Feeling festive: 12 wonderful ways to get into the spirit of the season
Bay Area lights, latkes, tours, rinks, fun runs and more
It can be difficult to get excited about the winter holidays, with Halloween starting in August and Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Hanukkah following not long after. So we’ve gathered a dozen ideas to get you in the holiday spirit, from historic homes decorated for the season in Hayward, Campbell, and Walnut Creek to latkes galore in Foster City to wintry theme park fun in Santa Clara, Vallejo, and Gilroy. More events, including holiday music and theater performances, can be found at www.mercurynews.com/things-to-do.
d’Lightful cacti, Walnut Creek
This year, there are so many twinkle lights and illuminations throughout the Bay Area that we’re sure you can see the glow from space. There’s Glowfari at the Oakland Zoo, Fantasy of Lights in Los Gatos, Enchant at PayPal Park in San Jose, and Drive Thru Light Show at History Park in San Jose. But our favorite is this one, which incorporates cacti and succulents into the stunning mix. The fifth annual Garden of d’Lights will be held at Walnut Creek’s 3.5-acre Ruth Bancroft Garden on Thursday-Sunday evenings through Jan. 6. Visitors can walk through the garden paths and see the world-famous collection of gorgeous cacti, succulents, and drought-tolerant plants that have been illuminated with fantastical lasers and thousands of LED lights.
Admission to Ruth Bancroft Garden, 1552 Bancroft Road, is $12-$29 in advance; www.ruthbancroftgarden.org. More holiday light displays can be found at www.mercurynews.com/things-to-do/.
Historic homes, Campbell, Hayward, Woodside and more
Some of the Bay Area’s historic homes decorate for the holidays and open their doors and gardens for tours, lights, carols, and other festivities:
Ainsley House, Campbell: The decorated house is open to the public for tours. Thursdays-Sundays through December 21; holiday teas on December 1, 2, 3, and 8, 9, 10; and evening open houses on December 17 and 21. Reservations can be made at www.campbellmuseums.com.
Meek and McConaghy Houses, Hayward: On a variety of December dates, enjoy holiday lights and tours (guided and self-guided) of these decorated houses. Details can be found at www.haywardareahistory.org/calendar.
Santa will be visiting the Harris-Lass House in Santa Clara on December 3 from noon to 2 p.m. www.harrislass.org; free event
Ravenswood, Livermore: From noon to 4 p.m., there will be a free Yuletide celebration. On December 10, there will be Victorian decor, live music, shopping, and a demonstration by the Tri-Valley Woodcarvers. www.larpd.org/2023-12-10-ravenswood-victorian-yuletide
Shadelands, Walnut Creek: Daily holiday fair shopping from now until December 10; https://wchistory.org/events/holiday-faire/
Filoli, Woodside: The grand dame of Bay Area estates, Filoli recently hosted President Biden and China’s President Xi, following which the staff swung into action to decorate and light the property for the holiday season. Santa Days, wreath-making parties, private fire-pit parties, “gilded guide” tours, and popular evening admission events, which will sell out some nights, are just a few of the ways to immerse yourself in the experience and view the 3,600 strands of light, the 210-foot-long light tunnel, and the 7,000 ornaments. Dates and information are available at https://filoli.org/.
Latkepalooza, Foster City
Zumba and potato pancakes? On December 10, visit the Peninsula Jewish Community Center in Foster City for its annual Latkepalooza.
The community center will host a free festival from 3 to 5 p.m., complete with dancing, a bounce house, arts and crafts, and a photo booth, as well as an abundance of latkes with jelly and cocktails for the 21-and-up crowd.
The event will conclude with the lighting of Hanukkah candles and the singing of Hanukkah songs from 4:30 to 5 p.m. Registration and a security check are both required.
800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City, CA; pjcc.org/programs/latkepalooza
Silicon Valley Santa Run, San Jose
It has all of the Santa Con costumes but none of the beer. The Silicon Valley Santa Run is a family-friendly 5K fun run on Sunday, December 17, with a “Reindeer Dash” for kids and a costume contest. All 5K participants receive a holiday-themed long-sleeve technical shirt and are encouraged to dress up as their favorite holiday character or tradition.
The Silicon Valley Leadership Group Foundation sponsors the run, which benefits San Jose’s Christmas in the Park event and the Downtown Streets Team revitalization program.
The 5K begins at 8 a.m. on December 17th at Santa Clara and Market streets in downtown San Jose; www.santarunsv.com.
Après Village, East Palo Alto
Nothing says cozy like a fireside fondue and a warm beverage after getting off the chair lift in the winter, right? Then there’s the multi-hour drive to the slopes. Hmm. Instead, head to the Four Seasons Silicon Valley on the Peninsula, where the expansive patio has been transformed into the Après Village, a lighted wonderland with mini-chalets you can reserve for a meal — not just until December 31, but all the way through January 28. Watch a holiday movie by the firepit, listen to carols while you eat, or skate on the outdoor synthetic rink.
Executive chef Daniel Garcia’s alpine-inspired menu ($45 pre fixe) includes dishes like Winter Cheese Fondue, Kasekrainer Sausage, Smoked Salmon Rillettes, Wagyu Burger with Gouda, and house-made S’Mores. Après Hot Cocoa, made with Tullamore Dew Whiskey and Green Chartreuse, and Sweater Weather, made with Woodinville Rye, Ruby Port, Maple Syrup, and Hella Ginger Bitters.
Details: Open to the public from 4 to 9 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays via online reservation, and by phone reservation the rest of the week. East Palo Alto, 2050 University Ave.; www.fourseasons.com/siliconvalley/landing-pages/property/seasonal-experiences/
Icy ‘Elf’ skate, San Ramon
You don’t have to know your Lutz from your Salchow to enjoy one of the Bay Area’s holiday ice rinks, which range from the Circle of Palms in downtown San Jose (yes, ice skating is back!) to Brentwood on Ice. This year’s rinks offer a variety of activities, including ugly sweater days, s’mores nights, “Elf” sightings, and, of course, plenty of hot cocoa.
On S’mores Night — Dec. 4, 11, and 18 — head to San Ramon’s Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink ($19-$25) at City Center Bishop Ranch and enjoy a private reserved cabana ($125) complete with cozy fire pit and s’mores supplies. Buddy the Elf will be on hand for photo ops on December 5, and the first 150 skaters will receive elf hats, while The Grinch will appear on December 12.
More information can be found at https://citycenterbishopranch.com.
Great Dickens Christmas Fair, Daly City
You say humbug? At the Great Dickens Christmas Fair, not so. This festival, which has been held annually since 1970, is a sure cure for the holiday blues. The Cow Palace in Daly City is transformed into Charles Dickens’ Victorian-era London on weekends through December 17, with rows and rows of artisan and vendor stalls interspersed with stages, pubs, tearooms, and music halls. Around 1,000 costumed characters take on roles and walk around. (There have never been so many chimney sweeps in one place in the United States.)
The old favorites are still there, from the daily Father Christmas Parade to Mad Sal’s Dockside Ale House’s slightly bawdy entertainment. The Sherlock Holmes mystery-solving experience has been so popular with fairgoers that “Jekyll & Hyde and the Elixir of Madness” has been added this season. “You can help save Dr. Jekyll from turning into Mr. Hyde,” co-producer Kevin Patterson says, with a little cunning and a few pub stops. Shows, games, and crafts for children abound on the four-acre property.
A Port and Chocolate Tasting, a bubbly lineup at the Viridian Room and Champagne Bar, and Sincere Raspberry Cider, brewed especially for the fair, are among the new adult beverage options. The culinary offerings have also expanded. Aside from meat pies, bangers, fish and chips, and pan-European dishes, Jack and the Beansteak is a new vegan restaurant.
Details: Tickets are $25-$45 and must be purchased online because daily attendance is limited. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2600 Geneva Avenue, Daly City; https://dickensfair.com.
Theme park winter festivals, Santa Clara, Gilroy, Vallejo
This holiday season, there’s a lot of holiday fun going on at Bay Area theme parks. WinterFest returns to California’s Great America on select days through December 31 in Santa Clara, with over 60 rides and attractions, including cookie baking in Mrs. Claus’ kitchen, a North Pole mail center, and an ice rink at the picturesque carousel. There will also be live performances, a giant Christmas tree, and, of course, plenty of hot chocolate.
On the other side of San Francisco Bay, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo is hosting Holiday in the Park on select days through January 7. This winter wonderland features a variety of holiday-themed attractions, including Santa visits, a 65-foot-tall Christmas tree, music, and live shows. Don’t miss “A Very Merry Christmas,” which features the park’s well-known sea lions and seals.
And, through December 31, Gilroy Gardens will host a series of North Pole Nights, complete with live shows, an ice rink, Santa’s workshop, and a feast in Snowflake Square.
WinterFest tickets start at $33 and go up from there; cagreatamerica.com. Six Flags Holiday in the Park admission is $45; sixflags.com/discoverykingdom. Gilroy Gardens is $55; visit www.gilroygardens.org/holiday for more information.
Holiday Lights Trains, Hanukkah Trains, Santa Cruz
Next stop: Holiday joy, Roaring Camp Railroad style.
Vintage excursion cars adorned with thousands of colorful lights will roll through the streets of Santa Cruz on select evenings this season as passengers listen to musical entertainment, sing carols, and sip hot apple cider. The trains, which carry Santa, depart and return to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk area in front of Neptune’s Kingdom. Every ticket includes a $10 MyBoardwalk Card, which can be used for rides, arcade games, and midway games to extend the fun. (If you can’t make it before Christmas, the New Year’s Train runs from December 26 to December 31.)
On Thursday, December 7, two Hanukkah Trains will depart from the Boardwalk for a tradition-filled ride of music and games, with Chabad by the Sea providing warm latkes and hot apple cider. Each journey will be preceded by the lighting of a menorah.
Details: 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz. Reservations and tickets, $33-$65, at https://roaringcamp.com/holiday-lights.
Christmas Parade and Holiday Market, Benicia
Perhaps you’ve never been to this charming little city on the Carquinez Strait, which is marked by Jack London’s ghostly and somewhat rambling footsteps. (When he wasn’t writing, he used to poach oysters near here.) Or perhaps you have been and want to show your civic pride. The Benicia Christmas Parade & Holiday Market, now in its 29th year, kicks off the morning of December 9 on downtown’s scenic First Street.
Local marching bands and dancers, as well as a jolly Santa, are usually featured in the parade. The holiday market, with its handmade and gourmet gift items, is the place to go afterward to shop and carbo-load.
The parade starts at 10 a.m. on December 9 at First and D streets and ends at H Street in Benicia. The Holiday Market will be held along First Street between B and D streets until 3 p.m.; beniciamainstreet.org.
SPCA Holiday Windows, San Francisco
“Ruff ruff ruff ruff. Ruffle, ruffle, ruffle. Ruff, ruff, RUFFF, ruff.” If you don’t know what that song is, it’s the oddly catchy “Singing Dogs” spoof of “Jingle Bells.” Sorry if it’s ingrained in your mind, but dogs and other pets SHOULD be on your mind this time of year. They don’t get any vacation time at the shelter during the holidays, so what better present than to adopt one into a new and loving home?
For the 37th year, the San Francisco SPCA’s Holiday Windows display at Macy’s Union Square is assisting people in doing just that. The vast windows of the store are stocked with frolicking pups and slinking cats, all of which are available for adoption here or at the SPCA’s campus in the Mission. Watch the furballs bounce around and then take one home – right now, fees are waived for animals over 5 months old, and kittens and puppies are only $100. There’s Kettle Korn, a playful Doberman Pinscher who’s adapted well to life on three legs, and Bugsy, a charismatic feline who greets visitors with a “meow” and a head butt. If you don’t have the time or resources to adopt this year, you can always make a donation or watch the live action on the SPCA’s webcams.
Details: Noon–5 p.m. Thursday–Sunday through Dec. 31 (closed Dec. 25) at Macy’s Union Square, 170 O’Farrell St., San Francisco; sfspca.org/holiday-windows-2023
Lighted Boat Parade, Sausalito
You can walk, drive, or ride to see the beautiful holiday lights, or you can sit back and watch them glide by as the water shimmers with reflections. The backdrop is the San Francisco skyline.
The Lighted Boat Parade is the highlight of Winterfest Sausalito, which takes place December 9-10. Arrive early on Saturday for the 36th annual parade. You can watch for free or reserve a seat in advance for $25 or more. The parade begins at 6 p.m. and concludes with a fireworks display over the water at 7:15 p.m. The Spinnaker restaurant ($30-$55) hosts an after-party.
The Jingle Bell 5K kicks off Winterfest Sunday. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., and the run begins at 8:30 a.m.
Details: Gabrielson Park at the Sausalito waterfront; tickets, www.winterfestsausalito.com
