Celebrate the holiday season with a festive light displays and holiday performances.
Featured Holiday Events
IlluminOdyssey ~ San Mateo, through January 28
IlluminOdyssey is back! Fill your winter with wonder at an immersive, interactive light experience at CuriOdyssey. Running now through January 28! Inspired by the science of light, IlluminOdyssey is an immersive, interactive installation that will mesmerize kids and adults of all ages. CuriOdyssey’s four-level Redwood Hall will transform into a glowing forest of science—light your way through a maze of luminous botanical geometry, play with rainbow refraction and swirling projections, paint with light on phosphorescent surfaces, and dance with your shadow.
Glowfari at Oakland Zoo – Oakland, through January 28
This wildly popular, family-friendly experience is back with hundreds of a;; new, larger-than-life animal lanterns throughout the Zoo. Each lantern tells the story of the ongoing journey of wildlife, the importance of every species on our planet, and Oakland Zoo’s commitment to conservation. Finish your experience with a ride on the train through the great red island of Madagascar, a wondrous world full of lemurs, chameleons, and other unique flora and fauna!
Holiday Light Displays
Christmas at Temple Hill – Oakland, November 24 – December 31
Christmas in the Park – San Jose, November 24 – January 1
Enchant – San Jose, November 24 – December 31
Blinky’s Illuminated Holiday Drive-Thru – San Jose, November 29 – January 1
Garden of d’Lights – Walnut Creek, November 24 – January 6
Fantasy of Lights Drive-Thru – Los Gatos, December 5-30
Amusement Parks & Zoos
Glowfari – Oakland, November 10 – January 28
Boardwalk Winter Wonderland – Santa Cruz, November 23 – December 31
Winterfest at Great America – November 24 – January 1
North Pole Nights at Gilroy Gardens – November 24 – December 31
Six Flags Holidays in the Park – Vallejo, November 26 – January 2
Holiday Events & Activities
Glow at The Exploratorium – San Francisco, November 16 – January 28
The Nutcracker by San Francisco Ballet – San Francisco, December 13-30
New Years Celebrations
Noon Year’s Eve at Bay Area Discovery Museum – Sausalito, December 31
Happy New Year, Charlie Brown! – Santa Rosa, December 31
Thrive City Kwanza and New Year’s Eve Celebration – San Francisco, December 31
Japanese New Year Bell Ringing Ceremony – San Francisco, December 31
Balloon Drop at Chabot Space and Science Center – Oakland, December 31
2023 Grand Finale at The Lawrence – Berkeley, December 31
Noon Year’s Eve at Hiller Aviation Museum – San Carlos, December 31
Noon Years Eve at Happy Hollow – San Jose, December 31
New Year’s Eve at Gilroy Gardens – Gilroy, December 31
Holiday Ice Rinks
Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square – San Francisco, November 1 – January 15
Ice at the Veranda – Concord, November 3 – February 14
San Mateo on Ice – San Mateo, November 10 – January 7
Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Rink – San Ramon, November 10-January 7
Brentwood on Ice – Brentwood, November 17 – January 8
Downtown Ice – San Jose, November 17 – January 15
Enchant at PayPal Park – San Jose, November 24-December 31
Walnut Creek on Ice – Walnut Creek, December 15 – January 15