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Christmas Weekend 2025 in San Francisco: Top Things to Do With Kids and Families

Enjoy the holiday pageantry of Fairy Winterland at Children's Fairyland. Photo courtesy of Children's Fairyland
Enjoy the holiday pageantry of Fairy Winterland at Children's Fairyland. Photo courtesy of Children's Fairyland
12/23/25 - By Sandra Lee

Looking for the best things to do in San Francisco and the Bay Area over Christmas weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

All the last-minute shopping, gift wrapping, quick stocking-stuffer trips, holiday lights, and grocery runs have led to this: Christmas weekend.

Take a break and have holiday tea at Claremont Hotel and Spa in Berkeley or the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco (and see the gingerbread house). See The Nutcracker with the San Francisco Ballet for the last time this year in a sensory-friendly performance on Sunday. Grab a cup of hot cocoa and lace up your skates for FREE ice skating, live music, and holiday kids activities at Thrive City Winter Wonderland. Finally, ring in the new year early on Sunday at the Asian Art Museum's 40th Annual Bell-Ringing Ceremony. 

Whether you are traveling or spending time with family and friends close by, we here at Mommy Poppins wish you Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from our family to yours. 

More Things To Do with Kids in San Francisco During Christmas Week:

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Lace up your skates at Thrive City Winter Wonderland. Photo courtesy of Thrive City
Lace up your skates at Thrive City Winter Wonderland. Photo courtesy of Thrive City

Best Things To Do Christmas Weekend with Kids in the San Francisco Bay Area

Holiday Windows at Macy's Union Square

San Francisco —FREE
Through Sunday, December 28, 2025
The cutest San Francisco tradition is back at Macy's. The holiday windows, featuring adorable, adoptable kittens and puppies, is on display daily. Snuggle with one of the SF SPCA's Animal Assisted Therapy ambassadors on select days, and bring blankets, toys, towels, and flat sheets to the donation station.  READ MORE

Thrive City Winter Wonderland Ice Skating

San Francisco
Through Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Experience Thrive City’s outdoor holiday ice rink, a magical experience with Santa appearances, kids festive arts and crafts, seasonal treats, and even snow.  The synthetic ice rink is one of the few outdoor ice rinks in the city and is a stunning display with the Bay Area’s tallest Christmas tree and festive decorations throughout the plaza outside Chase Center.  READ MORE

Toy Trains 2025

Santa Cruz
Through Monday, December 29, 2025
The toy train pop-up event is at the Museum of Art and History, inviting all families of train lovers to see trains, tracks, and all things locomotive.  READ MORE

Panto in the Presidio: Peter Pan

San Francisco
Through Sunday, December 28, 2025
Panto is a UK holiday tradition, bringing satire, audience participation, and sing-along to popular fairy tales. Audience members can "boo" villains, cheer for the heroes, and sing along to popular songs played by a live band. Oh, and watch out for flying candy. READ MORE

27th Annual Fantasy of Lights

Los Gatos—FREE
Through Tuesday, December 30
Enjoy a walk or drive through a 1½-mile magical display of lights while listening to holiday music. Highlighted displays include an erupting volcano in the Dinosaur Den, Santa shooting hoops, playful penguins, pirate cannons, and tunnels full of moving lights. READ MORE

Holiday Tea at Malaya Tea Room

Alameda
Friday, December 26-Sunday, December 28, 2025
Sip on delicious tea, nibble on scones and sandwiches, and put on your fanciest outfit for holiday tea at Malaya Tea Room. The menu includes five sandwich options, sweet and savory scones, and dessert.  READ MORE

San Francisco Ballet: The Nutcracker

San Francisco
Friday, December 26-Sunday, December 28, 2025
Exquisite dancing, beautiful sets, beloved characters, and the music of Tchaikovsky are performed live by the San Francisco Orchestra and the San Francisco Ballet Company. A favorite show for the holidays, it's the story of a young girl, a nutcracker, and a sugarplum fairy.   READ MORE

New Year's Train at Roaring Camp

Felton
Friday, December 26-Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Bring in the new year aboard the New Year's Holiday Train. Ride vintage train cars beautifully decorated with holiday lights through the streets of Santa Cruz. Light-up hula hoopers and a live DJ will keep spirits bright and help bring in 2025 right. READ MORE

Reindeer Games at the Children's Creativity Museum

San Francisco
Friday, December 26-Sunday, December 28, 2025
On the day before Christmas, Santa's reindeer are passing the time before flying the sleigh to deliver presents to all the kids in the iconic performance. Circus acts, live music, and interactive games for all families are going down at the Reindeer Games holiday show. See acrobatics, juggling, and more circus acts, music by The Vivants, and games that get everyone involved.  READ MORE

Festive Holiday Tea at the Claremont Hotel and Spa

Berkeley
Friday, December 26-Sunday, December 28, 2025
Join the Claremont Hotel for festive holiday afternoon tea in the historic Lobby Lounge. Celebrate with classic tea offerings, a glass of sparkling rosé for adults, and delightful sweet abd savory accompaniments. READ MORE

Winter WonderLabs at The Tech Interactive: Holi-Dough Circuits

San Jose
Saturday, December 27-Sunday, December 28, 2025
Light up your holidays at The Tech Interactive. In this bright and joyful lab, experiment with conductive dough and simple circuits, then bring your creativity to life by crafting a glowing dough character to take home. It is hands-on science with a festive twist, perfect for curious makers who love to tinker and shine. READ MORE

Fairy Winterland

Oakland
Saturday, December 27-Sunday, December 28, 2025
December sparkles at Children's Fairyland with the return of Fairy Winterland, a tradition for more than 20 years. See twinkling lights, Santa Claus leading the Festival of Lights Parade, special performances, including tap-dancing penguins and trees, a wishing wall, complimentary hot chocolate or cider, and more Don't forget to drop your letter to Santa in the special mailbox. READ MORE

40th Annual Japanese New Year’s Bell-Ringing Ceremony

San Francisco
Sunday, December 28, 2025
The Asian Art Museum is ready to ring in the New Year with a 2,100-pound, 16th-century Japanese temple bell. The ceremony includes a purification ritual and chanting of the Buddhist Heart Sutra. Then the museum opens to the public, giving families the chance to leave behind anything negative from the previous year. READ MORE

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About the Author

Sandra Lee
Sandra Lee is the community publisher and social media manager for Mommy Poppins Bay Area. With nearly a decade of writing in the parenting space, she’s passionate about helping parents create unforgettable memories with their kids. Her work has appeared in Tiny Beans, Zulily, and more. When she's not exploring or creating content, you’ll find her baking or practicing her hip-hop moves.
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