It's the holiday season here in Oakland! Along with lights and festive decorations, events are popping up all around The Town.
Here's a list of performances, holiday shopping, walking tours, tree lighting ceremonies, and an ice-skating rink to get you started.
The Outback Express Train at the Oakland Zoo.
Zoolights: Oakland Zoo
Celebrate the holidays at Oakland Zoo amid a million glowing lights! Soar over the Oakland hills in our festively lit gondolas and see the Bay Area skyline like never before. This year, you can enjoy swirling snowfalls over a dazzling Winter Wonderland attraction featuring Santa in his decked-out workshop for the ultimate holiday experience.
See the Music in Motion laser light show and stroll through twinkling holiday lights, animal structures, and a candy cane lane–themed Adventure Landing with rides your kids will love. Hop on the illuminated and warm up with hot cocoa and dinner at the Landing Café with a scenic view for miles.
Black Santa Winter Wonderland Pop-Up
The exclusive pop-up will feature festive workshops including ornament making and writing dreamers notes, meet-and-greets with Black Santa and Mrs. C., photo opportunities for the whole family, special events such as kids' yoga and dance parties, and Mrs. C.'s Sweet Shop, which offers nostalgic novelty holiday sweets and Black Santa merchandise.
Black Santa's U Wish Workshop in Jack London Square will provide families and the Oakland community a winter wonderland where they can come together to celebrate one another and the holiday season with festive fun and a robust lineup of special events.
The retail store will be open Wednesdays through Sundays from 11am to 7pm. Meet Black Santa and Mrs. C. from noon to 6pm Fridays through Sundays.
The holiday ice rink in downtown Oakland.
Old Oakland Holiday Ice Rink
Oakland Central is incredibly excited to the Old Oakland Holiday Ice Rink to downtown. We have found a home for this important initiative on the corner of 9th and Washington, in one of Oakland's most beautiful and iconic neighborhoods. Join us as we celebrate the holiday season and bring in the new year on the ice!
Fairy Winterland
For 10 days in December, Fairyland celebrates the winter holidays of many cultures: Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, Diwali, and Chinese New Year. Join us for stories, crafts, a festival of lights, and visits from Santa! For one modest admission fee—$12 for each adult and child over the age of 1 ($6 for members)—you'll enjoy performances by the renowned Storybook Puppet Theater, a daily Festival of Lights Parade, holiday storytelling, magic, daily visits from Santa Claus, holiday-themed arts and crafts, unlimited rides, and more special surprises! The park is open from noon to 7pm during Fairy Winterland (weather permitting). Fairyland members receive free admission to the opening day of Fairy Winterland, December 14th and from noon to 2pm on other Winterland days!
Season's greetings from Oakland!
// For details on Oakland's various festive holiday events, go to visitoakland.com.
