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

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Check out the life-size gingerbread house when you take holiday tea at the Fairmont! Photo courtesy of the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco

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.

We've rounded up the very best Christmas events and holiday activities that need to be on your list, from 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! 

Pictures with Santa in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

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Take some festive pictures with Santa at the Cross County Shopping Center in Yonkers. Photo courtesy of the center

The Christmas season is hardly complete without pictures with Santa, and Westchester and the Hudson Valley offer plenty of fun ways to meet the man in red. Our roundup below includes events and opportunities for Santa photos at malls in the area. 

For more holiday fun, check out our Holiday Fun Guide, especially our roundup of must-do holiday experiences for Westchester kids.

Pictures with Santa Claus on Long Island

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Take some special photos with Santa on Long Island this Christmas. Photo via Canva

Want to take pictures with Santa this holiday season? Check out our roundup of the best spots for your kids to pose for pictures with Santa on Long Island. 

Santa has the magical ability to be in several places at once, so we've rounded up 12 Long Island venues where old St. Nick is holding court regularly and posing for pictures this holiday season. It's time to get out your most festive Christmas sweater and plan a date to share your wish list and snap photos with Santa on Long Island.

For more seasonal adventures, check out our roundup of the top holiday and Christmas events in the region, and bookmark our Holiday Fun Guide for all the can't-miss seasonal happenings.

Pictures with Santa Claus in New Jersey

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Step into Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops in Atlantic City for Christmas pictures. Photo courtesy of the venue

There's no shortage of opportunities for your little elves to pose for pictures with Santa in New Jersey when the big guy comes to town this Christmas season. We've rounded up our favorites, and there are events all over the state listed below for you to snag that photo op. 

For even more seasonal activities, check out our Holiday and Christmas Activities Guide for NJ Kids, where we've rounded up our favorite places to have breakfast with Santa and plenty more holiday must-do's for New Jersey kids.

Pictures with Santa Claus in NYC in 2024

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At the Apollo Theater in Harlem, take pictures with Santa and enjoy live performances. Photo courtesy of the Apollo

Editor's note: This post is in the process of being updated for 2024. Please check back soon for full details.
Santa Claus is coming to town and New York City kids have plenty of places to take pictures with Santa this season. From the heartwarming experience at Macy's Santaland to appearances at area malls—Santa is popping up and posing all over town.

Read on for our favorite spots to take pictures with Santa all across the five boroughs, including plenty of venues offering FREE pictures with Santa in NYC. Our rundown of Christmas tree lightings in NYC offers more opportunities to see jolly old St. Nick. We've got even more ways to meet the seasonal celebrity at these brunches, teas, and cruises with Santa, and our Guide to Christmas and the Holidays in NYC offers more holiday fun.

Pictures with Santa Claus in Los Angeles

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Only in LA can you paddle with Santa. Photo courtesy of Ventura Harbor Village

Pictures with Santa in Los Angeles aren't your standard snaps: here we have Diving Santa, Shogun Santa, Santa on a train, and so much more.

When it comes to Christmas in Los Angeles, Santa is coming to town in many forms and fashions unique to SoCal. Los Angeles offers some of the best Santas around, including several special versions of Santa you won't find anywhere else. So, snap a few pictures with Santa at one of these fun, funky, and totally LA Santa photo opportunities, from diving Santas to farm Santas, Shogun Santa to the Santa at Disneyland. 

Get our picks for the best holiday activities and Christmas events in Los Angeles, festive Polar Express train rides, and more. Check out tons of festive Christmas fun in our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Activities in Los Angeles. 

42 Warm and Sunny Family Winter Vacation Ideas in the US and Abroad

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Make memories to last a lifetime at the all-inclusive Beaches Turks and Caicos.

From perpetually wet feet to relentlessly bundling (and unbundling) your kids with layer upon layer, the need to escape grows for many parents as the winter drags on. Even those families who don't live with the finicky four-season cycle might prefer their family vacation with a side of palm trees, rather than fur-trimmed snow boots.

So whether you're seeking to escape the cold or just don't want to spend your holiday season vacation in it, we've rounded up 42 of the best winter vacation ideas in the US and abroad filled with sun, fun, and warmth.

Read on to find great all-inclusive resorts, beaches, and charming cities teeming with culture that will give you a family vacation that’s sunny, not snowy. For even more winter vacation ideas, be sure to check out our Family Travel Destination Guide.

Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Connecticut

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Santa Claus is beaming with excitement for the best holiday lights drive-thrus and Christmas light shows in Connecticut! Photo courtesy of Holiday Stroll at Mill River Park

The best holiday lights drive-thrus and Christmas light shows in Connecticut have arrived for 2023! Light displays are one of the most magical experiences that Connecticut offers during the holiday season. There is nothing like sparkling lights and imaginitive displays to put a whole family in a festive mood. You won't hve far to drive for one of these big, special events, from Stamford to Mystic. Christmas light shows return again to Hartford and New Haven. So Read on for our picks for the best holiday lights drive-thrus and Christmas light shows in Connecticut.

There are also Spectacular Neighborhood Holiday Lights and Christmas Lights in Connecticut to enjoy this season. If you are looking for more things to do this holiday season, be sure to check out the Top Holiday Activities and Christmas Events for Connecticut Kids. Want even more holiday fun?  Follow our Facebook  and Instagram pages for updated events.

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