Happy Hanukkah and happy it's-finally-socially-acceptable-to-start-decorating-for-Christmas (even though we know you've secretly been at it for weeks).
This week, San Francisco has everything from tree and menorah lightings to Christmas bars and drag queens on ice. Plus, an interactive Elf watch party,wreath-making at the SF Botanical Gardens, the Ferry Building's holiday open house, SFMOMA's Small Press Book Bazaar, and much more.
Have a good one!
Bring a senior dog home in time for the holidays. At Muttville’s holiday happy hour, you’ll find seasonal sips and adoptable pups; Monday, 3pm to 5pm. // Hotel 1, Terrene Patio (Embarcadero); RSVP at 1hotels.com.
Join the traveling cast of Disney’s The Lion Kingfor one night of music and dance performances to benefit the Richmond/Ermet Foundation and Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS; Monday at 7:30pm. // Club Fugazi, 678 Green St. (Russian Hill); tickets at clubfugazisf.com
Dash off to see two live reindeer, Noel and Holly, at Welcome Winter Night, also featuring cookie decorating, face painting, and a chat with a penguin biologist; 6:30pm to 9:30pm Tuesday. // California Academy of Sciences (Golden Gate Park), calacademy.org
(Yayoi Kusama, 'Dreaming of Earth’s Sphericity, I Would Offer My Love,' 2023, installed in the exhibition 'Yayoi Kusama: I Spend Each Day Embracing Flowers,' David Zwirner, New York, May 11—July 21, 2023 © YAYOI KUSAMA. Courtesy the artist, Ota Fine Arts, Victoria Miro, and David Zwirner)
Enter an unforgettable universe of luminous color and endless reflections when you experience the kaleidoscopic world of celebrated artist Yayoi Kusama. Her first solo presentation in Northern California encompasses two Infinity Mirror Rooms; January timed tickets available for members on Tuesday, December 5 and for the general public on Thursday, December 7 (exhibit on view through September 7). // SFMOMA, 151 Third St. (SoMa); reserve tickets now at sfmoma.org.
Thank you to our partners at SFMOMA.
Relive the intense drama of Edward vs. Jacob when The Twilight Saga: Eclipse returns to the big screen for one night of camp fun. Plus, there will be pre-show drag performances and Twilight trivia with prizes; Tuesday at 9:15pm. // Roxie Theater, 3117 16th St. (Mission); tickets at roxie.com
Discover the art of light at Glow, the seasonal exhibition (presented by US Bank) that invites you to compose music with light, touch quantum physics, play LED dungeon crawlers, unveil hidden crystals, see yourself in mechanical mirrors, and more; through January 28. // Exploratorium, Pier 15 (Embarcadero), exploratorium.edu
Thank you to our partners at the Exploratorium.
Total immersion is the theme at San Francisco Symphony this week. Experience the magical fusion of cirque acrobatics, classical dance, and contemporary theater when Troupe Vertigo takes the stage for a family-friendly program set to Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker (7:30pm Tuesday and Wednesday). Then, set sail on a soulful musical journey through land, sea, and air with violinist/singer/composer Mazz Swift, accompanied by introspective melodies and complemented by the art Santtu Mustonen in ”Eye, Sea, You Are Here” at Soundbox (8:30pm Friday and Saturday). // Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. (Civic Center), sfsymphony.org
Thank you to our partners at SF Symphony.
Step inside a winter wonderland complete with glittering lights, themed decorations, holiday cocktails, and menu favorites; Tuesday through Saturday, 11:30am to 9pm. // The Vault Garden, 555 California St. (FiDi); reservations at vaultgarden.com
Warm up with a hot cocktailin a Christmas mug at Nikkei Navidad’s tropical holiday paradise. The rooftop bar is decked out with lights, decor, and fire pits to keep you toasty; 4pm to 11am Tuesday to Thursday, 2pm to 1am Friday and Saturday, and 2pm to 10pm Sunday. // 701 3rd St. (SoMa); reservations at kaiyosf.com
What’s sweeter than candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup? Elf on the big screen, where singing loud for all to hear is encouraged. Plus, themed props and interactive games; Wednesday at 6:30pm. // Alamo Drafthouse, 2550 Mission St. (Mission); tickets at drafthouse.com
The Ferry Building is decking its halls for a holiday open house. Decorate cookies, sing along with carolers, make things, and more; 5pm to 7pm Wednesday. // Ferry Building (Embarcadero); RSVP at eventbrite.com
Celebrate the first day of Hanukkah when the Bill Graham Menorah lights up in Union Square. But first, there will be remarks, live music, and more; Thursday at 3:30pm. // Union Square; details at billgrahammenorah.org
Stock up for the bibliophile in your life at the Small Press Book Bazaar. The pop-up sale will feature Bay Area presses, zine publishers, artists, and more. Residents can also enjoy free access to the galleries after hours; Thursday, 1pm to 8pm. // SFMOMA, 151 Third St. (SoMa); details at sfmoma.org
Jingle all the way on car-free JFK. The promenade at Golden Gate Park transforms this week with the annual lighting of the iconic Monterey cypress, carnival rides, food trucks, lighted art installations, archery, and more; Thursday, 4pm to 8pm. // 501 Stanyan St. and Fell (Golden Gate Park); details at sfrecpark.org
Cozy up inside the Mark Hopkins’ Winter Chalet experience complete with an outdoor bubble tent where you can enjoy an Alpine-style picnic of charcuterie and cheese, sweet and savory fondue, and other festive treats; 90-minute seatings ($75/person) from noon to 6pm daily through December 30. // InterContinental Mark Hopkins, 999 California St. (Nob Hill); make reservations at opentable.com.
Thank you to our partners at InterContinental Mark Hopkins.
Skate with drag queens at one of the city’s most popular annual holiday events; Thursday at 6:30pm. // Union Square Holiday Ice Rink (Union Square); tickets at unionsquareicerink.com
Join Flowers Winery for an intimate affair at Michelin-starred Angler. Expect passed appetizers and four sea-inspired courses paired with limited-production wines. To reserve your seats for the luncheon, download the Dorsia app and enter FLOWERS as your referral code to fast-track your free membership; Friday at noon. // Angler, 132 The Embarcadero (Embarcadero); details at flowerswinery.com
Enjoy a whimsical, limited-time meal at Hilda and Jesse, in collaboration with chef Iliana Regan (The Milkweed Inn). On Friday, take a seat for a five-course dinner. On Saturday and Sunday, wake up for a five-course "adventure" brunch with unexpected European twists. Beverage pairings will focus on queer, femme, and Eastern European producers. // Hilda and Jesse, 701 Union St. (Russian Hill); reservations at resy.com
Make your own wreath with locally sourced evergreens, eucalyptus, and botanical accents collected from the grounds; Saturday at 10am. // San Francisco Botanical Garden, 1199 9th Ave. (Golden Gate Park); tickets at gggp.my.salesforce-sites.com
Bundle up for Sausalito’s Winterfest. Waterfront festivities include a gingerbread house tour and competition, live music, artist open studios, breakfast with Santa, and the beloved lighted boat parade and fireworks; Saturday and Sunday. // Sausalito Waterfront, Gabrielson Park (Sausalito); tickets at winterfestsausalito.com
Rudolph is coming to town—and we’re not talkin’ the one with the red nose. Maya Rudolph and college friend Gretchen Lieberum are bringing their Prince cover band, Princess, to The Town; Saturday at 8pm. // Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph Ave. (Oakland); tickets at ticketmaster.com
Fete the season in bold fashion at the Last Look holiday pop-up, a curated event featuring a shopable market, clean beauty lounge, a runway show hosted by San Francisco Fashion, and after party; 4pm to 11pm Saturday. // Living Room Bar at the W Hotel, 181 Third St. (SoMa); RSVP at sanfranciscofashionfestival.com.
Thank you to our partners at W San Francisco.
Shop local at the historic Mill Valley Lumber Yard. With stunning Mt. Tam views, the makers market returns with outdoor shopping, live music, food, and drink; Saturday from 11am to 5pm. // Mill Valley Lumber Yard, 129 Miller Ave. (Mill Valley); details at eventbrite.com
Show off your red undies at the Santa Skivvies fun run. You’ll jingle your merry way through the streets of the Castro to support the SF AIDS Foundation; 11:15am Sunday. // Lookout, 3600 16th St. (Castro); the first 25 people can register free with the promo code 7X7 atsantaskivvies.donordrive.com.
Thank you to our partners at SF AIDS Foundation.
Bring the whole family to JCCSF's free Glowing Hanukkah Party. Make crafts, enjoy an LED piano concert and menorah lighting, play games, and eat tasty treats from the merchants at Ghirardelli Square. Plus, light up the night in your favorite glittery and glow-in-the-dark garb; Sunday, 3pm to 6pm. // Ghirardelli Square, 2 New Montgomery St. (Fisherman's Wharf); details at jccsf.org
It’s funny and it’s heart-warming so don’t even try to resist: Love Actually, now in its 20th year, is bringing Christmas romance to the big screen at Davies Symphony Hall, set to live orchestra; 7:30pm Saturday, December 16. // Get tickets now sfsymphony.org.
Thank you to our partners at SF Symphony.
Make it a weekend of shopping at two incredible gift markets in The Town: the Winter Market (11am to 5pm, Saturday December 16) at the Bridge Yard, 210 Burma Rd; and the Holiday Market & Collage Fest (1pm to 3pm, Sunday December 17) at Oakland Museum of California, 100 Oak St. (Oakland). // For more information, go to visitoakland.com.
Thank you to our partners at Visit Oakland.
