You remember the holiday countdowns of childhood, the colorful, glitter-dusted calendars whose windows concealed little pictures, one for each day?
We’re taking inspiration from those calendars of yore and counting down the days to New Year’s Eve with an entire month of things to eat, sip and do around the Bay Area. Some are Santa-centric, some involve dreidels and others are non-denominationally delightful — and some run all month long.
Dec. 1: A parade of lights
The Bay Area is aglow with holiday lights illuminating the darkness in neighborhoods, parks and city squares everywhere. Los Altos ups the wow factor by adding an entire Festival of Lights Parade with twinkling tin soldiers, a Scottish pipe band and the Snow Queen. 6 p.m. downtown. Details: www.losaltosparade.org/
Dec. 2: Hobnob with baby reindeer
The California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco is hosting a pair of baby reindeer for its 2024-2025 winter exhibit, “Tis the Season for Science.” The reindeer will be on show from Nov. 23-Dec. 5, followed by baby camels and then baby yaks. (Nicole Ravicchio/Cal Academy)
Fuzzy, bright-eyed and looking like they just discovered their legs, there’s nothing cuter in Santa’s stable than baby reindeer. This year, the California Academy of Sciences is showing off a visiting pair of 7-month-old reindeer for its winter exhibit, “Tis the Season for Science.” The museum will have snow falling from the ceiling, music and magic performances, a penguin-puppet show and, from Nov. 23 to Dec. 5, those adorable reindeer, which the public is invited to help name. Baby animals will continue to appear after the reindeer depart, with mini-sized camels from Dec. 6-19 and yaks Dec. 20-Jan. 5. Details: Open daily at 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco; calacademy.org/tis-the-season-for-science.
Dec 3: Icy frolic
A dozen outdoor ice rinks have popped up across the Bay this season, but only one has a Frosty Slide. Yep, you can skate and slide ($20) at Walnut Creek’s Civic Park, then get cozy by a fire pit — they’re available to rent — and sip hot cocoa. walnutcreekonice.com.
Dec 4: Celebrate Jolabokaflod
You’ve heard of hygge and fika. Now let’s celebrate Jolabokaflod, the Icelandic holiday book flood. The lead-up to the holidays brings a veritable flood of new books — Icelanders’ most popular holiday gift — from that country’s publishers, so revelers can stay up late on Christmas Eve reading their new books and drinking hot chocolate. Head for the nearest indie bookstore to start shopping now. And San Francisco’s Dandelion Chocolate has an irresistible recipe for European-style hot chocolate, if you need it.
Dec 5: A very cacti holiday
At the Ruth Bancroft Garden and Nursery in Walnut Creek, thousands of holiday lights illuminate mature cacti, succulents and trees as visitors tour the 3.5 acre garden during Garden of D’Lights. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Celebrate the holidays in one of the most quintessentially Californian ways possible – in the middle of a big cactus garden. Each winter, the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek puts on a Garden of D’Lights spectacular, festooning three acres of cacti, succulents and flowering desert trees with twinkly lights. There are warm drinks and boozy beverages and, this year, art installations and lasers. Details: Select nights from Nov. 22 to Jan. 11 at 1552 Bancroft Road, Walnut Creek; tickets $29, ruthbancroftgarden.org/garden-of-dlights
Dec. 6: Sip tea and shop
Revel in holiday lights, visit with Santa, sip a holiday tea and shop at a festival marketplace Dec. 5-7 at the sixth annual Winter Festival at Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden in Palo Alto. The event also features a vintage sale and holiday raffle. Details: 1431 Waverley St., Palo Alto; www.gamblegarden.org/winterfestival/.
Dec 7: Holiday markets
Find unusual and meaningful presents — and European treats — at the Bay Area’s special holiday markets. The Portuguese Christmas Market will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Newark Pavilion. On Saturday, Nov. 14, the German Holiday market will return to the Mountain View City Hall Plaza with traditional gifts and goodies — stollen, mulled wine and more. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. for that one. Free admission at both. https://www.facebook.com/events/2697081367137098/; https://germanholidaymarket.org
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Dec 8: Holidays in the Vineyards
Livermore Valley wineries are throwing open their doors for this Dec. 7-8 celebration, which benefits Toys for Tots and gets wine lovers ready for the holidays. Sip wine, taste sweets, shop the artisan markets and listen to live music at one of dozens of wineries. www.lvwine.org
Dec. 9: Card crafting
It’s Christmas Card Day, so why not set aside some time today to put together your holiday cards? Consider sending 3-D pop-up cards this year, or using a service like Shutterfly that streamline formatting and sending photo postcards. Or get inspired at a stationery store like Paper Source, which has locations in Walnut Creek, Berkeley, Burlingame and Palo Alto.
Dec. 10: A drive-through fantasy
Head to Vasona Lake County Park in Los Gatos to catch opening night of the 26th annual Fantasy of Lights, a drive-thru spectacle featuring more than 50 themed displays over a mile and a half – plus a soundtrack of holiday tunes to play through your car radio. $32 per vehicle; https://parks.santaclaracounty.gov/fantasy-lights-walk-thru
Dec. 11: A holiday makers fair
From 5 to 8 p.m., Sunnyvale’s TETRA Hotel will host a seasonal Makers Fair featuring custom totes, eco-friendly candles and other products from more than 20 small businesses – plus a pop-up hot chocolate bar. Free admission. (Psst, register at Eventbrite for validated parking.) Details: 400 W. Java Drive, Sunnyvale
Dec. 12 Latke Throwdown
What says Hanukkah more scrumptiously than latkes, those crispy-fried potato pancakes? Now, you can watch some of Napa’s top chefs compete to make the ultimate version at the Bardessono Hotel and Spa’s “Latke Throwdown.” Competitors have 30 minutes to prepare the perfect latke, and are judged on creativity, presentation and taste, with the winner receiving the coveted “Golden Spatula.” The most important part – guests get to sample all the latkes. Details: 5-7 p.m. at 6526 Yount Street, Yountville; $20 tickets available at the door or at parentscan.org/support-parentscan/events/4th-annual-latke-throwdown.html.
Dec. 13: Play with light at IluminOdyssey
Back for its eighth year, family-friendly CuriOdyssey’s four-level Redwood Hall will be filled with light forests featuring botanical geometry, rainbow refractions, shadow dancing and light painting. $25-$28. Details: Runs through Jan. 26 at 1651 Coyote Point Drive in San Mateo; curiodyssey.org.
Dec. 14: Lego mania
Holiday villages and train sets made entirely with Legos will be on display at the Museum of American Heritage this winter. Built by Lego professionals — yes, that’s a career path — from the Bay Area Lego Users Group and the Bay Area L-Gauge Train Club, the holiday display will also feature imaginative creations inspired by “Once Upon a Time.” Tickets are $4. Open from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekends from Dec. 7 through Jan. 11 at 351 Homer Avenue in Palo Alto. baylug.org/holiday-show.
Dec. 14: Lumpiapalooza
From 10 a.m.-5 p.m. the Cow Palace in Daly City is home to not just the Dickens Christmas Fair, but a Lumpia Fest and holiday market with cute characters, local vendors and merch from Studio Ghibli, Pokémon and more. The first 150 attendees with Eventbrite registration receive a T-shirt and goodie bag; the first 500 receive a tote bag. www.cowpalace.com
Dec 15: A Hanukkah pop-up
Make your own menorah, dreidel and festive decorations at a Hanukkah Craft Party ($18 per family) from 3:30 to 4:30 this afternoon, hosted by Palo Alto’s Oshman Family JCC. Then stick around for a pair of a cappella shows ($34-$55) by the Six13 band. 3921 Fabian Way in Palo Alto; https://paloaltojcc.org/events/
Dec. 16: Glowfari
The illuminated lantern creatures are back at the Oakland Zoo for the fifth consecutive year of Glowfari, with larger-than-life glowing animal lanterns and displays light up the sky each evening. This year’s Glowfari will feature new displays of pollinators, high-elevation animals, South American wildlife, exotic birds, Nile Valley creatures and – wait for it – interactive dinosaurs. Details: 4:30 to 9 p.m. nightly through Jan. 26 at 9777 Golf Links Road in Oakland. You’ll need to buy tickets ($27.50 and up) in advance at www.oaklandzoo.org.
A saber-tooth tiger is seen in the Land of Extinction exhibit during the Glowfari lantern festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. The event has been extended from Feb. 3 to March 4. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Dec. 17: A twinkle light extravaganza
Get lost inside a light maze at San Jose’s PayPal Park, where Enchant SJ has transformed the space into a seasonal winter wonderland, complete with an ice skating path, caroling, and of course, snacks. On Dec. 17, the space is having a special Fiesta Navideña night. Order tickets ($27 and up) at www.enchantchristmas.com.
Dec. 18: Sausalito gingerbread
Forget Hansel and Gretel’s disastrous forest foray. Sausalito’s annual Gingerbread House Tour, which runs through Dec. 31, offers sweet masterpieces at more than two dozen shops, businesses and restaurants. Pick up a map at www.sausalito.org/gingerbread-house-tour. Free.
Dec. 19: Elf night!
It’s “Elf” night at the Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink ($20-$26) at San Ramon’s City Center Bishop Ranch. Buddy the Elf will put in an appearance — and photo op — in all his green-suited splendor from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. https://citycenterbishopranch.com
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Dec. 20: Beachy wonderland
You’ve heard about Christmas in July. Now try summer in December with a holiday visit to Santa Cruz’s Beach Boardwalk. On select dates through Jan. 5, you can not only ride the rides the amusement park is known for, but also ride a holiday train, roast marshmallows at an ocean-view fire pit and pick up a Boardwalk keepsake ornament. Details: https://beachboardwalk.com/
Dec 21: Celebrate the Solstice
Celebrate the longest night of the year at Oakland’s Chabot Space & Science Center with a family-friendly astronomy night ($15-$25) – plus cider, cocoa and cookies. 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland; https://chabotspace.org
Dec. 22: Great Dickens!
Before the final sprint to Dec. 25, re-energize in Victorian England. The enchanting Great Dickens Christmas Fair will transport you far from the mall mania with its hundreds of costumed characters in stage shows, parades, pubs and tearooms. There’s great shopping too. And we like to end our day here singing slightly salty sea shanties at Mad Sal’s Dockside Ale House. Tickets: https://dickensfair.com
Dec. 23: Bake a mermaid pie
Yes, we know tomorrow’s traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes does not normally include mermaids, but it could. A Marshmallow Mermaid Pie, that is. The perfect pies in “Waitress” — the Broadway musical currently on stage at San Francisco Playhouse — have a cook book of their own, “Sugar, Butter, Flour: The Waitress Pie Cookbook.” (And if you’re looking for a post-holiday outing, the musical runs through Jan. 18; https://www.sfplayhouse.org/)
Dec 24: Panic shopping
You know how Christmas Eve goes. Your brother forgot to purchase a gift for his sister-in-law, and everyone thought someone else was taking care of grandpa. It’s time to make a late-night run to the 24-hour CVS. Or maybe a gas station mini-mart where you can buy one of every kind of beef jerky and wrap it up all festive and fancy.
Dec. 25: Catch a screening of “Mufasa: The Lion King”
“The Lion King” is going back in time to tell the origin story of Mufasa, but this time with modern computer-generated imagery and blow-your-mind artistic renderings of the most famous lions in film history. Director Barry Jenkins (“Moonlight”) leads a cast that includes Seth Rogan and Billy Eichner as Pumbaa and Timone. The movie franchise that brought us Elton John’s “The Circle of Life” will now feature tunes by Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Hamilton”). “Mufasa: The Lion King” hits the screen on Dec. 20.
Dec. 26: Holiday lights in Alameda
Even pets enjoy the ride along Christmas Tree Lane on Thompson Avenue in Alameda, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. Hundreds of visitors packed the street as more than 50 households display different holiday themes in their 85th anniversary. The median features a specially designated mailbox where kids drop off their letters to Santa who was onsite taking pictures with them. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
An astronaut peering down from space might be able to spot Alameda’s Christmas Tree Lane, a seasonal extravaganza which sees the island’s residents decorating their block with stunning set pieces, Hollywood-level effects and 100 megatons of holiday lights. Now in its 86th year, this display typically features live bands, winter activity bags for children and Santa posing for photos in his sleigh. Plus, there’s a mailbox to send letters to the North Pole. Details: 5:30-10 p.m. nightly from Dec. 1-Dec. 31 on the 3200 block of Thompson Avenue, between High Street and Fernside Boulevard; facebook.com/christmastreelane.
Dec 27: Spike that eggnog
If you’re an eggnog lover, you know you have to get your fill before New Year’s — or wait a whole year to find it again at the grocery store. We tried a dozen brands to find the nogs worth the calories. A San Francisco brand took top honors, and — surprise — a reduced-fat version came in a strong second. Read the results at www.mercurynews.com/tag/taste-off.
Dec. 28: Holiday putt putt
Putters, the company that does nine-hole mini-golf pop-ups for parties is bringing a holiday-themed pop-up to Livermore. A $13 round provides access to the mini-est and presumably merriest putt-putt ever, plus a souvenir golf ball and holiday hat. No reservations required. The course, which will operate out of Livermore’s Lot on First at 2047 First St., is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m Dec. 1 through Jan. 5; livermoredowntown.com.
Dec. 29: Light the menorah
Join the Festival of Lights celebration from 2 to 5 p.m. today at San Francisco’s Thrive City, complete with ice skating, music by Jerry’s Kosher Deli All Star Band, holiday treats and arts and crafts. https://chasecenter.com/events/
Dec. 30: Apres-ski — without the snow
Temescal Brewing in Oakland has transformed itself into a ski lodge called the No Jerks Ski Village for winter 2024-2025. (Courtesy of Sam Durbin/Temescal Brewing)
It’ll be a very cold day in hell before you can ski the East Bay hills, but there’s always the ersatz ski village at Oakland’s Temescal Brewing. During the winter, the popular brewery transforms into an alpine lodge, complete with fire pits, wrapped presents and a selfie-wall of festive bows. Grab a bite from the food trucks outside, order a seasonal beer — an Alpine Lager, perhaps, or Mexican-style chocolate stout — and settle in to get your warming buzz on. Details: 4115 Telegraph Ave., Oakland; temescalbrewing.com
Dec. 31: Noon Year’s Eve
The perfect alternative to keeping the kids up late, Noon Year’s Eve at the San Jose Children’s Discovery Museum will drop the ball at 12 p.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. while celebrating the countdown to noon across time zones. The Museum’s ball drop will mimic the famous one in Times Square with a lively celebration and lots of confetti, of course. Kids can make party hats and participate in family photo opportunities, then catch one last peek of the museum’s “Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice” exhibit. Tickets are $18. Open from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 180 Woz Way in San Jose; cdm.org.
Noon Year’s Eve at the San Jose Children’s Discovery Museum (photo by Vivian Wang).