Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for San Francisco Bay Area Kids

The most magical time of year is here: the holiday season! Find fun Christmas activities near San Francisco and the whole Bay Area, from San Jose to Oakland and beyond! Plus restaurants open on Thanksgiving, Hanukkah events, Christmas light shows, and find out where to see Santa Claus this season. Check out our Holiday and Christmas Activities Guide to all the best things to do in San Francisco Bay Area this holiday season.

Christmas Activities for San Francisco Kids
Check out the life-size gingerbread house when you take holiday tea at the Fairmont! Photo courtesy of the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco
Top Holiday Activities and Christmas Events in San Francisco Bay Area for Kids in 2022
Enjoy festive ice skating. Photo courtesy of Union Square Ice Rink in San Francisco
Christmas Weekend 2022 in San Francisco: 17 Fun Things To Do With Kids
Those eight crazy nights are approaching and we’ve got everything you need to celebrate Hanukkah with your family. Photo courtesy Cottonbro Studios
8 Ways to Celebrate Hanukkah with Kids: Hanukkah Gifts, Fun Crafts, and a Little History
Step into the world of bugs, and the plants that eat them. Photo courtesy of the California Academy of Science
Holiday Break in San Francisco: 30 Things To Do Between Christmas and New Year's Eve
Glowfari is an otherworldly and amazing experience. Photo courtesy of the Oakland County Zoo
Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in San Francisco
Leavenworth, WA transforms itself into a snow globe at Christmastime. Photo courtesy of the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce
Visit a Christmas Town or Santa's Village Near You: 25 Christmas Villages That Absolutely Sparkle

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Holiday & Christmas Crafts for Kids
Armed with our giant list of Christmas crafts, you'll keep kids busy until the New Year!
101 Christmas Crafts for Kids, Plus Christmas Games and More At-Home Activities
Keep Rudolph's teeth clean with this Christmas science experiment.
  VIDEO
Reindeer Toothpaste Recipe Christmas Science Activity for Kids
Easy Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments Holiday Craft
Easy Handmade Thumbprint Holiday Cards Kids Craft
Upcycle holiday cards into giftable bookmarks.
Indoor Activity: Recycle Cards Into Bookmarks
Hot chocolate bombs are a tasty winter treat for kids!
  VIDEO
How to Make Hot Chocolate Bombs in 5 Easy Steps
Holiday Gift Ideas for Kids
Build the excitement as the festive celebrations approach! Photo courtesy of Lego
Lego, Harry Potter, and 25 More Awesome Advent Calendars for Kids and Adults 2022
Wrap up tickets or gift certificates in a pretty box to delight kids on Christmas morning.
Over 50 Last-Minute Christmas Gifts They'll Love: Experience Gifts for Kids
Find a new favorite children's book with these reading lists.
Best Kids' Books: A Guide to Great Reads
Some kits, like this Lovevery box, are available for kids as young as a few weeks old. Photo by Gina Ragland
Monthly Subscription Boxes for Kids Send Art and Science Fun in the Mail
Geometric Magna-Tiles offer hours of building fun. Photo courtesy of the company
Toys Sure to Entertain Kids for Hours and Hours Again and Again
Pull out a block, place it on top but don't let the tower fall in the fun and challenging Jenga.
24 Best Classic Board Games for Family Game Night

Latest Christmas/Hanukkah News

Enjoy festive ice skating. Photo courtesy of Union Square Ice Rink in San Francisco
Christmas Weekend 2022 in San Francisco: 17 Fun Things To Do With Kids
Turn last-minute shopping into a last-minute festive outing.
READ MORE
Christmas jokes for kids make the season a bit jollier all around!
25 Christmas Jokes for Kids and Holiday Riddles
Why was the Grinch such a great gardener?
READ MORE
Spruce up pinecones to transform them into beautiful DIY ornaments.
DIY Christmas Ornaments Kids Can Make: 25 DIY Ornaments for Kids of All Ages
These homemade ornaments will hang front and center on the Christmas tree for years to come.
READ MORE
Get in the holiday spirit with Christmas movies filled with Santa, elves, and reindeer.
A Charlie Brown Christmas and More Kids' Holiday Movies to Watch This Holiday Season
These kid-friendly holiday and Christmas movies deliver laughs and plenty of cheer.
READ MORE
The Furoshiki method is a practical way to wrap gifts using pieces of cloth. Photo courtesy of Invaluable
Eco-Friendly Gift Wrapping Ideas Kids Can Do: Holiday and Christmas Gift Wrap with Less Waste
There are so many fun and festive ways to wrap presents without being wasteful.
READ MORE
Photo courtesy of A Virtual Visit from the Clauses
Online Santa Visits: Zoom with Santa Claus and Virtual Santa Photos for Kids this Christmas
Kids can meet Santa Claus virtually anytime, anywhere!
READ MORE
Load more
i