This week offers many opportunities to get into the Christmas spirit.
Decorate cookies at the Ferry Building, gaze up at the Bay Area’s tallest Christmas tree, wander a winter wonderland in Golden Gate Park, shop for local crafts at Crucible and Creativity Explored, get free entry to San Francisco’s museums, and more .
Let it be well with you!
Secure one of the hottest table reservations of the year. Tickets for the James Beard Taste America Dinner, hosted by the Liholiho Yacht Club and Executive Chef Ravi Kapur, with guest chef Andrew Le of Honolulu’s The Pig & The Lady, are selling out fast. Expect three courses plus 1800 tequila drink pairings; two sessions at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Sunday 22 January. // Liholiho Yacht Club, 871 Sutter St. (TenderNob); Tickets at www.squadup.com
Decorate the halls in the Ferry Building. Decorate cookies and mini gingerbread houses, enjoy hot beverages and music, and stand your chance to win some shopping at the Ferry Building at this open house. Wednesday, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. // Ferry Building (Embarcadero); Response to eventbrite.com.
Admire Thrive City’s 90-foot Christmas tree when it shines in winter wonderland, presented by Fanatics. There will be live music by Neal Schon of Journey, Teddy Swims and the SF Philharmonic, as well as other seasonal surprises; Wednesday, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. // Thrive City, 1 Warriors Way (Mission Bay); Response to eventbrite.com
Help raise funds for the National AIDS Memorial on the eve of World AIDS Day at Light in the Grove 2022. Voted the best LGBT gala in the Bay Area, the annual fundraiser includes lighted art and walkways, a candlelight reflection, and a marquee reception with cocktails, musical guests and more. Wednesday, 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. // National AIDS Memorial Grove (Golden Gate Park); Tickets at eventbrite.com.
Celebrate Rising Stars Restaurant Week. StarChefs visited more than 100 bars and restaurants in SF and Oakland to recognize 19 professionals for their exceptional creations and leadership. Experience signature dishes, desserts, and drinks at places like Beit Rima, Bar Iris, Californios, Marlena, and more. Thursday 1st December to Thursday 15th December. // Details at starchefs.com
Support artists with disabilities by shopping at Creativity Explored’s Holiday Art Shop. Studio doors are open for the season with thousands of original artworks and 50 percent of sales go to the artists themselves. Visit CE on opening night for light refreshments, entertainment, music and a dance party; Thursday, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. // Creativity Explored, 3245 16th St. (mission); Response to eventbrite.com
Get ready for some waterside celebrations at Sausalito’s Holiday by the Bay. Throughout the month you’ll find a gingerbread house tour and contest, live music, artist studios, breakfast with Santa, a lighted boat parade and more. Things get started with a tree lighting ceremony at 5pm on Thursday. // Check out the full program schedule at destinationausalito.com.
Keep jingling all the way car-free JFK. The boardwalk in Golden Gate Park is transformed this week with the annual tree lighting ceremony, a snow playground, carnival rides, food trucks, lighted art installations and visits from Santa and his helpers; Friday, 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. // 501 Stanyan St. and Fell (Golden Gate Park); See sfrecpark.org for details
Enjoy the holiday season in Chandon, Here you can enjoy the winter wine walk, visit the Christmas tree market, wander through the newly created oak grove with a glass in hand, immerse yourself in instructive stories and enjoy a few bites from the outdoor kitchen. Also try Chandon’s seasonal mulled wine and cider. Tickets ($50) include a welcome spritz, two tasting sips of Chandon’s terroir wines, and a tasting sip of their garden spritz. Additional food and wine are available for purchase. until Sunday 4 December. // Chandon, 1 California Dr. (Yountville); Tickets are available at exploretock.com.
Thank you to our partners at Chandon.
Take part in a 32-year holiday tradition in the Hayes Valley. The annual neighborhood holiday walk features carol singers, holiday lights and window displays, in-store activities and promotions, live music, drag queen ambassadors, poster printing with the Haight Street Art Center and more; Friday 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. // Patricias Green, 50 Fell St. (Hayes Valley); Visit explorehayesvalley.com for details
Experience the glory of the “The Last Waltz” The band’s historic 1976 Thanksgiving concert, sometimes cited as one of the greatest concerts of all time. The tour returns to the Bay Area with headliners such as Warren Haynes, Jamey Johnson, Taj Mahal, Kathleen Edwards, Anders Osborne, Dave Malone and more; Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. // Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph Ave. (Oakland); Tickets at thefoxoakland.com
Sit back and laugh with Jo Koy on his Funny Is Funny world tour Takeover at Oakland Arena; Friday evening at 8 p.m. // Oakland Arena, 7000 S Coliseum Way (Oakland); Tickets at ticketmaster.com
The Bay Area’s favorite warehouse sale is back. Shop for home accessories and goods from around the world including authentic Marseille soap, French linens, Moroccan glassware and more at Le Marche Holiday Pop-up. There will be unique patterns, a last call section and vintage French pottery, all reduced by 50 to 75 percent; Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday until 3 p.m. // 2310 Fourth St. (Berkeley), lemarchepopup.com
Thank you to our partners at Kiss That Frog.
Admire the changing colors of the Napa Valley in the holiday house of the Faust winery. They’ll pour some favorite wines and serve light bites while showcasing local artisans; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. // Faust, 2867 St. Helena Hwy (St. Helena); Tickets at exploretock.com
Stop by the Market Hall in Rockridge for a cookbook autograph Tanya Holland’s California Soul:Recipes from a culinary journey to the west. The venue’s culinary team will prepare a recipe from the book – Braised Chicken Thighs with Grilled White Beans – for you to enjoy at home; Saturday, 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. // Market Hall Foods, 5655 College Ave. (Oakland); See rockridgemarkethall.com for details
Enjoy the first annual Sip, Shop & Stroll at the Barlow. With the purchase of a wine glass and pass ($10) you can sip local wines at 10 stores and collect pass stamps to win a $500 gift basket; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. // The Barlow, 6770 McKinley St. (Sevastopol); Tickets at eventbrite.com
Give the avid Muni driver in your life (is that you?) the perfect Transit-themed gift shopping at the Muni Diaries Art Market; Saturday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. // 80 Albion St. (mission); Details on instagram.com
Watch the science come to light at the Glow Fest. Hands-on activities include DIY laser art, making lighted accessories, and neon bending with local light masters. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. // Exploratorium, Pier 15 (Embarcadero); Tickets at exploratorium.edu
Celebrate Holidays in the Vineyards, a Livermore Valley tradition. Area wineries will be decked out for the season and pour special wines along with holiday music and various activities. Admission is free, but tasting fees may apply and vary by winery. 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., 3.-4. December. // See lvwine.org for a full list of activities.
Thank you to our partners at Livermore Valley AVA.
Come together for the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir’s 37th Annual Christmas Concert with special guest artists; Saturday at 7:30 p.m. // Oakland Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Dr. (Oakland); Tickets at oigc.vbotickets.com
Meet the makers at the annual Craft Fair and Crucible Open House, Gifted Shop for handcrafted crafts and tour the rooms where they are made. Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday until 4 p.m. // The Crucible, 1260 7th St. (Oakland); Response to eventbrite.com
Visit San Francisco’s museums for free this weekend, all thanks to some generous anonymous donors (probably not Elon Musk); Saturdays and Sundays. // Tickets at sffreemuseumweekend.com
Host your holiday party at Alexander’s Steakhouse. The SoMa Shrine to Steak (with an Asian flair) seats 20 in its board room with exposed brick walls and a flat-screen TV; up to 18 guests on the mezzanine overlooking the restaurant; and larger parties in the wine library, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling displays of the finest vintages. The restaurant’s gracious hospitality ensures an exceptional and memorable event. // 448 Brannan St. (SoMa), alexanderssteakhouse.com
Many thanks to our partners at Alexander’s Steakhouse.
What to give to the person who prefers the weird things in life? We’re not sure, but the Oddities & Curiosities Holiday Market at the Winchester Mystery House will likely have it. Bugs, bones, antiques and more bizarre gifts await you at this not-so-typical Christmas market; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. // Winchester Mystery House, 525 South Winchester Blvd. (San Jose); Tickets at eventbrite.com
Celebrate Christmas with Salsa in the Barrio, which hosts live music by Edgardo & Candela to combine delicious Latin-inspired food and a spectacular terrace view; 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday. // Ghirardelli Square, 900 North Point St. (Fisherman’s Wharf); Visit ghirardellisq.com for more information.
Thank you to our partners at Ghirardelli Square.
An exciting new holiday festival is coming to Pacifica. Bring an unwrapped toy donation to gain access to live music on the Jingle Bell Rock stage, local beers and wines at the Merry Merry Libation station, a diverse selection of food trucks, a family fun zone, a gift fair and more receive. Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. // Eureka Square Shopping Mall, 20 Eureka Dr. (Pacifica); Details at miramareevents.com
Grab a bargain on your winter gear at Sports Basement’s annual SnowFest. In addition to 20 percent off everything in store, you have a chance to win equipment, free beer tastings and 2-for-1 Palisades Tahoe lift tickets. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. // Sports Basement Berkeley, 2727 Milvia St. (Berkeley); Visit eventbrite.com for details
Don’t miss the hilarious Jewish Christmas live at the Fillmore. Last year’s underground Semitic sensation, A Very Jewish Christmas Spectacular, is back for an offbeat late-night variety show featuring an all-Jewish cast of musicians and comedians, including the Sklar Brothers. Imagine The Daily Show hitting a Jewish turn in Radio City this Christmas to support Jewish family and children’s ministries. It would be a Shanda to miss, so grab your last minute tickets before they’re gone; Thursday December 8th. // veryjewishchristmas.com
Thank you to our partners at A Very Jewish Christmas Spectacular.
