This story is brought to you by Poppy the AV, an all-electric self-driving Cruise vehicle, who knows the ins and outs of the City.
There are only three weeks left in the year, let's make 'em count.
This week, Let's Glow SF lights up FiDi; the Castro Art Walk returns; and craft and shopping events are popping up galore. Plus, celebrate "Swiftmas" in the Mission, you know, if you're into that sort of thing.
Have a good one.
Get awestruck at Let’s Glow SF, the country's largest holiday projection event. The free and colorful light show takes over multiple buildings in FiDi this week with festive, five-minute highlights of works by local and international artists; 5:30pm to 10pm daily, through Sunday. // One Bush Plaza (FiDi); details at downtownsf.org
Sashay your way to Oasis for a seasonal, non-denominational musical romp with Ginger Minj, a RuPaul's Drag Race superstar; Monday and Tuesday at 7pm. // SF Oasis, 298 11th St. (SoMa); tickets at obsessedwith.co
Calling all members of the Bay Area Bey Hive. Learn the choreography to Beyonce's iconic Coachella dance (you know the one) at this PopStar Booty Camp. Sparkly boots and crown optional; Tuesday at 5:45pm. // Sports Basement Presidio, 610 Old Mason St. (Presidio); details at eventbrite.com
You can officially call yourself a local when you win Bay Curious Trivia Night. Come solo or bring your whole crew to test your Bay Area knowledge. Special prizes are also up for grabs; Wednesday at 7pm. // KQED Headquarters, 2601 Mariposa St. (Mission); tickets at kqed.org
Pilates plus Christmas trees? Only at the Guardsmen Tree Lot. Enjoy a 45-minute mat class focused on stretching and mobility, followed by festive post-class drinks. Bonus points for natural pine and fir aromatherapy. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Guardsmen's program for Bay Area youth; Wednesday, 6:30pm to 8pm. // Fort Mason Festival Pavilion, 2 Marina Blvd. (Marina); tickets at eventbrite.com
Looking for holiday party inspo? Pull up a chair at Izzy's, the Marina’s best old-school steakhouse, for a limited-time three-course dining experience. The family-style meal will include favorites like fritto misto and prime rib and conclude with a show-stopping tableside baked Alaska; reservations can be made all December long (except Christmas Day). // 3345 Steiner St. (Marina), izzyssteaks.com
It may not be snowing in Tahoe yet, but it’s aprés hour somewhere. Be prepared to hit the slopes in style with a PlumpJack Sport pop-up at White Rabbit. Shop the latest luxury ski and snow gear while sipping Juniper Grove gin cocktails and Sierra Nevada brews; Thursday from 1pm to 8pm. // White Rabbit, 3138 Fillmore St. (Marina); details at eventbrite.com
Castro Art Walk makes its triumphant return after a nearly 20-month hiatus. Grab a map at the Castro Art Capsule, then set out on a self-guided tour exploring artists' work at local businesses and galleries with extended hours. This is your opportunity to support more than 100 local artists who were hit hard by the pandemic; Thursday, 5pm to 8pm. // Jane Warner Plaza (Castro); details at castroartwalk.com
Secure the goods at Ghirardelli's annual warehouse sale. Score deals on all the chocolate gifts your heart desires and shop for exclusive gifts not available anywhere else; 9:30am to 5:30pm Friday through Sunday. // Ghirardelli Warehouse, 111 139th Ave. (San Leandro), ghirardelli.com
Get your kicks and food truck fix on The Great Highway.A new, three-month pilot program will bring food trucks—including Viva Vegan and California Kahve—to Ocean Beach every weekend so you can stroll car(e)-free; Saturdays from 10:30am to 2:30pm and Sundays from 10am to 1:30pm, through February 2022. // The Great Highway at Taraval (California Khave) and Judah (Viva Vegan); details at sfrecpark.org
Eat up the season's bounty at Pomella’s Chef’s Table Experience. One of our favorite East Bay restaurants to open during the pandemic, the California-Israeli eatery is offering a unique meal limited to just 16 guests, featuring five mezze, two entrees, sides, and dessert. Labneh and lamb lovers, this one's for you; Saturday at 5:30pm. // Pomella, 3770 Piedmont Ave. (Oakland); tickets at exploretock.com
Brunch for a good cause. Come together in support of Afghan refugees resettling in NorCal with a three-course brunch curated by Top Chef contestant Nelson German of AlaMar Kitchen. Net proceeds and any new or gently used winter coats you bring will be donated to 5ive Pillars Center. In addition, Zuhal Bahaduri, daughter of an Afghan refugee and cofounder of 5ive Pillars, will share her story and detail refugee resettlement efforts; Saturday at noon. // AlaMar Kitchen & Bar (Oakland); tickets at exploretock.com
Dungeness crab cakes, duck confit, filet mignon, wine… do we have your attention? Indulge in an intimate wine pairing dinner at Côte West guided by owner and winemaker Bret Hogan; Saturday at 6pm. // Côte West, 2102 Dennison St., Suite A (Oakland);tickets at exploretock.com
Support BIPOC women–owned businesses at La Cocina’s Holiday Market Fundraiser. There will be live entertainment, a chance to shop food, art, and other gifts, and seasonal cocktails and tasty bites for purchase; Saturday from 11am to 6pm. // La Cocina Municipal Marketplace, 323 Golden Gate Ave. (Civic Center); details at eventbrite.com
Shop unique handmade gifts and goods at Patchwork Show Makers Market. Plus, craft something of your own—think dog treats, watercolor bookmarks, and wooden ornaments—at DIY stations; Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 5pm. // Westfield SF Center (under the dome), 865 Market St. (SoMa); details at dearhandmadelife.com
As its name suggests, Girl Gang Craft holiday market is an opportunity to shop from more than 100 femme-forward creators all under one roof; Saturday from 11am to 5pm. // Oakland Scottish Rite Center (Oakland); details at eventbrite.com
Learn the Portuguese art of floral embroidery with a half-day workshop at San Francisco School of Needlework & Design. You'll be given all the tools and instruction needed to create stitches used in clothing from Northern Portugaldating back to the 1700s while learning about the history and culture of the Portuguese people; Saturday, 10am to 1pm. // SF School of Needlework & Design, 850 Battery St. Suite 200 (Embarcadero); tickets at eventbrite.com
Plant people assemble for Secret Planta—a leafy holiday gift exchange and wreath-making workshop, hosted by Seed and Soul Club; Saturday 10am to 1:30pm. // 138 South Park St. (SoMa); tickets at eventbrite.com
Have yourself a very merry Swiftmas. A Taylor Swift–themed party and celebration straight out of your, um, wildest dreams takes over Valencia Room thisSaturday from 9pm to 2am. // Valencia Room, 647 Valencia St. (Mission); tickets at eventbrite.com
Bring hope, luck, and peace to the holiday season at the 19th Annual Parol Lantern Festival. The Parol (a Filipino lantern) festival will feature parol-crafting workshops, live music, a showcase of Filipino holiday treats, and a dance performance and a parol lighting ceremony; Saturday, 4pm to 7:30pm. // Yerba Buena Center for Arts, 701 Mission St. (SoMa); details at ybca.org
Bundle up for a holiday movie under the stars—in a secret location. That's right, this super-secret outdoor film screening of the Bill Murray classic Scrooged is a fun way to celebrate the season; Saturday at 7pm. // Secret location (San Francisco); tickets at eventbrite.com
Don your red undies for run or walk through the Castro in support of San Francisco AIDS Foundation. Santa Skivvies, SF's premiere underwear fun run and fundraiser, returns IRL and better than ever. The route weaves throughout the streets of the iconic neighborhood, starting and ending at the Lookout on Noe and 18th; 11am, Sunday. // santaskivviesrun.org
Thank you to our partners at SF AIDS Foundation.
Poppy & The City | Cruise | SHORTyoutu.be
Meet Poppy, Cruise's all-electric self-driving spokesvehicle. Five years of nonstop driving in San Francisco has made her a local's local. Like you, Poppy has been exploring every corner and celebrating all the city has to offer. From her very first drive to delivering thousands of meals during the pandemic, Poppy's journey is a love letter to San Francisco, one neighborhood at a time. Be sure to also follow her adventures and unique city knowledge on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
Thank you to our partners at Cruise.
