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San Francisco Christmas Lights 2024: Where to See Holiday Decorations All Around Town
Written by: Jill Loeffler • Published: October 31, 2016 • Updated: December 11, 2024
San Francisco Christmas lights are one of my favorite things about the holidays. You will find colorful displays all around town including Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf, and City Hall.
Throughout the holiday season, you will find Christmas trees, buildings lit in traditional green and red, and other holiday decorations.
My list includes displays on public buildings as well as some of the most colorful lights on private residences.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
Union Square
Sparkling Union Square acts as the centerpiece to SF's downtown commercial district, especially during the holidays.
Not only will they have a huge Christmas tree lit up with over 33,000 twinkling lights and 1,100 ornaments, there will also be an ice skating rink and plenty of Christmas decorations in all the store windows surrounding it.
This is a festive part of town to walk around and do some holiday shopping.
They will light the tree for the first time on November 15 and it will stay lit through the holidays.
>> More to see and do in Union Square
Pier 39
One great place to find San Francisco Christmas lights is at Pier 39, where the magnificent 60-foot-tall Christmas tree will be glistening every night during the holiday season.
It will also offer a light show every half hour between 5 pm and 10 pm.
Red is one of several colors you will see on the Pier 39 tree during its light shows each night through the holidays.Pier 39 is one of San Francisco's the premier tourist destinations for its variety of restaurants, shops, family activities, and proximity to the waterfront and ferries.
This is a great place to hang out and soak in the holiday cheer.
The first lighting will be on November 26 and it will stay lit through January 5.
>> Find out more about visiting Pier 39
Fisherman's Wharf Sign
The perfect place to take a holiday photo with San Francisco Christmas lights is at the Fisherman's Wharf Sign, which will be decked out for the season.
It's a lovely postcard image to show friends and family that you enjoyed your holiday vacation in SF and visited the top attractions.
>> Fun things to do in Fisherman's Wharf this holiday season
Let's Glow SF 2024
Let's Glow SF 2024 is in it's second holiday season this year. It offers holiday projections all around downtown San Francisco at the start of the holiday season.
This event officially kicks off on December 6 at 7 pm with the lights glowing starting at 7 pm. They will stay lit the first night until 10 pm.
You'll find lights at the following locations in downtown SF:
- 101 California Street
- Annie Alley
- The Ferry Building
- One Bush Plaza
- Pacific Coast Stock Exchange
- Salesforce Tower
- PG&E Substation
- The Crossing at East Cut
From December 7 - 15, this free outdoor event will offer projects on these buildings from 5:30 pm to 10 pm each night.
Sugar Castle at the Westin St. Francis
This year, the Westin St. Francis in Union Square will display their famous Sugar Castle again for the public.
Since their main lobby is closed, they will display a smaller than normal castle in their Tower Lobby in 2024.
Created by Executive Pastry Chef, Jean-Francois Houdre, it will sit in the hotel lobby through the holidays.
It will be on display for the first time in the late afternoon on November 26 and will stay up through early January.
You can enter this lobby through the doors off Geary Street.
Gingerbread House at the Fairmont
The Fairmont, one of SF's grandest hotels, has a long tradition of creating elegant Christmas displays designed to enchant its guests and the public.
The highlight every year is the completely edible two-story gingerbread house in the lobby.
Head over to the Nob Hill neighborhood to admire the details and aroma of this extremely sweet holiday treat.
This fun Gingerbread House opens on Saturday, November 23 and will be open through the New Year.
>> Additional fun things to do in Nob Hill
More Fun Holiday Activities
Winter Wonderland & Lighted Boat Parade
On Friday, December 13 starting at around 4 pm, you can enjoy Winter Wonderland at the San Francisco Marina.
Part of the fun includes the annual lighted boat parade where you will find boats lit up with holiday decorations that then cruise along the SF waterfront.
This year is the 100th celebration, so this event will also include some family fun to celebrate.
Head down to the Marina Green or Crissy Field to watch the parade of lights!
Parol Lantern Festival and Parade
The Parol Lantern Festival is a Filipino-American holiday tradition that showcases some of the most unique and festive San Francisco Christmas lights.
The annual event will take place on December 14.
Leading up to that day, the Bayanihan Community Center will be offering workshops teaching the public to make the colorful, star-shaped lanterns, which will then be displayed at Yerba Buena Lane.
These lanterns are an important symbol of peace, hope, luck, and light.
Outside Lights at City Hall
Every year, SF City Hall gets into the Christmas spirit by glowing red and green throughout the holiday season.
Normally shining white with its beautiful golden dome, the alternating colors on its columns really make this architectural gem a treat to look at on cold winter nights.
The best place to snap your photos is from the Civic Center Plaza on the eastern side. You can easily get here by taking BART or Muni light rail to the Civic Center Station and walking two blocks west.
The tree will stay lit throughout the holidays.
Check the schedule here to see what color City Hall will be each night.
>> More details on visiting City Hall
World Tree of Hope at Grace Cathedral
Beginning December 9, 2024 with the annual tree lighting ceremony, you can stop by anytime to see the dazzling Tree of Hope on display in Grace Cathedral. At 22 feet tall, it is the largest origami-decorated Christmas tree in the world.
It's covered in over 15,000 handmade paper cranes and stars that each contain hopeful messages for the future contributed by people of all nationalities. Simply walk inside to visit.
It will be on display through early January 2025.
>> Use the Hop On Hop Off to get here
>> Read more about visiting Grace Cathedral
Tree Lighting Ceremonies & Other Holiday Events
Every year, all around San Francisco and the Bay Area, you can be part of the holiday season kickoff by attending tree lighting ceremonies in public squares, parks, shopping centers, and more.
Many of these events feature live entertainment, refreshments, family activities, or a visit from Santa in addition to the fabulous decorations.
Beyond Christmas trees, there are also menorahs, giant gingerbread houses, snowflakes, and more on display.
Click the link below to find dates and times to enjoy these ceremonies and San Francisco Christmas lights displays.
>> Find a full list of events here
Things to Do on Christmas Eve & Day
Make your Christmas in the City by the Bay a special one! In addition to viewing the San Francisco Christmas lights, you'll find lots of special holiday events going on, including Christmas Eve performances of The Nutcracker ballet, musicals, bay cruises, and more.
On Christmas day, some attractions will be closed, but many of them you can still visit! Find out which sights will be open, ticketing information for shows, restaurant recommendations, and more for these special days.
>> Discover a full schedule of things to do this Christmas
Where to See Santa
Santa Claus is a busy man, but he manages to make his rounds to the major malls, Christmas displays, and family attractions in San Francisco.
He'll make several appearances this season.
Click on the link below to find out exact locations, dates, and times, so you can plan your kids' visit with the jolly man in the red suit. Get your wish lists and cameras ready!
>> Where to see Santa this holiday season
SF Ballet's Nutcracker
Apart from the many San Francisco Christmas lights, one of the most popular attractions of the holiday season are the December performances of The Nutcracker by the SF Ballet.
This company was the first to bring this Russian holiday classic to the US. The timeless Tchaikovsky score, colorful costumes, and enchanting scenes are a wonderful treat for the whole family.
>> Find out more about this year's Nutcracker performances
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
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