🌟Local Kiddo SF (Winter Edition)

🎄Holiday Highlights🎄 

Your comprehensive guide to every festive event happening this weekend and beyond!

THIS WEEKEND (NOV 29-30)

• See The Velveteen Rabbit at ODC Dance (November 29–December 7).

• Catch The Polar Express at Children's Creativity Museum Family Movie Day (November 29, 11am).

• Laugh at BATS Improv: An Improvised Dickens Musical at Fort Mason—from $5! (November 29–December 27).

• Celebrate with mariachi at A Merry-Achi Christmas with the SF Symphony (November 30).

• Watch The Muppet Christmas Carol at Children's Creativity Museum (November 30, 11am).

• Kick off the season at Winter Wonderland Lighting Ceremony at Chase Center (November 30, 4pm).

NEXT WEEK (DEC 1-7)

• Light up the neighborhood at Noe Valley Tree Lighting (December 1, 5–7pm).

• Celebrate at Castro Holiday Tree Lighting (December 1, 6pm).

• Celebrate at Civic Center Plaza Tree Lighting (December 3, 4–7pm).

• See live Dickens-era carolers and trumpeters and take photos with Santa at the Ritz-Carlton’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony (December 3, 5:30–7:30pm).

• Celebrate the 96th annual Holiday Tree Lighting at McLaren Lodge in Golden Gate Park (December 4, 4–8pm).

• Shop art-forward gifts at Gift Lab @SFMoMA (December 4, 4–8pm).

• Shop local at the Bernal Heights Holiday Stroll (December 4, 5–8pm).

• Check out the lighting of the Performing Tree at Pier 39 (December 4, 5–9pm).

• Experience the nation's largest FREE projection arts festival at Let's Glow SF (December 5–14).

• Stroll through Hayes Valley Holiday Stroll! (December 5, 5–9pm).

• Hear Handel's Messiah at Davies Symphony Hall (December 5–6).

• Browse North Beach Holiday Night Market (December 5, 5–10pm).

• Sing along to Frozen and watch the tree lighting at Winterfest at Salesforce Park (December 5–7).

• Step into a Nutcracker wonderland at the Palace Hotel’s Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration (December 5, 6–8pm).

• Dance along at Dance-Along Nutcracker at YBCA (December 6–7).

• Support young dancers at SFYBT's 24th Annual Nutcracker (December 6, 1:30pm).

• See the magical Mark Foehringer's Nutcracker Sweets at Fort Mason (this one is perfect for little kiddos)! (December 6–21).

• Experience a Swedish Christmas in SF at SWEA’s Christmas Fair (December 6, 9am–3pm).

• Hear SF Bach Choir: Holiday & Handel at Calvary Presbyterian (December 6 at 7pm, December 7 at 4pm).

• Carol to seniors at Intergenerational Caroling with treats and hot cocoa (December 6, 10:30am).

• Get affordable Santa photos at Balboa Jingle + support SF Firefighters Toy Drive (December 6, 11am–2pm).

• Shop Holiday Mercantile at Golden Gate Park (December 6–7, 11am–5pm).

• Explore Dogpatch Holiday Market (December 6, 11am–5pm).

• Support local artists and see the Princess Diaries house at the Holy Moly Winter Market (December 6, 11am–4pm).

• Shop the Lakeside Holiday Market (December 6, 12–2pm).

• Watch the Yerba Buena Gardens Tree Lighting (December 6, 6pm).

• Shop Italian treasures at Mercatino Di Natale at Fort Mason (December 6–7).

• Experience the wonder of Waldorf at the Winter Fair (December 7, 10am–3pm).

• Celebrate winter with shopping, French food, hot drinks and arts and crafts at the 2025 Lycée Winter Fair (December 7, 11am–4pm).

• Enjoy family fun at Deck the Hall with SF Symphony (December 7, 11am & 3pm).

• Hear young talent at SFJAZZ High School All-Stars (December 7, 12pm).

• Shop SFMOMA Holiday Makers Market (December 7, 10am–5pm).

• Browse Sunday Shopping & Shorts in Chinatown's charming Waverly alley (December 7, 14, 21).

• Make a wreath at Winterfest Wreath Making Party at Salesforce Park (December 7, 9am).

WEEK OF DEC 8-14

• Give back to support a good cause and enjoy special surprises with the kiddos at Holiday Heroes benefiting Wender Weis Foundation at Oracle Park (December 9).

• See The Snow Queen by Grand Kyiv Ballet (December 11).

• Experience Circus Bella: Starlight at The Crossing at East Cut (December 12–January 4).

• Hear sweet caroling at Adda Clevenger School's Caroling in the Presidio (December 12, 11:30am).

• Catch SF Gay Men's Chorus Holiday Spectacular (December 12–13).

• Shop Excelsior Night Market (December 12, 5–10pm).

• Stroll Holidays on Taraval (December 13, 4–8pm).

• Celebrate at Jingle on the Way at Sunset Dunes (December 13, 11am–1pm).

• Explore Winter Walk at Union Square pedestrian wonderland (December 13–24).

• Watch Disney's Frozen in Concert with SF Symphony (December 13).

• Hear 150+ voices at SF Boys Chorus Holiday Celebration (December 13, 2pm).

• Hear SF Girls Chorus: In Winter's Glow (December 13, 2pm).

• Decorate gingerbread houses at Spruce's Annual Gingerbread House Workshop, a must-do! ⭐ (December 13–14, 11am).

• Sing along at Sing You A Merry Christmas at Grace Cathedral (December 13, 20, 22, 23).

• Shop Winter On Waverly Holiday Party with live music in Chinatown (December 13, 11am–7:30pm).

• Support Black-owned businesses at Pop-Ups on the Plaza: Black Holiday Market at Ferry Building (December 13, 9am–2pm).

• Shop vintage at West Coast Craft WAVES at Fort Mason (December 13).

• Experience Eastern European traditions at Children's Winter Holiday Fair, meet Father Frost! (December 13, 1–5pm).

• Get creative at Joyful Holiday Paints For Kids (December 13, 6–8pm).

• Create at Randall Museum: Winter Craft Day (December 13, 10am–2pm).

• Take your favorite doll to tea at the Dollie + Me Holiday Tea at The Westin St. Francis (December 13-14).

• Hear Peter and the Wolf with SF Symphony Youth Orchestra (December 14).

• Celebrate Hanukkah at Bill Graham Menorah at Union Square (December 14–21).

• Enjoy Chanukah Wonderland at Noe Valley Town Square (December 14, 3:30pm).

• Bring your baby to Love You a Latke Hanukkah Party for ages 0–5 (December 14, 10:30am).

• Celebrate at Lakeside Chanukah Festivities with latkes, gelt drop, and music from RebbeSoul (December 14, 3:30pm).

• Decorate cookies at Holiday Bakes Cookie Decorating Class at Ferry Building (December 14, 1:30pm).

WEEK OF DEC 15-21

• Light the menorah at Castro Menorah Lighting (December 15, 6pm).

• Hear 250 voices at San Francisco Girls Chorus: Esperanza del Futuro at Davies (December 15, 7pm).

• See NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet by Grand Kyiv Ballet (December 17).

• Preview Reindeer Games circus at People's Circus Theatre (December 17–28).

• Hear Christmas Carols at Lakeside by West Portal Lutheran School (December 17, 2pm).

• Watch young talent in A.C.T. Young Conservatory: Rudolph & Scrooge (December 18–20).

• Celebrate Winter Wonderland Hanukkah at Chase Center (December 18, 4pm).

• Create at Walt Disney Museum Workshops, Art Playground & Stop-Motion Film (December 18–21, 27–28).

• See Stapleton School Nutcracker at Palace of Fine Arts (December 19–21).

• Watch Home Alone with live orchestra at SF Symphony (December 19–20).

• Sing at Family Sing with Amateur Music Network (December 19, 6:30pm).

• Experience Soulful Christmas 2025 at Fort Mason (December 19–21).

• Bring the whole family to Holiday Night Market at Fillmore, FREE with R&B star CASE and Kids Wonderland! (December 19, 5pm).

• Browse Fort Mason Night Market with Stern Grove & Off The Grid (December 19).

• See students fly at Circus Center Winter Showcase (December 20 at 4pm & 7pm, December 21 at 3pm).

• Enjoy Charlie Brown Holiday Family Matinee at SFJAZZ (December 20, 11am).

• Have fun at SantaGrinchcon at SparkSocial (December 20, 10:30am).

• Experience Musical Havdala at Bill Graham Menorah (December 20, 8pm).

• Watch A Charlie Brown Christmas—LIVE! with SF Symphony (December 21–22).

• Step into Clara's world at SF Ballet Nutcracker Dance-Along Workshops (December 21, multiple sessions).

• Celebrate at Bill Graham Menorah Grand Finale + Car Parade (December 21, 4pm music, 6:30pm parade).

• Mark the season at Winter Solstice at Conservatory of Flowers (December 21, 11:30am).

WINTER BREAK (DEC 22-JAN 4)

• Jump into House of Air Holiday Camp (December 22–January 2, $125/day).

• Build with TechKnowHow LEGO Mario Camp (December 22–24).

• Create at Polar North Workshop with Maker Studio Kidz (December 22–24).

• Make art at Artful Holidays Camp with Doran Studio (December 22–23).

• Skate at Thrive City Ice Skating at Chase Center, FREE with RSVP (December 23–30).

• Experience a relaxed SF Ballet Sensory Friendly Nutcracker (December 28, 11am).

• Build with TechKnowHow Minecraft Camp (December 29–31).

• Celebrate early at Noon Year's Eve & Kwanzaa at Chase Center, perfect for little ones! (December 31, 9:30am).

• Watch Family Movie Days at Children's Creativity Museum (January 2–4).

ONGOING THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS

• Walk through Lightscape at SF Botanical Garden (November 21–January 4).

• Experience the FREE Let's Glow SF projection arts festival downtown (December 5–14).

• See the gold standard SF Ballet Nutcracker.

• Enjoy The Christmas Ballet by Smuin (November 22–December 28).

• Step into Victorian London at Great Dickens Christmas Fair (weekends).

• Get Photos with Santa at Stonestown (November 21–December 24).

• Skate at Union Square Ice Rink (open daily).

• Marvel at the life-size Gingerbread House and book a tea with Santa at the Fairmont Hotel.

• Have tea with Santa at the Palace Hotel (Every Saturday & Sunday from November 29–December 21 and 22–24).

• Enjoy Teddy Bear Tea and a lively holiday show at the Ritz-Carlton (throughout December).

Saturday Highlights

🐰 The Velveteen Rabbit

ODC's annual production of The Velveteen Rabbit is one of those SF holiday traditions that actually lives up to the hype. The dance adaptation brings Margery Williams' classic to life with gorgeous choreography that'll make you tear up (yes, even you, tough guy). This one runs through December 7, so if Saturday doesn't work, you've got options. But honestly, starting the holiday weekend with this kind of beauty? Chef's kiss.

Worth Knowing:

• Saturday, November 29 11:00am and Sunday, November 30, 2:00pm

• Blue Shield of California Theater, YBCA

• Tickets from $30-$150

• 85-minute run time, including one intermission

🎭 Nutcracker “Sweet” with the Puppet Company

Here's the thing about taking little kids to the Nutcracker, sometimes two hours of ballet is... a lot. Enter this genius puppet adaptation that captures all the magic of Clara's journey in a format that actually works for younger attention spans. The Puppet Company has been doing this for years and they've absolutely nailed it.

Worth Knowing:

• Saturday, November 29, 2:00pm-3:00pm

• Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez Street

• Free

• Designed for young audiences

• 40-minute show

• The production features the acrobatic antics of The Puppet Company’s miniature cast accompanied by the SF Chamber Orchestra (SFCO) performing highlights from this beloved ballet

✏️ Holiday Family Cartooning Workshops

We all need a creative outlet after hosting relatives. The Cartoon Art Museum is running their holiday cartooning workshop, and it's genuinely fun for kids AND adults. You'll learn some actual techniques while creating holiday-themed art together. The museum itself is an underrated gem—small enough to not overwhelm, cool enough to keep everyone engaged.

Worth Knowing:

• Saturday, November 29, 2:00pm-3:30pm

• Cartoon Art Museum, 781 Beach Street

• Adult and child combo ticket: $40

• Admission to the museum gallery included in the workshop

  

Sunday Highlights

🦦 River Otter Snow Days

OTTERS. IN. SNOW. I genuinely don't know what else to say. The Aquarium of the Bay brings in actual snow for the river otters to play in, and watching them roll around in pure joy is the serotonin boost we all need right now. Kids lose their minds, adults secretly love it even more.

Worth Knowing:

• Sunday, November 30 10:00am-5:00pm (arrive early for fresh snow)

• PIER 39 Embarcadero & Beach St.

• Tickets from $20.25

• Stay and visit the aquarium

• Big feed at 2:00pm

🐰 The Velveteen Rabbit

ODC's annual production of The Velveteen Rabbit is one of those SF holiday traditions that actually lives up to the hype. The dance adaptation brings Margery Williams' classic to life with gorgeous choreography that'll make you tear up (yes, even you, tough guy). This one runs through December 7, so if Saturday doesn't work, you've got options. But honestly, starting the holiday weekend with this kind of beauty? Chef's kiss.

Worth Knowing:

• Saturday, November 29 11:00am and Sunday, November 30, 2:00pm

• Blue Shield of California Theater, YBCA

• Tickets from $30-$150

• 85-minute run time, including one intermission

✨ Winter Wonderland Lighting Ceremony

Chase Center kicks off their Winter Wonderland series with a lighting ceremony that's become a legit SF holiday tradition. The whole Thrive City area transforms into a festive wonderland, and this is the grand unveiling. Arrive a little early, grab some food at one of the spots nearby, and settle in for the show. Fair warning: this will put you firmly in the holiday spirit whether you're ready or not.

Worth Knowing:

• Sunday, November 30, 4:00pm

• Chase Center

• Free

• Don’t miss appearances by a Warrior’s legend and Valkyries Mascot “Violet“

• Enjoy seasonal treats

• Catch a screening of The Polar Express and hot chocolate at 6:15pm

🔭On Our Radar

Let your little kiddos shake the wiggles out at a Baby Rave at the Asian Art Museum (December 7).