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Winter Events in San Francisco: 20 Best for 2024 & 2025
by Jill Loeffler •
Uncover the 20 top winter events in San Francisco.
From November to February, you will find a number of fun festivals, wine tasting events, theater performances, and more.
Highlights during this time of year in SF including holiday tree lighting ceremonies, visits from Santa Claus, and plenty of activities on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's.
Once the new year rolls around, you can laugh all night long with comedy shows during SF Sketchfest, admire the traditions and beauty of the Chinese culture during their annual New Year's Parade & Celebration, and sample the top American wines during the Chronicle Wine Competition.
Read on for more details on the best annual events in SF every winter.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
1. 49ers
Tickets: Find tickets for all 49ers Games this Season
The SF 49ers play their final season games in November and December each year. You will find one to two home games each month.
The 49ers play all of their regular season games at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, which is about an hour south of San Francisco.
Dates: 11/17, 12/8, 12/12, and 12/30
Learn More: Discover the Full SF 49ers Home Game Schedule
2. Chinese New Year Parade & Festival
The Chinese New Year is set to the lunar calendar. This changes the date of the celebration each year, but it's often in late January, February, or early March.
The festival is a month long event that includes a flower market, basketball tournament, and street fair.
The biggest draw is the parade. This 3+ hour parade is on a Saturday night and showcases the color and beauty of the Chinese culture.
Dates: Parade is on February 15, Other festivities run from 1/25 - 2/16
Learn More: Find Details for this Year's Event
3. Christmas Eve & Day
Celebrate Christmas in San Francisco! Every year, you will find fun activities on Christmas Eve as well as on Christmas Day.
On Christmas Eve, you can enjoy a performance of the Nutcracker by the SF Ballet, catch a show at the theater, or grab dinner at one of SF's top restaurants.
On Christmas Day, you can visit some of SF's free attractions, enjoy lunch or dinner with the family, or stop by the Botanical Gardens for a free look at their lovely plants and flowers from around the world.
Here are just a few things to do this holiday season:
- Muir Woods Tour: Muir Woods is open 365 days a year. Check out this tour that runs on both Christmas Eve & Day.
- Bike Across the Golden Gate Bridge: It's cool this time of year, so bundle up for your ride across the bridge. Find a guided tour that's open both days.
- Cruise the SF Bay: This is a fun 60-minute cruise around the SF Bay. Don't forget your jacket! Find tickets for Christmas Eve & Christmas Day.
Dates: December 24 & 25
Learn More: Discover a Full List of Activities this Christmas in SF
4. Chronicle Wine Tasting Competition
The largest American wine competition each year is held in San Francisco in February. After the judges rate each wine and select the winners, they open the doors to the public for an afternoon of wine tasting.
You can sample the winners and also the wines they competed against. It's a fun way to learn more about wines throughout the U.S.
Date: Event cancelled in 2025, will return in 2026
Visit their site to learn more.
5. Giants Fan Fest
SF Fan Fest is a time to celebrate the fans. It's a day long event at Oracle Park that includes autograph sessions, a chance to take a picture with previous years' World Series trophies, and enjoy family friendly activities.
You can also buy single game tickets for the upcoming season and pick out some new gear before the season starts.
Date: February or early March
Learn More: Visit the SF Giants Page for this Year's Details
6. Great Dickens Fair
The Great Dickens Fair is an event that will take you back to the time of Victorian London.
For five weekends in November & December (plus the Friday after Thanksgiving), you can enjoy live entertainment, sample gourmet goodies, and find that perfect gift for a friend (or yourself!).
Date: November 23 - December 22
Learn More: Visit the November Calendar for Details
7. Martin Luther King Jr. March & Festival
The annual MLK Jr. Festival is held on the Monday holiday. This one day event includes speeches from community leaders, a health & wellness festival, and a music festival.
The largest draw is the annual march, which starts just south of the Lefty O'Doul Bridge near Oracle Park.
The march crosses the bridge, stops for a few speeches along the way, and ends at the festival location.
Date: January 13 - 20 with most events on the holiday, January 20
Learn More: Find this Year's Details
8. New Year's Eve
There is no better place to celebrate New Year's Eve than in San Francisco.
On NYE, you will find a free fireworks show over the SF Bay, plenty of 21+ parties, and several dinner/dance cruises around the bay.
You will also discover several live music shows, theater performances, and other fun activities both day and night.
Date: December 31
Learn More: Find All of this Year's Events & Activities
9. Opera
The SF Opera performs during both November and December.
Every year, you can see top performances such as The Barber of Seville and The Magic Flute.
All shows are in the Civic Center District at the War Memorial Opera House.
Dates: November & December (Full Season September - December)
Learn More: Find the Full Opera Schedule
10. Pacific Orchid Exposition
See more than 150,000 orchids from around the world under one roof this February. The Pacific Orchid Exposition is one of the largest of its kind.
For three days, you get the chance to see these gorgeous flowers, learn how to tend to them during their workshops, and buy varieties you can't find anywhere else.
Date: February 28 - March 2
Learn More: Visit the February Calendar for Details
11. San Francisco International Car Show
View next year's cars, vans, and SUV's models at the annual San Francisco International Car Show.
Eleven of the top car manufacturers will be on hand to show off their new models, discuss technology enhancements, and give you a sneak peak on the future of cars.
Date: November (Returns in 2025)
Learn More: Visit their Website to Learn More
12. SantaCon
Throw on your Santa gear and head out for a day of fun on the streets of San Francisco. This annual event is a non-political, non-violent gathering of thousands of Santas.
You can bring along toys to donate, enjoy drink specials at local bars, and mingle with other Santas.
Date: December 14
Learn More: Details for this Year's SantaCon
13. Santa Visits
Santa is coming to San Francisco and he is making several stops during his stay. You will find him at the Macy's Union Square and the San Francisco Zoo.
He will also make an appearance at the Ritz Carlton during their tree lighting ceremony and at the Fairmont Hotel during the unveiling of this year's gingerbread tree.
Use the link below to find a list of his planned stops this year.
Dates: November & December
Learn More: Find a List of Santa's Stops
14. SF Ballet's Nutcracker
The SF Ballet was the first company in the US to perform the Nutcracker in 1933. Today, this company offers several wonderful performances of this classic every December.
The first show starts in mid-December and the last show is usually on New Year's Eve.
Date: December 6 - 29
Learn More: Find the Schedule for this Year's Nutcracker Performances
15. Sketchfest
Enjoy two full weeks of comedy performances, skits, and more at this year's SF Sketchfest. You will find several shows each day during the festival.
It draws in big name comedians such as Margaret Cho, Kevin McDonald, and Janeane Garofalo. You will also find many popular local acts, as well as up-and-coming performers.
Date: January 16 - February 2
Learn More: Full Festival Details for this Year
16. Thanksgiving Day Activities
Enjoy a cruise around the bay, a walk through top neighborhoods, or a day of family friendly fun this Thanksgiving in San Francisco.
You will find a few of SF's top attractions open and plenty of places to grab brunch, lunch, or dinner.
Visit my insider's guide to find out what you can expect to see and do in SF on Thanksgiving Day and/or the weekend following.
Date: November 28 is Thanksgiving, Weekend runs from November 29 - December 1
Learn More: Thanksgiving Day Activities in SF
17. Theater Performances
You will find theater performances all year long in San Francisco. During the winter months, you will discover award winning productions such as Wicked, the Lion King, and the Book of Mormon.
You will also find performances at smaller theaters almost every night of the week.
Date: November - February
Learn More: SF Theater Calendar for the Year
18. Tree Lighting Ceremonies
Every November and December, you will find a number of tree lighting ceremonies and other holiday festivals.
Other fun events this time of year include the lighting of the snowflakes along Market Street, the unveiling of the Sugar Tree in the Westin St. Francis in Union Square, and the lighting of the Tree of Hope in City Hall.
Dates: November & December
Learn More: Find a Full List of Celebrations Every Year
19. Valentine's Day
Spoil your sweetie with a trip to San Francisco for Valentine's Day. You will find special dinner cruises on the bay, theater performances, and other romantic activities.
Each year, there is something new to experience. Click the link below for information on the events planned this Valentine's Day in SF.
Date: February 14
Learn More: Visit the Valentine's Day Page for More Details
20. Golden State Warriors
Tickets: Find tickets for all Golden State Warriors games in San Francisco
One of the best winter events in San Francisco is the Golden State Warriors.
Our professional basketball team plays every year from October to April (and hopefully throughout the post season).
They play about half a dozen games each month each winter at the Chase Center in the Mission Bay Area.
>> Find out more about attending a game
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