Happy holidays, all! It’s a busy time of year, so here are some more ideas to help you fill your calendar, if need be, to enjoy the season.
Thursday, Dec. 11
Have you seen Let’s Glow S.F. yet, the nation’s largest, free holiday projection arts festival, where sites across the city are illuminated with large-scale animated projection art on landmark San Francisco buildings? It’s nearing the end of its run, so go out and enjoy. Visit the link above for locations. 5:30 to 10 p.m. through Dec. 14. Free admission.
Here’s what sounds to be a delightful alternative to all those Nutcrackers: the Grand Kyiv Ballet’s world premiere of The Snow Queen. She’s a powerful, cold-hearted ruler who brings winter to wherever she goes. The tale is about a young girl who tries to rescue her friend from the nasty queen in a classic fairytale ballet about love, friendship, and devotion with beautiful staging and choreography. 7:30 p.m. at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre. Tickets from $44 and change.
Friday, Dec. 12
Celebrate the San Francisco Lighted Boat Parade, a tradition since 1994. The parade starts at Pier 39 and heads to the St. Francis Yacht Club and returns. Bundle up; it’s been cold out there. 6 p.m.-ish for a coupla hours. Free viewing.
Saturday, Dec. 13
It’s a full day at Grace Cathedral, beginning with the sing-along Sing You a Merry Christmas (11 a.m.) for the entire family, followed by A Cathedral Christmas (3 p.m.) with the Men and Boys Choir, and capped off with the immersive light experience AURA (through Dec. 31). Tickets from $10.
‘Tis the season for pop-ups, and here’s a sure-to-be delicious one that also gives back: Saturbake, which will celebrate two local award-winning institutions: Guittard and Melissa Perello’s Octavia. Enjoy pastry chef Melissa Loar’s celebrated menu featuring Guittard’s chocolate (like the Tiramisu doughnuts with mascarpone coffee cream, and chocolate glaze pictured above). Proceeds benefit 18 Reasons, which “promotes the transformative and healing power of home cooking through classes, dinners, and community outreach.” 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; first-come, first-served.
Parol lanterns symbolize hope, peace, and community in the Filipino culture. The 23rd annual Parol Lantern Festival, whose theme this year is Makibaka: Ignite the Fight, Light Up Our Legacy, “a rallying call to fight, rise, and shine amidst hardship,” includes a parol stroll, a Taste of Christmas, featuring a sampling of traditional Filipino holiday snacks and treats, a Makibaka Legacy exhibition (through Jan. 4, 2026), a dance party, and more. 3 to 8 p.m. at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. Free with RSVP.
Don’t miss Union Square’s Winter Walk, a special holiday marketplace for your holiday shopping curated by West Coast Craft, and featuring 10 local artists daily. Enjoy live music, food trucks, seasonal cocktails, and more with Santa visits on the weekends (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.). 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Monday through Wednesday) and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Thursday through Sunday) on Stockton Street through Dec. 24. Free admission.
Award-winning playwright and actor Brian Copeland will perform his acclaimed The Jewelry Box tonight about a 6-year-old Oakland boy’s efforts to buy the perfect Christmas gift for his mom. 5 p.m. at The Marsh. Tickets from $25.
Sunday, Dec. 14
The Jewish Community Center’s Pop-Up, Glowing Hanukkah, returns for its eighth year with a live glowing piano, Hanukkah creations from local artists, dreidel spinning, fresh donuts, and much more, like a Hanukkah candlelight and sing-along. 3 to 6 p.m. Free admission; register here.
In its 50th year, the Union Square Menorah Lighting features a 25-foot-tall menorah, the first giant public menorah outside of Israel. Tonight is the first lighting ceremony and is also Bill Graham Menorah Day, featuring dreidel house, children’s craft and Chanukah show, live music, local dignitaries, and other guests. 2 to 6:30 p.m. in Union Square Park. Through Dec. 21. Visit the link above for daily schedule. Free admission.
Civic Strings will perform A Nordic Winter featuring a program of Sibelius, Vivaldi, Bach, and Grieg. 3 p.m. at the First Baptist Church on Waller Street. Free admission, but they’d really appreciate a $10 to $20 donation. RSVP here.
Notable next week
Monday, Dec. 15
Social media and Nickelodeon star, the herbivore Tiny Chef, who teaches us all about cooking, creativity, and caring for the planet, will have its very own film in the Morrison Planetarium and take over the entire museum at Tiny Chef, Big Impact at the California Academy of Sciences. Through spring 2026. Tickets from $39.
Tuesday, Dec. 16
Winner of 10 Tony Awards, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, the famed film comes to life celebrating truth, beauty, freedom, and love. 7:30 p.m. at the Orpheum Theatre. Tickets from $73.
Enjoy your week while you celebrate, and be nice and be safe.
