BARTable This Weekend: Dec. 26–28
Last Updated On
Take a spin on the ice this weekend in San Francisco. Photo courtesy of DoTheBay.
From beloved holiday traditions to dazzling new shows, the Bay Area is packed with festive experiences as the year winds down. Whether you’re in the mood for ballet, circus acts, theater, ice skating or immersive light installations, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate—many just steps from a BART station. Here’s our weekend roundup of BARTable happenings!
Use BART's Trip Planner for detailed routes and transit options.
BARTable partners with local organizations located near BART stations to shine a light on the incredible diversity of businesses, restaurants and happenings that are easily accessible by transit. Our partners provide special deals and prizes for our weekly giveaways, which you can find on our Contest and Deals page. Interested in becoming a BARTable partner? Learn more here.
Don't miss Smuin’s “The Christmas Ballet." Photo courtesy of Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.
Through Dec. 28 | Montgomery St
Times vary | 701 Mission St.
A holiday tradition returns to spread yuletide cheer across the Bay Area with a festive mix of beloved classics and fresh new works. Catch Michael Smuin’s “The Christmas Ballet” at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, just 0.3 miles from Montgomery St.
Through Dec. 28 | 19th St/Oakland
Noon-7 p.m. | 699 Bellevue Avenue
Children’s Fairyland has turned into a magical holiday wonderland with twinkling lights, festive music, multicultural holiday displays, puppet shows, crafts and more in Oakland. Bring the entire family for a cozy, imaginative holiday event, just 0.6 miles from 19th St/Oakland.
Through Dec. 30 | Montgomery St
Times vary | 678 Green St.
Club Fugazi puts a seasonal twist on its hit show, “Dear San Francisco.” Expect an acrobatic love letter to the city—holiday edition. Find the show in North Beach, just 0.9 miles from Montgomery St.
“Sunday in the Park with George” at the Ashby Stage
Through Jan. 3 | Ashby
Times vary | Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave.
Through Jan. 3 | Ashby
Times vary | Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave.
Experience Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece about art, love and legacy in this intimate Bay Area production. Shotgun Players brings the musical’s vivid characters and haunting score to life just 0.1 miles from Ashby.
Through Jan. 4 | Embarcadero
Times vary | 211 Beale St. at Howard St.
Circus Bella debuts “Starlight Spectacular,” an immersive new show blending contemporary circus, dance and theatrical visuals into a magical winter experience. Catch world-class performers 0.3 miles from Embarcadero.
Through Jan. 18 | Embarcadero
Times vary | Parking Lot A, 76 Mission St.
Cirque du Soleil transforms Oracle Park's Parking Lot A into a surreal, high-flying world of acrobatics, dance and jaw-dropping spectacle under the Big Top. With shows running through mid-January, it’s a festive outing for families, date nights or visiting friends. Take BART to Embarcadero, then walk 1.2 miles, or transfer to the Muni Metro N Line at Embarcadero.
Walnut Creek on Ice is in full swing, giving skaters a festive place to hang this holiday season to skate and slide down Frosty's Summit. The rink offers public sessions, skate rentals and a festive atmosphere perfect for families or a fun night out. The rink is a quick 0.6 miles from Walnut Creek Station.
Through Jan. 19 | Powell St
Times vary | 333 Post St.
This weekend at the Holiday Ice Rink in San Francisco is Flashback Friday. Take a spin around the ice to the musical hits of the 80s. The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square is just 0.3 miles from Montgomery St or 0.2 miles from Powell St in the heart of downtown San Francisco.
"Glow" at the Exploratorium
Through Jan. 25 | Embarcadero
10 a.m.-11 p.m. | Pier 15 Embarcadero at Green St.
Through Jan. 25 | Embarcadero
10 a.m.-11 p.m. | Pier 15 Embarcadero at Green St.
Learn about science and light at this winter wonderland exhibit at San Francisco’s Exploratorium. Find dazzling artwork, play experimental LED dungeon crawlers, paint the walls with digital light and shadow, walk inside hypnotic 3D illusions and more. Find delightful surprises around every corner, 0.6 miles from Embarcadero.
You needn’t pay a dime – or even a pretty penny! – to enjoy the breadth of the Bay Area’s offerings. Below you’ll find a roundup of free local events, including festivals, markets, museum admission-free days and more!
Attend the 40th Annual Japanese New Year Bell-Ringing Ceremony at Asian Art Museum. Photo courtesy of Asian Art Museum.
Dec. 26 | Embarcadero
6-9 p.m. | 1 Market St.
Critical Mass is a monthly group bike ride that takes over San Francisco streets on the last Friday of each month. Riders meet at 6 p.m. at Embarcadero Plaza, roll out at 6:30 p.m., and ride together through the city. Everyone is welcome, no one is in charge, and the only requirement is to bring your bike. Meet up just steps from Embarcadero.
Dec. 28 | Civic Center/UN Plaza
2-4:30 p.m. | 100 Larkin St.
Celebrate the 20th annual Kwanzaa gathering with an afternoon of music, dance, storytelling and community reflection. This free event honors African heritage and culture while bringing together families and neighbors in the heart of Civic Center, just miles from Civic Center/UN Plaza.
Dec. 28 | Civic Center/UN Plaza
10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. | 200 Larkin St.
Ring in the New Year with this longtime San Francisco tradition inspired by Japanese Buddhist customs. Visitors are invited to strike the bell to symbolically let go of the past year’s hardships and welcome good fortune for the year ahead. Check it out, 0.1 mile from Civic Center/UN Plaza.
Through Dec. 30 | Civic Center/UN Plaza
5:30 p.m.–Midnight | 1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl.
San Francisco City Hall glows each night with colorful projected light displays during the annual Winter Lights program. Stroll through Civic Center Plaza to enjoy the festive visuals, perfect for an evening walk or last-minute holiday photos.
New events have just arrived in the Bay Area! New shows, one-time events, unique workshops, annual events or anything that's just popped up on our radar. Learn more about what qualifies as "BARTable" or use hashtag #sfbartable for the chance to be featured!
Dance the night away at Oasis. Photo courtesy of Eventbrite.
Get into the holiday spirit with Reindeer Games, a festive, family-friendly circus show by People’s Circus Theatre. This interactive performance blends acrobatics, games, and storytelling as Santa’s reindeer pass the time before Christmas Eve, making it a joyful outing for kids and grown-ups alike, just 0.3 miles from Montgomery St.
11 Years of OASIS: Drag Spectacular & Dance Party
Dec. 27 | 16th St Mission | Civic Center/UN Plaza
9:30 p.m. | 298 11th St.
Dec. 27 | 16th St Mission | Civic Center/UN Plaza
9:30 p.m. | 298 11th St.
Celebrate 11 years of OASIS with a high-energy drag spectacular followed by a late-night dance party. Expect iconic performers, bold looks, and a packed dance floor at one of San Francisco’s most beloved nightlife venues, 0.7 miles from 16th St Mission or Civic Center/UN Plaza.
Benny Green at SFJazz
Dec. 28 | Civic Center/UN Plaza
Dec. 28 | Civic Center/UN Plaza
7 p.m. | 201 Franklin St.
Renowned jazz pianist Benny Green brings his swinging modern jazz and lyrical technique to a solo performance at the Miner Auditorium at SFJAZZ Center. The intimate concert is perfect for jazz lovers looking for soulful, high-energy artistry in a world-class venue, just 0.5 miles from Civic Center/UN Plaza.
Enjoy an intimate, candlelit concert featuring classical renditions of Taylor Swift’s biggest hits performed by a string quartet in San Francisco’s historic Mission District. This 60-minute show is perfect for fans looking to celebrate the season with Taylor. Catch the music 0.1 miles from 24th St Mission.
Rediscover Grace Cathedral as a dazzling light and sound experience where projection, music and architecture converge in a stunning multimedia journey. The immersive show transports audiences through vivid scenes celebrating harmony between humanity and nature, just 0.7 steps from Powell St.
What are you doing this weekend?
Tell us about your weekend activities! Show us on social media tag #SFBARTable and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to see all of the best BARTable events, places to eat and where to have fun around the Bay.
by Nicole Findlay
Nicole Findlay is a Bay Area native. As a freelance journalist, she covers travel destinations all around the world, but her favorite place to write about is home.
