13 BARTable Holiday Events Around the Bay Area

If you love Santa, you'll love SantaCon. Photo courtesy of DoTheBay. 

Ready to sprinkle some holiday magic into your calendar? The Bay Area is brimming with festive cheer and we’ve rounded up the best BARTable holiday events. Lace up your skates at an iconic holiday ice rink, stroll through an arctic-themed winter walk, be mesmerized with holiday light projections, join the crowds at a menorah lighting, or throw on your red coat and join all the Kris Kringles at SantaCon. Whatever you decide to do, we hope your December is merry and bright. Don't forget your Clipper card and let the festivities begin! 

Use BART's Trip Planner for detailed routes and transit options.

1. SweaterFest 2024 | Rockridge

BART SweaterFest is back! Wear your BART holiday merch and celebrate the season on Dec. 7 at Rockridge Station from 1-4 p.m. What to expect: live music, transit-themed crafts, family-friendly activities and photo ops. Take BART to Rockridge and find the festivities in the parking lot at you exit the station. Merch can also be purchased at railgoods.com while supplies last. 

Enjoy the magic of the Winter Walk. Photo courtesy of Union Square Alliance. 

2. Winter Walk in Union Square | Montgomery St

Winter Walk returns to Union Square from Dec. 13-22. Don't miss this fun pedestrian plaza! There'll be food trucks, bars, activities, local merchants, live performances, entertainment and plenty of arctic-themed décor. Take BART to Powell St to stroll along the lush turf at this winter wonderland 0.3 miles away at Stockton St. from O'Farrell St. to Post St.

Prepare to be impressed at Let's Glow SF. Photo courtesy of Downtown San Francisco. 

3. Let’s Glow SF | Embarcadero

The Downtown SF Partnership’s "Let’s Glow" event from Dec. 6-15 is one of the brightest holiday events in the Bay Area. It’s free, runs for ten consecutive nights and is the largest holiday projection mapping show in the U.S. You'll love the large-scale animated light shows by 13 local and international artists decorating iconic San Francisco buildings like Salesforce and the Ferry Building. If it's chilly, enjoy a warm seasonal-themed drinks while exploring the illuminated wonderland. Take BART to Embarcadero to start strolling near the Ferry Building. 

Take a spin this holiday season. Photo courtesy of SF Station. 

4. Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square | Powell St 

The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square is a fun holiday destination any day of the week. It's open through Jan. 20 and hour-long sessions start every 90 minutes. However, there are also a number of special events happening here. Join skaters every Wednesday through Dec. 18 for a unique-themed skating experience called “Whynot Wednesdays.” On the second Friday of the month, the rink will blast 80s music for their "Flashback Fridays" events, and two sessions on Sundays will be reserved for classical music. Check the calendar for the complete list of events. Hit the ice 0.4 miles away from Powell St and Montgomery St stations.
  

Don't miss the holiday lights at Hayes Valley's annual event. Photo courtesy of Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association. 

5. Hayes Valley 34th Annual Holiday Stroll | Civic Center/UN Plaza

A neighborhood tradition for 34 years, the Hayes Valley Holiday Stroll is a fun and cheerful event this season. On Dec. 6, head to Hayes St. from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for local musicians and carolers, shopping, performers, kids' activities, crafts, games and more. Enjoy the holiday merriment 0.7 miles from Civic Center/UN Plaza, starting at Hayes St. and Laguna St.

Don't forget your red coat and have fun at SantaCon! Photo courtesy of SantaCon. 

6. SantaCon | Powell St

SantaCon is a yearly tradition where all participants dress up as Santa Claus and parade through over 70 cities around the world. The highly anticipated holiday event is coming to San Francisco this year on Dec. 14. So grab your red coat and head to Union Square at 12 p.m. If possible, bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to the San Francisco Fire Department Toy Program. This event is free and open to all, but as it centers around a Santa-enthusiasts holiday bar crawl, it's not kid-friendly. Take BART to Powell St to join the Santa party 0.3 miles away at Union Square.

Celebrate eight days of Hanukkah in Union Square. Photo courtesy of Secret San Francisco. 

7. The Bill Graham Menorah Project | Powell St  

The 49th annual public menorah lighting begins on Dec. 25 with gathering, live music and the first lighting ceremony of the 25-foot menorah in Union Square. You can attend lighting ceremonies daily on the eight days of Hannukah. On Dec. 29, Bill Graham Menorah Day, festivities begin at 2 p.m. with live music and children’s entertainment, including Dreidel house kids' crafts. Take BART to Powell St for eight days of Hanukkah celebrations 0.3 miles away at Union Square.

Visit Joy to the Town for holiday shopping and so much more. Photo courtesy of Visit Oakland. 

8. Joy to the Town | 19th St/Oakland

Joy to the Town is Oakland's first annual free and jolly winter wonderland. The fun begins on Friday, Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. with a restaurant and bar "holiday hop" at dozens of spots in Oakland. There will also be holiday treats and street performances. On Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 14-15), shop for one-of-a-kind treasures in a Holiday Pop-Up, visit Santa, skate to DJ music at a holiday-themed roller skating rink hosted by East Oakland’s Black Cultural Zone and enjoy live performances by The Tap-dancing Christmas Trees, holiday carolers and more. Take BART to 19th St/Oakland to join the fun 0.2 miles away at Broadway and Grand Ave. 

Enjoy holiday shows with the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. Photo courtesy of San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. 

9. San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus Holiday Shows | Downtown Berkeley, San Francisco 

The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus' holiday shows feature talented musicians and singers, diverse musical styles and themes and promotes social justice and inclusivity. This holiday season, they perform at three BARTable locations. This bright and funny “Holiday Spectacular” runs Dec. 6-7 at the Sydney Goldstein Theater (0.3 miles from Civic Center/UN Plaza) and on Dec. 21 at the Zellerbach Auditorium (0.5 miles from Downtown Berkeley). This year’s theme, “Together,” embodies the spirit of community, love, and connection. “Home for the Holidays” on Dec. 24 is at the Davies Symphony Hall (0.2 miles from Civic Center/UN Plaza). Expect holiday classics, joyful surprises and heartfelt moments.

Head to Lake Merritt for the 5th night of Hanukkah! Photo courtesy of Chabad Jewish Center of Oakland.

10. Grand Chanukah Celebration on the Lake

The Grand Menorah lighting ceremony is on Dec. 29 at 4:30 p.m. Taking place at the Lake Merritt Amphitheater, this event celebrates the 5th night of Hanukkah with a new 15ft. menorah, a fire performance, live music, crafts, raffle prizes and more. There will also be hot drinks, matza ball soup, hot latkes, sufganiyot (donuts) and lots of holiday spirit. Take BART to Lake Merritt for the 19th annual menorah lighting ceremony 0.5 miles away at the Lake Merritt Amphitheater.  

Score unique finds at this annual holiday tradition in Richmond. Photo courtesy of Richmond Art Center. 

11. Holiday Arts Festival | Richmond

This is the 62nd annual holiday arts festival in Richmond. Here, you can browse handmade goods from over 50 creators. Find original gifts, enjoy free art activities, and shop the Ceramics Studio Sale. There will also be food, drinks, a raffle and community partner pop-ups. Take BART to Richmond to discover treasures at this holiday-themed market 0.5 miles away at 2540 Barrett Ave.

Gather with friends at Twas the Night: Fairyland’s Holiday Market. Photo courtesy of Funcheap.

12. Twas the Night: Fairyland’s Holiday Market | 19th St/Oakland

Children's Fairyland is full of holiday fun this time of year. Their Fairy Winterland, which runs from Dec. 14-30, is a magical Bay Area tradition full of performers, like the tap dancing penguins, candle making and winter tales from around the world. But on Dec. 13, for one magical night, Fairyland is just for grownups. “Twas, the Night Before Fairy Winterland” is live R&B music, an open-air marketplace, yummy food (like Halaal Bites and Mai Garlic Noodles) and adult beverages. Take BART to 19th St/Oakland for a special holiday event in the Bay Area 0.6 miles away at 699 Bellevue Ave.
 

The Holiday Street Fair is full of festive decor, music and gifts. Photo courtesy of Telegraph Fair. 

13. 41st Annual Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair | Downtown Berkeley

Head to the Holiday Street Fair on Dec. 14-15 and 21-24 for good cheer, great music and extraordinary handcrafts. With over 200 local artisans, fun décor, live music and a multicultural shopping atmosphere, this fair is sure to entertain all ages. Plus, you can find the perfect present for everyone on your list. Take BART to Downtown Berkeley for six days of fun 0.2 miles away at 1980 Allston Way. 

What is your BARTable Holiday Event?

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