alto
Dec 7 to Jan 11, 2009
Visitors explore a variety of LEGO creation and an operating LEGO train layout featuring creations by club members - with a 12x25 foot train layout running through Bay Area locales
Ballet San Jose - The Nutcracker
Dec 11 to Dec 28 - San Jose
Regular performances and children's matinees
Cave Music
In Napa, Sonoma & other California Wine Country Locations
- Dec 20 & 21 (5p): Napa - Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
- Dec 27 & 28 (2p): Calistoga - Cave of the Drums - Clos Pegase Winery
- Jan 3 & 4 (2p): Los Gatos - Cave of the Spirits - Byington Winery
Holiday Events - In Chronological Order
Berkeley Festival of Lights
Dec 1 - Berkeley Civic Center Park - 3p to 6p[br}
Tree lighting at 6p, make a luminaria to light the walkways, draw hopes for the future on Berkeley’s giant New Year’s Card, donate a warm coat or canned food, enter raffle for Twelve Nights Out in Berkeley, plus holiday music and entertainment, hot chocolate and cookies, Santa and his elves arrive at 5p for the kids
Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony - Ritz Carlton
Ritz-Carlton San Francisco - 600 Stockton at California
Dec 2 - 5:30p to 7:30p -Free - 40-foot tree illuminated by Santa Claus and his helper from the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation - includes Dickens-era costumed carolers, hot cider, roasted chestnuts, holiday confections, and visit with Santa
Christmas Celebration (Oakland)
Dec 3 - Noon to 1p - Oakland City Center
Featuring the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir and a visit from Father Christmas
Holiday Lights - Tree Lighting Ceremony
Dec 5 - Presidio (corner of Lincoln Blvd and Funston Ave at the Main Post) - 5:30p to 6:30p
Decades-old Presidio tradition - light refreshments will follow at the Presidio Fire Station
Creativity Explored: Holiday Art Sale
Dec 5 to Dec 30 - Creativity Explored (3245 16th Street)
Thousands of original creations and holiday gift ideas
Seasons Greenings
Dec 6 - Crissy Field Center - 10a
Family event - $1 to 5 (for activities - make your own gift from reusable and recycled materials
Jack London Lighted Yacht Parade (Oakland)
Dec 6 - Jack London Square
Tree lighting, Santa visit and family festivities
Berkeley Artisans Holiday Open Studios
Dec 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 - 11a to 6p
More than 100 professional artists, craftspeople, and galleries in Berkeley open their doors to the public during the 18th annual open studios
Women's Building Celebration of Craftswomen
Dec 6 to 7 - Herbst Pavilion (Fort Mason) - 10a to 5p
Holiday fine crafts retail fair benefitting the Women's Building
Union Street Fantasy of Lights
Month-long festivities start on Dec 6 from 3p to 6p
Santa arrives at 5p, kids activities, jugglers, face painters, meet the Snow Queen
Oakland Holiday Parade
Dec 6 - Broadway and 11th Street to 20th Street, to Harrison Street - 2p
Holiday children's parade in downtown Oakland
San Jose Holiday Parade
Dec 7 - Starts at Santa Clara St and Delmas Ave - 8:30a
Large annual parade with floats, more than 2 dozen marching bands, clowns, Santa Claus
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