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Christmas Weekend 2022 in San Francisco: 17 Fun Things To Do With Kids

Enjoy festive ice skating. Photo courtesy of Union Square Ice Rink in San Francisco
Enjoy festive ice skating. Photo courtesy of Union Square Ice Rink in San Francisco
12/21/22 - By Sandra Lee

Looking for the best things to do in San Francisco and the Bay Area over Christmas weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

All the last-minute shopping, gift wrapping, stocking stuffer quick trips, holiday lights, and grocery runs have all led up to this, Christmas weekend. If the kids have the week off, we've picked out the best things happening in the Bay Area to calm those "I'm bored" and "what are we doing today?" groans. Check out the adorable puppies and kittens at Macy's Union Square, see Frozen the Musical (which we saw last week and highly recommend), or grab a warm cup of hot cocoa and lace up your skates for ice skating at the Union Square Holiday Ice Rink. Whether you are traveling or staying local, staying home or spending it with family and friends close by, we here at Mommy Poppins wish you a very Merry Christmas from our family to yours. 

Plus, you'll find our Top Holiday Activities and Christmas Events in San Francisco Bay Area, a Holiday Break Guide, and more in our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for San Francisco Kids. 

Are you on social media? We are constantly posting local events and funny mommy moments on our Facebook and Instagram. Let's be friends! 

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Take in the timeless tradition of The Nutcracker. Photo courtesy of the San Francisco Ballet
Take in the timeless tradition of The Nutcracker. Photo courtesy of the San Francisco Ballet

Best Things To Do Christmas Weekend in San Francisco Bay Area with Kids

Santana Row Snow Showers

San Jose - Thursday & Friday, December 22 & 23
Free
It’s snowing on The Row! Santana Row brings the North Pole to San Jose for a fun, holiday celebration. Enjoy outdoor snow showers & holiday tunes every 30 minutes in Park Valencia in front of Maggiano’s. READ MORE

A Merry-achi Christmas

San Francisco - Friday, December 23
Mariachi Sol de Mexico is at the Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco for a festive holiday celebration of Mexican traditions. Led by Jose Hernandez, families enjoy musical performances and holiday favorites from both Mexico and America.  READ MORE

Holiday Lights 2022

Watsonville - Friday - Sunday, December 23-25
See dazzling lights from the comfort and warmth of your car at the Holiday Lights Drive-Through experience in Watsonville. Families can see giant Christmas trees, Santa, reindeer, snowmen, and lighted tunnels all set to music on the radio.  READ MORE

Macy's Santaland

San Francisco - Daily through December 24
Free
Santa is coming to San Francisco! This free event is held at Union Square's Macy's, giving families a chance to meet the big man and snap a picture. READ MORE

A Christmas Carol

San Francisco - Now through December 24
Music, costumes, and those spooky ghosts, A Christmas Carol is at the Toni Rembe Theater in San Francisco this holiday season. As one of their family-friendly productions, this production is a Bay Area tradition and is inviting families of all ages to enjoy.  READ MORE

Magical Gingerbread House Workshop

San Mateo - Now through December 24
The baking elves from Kathy's Creative Kakes are at Hillsdale Shopping Center helping you decorate your own gingerbread house. The houses are baked, cooled, and ready to decorate with icing, candies, and unique house decor. Choose from a medium or large chalet-style house that is big enough for two people to decorate. This year, Kathy's Creative Kakes is also offering a Christmas Cookie Decorating Experience that includes icing, sprinkles, and sparkles.  READ MORE

Union Square Holiday Ice Rink

San Francisco - Saturday, December 24 has a special "Learn to Skate Night"
Ice skating is back at San Francisco's favorite outdoor rink in Union Square. Enjoy special events like Learn to Skate, Frozen's Let It Go Wednesdays, and Flashback Fridays. Grab a cup of hot chocolate, admire the beautiful tree, and celebrate the holidays. READ MORE

San Francisco Ballet: The Nutcracker

San Francisco - Now through December 27 (no performances on December 25)
Exquisite dancing, beautiful sets, beloved characters, and the music of Tchaikovsky are performed live by the San Francisco Orchestra and the San Francisco Ballet Company. A favorite show for the holidays, it's the story of a young girl, a nutcracker, and a Sugarplum fairy.   READ MORE

Frozen – The Musical

San Francisco - Now through December 30 (no performances on December 25)
The Tony Award-winning musical is coming to the Bay Area for the holidays! See Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Sven, and Kristoff, along with the rest of the characters perform one of the most popular Disney movies. With new songs, one-of-a-kind performances, and ice palaces, it's a memorable event.  READ MORE

Enchant Magic

San Jose - Daily through January 1
Get ready for the biggest light show coming to San Jose for the holidays. Enchant features over 4 million sparkling lights creating an immersive story-themed maze that families can walk through. Additional activities include ice skating, entertainment, dining, holiday shopping, and, of course, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  READ MORE

Christmas in the Park

San Jose - Daily through January 1
Free
Christmas in the Park is a popular holiday event in downtown San Jose. Held for over 40 years, the park turns into a holiday extravaganza with musical and animated exhibits, colorful lights, and a 50 ft. Christmas tree. The forest of trees are decorated by San Jose schools, community groups, and businesses to highlight all that the city has to offer.  READ MORE

Winter Wonderland

Santa Cruz - Now through January 1
Free
Celebrate the holiday season at the beach in Santa Cruz with rides, games, arcades, decorations, a 3-story tall Christmas tree, photos with Santa, pedal carts, and more. The Beach Boardwalk activities include holiday movies from 5-7pm, fire pit rentals with holiday s'mores, and tons of holiday shopping. READ MORE

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Holiday in the Park

Vallejo - Now through January 1 (closed on December 25)
Hang out for the holidays at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo. The park is filled with tons of holiday decor (including a larger-than-life Christmas tree), special shows, rides, and festive treats like gingerbread churros and hot chocolate.  READ MORE

Holiday Bricktacular

Milpitas - Daily through January 3 (closed on December 25)
The holidays are in full swing at the LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Milpitas. Holiday Bricktacular has a ton of activities for kids of all ages including Holiday LEGO builds, MINILAND, scavenger hunts, creative workshops, and even a meet and greet with a LEGO gingerbread man.  READ MORE

Santa Days at Filoli

Woodside - Daily through January 8 (closed on December 24 & 25)
Meet Santa in the beautiful garden at Filoli for Santa Days. Get a photo with the busy man himself, and enjoy a hot drink and holiday treat in the Woodland Court. Afterward, take a stroll through the garden and the house and see all the twinkling lights and holiday decor.  READ MORE

The Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink

San Ramon - Daily through January 8
The Kristi Yamaguchi Ice Rink is open and greets families of all ages to skate in San Ramon. Open until January 8 every day, rain or shine, and even on Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day.  READ MORE

Gingerbread Cottage Escape Game

San Francisco - Every Saturday & Sunday through January 14
Nothing beats the smell of fresh-baked gingerbread cookies around the holidays, except when YOU are the gingerbread cookies! Families can really get into this escape room game, specially themed for the holidays.  READ MORE

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