San Francisco Christmas Lights & Holiday Decorations

Union Square is a central vantage point for a number holiday displays, and is also one of the more festive locations to take in the spirit of winter holidays.

Christmas and Hanukkah displays include: Macy's Christmas tree, Macy's store lights and decorations, Macy's Magic of Christmas windows with SPCA pet adoptions (Item #2), Saks store snowflake lights, Neiman Marcus Christmas tree, Maiden Lane lights, Bill Graham Menorah (Item #3).

The puppies pictured here are among the many animals featured for adoption by the SPCA in the Macy's Magic of Christmas window displays. This year (2007), the adoptions exceeded 100 pets by the first week of December. The SPCA's adoption event at Macy's runs through New Year's Day.

The lighting of the Bill Graham Menorah begins with a public ceremony on the first day of Hanukkah. This year (2007) marks the 33rd anniversary of the Union Square installation, which began in 1975 as the first outdoor, public menorah lighting celebrated outside of Israel.

With the backdrop of an illuminated City Hall, and the precise rows of decorated trees in the plaza, the holiday tree at Civic Center Plaza is a photographic icon. And there's enough illumination to get a decent shot without a tripod.

Inside the City Hall rotunda you'll find the Tree of Hope -- a San Francisco and Rainbow World Fund project. The tree is decorated with origami cranes that bear inscriptions of public wishes for the future of our world.

In 2007, the Parol Lantern Festival and Parade takes place on December 8 -- an event started by the Filipino American Development Foundation in 2003. (The Parol is a Filipino Christmas lantern and symbol of hope, blessings, luck, peace and light during the holiday season.)

Lantern workshops begin in advance of the festival, and several parol are on display at Yerba Buena Gardens, along with lights on a selection of garden trees.

Union Street merchants light up their windows, facades, and awnings for the annual Fantasy of Lights celebration. The festivities begin with a December parade, and merge into a street wide holiday presentation, with special days designated as holiday parties -- with late shopping, merchant open houses, and entertainment.

2007 Union Street Holiday Party Dates: December 7, December 14, December 21

Winter Carnival at Embarcadero Center sets into motion the holiday events -- from the Embarcadero Center lighting ceremony, to the installation of the public ice skating rink at Justin Herman Plaza.

The ice-skating rink has been a San Francisco tradition for 15 years, and a chance to show off or be chagrined by your ice-skating skills. The rink stays open through January 15, 2008.

Ghiradelli Square hosts its Christmas tree and also a December visit from Santa Claus (on December 14 in 2007). The facade of Ghirardelli Square, facing Larkin Street, is also illuminated for a traditional San Francisco photo op.

If you're new to San Francisco, be sure to cap a cool night near Fisherman's Wharf at the Buena Vista Cafe -- with an Irish Coffee (or a "Royal Coffee" if you prefer your whiskey and coffee without the cream.

Pier 39's traditional tree and decorations adorn the entrance and merchant areas of the pier. Also at Pier 39: Santa Rocks the Boat at the Aquarium of the Bay - December 9, 2007.

Various local venues support the cable car decorations you'll see on the cars throughout the holiday season. The cable car pictured here was decorated by an employee of the Buena Vista Cafe (at the waterfront end of the Powell-Hyde line).