28 Fun Things to Do This Week (11.28.22)
The Lighted Boat Parade returns with Sausalito's Holiday by the Bay festival, kicking off this week.

28 Fun Things to Do This Week (11.28.22)

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This week offers plenty of ways to get into the holiday spirit.

Decorate cookies at the Ferry Building, look up at the Bay Area's tallest holiday tree, wander a winter wonderland at Golden Gate Park, shop local arts and crafts at the Crucible and Creativity Explored, score free admission into San Francisco museums, and much more.


Have a good one!

Snag one of the hottest dinner reservations of the year. Tickets are selling out quickly for the James Beard Taste America dinner hosted by Liholiho Yacht Club and chef Ravi Kapur, featuring guest chef Andrew Le of Honolulu's The Pig & The Lady. Expect three courses plus 1800 Tequila drink pairings; two seatings at 5:30pm and 8:30pm on Sunday, January 22. // Liholiho Yacht Club, 871 Sutter St. (TenderNob); tickets at squadup.com


Deck the halls at the Ferry Building. Decorate cookies and mini gingerbread houses, enjoy warm drinks and music, and take your chance at wining a Ferry Building shopping spree at this holiday open house; Wednesday, 5pm to 7pm. // Ferry Building (Embarcadero); RSVP at eventbrite.com.


Stand in awe of Thrive City's 90-foot holiday tree when it lights up at Winter Wonderland, presented by Fanatics. There will be live music from Journey’s Neal Schon, Teddy Swims, and the SF Philharmonic plus other seasonal surprises; Wednesday, 6pm to 8pm. // Thrive City, 1 Warriors Way (Mission Bay); RSVP at eventbrite.com


Help raise funds for the National AIDS Memorial on the eve of World AIDS Day at Light in the Grove 2022. The annual fundraising event has been voted best LGBT gala in the Bay Area and includes illuminated art and pathways, a candlelight reflection, and tented reception complete with cocktails, musical guests, and more; Wednesday, 6pm to 9:30pm. // National AIDS Memorial Grove (Golden Gate Park); tickets at eventbrite.com.

Celebrate Rising Stars Restaurant Week. StarChefs visited more than 100 bars and restaurants in SF and Oakland to award 19 professionals for their exceptional creations and leadership ability. Experience signature dishes, desserts, and drinks at spots including Beit Rima, Bar Iris, Californios, Marlena, and more; Thursday, December 1st through Thursday, December 15th. // Details at starchefs.com


Support disabled artists by shopping Creativity Explored’s Holiday Art Shop. The studio doors are open for the season with thousands of original artworks and 50 percent of sales going to the artists themselves. Join CE on opening night for light refreshments, mingling, music, and a dance party; Thursday, 6pm to 9pm. // Creativity Explored, 3245 16th St. (Mission); RSVP at eventbrite.com


Bundle up for some waterfront festivities at Sausalito’s Holiday by the Bay. All month long you’ll find a gingerbread house tour and competition, live music, artist open studios, breakfast with Santa, a lighted boat parade, and more. Things kick off Thursday with a tree-lighting ceremony at 5pm. // View the full schedule of programming at destinationsausalito.com.


Jingle All the Way on car-free JFK. The promenade at Golden Gate Park transforms this week with the annual tree lighting ceremony, a snow play area, carnival rides, food trucks, lighted art installations, and visits from Santa and his helpers; Friday, 3pm to 8pm. // 501 Stanyan St. and Fell (Golden Gate Park); details at sfrecpark.org


Savor the holiday season at Chandon, where you can enjoy the Winter Wine Stroll, visit the Christmas tree market, wander the newly landscaped oak grove with a glass in hand, dive into educational stories, and enjoy a few bites from the outdoor kitchen. Plus, taste Chandon’s seasonal mulled wine and cider. Tickets ($50) include a welcome splash, two tasting pours of Chandon’s Terroir wines, and a tasting pour of their garden spritz. Additional food and wine is available for purchase; through Sunday, Dec. 4. // Chandon, 1 California Dr. (Yountville); get tickets at exploretock.com.

Thank you to our partners at Chandon.

Partake in a 32-year-old Hayes Valley holiday tradition. The neighborhood's annual holiday stroll features carolers, holiday lights and window displays, in-store activities and promotions, live music, drag queen ambassadors, poster printing with Haight Street Art Center, and much more; Friday 4pm to 9pm. // Patricia’s Green, 50 Fell St. (Hayes Valley); details at explorehayesvalley.com


Relive the glory of the "The Last Waltz," The Band’s historic 1976 Thanksgiving concert which is sometimes said to be one of the greatest concerts of all time. The tour makes its return to the Bay Area with headliners including Warren Haynes, Jamey Johnson, Taj Mahal, Kathleen Edwards, Anders Osborne, Dave Malone, and more; Friday and Saturday at 8pm. // Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph Ave. (Oakland); tickets thefoxoakland.com


Sit back and laugh with Jo Koy on his "Funny Is Funny" world tour takeover at Oakland Arena; Friday night at 8pm. // Oakland Arena, 7000 S Coliseum Way (Oakland); tickets at ticketmaster.com


The Bay Area's favorite warehouse sale is back. At the Le Marche holiday pop-up, shop home decor and goods from around the world including genuine Marseille soap, French linens, Moroccan glassware, and so much more. There will be one-of-a-kind samples, a last call section, and vintage French pottery, all at 50 to 75 percent off; 10am to 5pm Friday and Saturday, and until 3pm on Sunday. // 2310 Fourth St. (Berkeley), lemarchepopup.com

Thank you to our partners at Kiss That Frog.

Take in Napa Valley's changing colors at Faust winery's Holiday Haus. They’ll be pouring some favorite wines and serving light bites while showcasing local artisans; Saturday, 11am to 4pm. // Faust, 2867 St Helena Hwy (St Helena); tickets at exploretock.com


Pop over to Market Hall in Rockridge for a cookbook signing of Tanya Holland's California Soul:Recipes from a Culinary Journey West. The venue's culinary team will be making a recipe from the book—braised chicken thighs with barbecue white beans—for you to enjoy at home; Saturday, 12:30pm to 2pm. // Market Hall Foods, 5655 College Ave. (Oakland); details at rockridgemarkethall.com


Get excited for the Barlow's first annual Sip, Shop & Stroll. With the purchase of a wine glass and passport ($10) you can get sips of local wines and collect passport stamps at 10 shops for a chance to win a gift basket valued at $500; Saturday, 11am to 7pm. // The Barlow, 6770 McKinley St. (Sebastopol); tickets at eventbrite.com


Give the avid Muni rider in your life (is it you?) the perfect transit-themed gift by shopping at Muni Diaries Art Market; Saturday, noon to 4pm. // 80 Albion St. (Mission); details on instagram.com

Watch science come to light at Glow Fest. Hands-on activities include DIY laser art, illuminated accessory making, and neon bending with local masters of light; Saturday, 11am to 4pm. // Exploratorium, Pier 15 (Embarcadero); tickets at exploratorium.edu


Celebrate Holidays in the Vineyards, a Livermore Valley tradition. Area wineries will be decorated for the season and pouring special wines along with holiday music and various activities. Admission is free, though tasting fees may apply and vary by winery; noon to 4:30pm, Dec. 3-4. // For a full list of activities, visit lvwine.org.

Thank you to our partners at Livermore Valley AVA.


Come together for the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir's 37th annual holiday concert with special guest artists; Saturday at 7:30pm. // Oakland Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Dr. (Oakland); tickets at oigc.vbotickets.com

Meet the makers at the Crucible's annual craft show and open house, Gifty 2022. Shop handmade arts and crafts and tour the spaces where they're made; 11am to 6pm Saturday and until 4pm Sunday. // The Crucible, 1260 7th St. (Oakland); RSVP at eventbrite.com


Visit San Francisco museums for free this weekend, all thanks to some generous anonymous donors (probs not Elon Musk); Saturday and Sunday. // Tickets at sffreemuseumweekend.com


Host your holiday shindig at Alexander’s Steakhouse. The SoMa shrine to steak (with an Asian flair) can seat 20 in its Board Room with exposed brick walls and a flatscreen TV; up to 18 guests in the mezzanine overlooking the restaurant; and larger parties in the Wine Library surrounded by floor-to-ceiling displays of the finest vintages. The restaurant's gracious hospitality will ensure an extraordinary and memorable event. // 448 Brannan St. (SoMa), alexanderssteakhouse.com

Thank you to our partners at Alexander’s Steakhouse.

What do you get the person who prefers the stranger things in life? We're not sure, but the Oddities & Curiosities Holiday Market at Winchester Mystery House will likely have it. Bugs, bones, antiques and more bizarre gifts await at this not-so-typical holiday market; Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 5pm. // Winchester Mystery House, 525 South Winchester Blvd. (San Jose); tickets at eventbrite.com


Celebrate Christmas con salsa at Barrio, which is hosting live music by Edgardo & Candela to pair with delicious Latin-inspired food and spectacular patio views; 3pm to 6pm, Sunday. // Ghirardelli Square, 900 North Point St. (Fisherman’s Wharf); for more info, visit ghirardellisq.com.

Thank you to our partners at Ghirardelli Square.


An exciting new holiday festival is coming to Pacifica. Bring an unwrapped toy donation for access to live music on the Jingle Bell Rock stage, local beers and wines at the Merry Merry Libation station, a diverse lineup of food trucks, a family fun zone, a gift expo, and more; Sunday, 11am to 4pm. // Eureka Square Shopping Center, 20 Eureka Dr. (Pacifica); details at miramarevents.com


Get a bargain on your winter gear at Sports Basement's annual SnowFest. In addition to getting 20 percent off everything in store, you can enter for a chance to win gear, free beer tastings, and two-for-one lift tickets to Palisades Tahoe; Sunday, 10am to 5pm. // Sports Basement Berkeley, 2727 Milvia St. (Berkeley); details at eventbrite.com


Don’t miss the hilarious Jewish spin on Christmas live at the Fillmore. Last year’s underground semitic sensation, “A Very Jewish Christmas Spectacular,” is back for an edgy late night variety show featuring an all-Jewish cast of musicians and comedians including the Sklar Brothers. Think of it as The Daily Show meets a Jewish twist on a Radio City Christmas, in support of Jewish Family and Children’s Services. It would be a shanda to miss, so snag your last minute tickets before they’re gone; Thursday, Dec. 8. // veryjewishchristmas.com

Thank you to our partners at A Very Jewish Christmas Spectacular.

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