Free San Francisco Events Through the Christmas Holiday

Christmas doesn’t always mean that you have to break the bank for some holiday entertainment. If you’re living or just visiting the San Francisco area as the end of the year approaches, there are many festive options available.

A guide to free San Francisco events to keep you entertained during the Christmas holiday:

Sausalito’s 5th Annual Gingerbread House Competition & Tour

Just over the Golden Gate and into the quaint town of Sausalito, 28 ocean-front shops will be hosting their own unique handcrafted gingerbread houses throughout the month of December.

Maps will be available for at the Sausalito Visitor Center, listing all of the Gingerbread houses. Those who attend will also have the opportunity to vote for their personal favorite.

This is also a great opportunity to visit the beautiful town of Sausalito and take advantage of free three hour meter parking to tour the gingerbread houses while you shop, eat or drink at many of the non-chain stores, restaurants and cafes the little town prides itself upon.

For more information, call (415) 331-7262.

18th Annual Fisherman’s Wharf Holiday Lighting

Since 1994, the Fisherman’s Wharf Community and the St. Francis Yacht Club will join once again in what’s been the oldest and largest holiday boat parade in the San Francisco Bay.

Every year, more than 100 boats, each swagged with their own lights and holiday decorations, will float along the waterfront on Friday, December 16 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. The parade will start at PIER 39 and glide to the Marina Green before returning to PIER 39. The boats will remain lit throughout the holiday season.

For more information, call 415-673-3530.

Website: www.visitfishermanswharf.com

Westfield Shopping Center’s “Illuminique Under The Dome”

Presented by American Express, Westfield shopping center will be hosting a free nightly spectacular. Their iconic dome will come to life each night with a animated 3D light show great for adults and children alike. “Illuminique Under The Dome”, set in the Centre’s elegant 1908 glass dome is a magical story set in a 19th Century toymaker’s workshop.

A lively cast of holiday characters including sugar plum fairies, toy soldiers, and gingerbread men are brought to life under the Dome.

The 4-minute show crescendos as more toys join the brigade and the entirety of the 102-foot dome becomes one gigantic holiday music machine.

For showtimes and a preview of the show, visit http://www.westfield.com/sanfrancisco/illuminique

Light The Menorah at Ghirardelli Square

For those of Jewish background, Ghirardelli Square and the Jewish Learning Institute of San Francisco-Chabad will hold a public Menorah lighting of the first night of Hanukkah, Dec. 20.

The celebration begins with Hanukkah treats by Crown and Crumpet, a children’s craft table by Peekadoodle KidsClub, and live music by Jordan Feinstein. The event will conclude at 6 p.m. with the lighting of the Menorah.

Location: 900 North Point Street (between Larkin and Polk)

For more information, call 415-775-5500

Website: www.GhirardelliSQ.com

Hyatt Regency Snowfall

The Hyatt Regency San Francisco will house daily snowfall in its atrium lobby – complemented by thousands of lights and a 30-foot tree – throughout the entire holiday season.

The daily snowfall is free to the public and will be held through Dec. 31 at 1 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. every day. The Hyatt Regency is located at 5 Embarcadero Center.


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