It’s out with the gourds and in with the twinkly lights.
From tree lighting ceremonies and wreath-making classes to craft markets and winter wonderland block parties, these are the best ways to get into the holiday spirit this week.
Have a merry one.
Find yourself dazzled as Nob Hill comes alive with lights. In addition to the annual tree lighting ceremony, there will be live music, goodies, and hot beverages; awards to the Protectors of the Year; and a presentation to Raphael House, which works with low-income families in the city; Monday, 5:30pm to 7:30pm. // Huntington Park, California and Taylor St. (Nob Hill); details at nobhillassociation.org
Join award-winning actors and comedians Henry Winkley and "Barry" co-star D'Arcy Carden as they share stories about their careers, lives, and friendships; Monday at 7:30pm. // Curran Theater, 445 Geary St. (TenderNob); tickets at broadwaysf.com
Be glad it's not you asBay Area comedians battle it out in a Comedy Central–style roast of epic proportions for two nights this week; Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30pm. // Cobb's Comedy Club, 915 Columbus Ave. (Russian Hill); tickets at ticketmaster.com
Stand in awe of Thrive City's 90-foot holiday tree when it lights up at Winter Wonderland. The spectacle will also feature live music from Run DMC founder Darryl McDaniels, plus other seasonal surprises; Wednesday, 5pm to 7pm. // Thrive City, 1 Warriors Way (Mission Bay); RSVP atchasecenter.com
(Wolfgang Tillmans, Suzanne & Lutz, white dress, army skirt, 1993 and installation view SFMOMA 2023; both courtesy of the artist, David Zwirner, New York / Hong Kong, Galerie Buchholz, Berlin / Cologne, Maureen Paley, London. Wolfgang Tillmans' 'To look without fear,' organized by the Museum of Modern Art.)
Don’t miss Wolfgang Tillmans: To look without fear. Called “one of the most anticipated exhibitions of the year” by the NYT, this solo show charts the development of Tillmans’ work from the 1980s through the present, across every genre of photography imaginable—from early experiments with a photocopier to ecstatic nightlife images, innovative cameraless abstractions, and intimate portraits; through March 3rd. // SFMOMA, 151 Third St. (SoMa); reserve tickets now at sfmoma.org.
Thank you to our partners at SFMOMA.
Treat yourself this truffle season with a special dinner at Trestle. The four-course meal will spotlight offerings from an Urbani Truffle specialist, plus a special gift to continue the truffle delight at home; Wednesday, 5:30pm to 9pm. // Trestle Restaurant, 531 Jackson St. (Financial District); reservations at opentable.com
Sip and savor an array of wines from local vineyards at the Noe Valley Wine Stroll. The walk through one of SF’s most beloved 'hoods provides the opportunity to explore boutiques and sample artisanal goods from Noe Valley merchants; Thursday, 4pm to 8pm. // Noe Valley Town Square, 24th St. (Noe Valley); tickets at eventbrite.com
Celebrate Black artists and community voices at Throughline—a multidisciplinary exhibit and performance series highlighting the women change agents in Oakland. The show is an immersive experience displaying five artists’ interpretations of these remarkable women through photography, painting, poetry, song, and culinary arts; performances Thursday and Saturday at 7pm, gallery open noon to 5pm Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Fridays through December 2nd. // 1500 Broadway (Oakland); tickets at eventbrite.com
Toast to local cocktail culture on the Old Potrero Rye Trail, featuring signature Old Potrero whiskey drinks at nearly 30 destinations from San Francisco to Oakland and Sacramento. // Learn more at ryetrail.oldpotrero.com.
Thank you to our partners at Old Potrero Rye.
You'll have 14(!) chances to see Emmy-winning comedian and former Daily Show host Trevor Noah during his three week residency in the Bay Area. His "Off the Record" tour will spend most nights at The Masonic (beginning Thursday), then he heads across the bridge for a show at Oakland's Paramount Theatre on December 4th. // Tickets to all shows are available at ticketmaster.com.
Spend your holidays with the SF Symphony. Through Christmas Week, Davis Symphony Hall will come alive with all of your favorite holiday films accompanied by a live orchestra. Up first: The Nightmare Before Christmas; Thursday and Friday at 7:30pm. // Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. (Civic Center); tickets at sfsymphony.org
It's a battle of wits and words at the Bay Area Moth GrandSlam Championship. The oral storytelling competition will bring together 10 previous StorySlam winners to determine this year's champion; Thursday at 8pm. // The Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St. (Castro); tickets at eventbrite.com
Raise a boot at Das Holiday at Schroeder’s, an all-day celebration that will include a ceremonial tapping of the Everyday’s a Holiday IPA keg, festive tunes, commemorative merch, and gift wrapping. Be sure to grab an order of tots—a portion of sales will benefit the SFFD and firefighters will be in the house all afternoon; Friday, 11:30am to 9pm. // Schroeder’s, 240 Front St. (Financial District); RSVP at eventbrite.com
(Courtesy of Project Glimmer)
Celebrate Project Glimmer ‘s 2nd Annual National Boxing Joy Day, sponsored by Rothy’s and Avec Les Filles. The movement, celebrated on December 1st, is dedicated to wrapping more than 175,000 holiday gifts that inspire confidence and bring joy to girls around the country; Friday. // Follow along and learn more at @projectglimmer and projectglimmer.org.
Thank you to our partners at Project Glimmer.
Get awestruck at Let’s Glow SF, the country's largest holiday projection event. The free and colorful light show's kick-off event will include complimentary ube hot chocolate, s’mores, gluten-free cupcakes, stilt walkers, and swag; Friday, 7pm to 10pm. // Market Street near the Ferry Building (Embarcadero); details at downtownsf.org
Partake in a 33-year-old Hayes Valley holiday tradition. The neighborhood's annual stroll features carolers, holiday lights and window displays, in-store activities and promotions, live music, drag queen ambassadors, craft stations, and much more; Friday 5pm to 9pm. // Patricia’s Green, 50 Fell St. (Hayes Valley); details at explorehayesvalley.com
Meet the makers at the Crucible's annual craft show and open house, Gifty 2023. Shop handmade arts and crafts and tour the spaces where they're made; Saturday, noon to 6pm and Sunday, 11am to 4pm. // The Crucible, 1260 7th St. (Oakland); details at thecrucible.org
Support disabled artists by shopping Creative Growth’s Holiday Art Show. What makes this holiday market so special is that every purchase of one of the unique gifts directly contributes to supporting artists with disabilities; Saturday, 6pm to 9pm and Sunday, 10am to 4pm. // Creative Growth Art Center, 355 24th St. (Oakland); details at creativegrowth.org
Make your own holiday wreath at a class taught by Steven Schwager, Cornerstone Sonoma's master horticulturalist. You’ll create a fresh 18-inch wreath and learn the skills to recreate them at home. After the class, stick around for the annual Snowman Tree Lighting (4pm to 7pm); Saturday 1:30pm to 3:30pm. // The Barn at Harrow Cellars, 150 Wagner Rd. (Sonoma); tickets at eventbrite.com
Get all fa-la-la at the Shipyard Holiday Party and Art Show. More than 50 artists will host open studios for a fun and convenient way to shop for the art lovers in your life; Sunday from 11am to 5pm. // Hunters Point Shipyard, 451 Galvez Ave. (Hunters Point); details at eventbrite.com
Compete for the title of Sexiest Elf at the third annual Castro Winter Wonderland. Plus, free photos with Santa and the Grinch, a petting zoo, live music, a holiday art mart, drag story time, and more; Sunday, 11am to 5pm. // Noe and Market St. (Castro); details at eventbrite.com
Find one for them and one for you at SFMOMA's first-ever Holiday Makers Market. Shop handcrafted gifts by more than 20 local designers and artisans including watercolor paints, accessories, sculptural soaps, and much more. Plus, there will be decorating stations and a photo booth. The event is free and museum admission is not required; Sunday, 10am to 5pm. // SFMOMA, 151 3rd St. (SoMa); details at museumstore.sfmoma.org
Get pro travel tips from the man we love and trust, Rick Steves. He'll join KQED for a discussion on all things travel including his favorite destinations and tips for maximizing your cultural and culinary experiences; Sunday at 7pm. // KQED Headquarters, 2601 Mariposa St. (Mission); tickets at kqed.org
Immerse yourself in the magical fusion of cirque acrobatics, classical dance, and contemporary theater as Troupe Vertigo takes the stage with the San Francisco Symphony in a family-friendly program set to Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker; 7:30pm Tuesday and Wednesday Dec. 5-6. // Davies Symphony Hall (Civic Center), sfsymphony.org
Thank you to our partners at San Francisco Symphony
Ditch your bloody marys and avoid the Sunday scaries with a Cow Hollow Wellness Crawl. The itinerary includes breathwork yoga, a sound healing workshop, alcohol-free cocktails, and conversations with new friends; Sunday, 12:30pm to 3pm. // CorePower Yoga, 2902 Webster St. (Cow Hollow); tickets at eventbrite.com
Eat your way through seasonal sips, bites, and sweet treats at Eataly Silicon Valley's Holiday Taste-Around. Your ticket will grant you eight food tokens and two drink tokens to use at various stations around the giant Italian marketplace—think gelato, Panettone, house-made ravioli, and a live cannoli filling station; Sunday, 6pm to 8pm. // Eataly Silicon Valley, 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd. (San Jose); tickets at eataly.com
Show off your red undies at the annual Santa Skivvies fun run to support the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. The fundraiser will jingle its way down the streets of the Castro, beginning and ending at the Lookout; 11:15am Sunday, December 10th. // The first 25 people who use promo code 7X7 will receive free registration; go to santaskivvies.donordrive.com.
Thank you to our partners at SF AIDS Foundation.
