A Birthday Celebration for Walt
December 5, at 10 am-8 pm
The Walt Disney Family Museum offers extended hours and free general admission in honor of Walt’s birthday. Special films, art activities, a scavenger hunt and demos of how to make animation.
Walt Disney Family Museum, 104 Montgomery St., The Presidio, San Francisco 94129. Admission first-come, first-served; capacity is limited.
Mundo Maya 12:12:12:
December 6-29, Tuesdays to Saturdays, at 12–6 pm
Artist Roberto Y. Hernandez taught Mayan culture, history and art to Latino youths for 15 months, and the results are in this exhibition. The 5th Mayan calendar ends on December 21, 2012, but instead of the popular chatter about an apocalypse, the art works focus on the transition to a new consciousness and a new cycle. Special celebrations on Dec. 8, 12, 21 and 29 highlight maize, chocolate and other aspects of Mayan heritage.
At Galeria De La Raza, 2857 24th St., San Francisco 94110. Free.
Imbibe
December 7, at 7-10 pm
Sip cocktails mixed by your librarian, make crafty tchotchkes, try craft beers at a tasting led by 21st Amendment Brewery, watch clips of a new documentary about U.S. public libraries and meet the filmmakers.
At the Mission Bay Branch Library, 960 4th St., San Francisco. Admission: $35 for 2 people (includes membership for one person to the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library); free for Friends of the SFPL members.
New Voices: Celebrating Contemporary Composers
December 7, at 8 pm
Melody of China, an ensemble of musicians playing traditional Chinese instruments, performs modern compositions along with guests from Earplay, a Western music group.
At Old First Church, 1751 Sacramento St., San Francisco 94109. Tickets: Free-$17.
Mortified
December 7 & 8 at 7:30 pm
The show of embarrassing confessionals celebrates its 7th year with a music-themed edition: Brave adults take the stage to reveal to us their most mortifying true tales about what they did with/to music when they were young and stupid. Plus prize give-aways and improv hip hop from The Freeze.
Dec. 7: DNA Lounge, 375 11th St., San Francisco 94103; tickets $15, 21. Dec. 8: The Uptown, 1928 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley 94612; tickets $15, 20.
Christmas at Sea and Old Time Maritime Christmas
December 8, at 3-5 pm and 6-9 pm
An afternoon of seaside music, refreshments and ornament-making, with Santa visiting by boat. Starting at 6 pm, board the historic boats at the pier and travel back to the nautical heyday of 1901, with costumed characters playing crew members, passengers and socialites.
At Hyde Street Pier, Jefferson Street at Hyde Street. Adults $5; free for those under age 16. Reservations required for evening Old Time Maritime Christmas; call 415-447-5000.
Misfit Toy Factory
December 8, at 6-10:30 pm
More than 40 artists make sculptures, toys and other gift-worthy items before your very eyes. Everything made is cash and carry for $40 each. DJ music accompanies the art-making.
At Root Division, 3175 17th St., San Francisco 94110. Free.
The Artisans Ball
December 8, at 7-11 pm
Fine food and drink, live music, hand-made ornaments for sale, dancing and gift bags are all part of this gala to benefit the historic Bayview Opera House, San Francisco's oldest theater. Organized by Artistic License, a group of professional artisans dedicated to architectural restoration and period design.
At the War Memorial Veterans Building, Green Room, 401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco 94102. Tickets $135, 175.
Writers with Drinks
December 8, at 7:30-9:30 pm
This month’s literary variety show features storytelling by Amy Tan, Nalo Hopkinson, KQED Forum host Michael Krasny, Jason Roberts, Emanuel Xavier and Ned Rozell.
At the Make Out Room, 3225 22nd. St., San Francisco. Admission: $10-20 sliding scale; all proceeds benefit the Center for Sex and Culture and the Transgender Law Center.
SFMade Holiday Gift Fair
December 9, at 10 am-6 pm
Everything’s made in SF—by about 75 different companies--including gear for humans and pets, wine, chocolate, ceramics, body products, décor items and lots more.
At Fort Mason Center, Herbst Pavilion, San Francisco 94123. Free.
Beyond the Land of Sweets
December 9, at 5 pm
In this Presidio Dance Theatre show, Clara already knows sugarplums, so she travels the world to see how different countries and cultures celebrate the holidays through dance. Benefits Presidio Performing Arts Foundation programs.
At Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. Tickets $35, 50.
Help Is on the Way for the Holidays
December 10, at 7:30 pm
Mary Wilson of the Supremes, Tim Hockenberry, Paula West, the Barbary Coast Cloggers, cast members of The Book of Mormon and other performers star in this annual gala that benefits Shanti and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
At Marines Memorial Theatre, 609 Sutter St., San Francisco 94102. Tickets $40, 60.
Silver Bells Arts & Crafts Faire
December 15, at 10 am-4 pm
Jewelry, gifts and other handcrafted items made by more than 80 Asian and Pacific Islander artisans. Bring cash or checks; not all vendors accept credit or debit cards. Benefits Kimochi, a service center for seniors.
At St. Mary’s Cathedral, Event Center, 1111 Gough St., San Francisco 94109. Free.
Paula Poundstone
December 15, at 8 pm
Poundstone’s extemporaneous wit distinguishes her from most comedians you’ve seen or heard. She’s snarky and quick, and you’ll be laughing out loud until your sides hurt. She’s in the Comedy Hall of Fame and a regular on NPR’s news quiz show, “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me.”
At the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, 3301 Lyon St., San Francisco 94123. Tickets $37.90.
Noir City Xmas
December 19, at 7:30 pm
The Film Noir Foundation's annual show is a double-bill of Holiday Affair starring Robert Mitchum and Janet Leigh and The Lady in the Lake, an adaption of the Raymond Chandler novel
At Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St. San Francisco 94114. Tickets $10.
End of the World--Roller Disco Style
December 20, at 8 pm-2 am
Skate to the end of the world (or at least until the end of the Mayan calendar) to funk and disco tunes. Wear stylin’ black and white.
At CELLspace, 2050 Bryant St., San Francisco 94110. Admission $15; skate rental $5.
Holiday Memories: A Child’s Christmas in Wales
December 22, at 2 pm
A screening of the classic 1963 film, featuring Dylan Thomas recounting his boyhood Christmas experiences. Plus two more modern shorts.
At the Exploratorium, 3601 Lyon St., San Francisco 94123. Free with Exploratorium admission.
SantaConCert
December 24, at 5, 7 & 9 pm
Named after the popular SantaCon pub crawl, this concert by the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus opens with formal classics like an arrangement of "The Little Drummer Boy." In the second half, all hell breaks loose ala SantaCon as the 275 singers, in Santa suits, sing tunes in a story about Santas and their assignments to help mankind.
At the Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St., San Francisco 94114. Tickets $25-30.
