San Francisco Christmas Lights & Holiday Decorations

2008 tree lighting ceremony takes place on November 28 at 6pm. 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, the San Francisco SPCA and Macy's Holiday Windows (Item #2), Saks store snowflake lights, Neiman Marcus Christmas tree, Maiden Lane lights, Bill Graham Menorah.

The puppies pictured here are among the many animals featured over the years in the San Francisco SPCA and Macy's Holiday Window displays. This year (2008), the windows were unveiled on November 21. The adoption event at Macy's runs through New Year's Day 2009.

At Embarcadero Center, across from the San Francisco Ferry Building

In 2008, the holiday ice rink will be open from November 12 to January 4, 2009. The Building Lighting Ceremony is on November 21 at 6p, with the Winter Carnival starting at 4p.

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.

At San Francisco City Hall, on Polk between Grove and McAllister

The tree lighting ceremony in 2008 is on December 9 at 6pm.

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 2008, the Parol Lantern Festival and Parade takes place on December 13 at 5pm -- 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.

At Pier 39 in Fisherman's Wharf

In 2008, the Pier 39 tree lighting happens on November 23 at 5:30p. The holiday tree-lighting event goes from 1p to 6p that day. Traditional tree and decorations adorn the entrance and merchant areas of the pier, and music and entertainment are part of the tree-lighting festivities. This year, the tree will have 400 ornaments, 500 bows, and 2,000 LED lights.

At North Point and Larkin

The tree lighting in 2008 is on November 28 at 5:30p. Children can also visit with Santa from 5:30p to 8:00p.

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.

See more San Francisco Holiday Lights Photos.

At the corner of Lincoln Boulevard and Funston Avenue in the Presidio's Main Post

The 2008 tree lighting at the Presidio takes place on December 5, from 5:30 to 6:00p.

The lighting of the Presidio tree opens the holiday season at the Presidio -- which includes the Seasons Greenings gift making at Crissy Field Center (December 6), and a Christmas Eve service at the Main Post Chapel.

Located in front of McLaren Lodge (Stanyan and Fell), the 110-year-old tree goes by the name of Uncle John's Tree in honor of John McLaren, superintendent and architect of Golden Gate Park. The tree was damaged during winter storms in early 2008.

In 2008, the lighting will happen on Thursday, December 4 from 5:30p to 6:00p. More information and contact number at the SF Recreation and Parks page.

Read more about John McLaren and Golden Gate Park in a profile of the park by Jennifer Alpeche.

At 18th and Castro in the Castro District

The Castro holiday tree lighting ceremony is on December 1 in 2008 -- at 6p. It takes place in front of the tree at Bank of America Plaza (18th and Castro). This year's event includes: music by the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band, Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco, and the Metropolitan Community Church Choirs. There will also be holiday tunes from "Fernando and Greg in the Morning" (on Energy 92.7FM). Many Castro-Upper Market businesses will be open late for shopping, with specials and discounts.