San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker runs for most of December, and for ten days in the first half of the month downtown buildings light up for Let’s Glow SF. The Union Square ice rink and Lightscape in Golden Gate Park are open every night. December is also the wettest month of the year, so plan a few indoor options.
In this guide
This page is part of our San Francisco events calendar.
December 2026 at a glance
- Dec 1 Free First Tuesday at the de Young and Legion of Honor
- Dec 4 to 27 The Nutcracker, War Memorial Opera House
- Dec 4 to 13 Let’s Glow SF light projections downtown, free
- Weekends to Dec 20 Great Dickens Christmas Fair, Cow Palace
- All month Union Square ice rink and Lightscape
- Dec 31 New Year’s Eve, with fireworks usually over the bay near the Ferry Building
- Weather Average high 58°F, low 47°F, about 4.8 inches of rain
The Nutcracker, December 4 to 27
San Francisco Ballet performs The Nutcracker at the War Memorial Opera House in Civic Center from December 4 to 27, 2026. Not every day has a show, and weekend and pre-Christmas performances sell first. Buy from San Francisco Ballet.
Let’s Glow SF, December 4 to 13
The Downtown SF Partnership’s free Let’s Glow SF festival projects light art onto downtown buildings from December 4 to 13. Show times are announced closer to the date on the Downtown SF Partnership website.
Dickens Fair weekends
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair runs at the Cow Palace in Daly City on December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20, from 10am to 6pm. Costumed performers, music and Victorian food fill the halls. Tickets are on the Dickens Fair website.
Lights, trees and skating
- Lightscape at the San Francisco Botanical Garden runs nightly through January 3, 2027, with timed tickets from $32 for adults.
- The Conservatory of Flowers has a free light show on its glass every night, starting about 30 minutes after sunset.
- The Union Square ice rink is open daily through January 18, 2027.
- The Bay Lights on the western span of the Bay Bridge are visible from the Embarcadero.
Our Christmas lights guide has the full list, including tree lightings once they are announced.
New Year’s Eve
San Francisco’s New Year’s Eve fireworks are usually set off over the bay near the Ferry Building at midnight, and the Embarcadero fills with people. Official 2026 details had not been announced when we published this. See our New Year’s Eve guide.
Practical notes for December
- Many museums close on Christmas Day, and some close on New Year’s Day.
- Rain is likely at some point. See rainy day things to do.
- Hotel rates rise around Christmas and New Year’s Eve, but early December is often reasonable.
Official resources: San Francisco Ballet, Gardens of Golden Gate Park, Union Square Ice Rink.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in San Francisco at Christmas?
The Nutcracker, the Dickens Fair, Lightscape, ice skating in Union Square and the free Conservatory of Flowers light show are the main holiday events.
Does San Francisco have New Year’s Eve fireworks?
Yes, usually at midnight over the bay near the Ferry Building. Check official city channels in December for 2026 details.
Is December a good time to visit San Francisco?
It is good for holiday events and smaller crowds at the big sights. It is also the wettest month, so bring a rain jacket.
Photo credits
Featured image: Dllu / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.