All The Bay Area Holiday Events You Can Still Enjoy
By: Emma Webster
Tags: Thanksgiving, San Francisco, Christmas, Holidays, Bay Area

I didn’t move to Alameda solely because of Christmas Tree Lane, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t factor into the decision. Each year, the 3200 block of Thompson Avenue in Alameda takes a break from being an ordinary residential street and transforms into a holiday lights extravaganza known as Christmas Tree Lane.

The 55 or so houses take holiday decorating to the next level, with twinkle lights perfectly hung on every available surface. Most houses also take their skills to the front yard and install an array of life-size holiday characters. There’s even a decorated mailbox for dropping off your letters to Santa.

Grab a hot chocolate (maybe mix in some Baileys), and take your time wandering down this magical holiday wonderland.

Lights usually go up around Thanksgiving.

5. Holiday movies at the drive-in at Fort Mason

Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture has been offering occasional drive-in movies for a few months through the pop-up “Fort Mason Flix,” and now, they’re serving up a classic holiday movie lineup. The outdoor theater will be showing favorites like The Polar Express, The Grinch, and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Snag your Grinch themed pajamas, a hot cocoa, and pull up your car to the waterfront theater to get you in the holiday spirit.

Tickets are $49 per vehicle; click for more information on showing times.

6. Virtual performance of The Nutcracker by the San Francisco Ballet

Like most of our lives this year, the San Francisco Ballet’s annual performance of The Nutcracker is going virtual. Streaming in HD, Nutcracker Online will be an interactive experience featuring not only the classical ballet performance but also a virtual tour of the War Memorial Opera House and choreography lessons straight from the show.

It may not be quite the same as seeing the ballet in person, but I guarantee the dancers at San Francisco Ballet are talented enough to bring the magic to your screen. Get dressed up, make some hot cocoa, and gather round.

Show runs November 27–December 31; tickets are $49.

7. Fairy Winterland at Children’s Fairyland in Oakland

Don’t let the name confuse you — children aren’t the only ones who will enjoy this holiday wonderland. Fairyland will be decked out in thousands of twinkly lights and holiday displays, and each evening at 6:45 p.m., Black Santa will lead a socially distanced parade, handing out treats to all the kids.

While Covid-19 means no sitting on Santa’s lap this year, there will be a dropbox to send him your letters along with some complimentary hot cocoa.

Open evenings December 18–30; tickets are $13 for the general public and $6 for Children’s Fairyland members.

8. (At) Home for the Holidays with SF Gay Men’s Chorus

If there’s anyone who can bring the magic of the stage onto your screen, it’s the world’s longest-running gay chorus: the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus.

This year, their annual winter holiday program is called (At) Home for the Holidays and will stream all the festive upbeat fun on December 24. The program includes songs to commemorate a wide array of cultures and will bring extra joy to your ears and your screens.

Program at 5 p.m. December 24; tickets start at $25.