Make This a Memorable Christmas Your Child Won't Forget
Buy your child a personalized letter from Santa
Class himself! It's personalized in five places complete with your child's name,
his/her best friend's name, a parent's name, name of their home city and child's
age.
November 9 -
December 31 White Christmas Description: Delight in this holiday production of this
Christmas classic. Location: Orpheum Theater, 1192 Market St. Time: Varies Cost: $40 - $85
November 9 - January 1, 2006 Kristi Yamaguchi
Holiday Ice Skating Rink Description: Enjoy downtown San Francisco's outdoor
holiday skating rink. Lessons are
available. Location: Justin Herman Plaza, Embarcadero Center Time: 10am - 1130pm Cost: $3.50 - $7.50. Skate rental is $3.50.
November 11 - 13
Holiday Craft Faire Description: Enjoy hundreds of vendors with unique,
handcrafted items, ideal for holiday gifts. Location: Antioch Fairgrounds, 1201 West Tenth St., Antioch Time: 10am - 4pm Cost: $10
November 15 Holiday Tree
Lighting Ceremony Description: Hear music by the Children's Musical Theatre of
San Jose, the San Jose Garden Chorus, and the Fremont High School
Marching Band. Enjoy holiday activities for kids and join the city
of San Jose for its annual tree lighting. Location: Santana Row, 400 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose Time: 5pm - 9pm Cost: FREE
November 19 Celebration
of Craftswomen Description: Enjoy this 27th annual holiday fine crafts fair,
the nation's largest such event. Included are over 300 vendors with
contemporary and traditional handcrafted items for sale. Live music,
a gourmet food court, and a children's arts and crafts area
completes the event. Location: Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Time: 10am - 5pm Cost: $6 - $8
November 20 Holiday Harmony Description: A day and night of holiday fun for the whole
family, this festival features live entertainment, treats, and a
countdown to the illumination of the 65-foot tree. Location: Pier 39, Beach St. and the Embarcadero Time: 10am - 6pm Cost: FREE
November 20 Embarcadero Center Lighting
Ceremony Description: Help ring in the holiday season with the people
of San Francisco. Festivities include live entertainment,
ice-skating, and food. At 6pm, the thousands of holiday lights on
the Embarcadero's office buildings will be illuminated. Location: One Embarcadero Center Time: 5pm Cost: FREE
November 24 - January 1, 2006 Reindeer Romp at the Zoo Description: Visit the live reindeer during this month-long event.
Visitors will see four full-grown reindeer all decked out in their holiday
harnesses and finery. Location: San Francisco Zoo Time: 10am - 5pm Cost: Adults $8, Seniors/Kids 12-17 $4.50, Kids 3-11 $2.50, Kids under 3 FREE
November 25 San Francisco Symphony and Chorus Description: Hear the Grammy-winning Symphony perform Handel's Messiah Location: Flint Center, Cupertino Time: 730pm Cost: $38 - $51
November 25 Tree Lighting Description: Join the residents of Oakland for the annual tree lighting
as well as shop for arts and crafts, visit Santa, and sing holiday carols with
tenor, Christopher Pucci. Location: Jack London Square, Embarcadero and Broadway, Oakland Time: 1pm - 7pm (Tree lighting is at 615pm.) Cost: FREE
November 25 Annual Tree Lighting at
Ghirardelli Square Description Enjoy live entertainment for the whole family, featuring the
cast of "The Tribute to Frank, Sammy, Joey, and Dean." The highlight of the
evening is the lighting of the Ghirardelli Square tree at 530pm. Location: Ghirardelli Square Time: 1pm - 6pm Cost: FREE
November 25 - 27 Spirit of Christmas Crafts Faire Description: This holiday show features more than 200 artists with
children's entertainment, festive Christmas characters, a Santa's workshop, and,
of course, a visit from Santa. Location: Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa Time: Friday: 12n - 9pm, Saturday and Sunday: 10am - 6pm Cost: Friday $2, Saturday and Sunday: $4
November 25 - December 23
Christmas Fantasy in the Woods Description: Enjoy this outdoor holiday display with rides, refreshments,
and gifts. Location: Tilden Park Merry Go Round, Central Park and Lake Anza Drs.,
Berkeley Time: 530pm - 830pm Cost: FREE (Merry Go Round rides are $1.)
November 26 Fantasy of Lights Description: See the lovely houses of Union Street decorated for the
holidays. There's a parade with holiday characters, live music, and other
entertainers following the lighting ceremony. Location: Union Street, between Steiner and Gough Sts. Time: 530pm Cost: FREE
November 26 - December 18 The Great Dickens Christmas Fair Description: Wander the streets of Victorian London. Listen to the merry
carolers. Sip a hot toddy or pint at Mad Sal's Dockside Ale House. Enjoy live
entertainment on four stages, and rest a spell at Cuthbert's Tea House. It's all
here, and more, at The Great Dickens Christmas Fair. Location: Cow Palace Time: 11am - 7pm Cost: Adults $20, Seniors/Students/Military $17, Kids 5-11 $8
November 26 - December 22 Gingerbread Architecture Extravaganza Description: Build the most delightful gingerbread house, garnished with
candy canes, marshmallows, gumdrops, and other treats. Location: Bay Area Discovery Museum Time: 11am, 12n, 1pm Cost: $15 per gingerbread house
November 26 - December 24 A Christmas Carol Description: Enjoy the Dickens holiday favorite. Location: Geary Theater, 415 Geary St. Time: Varies Cost: $18 - $80
November 26 - January 1, 2006 Zoolights Description: Visit the zoo, decked out in its holiday splendor. Location: Oakland Zoo Time: 10am - 4pm Cost: Adults $7.50, Seniors/Kids $4.50
November 27 Holiday Carousel Lighting Celebration Description: Enjoy an evening of holiday decorations, carousel rides,
tasty treats, and live entertainment. Location: Yerba Buena Gardens Time: 5pm - 6pm Cost: FREE
November 27 German Christmas Market Description: Enjoy traditional holiday food, crafts, music,
and entertainment from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Location: Hermann Sons Hall, 860 Western Ave., Petaluma Time: 10am - 4pm Cost: Varies
December 1 The Cannery's Very Beary Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Description: Join the Cannery as they celebrate the holidays
with the lighting of their special Christmas tree. Enjoy roasted
chestnuts, Dickens carolers, and hot apple cider. Location: The Cannery, 2801 Leavenworth St. Time: 5pm - 7pm Cost: FREE
December 1 - 31 Holidays at the
Exploratorium Description: Enjoy the holiday light show at the
Exploratorium. Location: The Exploratorium, Palace of Fine Arts, 3601 Lyon
St. Time: 10am - 5pm Cost: $8 - $16
December 2 - 3 Trans-Siberian
Orchestra Description: Hear these popular holiday rockers perform
Christmas classics with a modern twist. Location: HP Pavilion, San Jose Time: 8pm Cost: $35.50 - $50.50
December 3 Holiday Feast at the Hearst Castle Description: Celebrate the holidays at the Hearst Castle with
a gourmet meal, surrounded by the holiday splendor of the castle. Location: Hearst Castle Time: 7pm Cost: Varies
December 3 Elves and Shoemakers Description: See this delightful holiday children's story performed. Location: Montalvo Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Time: 10am, 1230pm, 3pm Cost: $16
December 3 - 4 Nutcracker Description: Enjoy the holiday classic performed by the Stapleton Ballet. Location: Marin Veteran's Memorial Auditorium, San Rafael Time: 1pm, 5pm Cost: $25
December 3 - 4 Holidays in the Vineyards Description:This holiday open house, with special crafts, gifts, wines,
music, and more. Location: Wente Vineyards, Livermore Time: 12n - 5pm Cost: FREE
December 4 Holiday Special Description: This afternoon musical and tea series performed by the
Oakland Lyric Opera. Location: Chapel of the Chimes, Oakland Time: 2pm Cost: Varies
December 6 - 7 Rockapella Holiday Show Description: Delight in this vibrant musical holiday show. Location: Montalvo Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Time: 730pm Cost: $32 - $37
December 7 Christmas Celebration Description: Hear the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir perform holiday
favorites. Location: City Center, 12th St. and City Center, Oakland Time: 12n - 1pm Cost: Varies
December 8 Mozart's Messiah Description: Hear the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra perform Mozart's
Messiah, in English. Location: Herbst Theater, 401 Van Ness Time: Varies Cost: $28 - $62
December 9 Old First Concert Series Description: Enjoy the holiday guitar concert.
Location: Old First Church, 1725 Sacramento Time: 8pm Cost: $12 - $15
December 9 - 24 Smuin Christmas Ballet
Description: Enjoy this collection of holiday favorite
dances, combining the classical with the modern and whimsical.
Location: YBCA Theater, 700 Howard St, at Third
Time: Varies Cost: Varies
December 10 Messiah Sing-a-long Description: Participate in this moving and beautiful
holiday classic, performed by the Oakland East Bay Symphony. Location: Paramount Theatre, Oakland Time: 8pm Cost: $15 - $28
December 10 Holiday Home Tour Description: Tour six lovely Alameda homes, all decorated
for the holidays. Location: Downtown Alameda Time: 930am - 430pm Cost: $25 - $30
December 10 - 11 The Nutcracker Description: See the Marin Ballet Company perform the
perennial holiday classic. Location: Marin Veteran's Memorial Auditorium, San Rafael Time: 1pm, 5pm Cost: $31
December 11 Santa Claus Express Description: Enjoy the Wine Train between Yountville and
Napa in the scenic Napa Valley wine country with Santa Claus and
his elves. There's caroling onboard and a Wine Train coloring
book for every child. Location: Napa Valley Wine Train, 1275 McKinstry St.,
Napa Time: 8am, 4pm Cost: Adults $20, Two children under 13 may ride FREE with
each paid adult
December 14 Kwanzaa Celebration Description: Hear the West African Highlife Band play
holiday selections. Location: City Center, 12th St. and City Center, Oakland Time: 12n - 1pm Cost: Varies
December 16 - 17 Choral Christmas Spectacular Description: Enjoy the Grammy-winning San Francisco
Symphony and Chorus for a concert of glorious holiday works. Location: Davies Hall Time: 8pm Cost: $15 - $65
December 17 - 21 Nutcracker Description: This timeless classic by Tchaikovsky,
performed by the Oakland Ballet. Location: Paramount Theatre, Oakland Time: Varies Cost: $12.50
December 18
Choral
Christmas Spectacular
Description: The Grammy-winning San Francisco Symphony
and Chorus perform glorious holiday works. Location: Flint Center, Cupertino Time: 2pm Cost: $29 - $55
December 21 Chanukah Celebration
Description: Celebrate the Holiday of Lights with songs,
treats, and other festivities. Location: City Center, 12th and City Center, Oakland
Time: 12n - 1pm Cost: FREE
Through February 19, 2006 The Long Christmas Ride Home Description: This exciting new work by Pulitzer-Prize winning
author, Paula Vogel. The play tells, with live actors and Bunraku
puppets, how a single act of violence shatters the lives of three
siblings…but also unites them. Location: Magic Theatre, Fort Mason Center Time: Varies Cost: Varies