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Hanukkah, Sausalito Winterfest, and More Things To Do in San Francisco This Weekend

The Union Square Menorah Lighting kicks off Hanukkah celebrations. Photo courtesy of the Bill Graham Menorah Project.
The Union Square Menorah Lighting kicks off Hanukkah celebrations. Photo courtesy of the Bill Graham Menorah Project.
12/6/23 - By Sandra Lee

Looking for the best things to do in San Francisco and the Bay Area this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

This weekend has a ton of fun family activities throughout the Bay Area that you don't want to miss! Fans of the beloved children's book can see the story of The Velveteen Rabbit come to life on the stage as it takes its final bow this weekend. Creative kids can decorate with candy and frosting at the Magical Gingerbread House Workshop, a favorite activity our family has done two years in a row. Hannukah begins on Thursday evening, and the Bill Graham Menorah Project in San Francisco has an eight-day festival with Hanukkah festivities and celebrations. 

Have a whole latke of fun with these ideas on how to celebrate Hanukkah with kids during the Festival of Lights. And speaking of lights, check out the best holiday lights in San Francisco. Plan out more holiday happenings with our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for San Francisco kids. 

More Things To Do in San Francisco Bay Area This Week with Kids:

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See the beloved children's classic,
See the beloved children's classic, "The Velveteen Rabbit" come to life. Production photo courtesy of the Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA

Best Things To Do This Weekend in San Francisco Bay Area with Kids

Bill Graham Menorah Project: Union Square Menorah Lighting

San Francisco - Starts Thursday, December 7
Free
Celebrate the annual Chanukah Festival of Lights in Union Square with the lighting of the Menorah. The 8-day event draws thousands of visitors to San Francisco, as well as artists and community leaders from the Bay Area.  READ MORE

Chanukah Train

Felton - Thursday, December 7
Come onboard the Chanukah train and ride through the streets of Santa Cruz listening to Chanukah stories, playing dreidel, and enjoying kosher refreshments provided by Chabad by the Sea.  READ MORE

Santa Visits the Square

San Francisco - Friday, December 8
Free
Santa is hanging out at Ghiradelli Square and ready to meet families this holiday season. Take photos with the man in the red suit, check out the many restaurants around, and enjoy a sweet treat at Ghiradelli Chocolate.  READ MORE

Marin County Teddy Bear Tea

Mill Valley - Saturday, December 9
Dress up in your festive outfits for Teddy Bear Tea à la Française this holiday season. Le Petit Jardin is holding its 14th Annual event for little ones with a special tea service, traditional holiday music, interactive teddy bear stuffing, "fireside" story time, and a photo booth. A special reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas is in English and French.  READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa in Alameda

Alameda - Saturday, December 9
The Alameda Recreation and Park District organizes a magical holiday morning with breakfast, arts and crafts, and photo ops with Santa. Santa reads one of his favorite Christmas stories at 11:15 a.m. READ MORE

Christmas Tea Party: Teas from Around the World

Sonoma - Saturday, December 9
The once-a-year holiday event is all about celebrating tea from around the world. Take in the beautiful views of Lake Sonoma while sipping tea from Thailand, France, Africa, Japan, and China. Graze on a delicious charcuterie from Nichoe Barron, learn from an expert tea sommelier about the history of the teas, and listen to live music.  READ MORE

Sausalito Winterfest 2023

Sausalito - Saturday & Sunday, December 9 & 10
Sausalito goes big for the holidays with its annual lighted boat parade and fireworks. With reserved seating options for the best view, families can watch the colorful lights on the waterfront and then enjoy a fantastic fireworks display.  READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa at the Westin St. Francis

San Francisco - Saturday & Sunday, December 9 & 10
Enjoy a yummy breakfast buffet of eggs, bacon, pancakes, and fruit (with mimosas for the adults) at the beautiful Westin St. Francis. Santa Claus will be there meeting with families, listening to wish lists, and snapping pictures.  Kids can engage in holiday crafts while waiting and during the event.  READ MORE

Glowing Hanukkah Pop-Up at Ghirardelli Square

San Francisco - Sunday, December 10
Free
Ghiradelli Square celebrates Hanukkah with candles, music, crafts, dreidel, and fun for the whole family. Enjoy fresh donuts with Harvey's Donuts, shop at Ghiradelli Square, and listen to an LED Piano Concert with Luminescent Grand.  READ MORE

Chanukah Celebration & Helicopter Gelt Drop

Petaluma - Sunday, December 10
Chabad's 8th annual celebration is a family-friendly event! Featuring a helicopter gelt drop, jelly donuts, hot latkes, live Chanukah music, the world's biggest dreidel, crafts, an interactive menorah game, and raffles! READ MORE

Chanukah in Burlingame Featuring Light On Ice!

Burlingame - Sunday, December 10
Free
It's Chanukah in Burlingame with family fun! Help build a dreidel, get creative with themed arts and crafts, enjoy hot latkes and jelly doughnuts, take a selfie with the dreidel mascot, hear some live music, and see a firetruck gelt drop.  READ MORE

Tiburon Holiday Festival

Tiburon - Sunday, December 10
Free
A holiday festival for all ages, Tiburon transforms into a winter wonderland with tons of activities for families. Enjoy gingerbread house decorating, face painting, popcorn by The Belvedere, Christmas Tree lighting, carolers, and a visit from Santa!  READ MORE

Christmas in the Park Accessible Sunday

San Jose - Sunday, December 10
Free
A very special sensory-friendly Christmas in the Park is happening this Sunday with tons of activities for the whole family. Activities include story hour and book giveaways, a snow machine, interactive activities, and Sensory Santa.  READ MORE

A Merry-achi Christmas

San Francisco - Sunday, December 10
Mariachi Sol de Mexico is at the Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco for a festive holiday celebration of Mexican traditions. Led by Jose Hernandez, families enjoy musical performances and holiday favorites from both Mexico and America.  READ MORE

Winter Wonderland at Marin Art and Garden Center

Ross - Ends Sunday, December 10
Free
A magical holiday experience, the Livermore Pavilion is turning into a Winter Wonderland with a ton of activities for the whole family. Families can enjoy an outdoor skating rink with snow and music, cozy up at the warming hut with hot cocoa and cider, go shopping at the holiday pop-up shops, check out the beautiful art installations with a scavenger hunt for kids, cookie decorating, Hanukkah celebrations, and so much more.  READ MORE

The Velveteen Rabbit

San Francisco - Closes Sunday, December 10
A beloved holiday tradition, ODC/Dance presents The Velveteen Rabbit performance for 2 weekends. Written by Margery Williams, this classic tale is performed live with the world-class dancers of ODC/Dance with a great musical score.  READ MORE

Magical Gingerbread House Workshop

San Mateo - Daily through Saturday, December 23
The baking elves from Kathy's Creative Kakes are at Hillsdale Shopping Center helping you decorate your own gingerbread house. The houses are baked, cooled, and ready to decorate with icing, candies, and unique house decor. Choose from a medium or large chalet-style house that is big enough for two people to decorate. This year, Kathy's Creative Kakes is also offering a Christmas Cookie Decorating Experience that includes icing, sprinkles, and sparkles.  READ MORE

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