Holidays: Christmas, Hanukkah & Santa 2020: South San Francisco

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The holidays are nearing in South San Francisco!

Christmas this year falls on a Friday, Dec. 25. Hanukkah runs Thursday, Dec. 10 through Friday, Dec. 18. And Kwanzaa is Dec. 26 to Jan. 1.

Celebrations are markedly different for 2020, to be sure. Many annual community extravaganazas were canceled in South San Francisco and on the Peninsula this year due to the pandemic.

But festivities still abound throughout the region as towns and organizations are getting creative with drive-thrus, virtual and in-person, socially distanced events — many with limited availablity and required reservations.

Check out our annual event guide to see what's going on near you. And Happy Holidays, from Patch!

NOTE: Bookmark this page as additional events will be added when announced. Also, remember to double-check with organizers to confirm activities still are proceeding as originally planned.

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ATHERTON:

Through NOV. 30: Annual Holiday Boutique: Sacred Heart. With several unique vendors.

• Online via Sacred Heart Schools, 150 Valparaiso Ave., Atherton, CA

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BELMONT:

NOV. 21: Holiday Craft Faire: Twin Pines Park. Canceled.

• Twin Pines Park, One Twin Pines Lane, Belmont, CA

DEC. 1: Holiday Decorating Contest. Register & get your home or shop on the map!

• Residences & businesses, Belmont, CA

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BURLINGAME:

NOV. 19: Virtual Pass The Plate: Holiday Charcuterie. Learn tips & tricks to this entertaining presentation.

• Online via Mercy High School, 2750 Adeline Drive, Burlingame, CA

DEC. 1-17: Story Time With Mrs. Claus. "A warm chat all the way from the North Pole!"

• Via Zoom with City of Burlingame, CA

DEC. 4: Annual Holiday Tree Lighting & Santa - Virtual. Canceled.

• Online via Facebook with City of Burlingame, CA

DEC.: Holiday Parade 2020: Downtown. Canceled.

• Downtown Burlingame, CA

DEC.: Christmas At Kohl Holiday Boutique. Canceled.

• Kohl Mansion, 2750 Adeline Drive, Burlingame, CA

DEC. 5-6: Caltrain Annual Holiday Train & Toy Drive. Canceled.

• Caltrain station, Burlingame, CA

DEC. 12: Circle of St Paul's Christmas Tea & Boutique. Canceled.

• Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, 415 El Camino Real, Burlingame, CA

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CUPERTINO:

DEC. 4-5 & 18-19: Zoom with Santa. Kid can enjoy a video chat with St. Nick.

• Online via City of Cupertino, CA

DEC. 9: Holidays in Hawai’i with Lei Nani Hula Dancers. Enjoy a virtual trip to the islands!

• On Zoom via City of Cupertino, CA

DEC. 11-13: 'Santa Stop': Quinlan Community Center. Registrants will receive candy canes & ornaments.

• Quinlan Community Center, 10185 N Stelling Road, Cupertino, CA

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DALY CITY:

NOV. 21-DEC. 20: The Great Dickens Christmas Fair & Victorian Holiday Party: Cow Palace. Canceled.

• Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Ave., Daly City, CA

NOV. 21-DEC. 24: 'Dickens Fair At Home' - Different agenda each weekend.

• Virtual via The Great Dickens Christmas Fair, Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Ave., Daly City, CA

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EAST PALO ALTO:

DEC. 5-6: Caltrain Annual Holiday Train & Toy Drive. Canceled.

• Caltrain stations, San Mateo & Santa Clara Counties, CA

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FOSTER CITY:

DEC. 5: Walking In A Winter Wonderland. "Trail of festive lights, winter scenery & photo opps, with candy canes & cocoa.

• Leo Ryan Park, 650 Shell Blvd., Foster City, CA

DEC. 6: Virtual Chanukkah Party for 3-5 Year Olds & Families. Advance registration required.

• Online via Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School, 800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City, CA

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HALF MOON BAY:

NOV. 21-DEC. 23: Santa's Tree Farm. With Santa, elves' workshop & variety of u-cut trees.

• Santa's Tree Farm & Village, 78 Pilarcitos Creek Road, Half Moon Bay, CA

NOV. 27 & DEC. 4, 11 & 18: 'Night Of Lights' - Christmas tree lighting is Dec. 4.

• Mac Dutra Park, Main Street, Half Moon Bay, CA

Through DEC. 1: Puente Holiday Drive For Families & Farmworkers. Collecting food & gifts for 160 families & 320 children.

• Online via Puente, 620 North St., PO Box 554, Pescadero, CA

DEC. 11: 'Night Of Lights' Menorah Lighting. Socially distanced & masks required.

• Mac Dutra Park, Main Street, Half Moon Bay, CA

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LOS ALTOS:

NOV. 29: Festival of Lights Float Display. A revamp for 2020 as in-person parade is canceled.

• Rancho Shopping Center, 600 Rancho Shopping Center, Los Altos, CA

DEC. 3-31: Gingerbread House Exhibit. "Sweeten your holiday season!"

• Online via City of Los Altos, CA

DEC. 6-JAN. 3: Homage To The Holidays. Enjoy the community's holiday traditions.

• Online via KMVT from City of Los Altos, CA

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LOS ALTOS HILLS:

DEC. 6: Virtual Holiday Barn Lighting: Westwind. View via Facebook.

• Online from Westwind Community Barn 27210 Altamont Road, Los Altos Hills, CA

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LOS GATOS:

DEC. 4-30: Annual Fantasy of Lights Drive-Thru: Vasona Lake. "Bigger, better and brighter than ever."

• Vasona Lake County Park, 333 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos, CA

DEC. 4-23: Holiday Carriage Rides. A town tradition!

• Town Plaza, S. Santa Cruz Avenue and Montebello, Los Gatos, CA

DEC. 4: Holiday Tree Lighting & Santa. Canceled.

• Town Park Plaza, Los Gatos, CA

DEC. 5: Children's Christmas & Holidays Parade. Canceled.

• Downtown Los Gatos, CA

DEC. 5: The Garden Boutique. Perfect for holiday shopping!

• 15980 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos, CA

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MENLO PARK:

DEC. 5: Christmas Market. Benefits Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford.

• Allied Arts Guild, 75 Arbor Road, Menlo Park, CA

DEC. 5-6: Caltrain Annual Holiday Train & Toy Drive. Canceled.

• Caltrain station, Menlo Park, CA

Through DEC. 13: Online Marketplace for The Kilgoris Project. International boutique of handmade gifts, jewelry, housewares & holiday decor.

• Online via The Kilgoris Project, 405 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA

DEC. 16: Mystery Readers Group: Holiday Mysteries. "Holidays can be mysterious! Holidays can be murder!" Newcomers welcome.

• Online Webinar via City of Menlo Park, CA

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MILLBRAE:

DEC. 4: 'Elf' Drive-In Holiday Movie. Tickets on sale.

• Millbrae Square Parking Lot, 739 Magnolia Ave., Millbrae, CA

DEC. 5-6: Caltrain Annual Holiday Train & Toy Drive. Canceled.

• Caltrain station, Millbrae, CA

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MILPITAS:

NOV. 30: Holiday Tree-Lighting,Carolers & Santa. Includes countdown to tree-lighting.

• Online on YouTube via City of Milpitas, CA

DEC. 5: Milk & Cookies with Santa Drive-Thru. Kits are limited, so don't delay.

• Barbara Lee Senior Center, 40 N. Milpitas Blvd., Milpitas, CA

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MOUNTAIN VIEW:

DEC. 5-6: Caltrain Annual Holiday Train & Toy Drive. Canceled.

• Caltrain station, Mountain View, CA

DEC. 12: Holiday Food Drive Drive-Up & Drop-Off. Aid those in need.

• Mountain View Senior Center, 266 Escuela Ave., Mountain View, CA.

DEC. 12-13: Peninsula Youth Theatre 'Princess Guide to Quarantine' - "Lighthearted take on fairytale characters."

• Zoom via Peninsula Youth Theatre, 2510-A Old Middlefield Way, Mountain View, CA

Through DEC. 20: GISSV German Holiday Market. Featuring German specialties you've come to love.

• Online via German International School of Silicon Valley, 500 Castro St., Mountain View, CA

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PACIFICA:

DEC. 5: Santa Claus Is Coming To Town. A "Santa Tracker" is planned.

• City of Pacifica, CA

DEC. 6: Rockaway Beach Tree-Lighting Fest. Canceled.

• Rockaway Beach, Pacifica, CA

DEC. 30-JAN. 3: Pacifica Runners New Year's 5k Virtual Race. Get 2021 off to a great start!

• Run anytime, anywhere via Pacifica Runners, Pacifica, CA

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PALO ALTO:

NOV. 20: Holiday Virtual Tree-Lighting: Lytton Plaza. With music from Palo Alto Children’s Theatre.

• Online with Zoom or YouTube via City of Palo Alto, CA

DEC. 4: Holiday Family Sing Along. Sing & dance from home!

• Virtual via Palo Alto Players, Palo Alto, CA

DEC. 5: Festival of Trees. An outdoor & online event.

• Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden, 1431 Waverley St., Palo Alto, CA

DEC. 10-23: Jewish Repertory Theatre's 'Holiday Shorts' - "A new series of hilarious Woody-Allen-esque short plays."

• Online via Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, CA

DEC. 14: Hanukkah Online Theater: Oshman JCC. "Enjoy poignant, funny, contemporary stories of empowerment and triumph."

• Via Zoom with Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way,Palo Alto, CA

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PESCADERO:

Through DEC. 1: Puente Holiday Drive For Families & Farmworkers. Collecting food & gifts for 160 families & 320 children.

• Online via Puente, 620 North St., PO Box 554, Pescadero, CA

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REDWOOD CITY:

NOV. 21: ART on the Square - Virtual Holiday Show. "Unique & original gifts for everyone on your list."

• Live online via ART on the Square, Redwood City, CA

DEC. 5-6: Caltrain Annual Holiday Train & Toy Drive. Canceled.

• Caltrain station, Redwood City, CA

Through DEC. 15: Home For The Holidays Box. Don't delay on signing up for this fun kit.

• Red Morton Community Center, 1120 Roosevelt Ave., Redwood City, CA

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SAN BRUNO:

NOV. 27-DEC. 24: Visits & Photos With Santa 2020: Shops At Tanforan. Reservations recommended.

• The Shops at Tanforan, 1150 El Camino Real, San Bruno, CA

DEC. 5: Toys For Tots Drive-Thru, Drop-Off: Tanforan. Supports Project Pearl & Toys for Tots.

• The Shops at Tanforan, 1150 El Camino Real, San Bruno, CA

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SAN CARLOS:

Through DEC. 11: Letters To Santa. He'll write back from the North Pole!

• Drop-off or mail: Youth Center, Attn: Santa, 1001 Chestnut St., San Carlos, CA

Through DEC. 18: Randy's Gift Drive — StarVista. Donations accepted for holiday gifts & meals.

• Online via Star Vista, 610 Elm St., San Carlos, CA

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SAN FRANCISCO:

NOV. 20-JAN. 3: ’Tis Season for Science & Reindeer. Meet Peppermint and Cookie, the dashing reindeer duo.

• California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA

NOV.-JAN. Holiday Ice Rink 2020-21: Union Square. Canceled.

• Union Square Park, 333 Post St., San Francisco, CA

NOV. -JAN.: Holiday Ice Rink 2020-21: Embarcadero. Postponed.

• Embarcadero Plaza, San Francisco, CA

NOV.-JAN.: Conservatory Of Flowers 'Night Bloom' -Canceled.

• Golden Gate Park, 100 John F. Kennedy Drive, San Francisco, CA

NOV. 27-29: Etsy Virtual Market Hosted by the SF Etsy Street Team.

• Online via SF Etsy Shop Tiny Holiday, San Francisco, CA

DEC. 4-31: A.C.T.'s 'Christmas Carol On Air' Radio Play. Two ticket levels include family-activity kits.

• On-Demand Listening via American Conservatory Theater, San Francisco, CA

DEC. 5-6: Caltrain Annual Holiday Train & Toy Drive. Canceled.

• Caltrain station, San Francisco, CA

DEC. 12: Japanese Cultural Center's Holiday Crafts Workshop. Learn to make bread-dough ornaments & origami crane wreaths.

• Zoom via Japanese Cultural and Community Center, 1840 Sutter St., San Francisco, CA

DEC. 12: Taylor Mac’s 'Holiday Sauce…Pandemic!' - "A virtual vaudeville ... blends music, film, burlesque & random acts of fabulousness."

• Livestream via Curran, 445 Geary St., San Francisco, CA

DEC. 24: SF Gay Men’s Chorus '[At] Home For The Holidays' Concert. "Haul out the holly and don your gay apparel."

• Virtual on SFGMC TV via San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, 170 Valencia St., San Francisco, CA

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SAN JOSE:

NOV. 20-JAN. 2: Victorian Candlelight Tours: Winchester Mystery House. All-new tour is rare glimpse into alleged haunted mansion.

• Winchester Mystery House, 525 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose, CA

NOV. 27-JAN. 3: Christmas In The Park - A Drive-Thru Holiday. With whimsical displays, hundreds of decorated Christmas trees & Santa!

• History Park, 635 Phelan Ave., San Jose, CA

NOV.-JAN. 2021: Kristi Yamaguchi 'Downtown Ice' Holiday Skate Rink. Canceled.

• 120 S. Market St., San Jose, CA

DEC. 5: Makers Market in the Park - An Open Air Craft Market. Start that shopping!

• Santana Row Park, 377 Santana Row, San Jose, CA

DEC. 12: Nutcracker: Short & Sweet 2020: Hammer Theatre. "A classical holiday ballet unique to our hometown."

• Livestream via Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo De San Antonio , San Jose, CA

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SAN MATEO:

NOV.-JAN.: 'San Mateo On Ice' Holiday Skating Rink 2020-21. Canceled.

• Central Park, 50 East Fifth Ave., San Mateo, CA

NOV. 20-DEC. 19: IlluminOdyssey Holiday Wonderland. Expected to sell out, so don't delay on tickets.

• CuriOdyssey, 1651 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo, CA

NOV. 20-DEC. 22: Hillsdale Tree Lighting. Show is hosted by Santa.

• Online via Hillsdale Shopping Center, 60 31st Ave., San Mateo, CA

NOV. 28-DEC. 23: In-Person Gingerbread House Decorating Classes. Limited seating, so don't delay.

• Hillsdale Shopping Center, 60 31st Ave., San Mateo, CA

DEC. 5-6: Caltrain Annual Holiday Train & Toy Drive. Canceled.

• Caltrain station, San Mateo, CA

DEC.: Holiday 'Winter Wonderland' -Canceled.

• Central Park, 50 East 5th Ave., San Mateo, CA

DEC.: Holiday Festival of Dance. Canceled.

• San Mateo High School gym, 506 N. Delaware St., San Mateo, CA

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SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO:

DEC. 6: Holiday Wreath-Kit Fundraiser. Place orders in advance. Fundraiser for SSF Improving Public Places Committee.

• Pick-Up: Fernekes Recreation Building, 781 Tennis Drive, South San Francisco, CA

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SUNNYVALE:

DEC. 5-6: Caltrain Annual Holiday Train & Toy Drive. Canceled.

• Caltrain station, Sunnyvale, CA

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WOODSIDE:

NOV. 21-JAN. 3: Garden Lights: Holidays at Filoli. Stroll the winter garden!

• Filoli, 86 Cañada Road, Woodside, CA

DEC. 5, 12 & 19: Santa Saturdays - Holidays at Filoli. Old St. Nick will be seeing visitors in Woodland Garden Court.

• Filoli, 86 Cañada Road, Woodside, CA

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FOR ENTIRE SAN FRANCISCO REGION GUIDE: Holiday Events: Christmas, Hanukkah & Santa 2020: SF Bay Area

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