Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for San Francisco Bay Area Kids

The most magical time of year is here: the holiday season! Find fun Christmas activities near San Francisco and the whole Bay Area, from San Jose to Oakland and beyond! Plus restaurants open on Thanksgiving, Hanukkah events, Christmas light shows, and find out where to see Santa Claus this season.

Check out our Holiday and Christmas Activities Guide to all the best things to do in San Francisco Bay Area this holiday season.

Christmas Activities for San Francisco Kids
Meet Santa amid dazzling lights. Photo courtesy of Enchant Christmas
Top Places to See Santa in San Francisco
Those eight crazy nights are approaching and we’ve got everything you need to celebrate Hanukkah with your family. Photo courtesy Cottonbro Studios
8 Ways to Celebrate Hanukkah with Kids: Hanukkah Gifts, Fun Crafts, and a Little History
Christmas in the Park is an annual festive affair in San Jose. Photo courtesy of Christmas in the Park.
Best Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in San Francisco
The snow and lights at North Pole Nights are guaranteed to drop jaws. Photo courtesy of Gilroy Gardens
23 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in San Francisco for Kids
Glowfari is an otherworldly lights experience. Photo courtesy of the Oakland County Zoo
Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in San Francisco
Mingle with Santa Claus while aboard a holiday train! Photo courtesy of the Sacramento River Fox Train
Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains Near San Francisco

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Holiday & Christmas Crafts for Kids
Armed with our giant list of Christmas crafts, you'll keep kids busy until the New Year!
101 Fun Christmas Crafts and Games for Kids to Do at Home
Keep Rudolph's teeth clean with this Christmas science experiment.
Reindeer Toothpaste Recipe Christmas Science Activity for Kids
We’ve tested out dozens of Christmas cookie recipes over the years, and these are the very best.
10 Best Christmas Cookies to Bake with Kids (Easy, Fun, and Festive Recipes for Families)
Easy Handmade Thumbprint Holiday Cards Kids Craft
Hot chocolate bombs are a tasty winter treat for kids!
How to Make Hot Chocolate Bombs in 5 Easy Steps
Get in the holiday spirit with Christmas movies filled with Santa, elves, and reindeer.
A Charlie Brown Christmas and More Kids' Holiday Movies to Watch This Holiday Season

Latest Christmas/Hanukkah News

Take the family on a Christmas Day stroll to see the Long Beach Boardwalk Lights. Photo courtesy of Long Beach
What's Open on Christmas Day on Long Island? Stores & Family-Friendly Places on Long Island
These Long Island fun spots are open on Christmas Day.
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Head to an arcade like Lucky Strike for some post-Christmas thrills. Photo by Jennifer Voit
Long Island's Top Things To Do Between Christmas and New Year's with Kids
Here are our picks for the top things to do on LI over Christmas break.
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Minimize your holiday stress by having Christmas dinner out on Long Island this year.
Best Family-Friendly Restaurants Open on Christmas in Long Island 2025
These local eateries ease the stress of hosting holiday dinners this Christmas.
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Explore the Victorian era during Port Jefferson's Charles Dickens Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival's Facebook page
Long Island's Most Unusual and Underrated Christmas and Holiday Events
Have a unique experience at one of these off-the-beaten-path Christmas events.
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LuminoCity returns to Long Island's Eisenhower Park this Christmas season. Photo courtesy LuminoCity
Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows on Long Island 2025
Check out these stunning holiday light displays throughout LI.
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See how the village of Port Jefferson magically turns back time to the Dicken's Era. Photo courtesy of the festival's Facebook page
25 Free Holiday and Christmas Events on Long Island for Kids in 2025
Enjoy the holidays without breaking the bank at these LI events.
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