18 christmas lights in San Francisco and nearby.
San Francisco and surrounding towns illuminate the season with dazzling Christmas light displays. From the expansive installations at Golden Gate Park to neighborhood celebrations, find displays across the Bay Area. Consider an immersive, ticketed experience, or seek out community gatherings. Families may prefer dedicated kid-friendly spots, while some attractions offer a more adult-oriented atmosphere.
California's biggest holiday bar crawl with hundreds of Santas
Holiday event at Oracle Park for charity
Holiday market with live music and Santa photos
Candlelit classical Christmas concert with 'The Nutcracker'.
Holiday-themed hand-building pottery class
See all light displays and installations in one place.
Top displays include the Union Square Christmas tree and holiday plaza, Macy’s animated holiday windows, the Pier 39 waterfront tree, and the famous Tom & Jerry House in the Castro neighborhood. Nearby, Lightscape at the San Francisco Botanical Garden offers an immersive mile-long light trail experience.
San Francisco offers mostly walkable light displays, such as Union Square and neighborhood displays, allowing visitors to stroll and enjoy the lights up close. For drive-through options, events like Lightscape provide a more immersive experience but typically require tickets and reservations.
Most San Francisco Christmas lights and holiday displays begin appearing in late November, often around Thanksgiving, with many continuing through December and into early January.
Yes, many neighborhood displays and public installations like the Union Square tree and Macy’s holiday windows are free to enjoy. Additionally, Illuminate SF’s Festival of Light offers numerous free outdoor light art installations across the city.