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Christmas Weekend 2024 in San Francisco Top Things To Do: Nutcrackers, Reindeer Games, Holiday Train Rides, and More

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to see Elf in Concert with the SF Symphony. Photo by Jaime Sumersille
The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to see Elf in Concert with the SF Symphony. Photo by Jaime Sumersille
12/18/24 - 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 the popular Teddy Bear Tea at the Ritz Carlton. See The Nutcracker with the San Francisco Ballet or Mark Foehringer‘s Nutcracker Sweets version for smaller kids. Grab a warm cup of hot cocoa, and lace up your skates for free ice skating, live music, and holiday kids activities starting this Saturday at Thrive City Winter Wonderland. 

For an extra stocking stuffer, enter the Wiggles Bouncing Balls! Tour Giveaway! We’re giving away a family four pack of tickets to The Wiggles Bouncing Balls! Tour concert. You can enter to win by signing up for our newsletter here!

Whether traveling or staying local, staying home or spending it with family and friends close by, we here at Mommy Poppins wish you a Merry Christmas from our family to yours. 

More Things To Do in San Francisco Bay Area This Week with Kids:

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

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

Elf in Concert with the SF Symphony

San Francisco
Thursday - Saturday, December 19 - 21, 2024
One of the most popular holiday movies filled with "singing loud for all to hear," Elf is on the giant screen at the SF Symphony, accompanied by a live orchestra playing the musical score of John Debney. READ MORE

Holiday Movie Night! A Charlie Brown Christmas and How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Larkspur - FREE
Friday, December 20, 2024
Bring the family for a special holiday double-feature movie night. Start the night with A Charlie Brown Christmas followed by How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Hot chocolate with marshmallows and hot toddies are available under the heated tent. READ MORE

Thrive City Winter Wonderland Ice Skating

San Francisco - FREE
Starts Saturday, December 21, 2024
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

Winterfest Holiday Steam Train at Tilden Park

Orinda
Saturday & Sunday, December 21 & 22, 2024
Decorated with twinkling lights, tiny snowflakes, and Christmas ornaments on some of the evergreens along the route, the steam trains in Tilden Park are a part of Winterfest in Berkeley for the last two weekends in December.  Kids can enjoy a decorated train ride and even catch a glimpse of Father Solstice as he rides on a special train. READ MORE

Hip-Hop Nutcracker at the Fox Theater

Redwood City
Saturday & Sunday, December 21 & 22
A cast of 35 all-star hip-hop artists come together to perform the Nutcracker in a whole new way. Keeping Tchaikovsky's score, but adding some musical twists, the story of a gifted wooden nutcracker takes Clara into a world of hip-hop dancing that is completely different than the world back home.  READ MORE

Reindeer Games at the Children's Creativity Museum

San Francisco
Saturday & Sunday, December 21 & 22, 2024
On the day before Christmas, Santa's reindeer are passing the time before flying the sleigh to deliver presents to all the kids.  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

Free Selfies with Santa at Jack London Square

Oakland - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, December 21 & 22, 2024
Jack London Square is inviting Santa to take selfies with families and well-behaved pets. Bring your camera (phones work too!) and take a photo with the big man himself.  READ MORE

Mark Foehringer‘s Nutcracker Sweets at Fort Mason Center

San Francisco
Saturday & Sunday, December 21 & 22, 2024
A unique, 50-minute production perfect for small kids, Nutcracker Sweets takes the best parts of the classic ballet and makes it fun. With beautiful costumes, contemporary dance, ballet, and recognizable characters, it's a great way to introduce this holiday tradition.  READ MORE

Top of the Mark Magical Tea

San Francisco
Saturday & Sunday, December 21 & 22, 2024
Featuring fun-filled entertainment and activities including cookie decorating with our pastry chef, face painting, balloon artist, The Grinch, and a special appearance by the Lowell High School Choir on select days. Plus photo opp with Santa in the lobby. READ MORE

Sing You a Merry Christmas at Grace Cathedral

San Francisco
Saturday & Monday, December 21 & 23, 2024
It is officially the most wonderful time of the year, so sing along at Sing You a Merry Christmas, an interactive performance the entire family will enjoy. Tag along with the toys of St. Nicholas’ workshop as they search for the true meaning of Christmas, taking us on a joyous expedition of discovery, following festive clues and decking the halls with all of your favorite Christmas carols. READ MORE

Teddy Bear Tea at the Ritz-Carlton

San Franciso
Now through Monday, December 23, 2024
A favorite holiday tradition, Teddy Bear Tea in the winter wonderland of The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco is one for the books. Kids can enjoy tea service with hot chocolate, scones, teddy bear treats, and assorted sandwiches while an animated show of holiday elves and characters do sing-alongs, skits, and tell stories. Kids ages 2-11 receive a teddy bear gift and keepsake to take home.  READ MORE

Holiday Lights Train at Roaring Camp

Felton
Now through Monday, December 23, 2024
A family favorite is back at Roaring Camp for the holidays. The Holiday Lights Train takes guests on vintage cars decked out in colorful lights. Additional activities include a holiday sing-along, live music, hot-spiced cider, and a Santa visit. READ MORE

A Whynot Christmas Carol

San Francisco
Select dates through Tuesday, December 24, 2024
From Obie-winning playwright Craig Lucas and Tony Award winner and A.C.T. Artistic Director Pam MacKinnon comes a joyous and puckishly funny adaptation of Charles Dickens’s beloved classic.  With festive music, magical ghosts, an effervescent cast of kids, and ample hijinks, this fresh telling amplifies Dickens’s moving and evergreen call for true generosity throughout the year. READ MORE

San Francisco Ballet: The Nutcracker

San Francisco
Now through Sunday, December 29, 2024
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

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