Celebrating the holidays in the San Francisco Bay Area can be done on the cheap--and even for free. Concerts, holiday shows, arts and crafts activities for kids and flash-mob parades are among the fun and free offerings--all you have to do is show up. If you love holiday lights, please see our separate guide to tree and menorah lighting ceremonies, lighted boat parades and other illuminated festivities--which are also free..
Winter Celebration with the Bernal Jazz Quintet
Dec. 14, at 6:30-8:30 pmAt Bernal Heights Branch Library, 500 Cortland Ave.
Crafty Teen: Star Ornaments
Dec. 15, at 4-5 pm: Parkside Branch LibraryDec. 17, at 3-4 pm: West Portal Branch Library
Make holiday ornaments, star garlands and small wreaths. All materials provided. For ages 10-18.
Cacophony Christmas
Dec. 15, at 7:30-9 pmBring kazoos, guitars, tambourines, other noise-makers, your tone-deafness and off-key voice. Feel free to don ugly Christmas sweaters. March around San Francisco and create cacophony.
Meet at Duboce Park, Duboce Ave. & Noe St.
Holiday Koto Music Concert
Dec. 16, at 2:30-3:30 pmKoto (Japanese zither) player Shoko Hikage performs Japanese music and some holiday songs with her students.
At the San Francisco Public Library, Civic Center.
Holiday Card Workshop
Dec. 16, at 3-5 pm: Bernal Heights Branch LibraryDec. 21, at 3:30-5:30 pm: Mission Branch Library
Craft materials are provided for kids to make cards. Open to children of all ages, but those under age 6 should be accompanied by adults who will remain and help them.
Renegade Craft Fair Holiday Market
Dec. 17 & 18, at 11 am-6 pmMore than 250 indie-craft artisans, local and national, peddle their artwork, jewelry, apparel, décorative pieces, bath products and other gift-worthy things. You can also try your hand at making an ornament, magnet or other item.
At Concourse Exhibition Center, 620 7th St.
Holiday Lights & Sights Boat Parade
Photo by Fisherman's Wharf Community Benefit District.
Dec. 16, at 6-7:30 pm
More than 60 boats decked out with lights and holiday decorations parade along the waterfront near Fisherman's Wharf, heading from Pier 39 to Marina Green and back.
Free.
More than 60 boats decked out with lights and holiday decorations parade along the waterfront near Fisherman's Wharf, heading from Pier 39 to Marina Green and back.
Free.
Unsilent Night
Dec. 17, at 7:30 pmPhil Kline's composition is meant to be heard outdoors in December. Become a performer/listener by bringing a boombox, laptop or something else that amplifies music. You and everyone else each gets a cassette or CD of a music track, which all of you play simultaneously while walking through the Mission. The result is a 45-minute mobile concert, or, as Kline has said, "a city-block-long stereo system."
Meet at the northeast corner of Dolores Park, near the tennis courts.
Holiday Jewelry-Making with Chelsee Robinson
Dec. 20, at 4-5:30 pm: Joe DiMaggio Playground Clubhouse, 2000 Mason St.Dec. 21, at 3-4:30 pm: Chinatown Branch Library.
Make a bracelet, necklace or earrings. Materials are provided. Limited to 15 participants, ages 8-18.
Pre-registration is required; e-mail jewelchen@sfpl.org.
Nightmare Before Christmas
Dec. 21, at 7-8:30 pmFeel free to sing along to Tim Burton's classic musical movie. Treats will be served.
At the Park Branch Library, 1833 Page St.
See next page for free events on & after Dec. 25 -->
