Enjoy a HoliDATE night near BART

Take a spin on the ice at Union Square. Photo courtesy of Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square.

The holiday season is here, and there’s no better time for a date night in the Bay Area. Whether you're looking to stroll through festive lights, sip seasonal cocktails, or spin around the ice, the perfect romantic destination is just a BART ride away. Check out our list of BARTable date night ideas. Then bundle up, hop on BART, and experience a little holiday magic with someone special. 

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

Enjoy festivities at Union Square. Photo courtesy of  Beacon Grand. 

Go Ice Skating at Union Square | Powell St

The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square is a classic holiday setting. Surrounded by lights and festive décor, hold hands in the rink and skate to your favorite holiday music. After a spin around the ice, check out everything Union Square has to offer, like the Macy's Christmas Tree, the Bill Graham Menorah, festive window displays, restaurants, bars and more. Don't miss the nearby Winter Walk (Dec. 15-24) — two blocks of pedestrian plaza with live performances, food trucks and plenty of vendors. Take BART to Powell St to skate and explore 0.3 miles away at 333 Post St. 

The Foreign Cinema is the perfect setting for a romantic dinner. Photo courtesy of Foreign Cinema. 

Savor dinner at Foreign Cinema | 24th St Mission

Looking for a romantic dinner this yuletide season? Foreign Cinema is a one-of-a-kind California-Mediterranean restaurant. Choose between indoor seating with a fireplace and open kitchen or outside in the covered outdoor heated courtyard. The latter may be slightly more romantic with white twinkly lights and a nightly film projected at dusk. The comedy “Night at the Museum” runs from Nov. 14-Dec. 23. Take BART to 24th St Mission for a meal under the lights 0.3 miles away at 2534 Mission St.

Watch a movie at the Alamo Drafthouse. Photo courtesy of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema New Mission on Yelp.

Enjoy a movie at Alamo Drafthouse | 24th St Mission

The Alamo Drafthouse is the perfect date spot for films, food and fun. Dine on everything from burgers and pizzas to chocolate chip cookies and traditional movie snacks. You'll also find cocktails and craft beers on the menu. Check out the movie schedule here where you'll find a few holiday showings on the calendar, like “Elf” and “Silent Night, Deadly Night.” Take BART to 24th St Mission for dinner and movie 0.3 miles away at 2550 Mission St.

See a dazzling Christmas display at the Fairmont Hotel. Photo courtesy of Fairmont Hotel. 

Sip holiday cocktails and merry mocktails in San Francisco | Multiple

San Francisco is bursting with options for romantic, festive and fancy drinks. One BARTable favorite is champagne at the Fairmont while admiring their sweet gingerbread house and beautifully decorated trees. Another is cocktails at Charmaine’s, the stylish rooftop bar atop the Proper Hotel adorned with fire pits and stunning city views. A third and the ultimate holiday date night in San Francisco is Top of the Mark, a penthouse cocktail lounge that also serves tasty mocktails. For a more casual date night vibe, why not don your ugliest Christmas sweater and visit one of the city’s pop-up bars? A few popular places from last year include Miracle at Pacific Cocktail Haven and Winter Wonderland at the Vault Garden (both returning this season). 

There's nothing quite like the "Nutcracker." Photo courtesy of San Francisco Ballet, Credit- Erik Tomasson.

Witness the "Nutcracker" Ballet | Civic Center/UN Plaza, 19th St/Oakland

Watch Sugarplum fairies, dancing snowflakes and a dancing bear, all while Tchaikovsky’s beautiful melodies fill the air. In San Francisco, see San Francisco Ballet's "Nutcracker" at the War Memorial Opera House from Dec. 13-30. After the show, check out a nearby San Francisco date night restaurant, like Absinthe Brasserie & Bar. Take BART to Civic Center/UN Plaza for a traditional holiday outing 0.3 miles away at 301 Van Ness Ave.  In Oakland, The Oakland Ballet presents "Graham Lustig’s The Nutcracker” at the Paramount Theatre. Take BART to 19th St/Oakland on Dec. 21-22 to catch the show 350 feet away at 2025 Broadway. 

Grace Cathedral is beautiful year-round, but especially around the holidays. Photo courtesy of Grace Cathedral. 

Attend a holiday concert | San Francisco and Oakland

This season, avoid the hassle of driving and the cost of parking, and let BART take you to the holiday entertainment. From candlelight Christmas concerts to performances at Grace Cathedral and the SF Symphony, there are so many BARTable San Francisco productions to enjoy with someone special. Catch a candlelight concert at the Chan National Queer Arts Center, 0.5 miles from 16th St Mission. Grace Cathedral is 0.7 miles from Powell St and The SF Symphony at Davies Hall is 0.4 miles from Civic Center/UN Plaza. In Oakland, check out the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir’s 39th Annual Holiday Concert or Alice 97.3’s Alice in Winterland show at the Paramount Theatre, just 350 feet from 19th St/Oakland. 

Stroll the streets during Lets Glow SF.  Photo courtesy of Downtown SF.

Walk around "Let’s Glow" SF | Embarcadero

The Downtown SF Partnership (DSFP) is bringing back the annual "Let’s Glow" event from Dec. 6-15. This free, 10-night outdoor event is the largest holiday projection mapping show in the U.S. It features breathtaking animated light shows on iconic SF buildings, including the Ferry Building and the top of Salesforce Tower. The artwork is thanks to 13 local and internationally renowned artists. Couples can enjoy festive-themed drinks while appreciating the magic of the illuminated wonderland. Take BART to Embarcadero to start strolling near the Ferry Building. 

Plan a fun date night at Plank. Photo courtesy of Plank. 

Play at Plank | 12th St/Oakland City Center

Looking for an active holiday date night in Oakland? Try Plank. Its picturesque setting overlooking the waterfront is a pretty spot for competitive couples. Try bowling, the arcade or even a game of bocce, all while sipping seasonal cocktails and draft beers. The dinner menu includes everything from guacamole and chips to burgers, pizzas and barbecue plates. Take BART to 12th St/Oakland City Center to eat, drink and play 0.6 miles away at 98 Broadway. 

The Fox Theater has two fun holiday shows this year. Photo courtesy of Fox Theater. 

Visit the Fox Theater | 12th St/Oakland City Center

The 1928 Fox Theater is an architectural masterpiece and a unique location for a date night. This year, the Fox Theatre is hosting two holiday shows, including "A John Legends Christmas" and "An Evening with Holiday and Hits Tour with Tower of Power." John Legend will perform festive classics alongside a four-piece band, while Tower of Power will perform songs from their new album “It’s Christmas.” Take BART to 12th St/Oakland City Center 0.2 miles away at 1807 Telegraph Ave.

Jack London Square is a beautiful setting for a festive date night. Photo Courtesy of Visit Oakland. 

Spend the evening at Jack London Square | 12th St/Oakland City Center

Get into the holiday spirit this year at Jack London Square. Enjoy events, dining, a movie theater and of course, the decorated tree adorning the square, which will shine bright as of Dec. 7. Popular restaurants perfect for a holiday date night in Oakland include The Salty Pearl for seafood, the Left Bank for a Parisian Brasserie or Yoshi's for sushi and world-class jazz. Take BART to 12th St/Oakland City Center for a little bit of everything 0.6 miles to 472 Water St.

What is your favorite BARTable holiDATE night spot?

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