13 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in San Francisco for Kids

Enchant Christmas at PayPal Park. Photo courtesy of the event.

There are so many Christmas events and holiday activities in San Francisco and the Bay Area, and my favorite ones are below to help you plan and take advantage of all the Bay Area has to offer during the most magical time of the year. 

Just like that, it's the holiday season! There's a reason one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time says, "It's the most wonderful time of the year." The twinkling lights, ice skating rinks, festive songs, and celebrations are nothing short of spectacular. This time of year also allows us to connect, be together, create traditions, and make memories as a family.

Discover the best Christmas events and holiday activities that should be on your list, including breakfast with Santa Claus, ice skating in San Francisco, fancy holiday teas, and so much more. 

For more Christmas events and holiday family outings, we have a whole post dedicated to the best holiday lights drive-thrus and Christmas light shows in San Francisco, the best Polar Express train rides and Christmas trains, plus more festive holiday fun in our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for San Francisco Bay Area Kids

Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Los Angeles

Enchanted: Forest of Light. Photo by Kathryn Rapier, courtesy of the event.

Holiday lights twinkle extra brightly in a city known for Hollywood, glitz, and glamour. Holiday light shows and Christmas light displays are all over Los Angeles. These festive light shows dazzle and get you in the holiday spirit. Stroll through immersive light displays, wander through Christmas lights in gardens, zoos, and farms, climb aboard a holiday lights train, or enjoy a Christmas light show by the water. 

If that's not enough holiday lights in Los Angeles for you, festive SoCal neighborhoods go all out with their annual decorating traditions to treat Angelenos to some incredible neighborhood holiday light displays. For even more holiday fun, check out our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events in Los Angeles.  

Best Family Resorts That Will Sell Out for the Holidays - So, Book Now!

Experience Christmas with dazzling displays, tempting treats, holiday shows, and festive activities at Gaylord Palms in Orlando. Photo courtesy of Gaylord Palms

As the saying goes, there's no place like home for the holidays. But we say home is wherever your family is. And if your family is looking to get away this holiday season, book your trip now—some of the best family resorts are booking up quickly!

We've rounded up a dozen great family resorts to spend the holidays at with the whole gang. Some of these family resorts go above and beyond with holiday decorations and activities, making your family feel like they're in a Hallmark Christmas movie. Others are near destinations that do it up for the holidays, including Disneyland and Disney World.

Prefer to spend the holidays in paradise? We've also included some of our favorite all-inclusive resorts and other hotels in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Hawaii. These family resorts, along with others on our list of warm and sunny family vacation spots, provide a welcome respite from Jack Frost nipping at your nose.

See our Family Resorts and Hotels Guide for more great places to spend the holidays with your family.

Best Holiday Shows in NYC for Kids

Annie takes over the stage at The Theater at Madison Square Garden this holiday season. Photo by Matthew Murphy

'Tis the season to get the gang all dressed up to see some holiday shows in NYC! While the city is lucky to have amazing Broadway shows for kids all year-round, during the holidays there are a range of joyous seasonal productions for families, from inexpensive, low-key offerings perfect for fidgety preschoolers, to over-the-top spectacles that are worth the investment.

From live stage adaptations of classics to amazing circus, dance, and impossible-to-describe performances, here are our top 14 holiday shows in NYC for families, and that's in addition to all those beautiful Nutcrackers. You can find additional show picks in our Guide to Children's Theater in NYC and more seasonal outings in our Holiday Fun Guide for NYC Kids.

Your Holly Jolly Guide to Visiting Santa's Christmas Tree Farm with Kids

Find the perfect tree for your family at Santa's Christmas Tree Farm.

A visit to one of Long Island's local Christmas tree farms is a perfect holiday adventure to enjoy this season, and a day at Santa’s Christmas Tree Farm in Cutchogue on the North Fork is magical for the whole family. Enjoy festive entertainment at every turn and memorable experiences to share.

Our family visits this East End gem every year. My kids cannot get enough of the interactive, seasonal activities. From a visit with Santa to ice skating under twinkling lights to choosing our own Christmas tree, the destination-worthy farm has it all.

Read ahead for all the details to plan your own holly, jolly trip to Santa’s Christmas Tree Farm. For even more merry festivities, check out our Long Island Guide to Holiday Fun, which includes our gift to you: this bucket list of Christmas events and holiday activities on Long Island.

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