Living in the Bay Area, we don’t get to experience snowfall, snowmen, snow ball fights, snow angels, and other snow-related activities; but, that doesn’t stop us from going all out for holiday cheer. December brings a snowstorm of Winter wonderland activities from Napa Valley to San Jose. Here are 8 winter events we can’t wait to visit.
1. Stocking Stuffer Pop-Up at Fort Mason Center
Off the Grid returns to Fort Mason to team up with the Guardsmen for three festive Thursday evening holiday markets at the West Coast’s largest indoor Christmas tree lot. Get your holiday gifts by supporting 10+ local retail vendors each week, enjoy gourmet food and craft cocktails by Balboa in our outdoor area, and have fun with live entertainment while you shop. Stop by on the first three Thursdays of December (12/5,12/12, and 12/19) from 5pm-9:00pm. Can’t wait to see you there!
2. Holiday Open House
The Ferry Building is hosting its 2nd Annual Holiday Open House on Wednesday, December 11th from 5:30-7:30pm. Get started on your holiday shopping while enjoying live jazz and activity stations to take photos, decorate cookies, and make holiday gnomes. If you spend at least $50 in Ferry Building shops, you can show your receipts and spin a prize wheel for limited-edition Ferry Building swag.
3. Enchant
The World’s Largest Christmas Maze is coming to San Jose’s PayPal park. The maze features 80,000 square feet of animal light sculptures and oversized Christmas trees. In addition to the maze, Enchant offers ice skating, caroling, seasonal treats, and vendors. Check their schedule to learn about their themed nights for college students, pets, date nights, and more. The event runs through the entire month of December.
4. Napa Valley Santa Train
If you’re a fan of the Polar Express, Napa Valley’s wine train is the holiday experience for you. They offer four cart themes — very merry vista dome; gourmet holiday express; jingle on the rails; and Santa’s cookie car. Learn more about each experience here. All carts offer food to get you in the holiday spirit including cocoa and cookies. The event runs through the entire month of December.
5. Glowfari
Glowfari at the Oakland zoo is a lantern festival that runs from November to January. Large, illuminated animals adorn the zoo. The event features a boat ride down the Nile river and a train ride through an Avian Odyssey.
6. SJ Made Holiday Fair
On November 29 and 30 from 11am-6pm, SJMade is hosting their holiday fair at the Santa Clara convention center featuring over 350 makers, artists, designers, curators, workshop guides, small businesses, and food vendors. Aside from shopping, you can also catch activities like a Y2K glam shot studio, a kitten lounge, a keycap making station, and holiday crafts. Check out their full lineup here.
7. Winter Walk 2024
This street party from Stockton Street to Post Street runs from December 13-22. Stop by for food trucks, bars, arctic-themed decor, and live performances. We hear Santa is making a stop from 11am-4pm on 12/14, 12/15, 12/21, and 12/22. Make sure to bring your tote bags to stock up on gifts made by local vendors.
8. Let’s Glow SF + Glow on Front
The country’s largest holiday projection event runs from December 6-15. The free festival includes seven locations with large-scale animated light installations. On December 13 from 5-10pm, they’re hosting a Neon Block Party. LED glow performers from Circosphere will be putting on a holiday-themed show. Come for glow-in-the-dark face painting, a 360 photo booth, a black light community mural, and a DJ dance party with an LED dance floor.
