December
2009
Calendar
of Fun Things To Do - S.F. Bay Area... and beyond
Follow
us on Twitter
|

Happy Holidays!
Top
15+ Special Holiday Gift Ideas
Dec. 1 — Tree
Lighting Ceremony @ 555 California Street,
S.F. Children of Blue Bear School of Music, the San Francisco
Girls Chorus, Dick Bright Orchestra and 2 special guests
will light the Holiday Tree on the plaza in
front of 555 California Street. Live music and holiday
entertainment.
4:30-5:30pm
More Info on 555 California Street Tree Lighting Ceremony
Dec. 1-4 Teddy
Bear Tea at The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco,
Lobby Lounge, Ritz-Carlton, S.F. Bring your kids to a
Fun Teddy Bear Tea with Blinky the Elf. Enjoy
classic holiday storytelling, balloons, and a special
visit and photo with a cuddly Ritz-Carlton Teddy... a
small teddy bear to take home. Feast on hot chocolate,
assorted sandwiches and teddy bear cut-out cookies. Two
seatings daily: 10am and 1pm. Book now... Teddy
Bear Tea sells out every year. Tickets $80 ea.
Call 415-296-7465
and ask for "Teddy Bear Tea" Restaurant Reservations
The
Ritz-Carlton San Francisco
Dec. 1-30 Radio
City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular, Radio City Music
Hall, New York City, N.Y. It's well worth a
trip to New York City just to see the fabulous Radio City
Christmas Spectacular Holiday Show, starring the world-famous Rockettes. Be
sure to book well in advance; this show is very popular with
locals and tourists alike. Fun for kids too!
More
Info on Radio City Music Hall
Christmas Spectacular
Buy Radio City Music Hall
Tickets with Ticketmaster
Dec. 1-Jan.
3 — Holiday Ice Rink at Embarcadero
Center,
Justin Herman Plaza, Embarcadero Center, S.F. Celebrate
the Holiday Season at Embarcadero's fun Holiday Ice Rink.
90-minute sessions start on every even hour. Open 10am-10pm
Sun-Thurs, 10am-11:30pm Fri-Sat. 415-837-1931
More
Info on Holiday Ice Rink at Embarcadero Center
|
 |
December 2009 |
| Sun |
Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
Thu |
Fri |
Sat |
| |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
| 6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
| 13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
19 |
| 20 |
21 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
26 |
27
|
28
|
29 |
30 |
|
|
Click
here to check out
Holiday Events in the U.S.
and International locations
|
Dec. 1-Jan. 3 — Hyde
Park Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park,
London. Fun for the whole family! Winter Wonderland includes
an Ice-Skating Rink, Giant Wheel, Christmas Circus, fun rides
and attractions. Visit Santa at Santa Land and ride the Santa
Express. Enjoy shopping at the Christmas Market. Holiday foods
and ales. Free admission into Winter Wonderland — tickets
req'd for rides and attractions. 10am-10pm. Closed Christmas
Day
More
Info on Winter Wonderland Hyde Park London
Buy
Winter Wonderland Tickets with Ticketmasters UK
Dec. 1-Jan. 4 — Walt Disney
Christmas, Walt Disney Family Museum, S.F. Special Holiday
screening includes The Nutcracker Suite from Fantasia (1940), Pluto's
Christmas Tree (1952), scenes from TV Xmas specials, rarely-seen
home movies of Walt and his family. See how Walt celebrated Christmas
at the Studio, at Disneyland, and at home.
415-345-6800
More
Info on Walt Disney Christmas
Dec. 1-Jan. 18 — Holiday
Ice Rink at Union Square, S.F. Skate into the Holidays!
Celebrate the festive holiday season at Union Square's FUN Holiday
Ice Rink. 90-minute sessions start on every half hour. Open 10am-10pm
Sun-Thurs, 10am-11:30pm Fri-Sat. Note: Closes at 9:30pm on Dec
31 (New Year's Eve). 415-781-2688
More
Info on Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square
Dec. 1-end Jan. — Star
Trek Exhibit, Tech Museum, San Jose. Calling all Trekkies!
Limited engagement — First and Only Bay Area appearance.
The Star Trek Exhibit is the world's most comprehensive collection
of authentic Star Trek objects, featuring over 200 artifacts...
from all five Star Trek television series and 11 films
that span over 40 years. If you're a Star Trek fan,
you won't want to miss this exciting exhibit. 408-294-TECH (8324)
More
Info on Star Trek Exhibit at Tech Museum
Star
Trek: The Exhibition web site
Dec. 2 — Foster City Tree
Lighting Ceremony, Foster City Recreation Center Lagoon
Patio. Enjoy light refreshments, festive holiday music and more.
A special "holiday visitor" will be in attendance.
Tree lighting begins at 6pm. In the spirit of giving, please
bring a canned good or non-perishable item to donate to the Shelter
Network, helping families in need. Free Admission. 6-7:30pm.
650-286-3380
More
Info on Foster City Tree Lighting Ceremony
Dec. 2 Rockefeller Center Christmas
Tree Lighting, Rockefeller Center,
New York. The
annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony signals the beginning
of the holiday season in New York. Tree Lighting takes place the Wednesday after
Thanksgiving. The Tree Lighting Ceremony will be a star-studded event broadcast
live on TV (check local listings).
212-632-3975 / 212-332-6868
More Info
on Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
Dec. 2-31 — Beach Blanket
Babylon Holiday Shows
Buy
Your "Beach Blanket Babylon" Holiday Tickets Now
- A FUN Holiday Gift
Club Fugazi, 678 Beach Blanket Babylon Blvd., S.F.
This "only in San Francisco" show is spectacular. Group Tickets
415-421-6788. Info:
415-421-4222
More Info on Beach
Blanket Babylon
Beach Blanket Babylon
Holiday Schedule
Dec. 3 — London's Trafalgar
Square Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, London, U.K.
Come out to see London's famous Tree Lighting Ceremony in Trafalgar
Square on Thurs
Dec 3. Carol singing daily Dec 7-20th
- Fun Night Out!
Fun Things To Do in London
Dec-Mar 28, 2010 — "Tutankhamun
and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs",
de Young Museum, Golden Gate Park, S.F. Don't miss this historic
exhibit — FUN
for the whole family. Weekends are expected to sell out!
More Info on "Tutankhamun" Exhibit
at the de Young Museum
Dec. 3-6, 10-13, 17-24 — Santa Claus at Jelly Belly,
Jelly Belly Candy Company, One Jelly Belly Lane, Fairfield. Come
and visit Santa at the Jelly Belly Visitor Center in Fairfield.
Bring your own camera, or get a professional photo with Santa.
707-399-2266.
More
Info on Santa Claus at Jelly Belly
Dec. 3, 10, 17 Nightlife
at the Academy, California Academy
of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, S.F. This is the last month to
enjoy "Nightlife at the Academy." Mingle, explore
the museum at night, interact with scientists and other experts,
enjoy DJ music and no-host bar. This makes a FUN night out! 6-10pm.
Adults ages 21 and over. The Museum
is closed on Thanksgiving Day.
More
Info on Nightlife
at the
California Academy of Sciences
Skip
the Line: California Academy of Sciences General Admission Ticket
Skip
the Line: California Academy of Sciences "Behind the Scenes
Platinum Tour"
Dec. 3-27 "A Christmas
Carol",
A.C.T. Geary Theater, 415 Geary at Mason, S.F. Don't miss this
classic A.C.T. Dickens show featuring Ebenezer Scrooge,
Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, and the Ghosts of Christmases
Past, Present, and Future. Fun for the whole family!
Buy "A Christmas Carol" Tickets
Now

Dec. 3-31 Holiday Concerts
at Davies Symphony Hall, S.F. Celebrate the Holiday Season — treat
yourself to a Festive Holiday Concert at Davies Symphony Hall.
Fun for the whole family!
415-864-6000
More Info on Fun
Holiday Concerts at San
Francisco Symphony
Dec. 4 — NASCAR Awards
in Vegas,
Wynn Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas. Las Vegas becomes the official
host city of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week.
The Cup Series event has been held in New York City every year
since
1981.
More
Info on Nascar Awards in Las Vegas
Top 20+ Fun Things
To Do in Las Vegas
Dec. 4 — Los Altos Tree
Lighting Ceremony, Downtown Los
Altos. See the Holiday Season in with the annual Tree Lighting
Ceremony in Los Altos. 650-949-5282
More
Info on Los Altos Tree Lighting Ceremony
Dec. 4 — Jack London Square
Lights Up the Holidays, Jack London Square, Oakland waterfront. Celebrate the
Holiday Season along Oakland's waterfront — Jack London Square
Lights Up the Holidays. Fun activities include the Oakland Children's
Holiday Parade floats and costume characters. Holiday Lights at
6pm. Festive holiday music performed by the Oakland Symphony Orchestra. 5:30-7:30pm
More Info
on Jack London Square Lights Up the Holidays
Dec. 4 — "A Storybook
Holiday Festival" in Tiburon,
Main street (by fountain) to the end of historic Ark Row, Tiburon. Evening
festivities include: Classic Holiday Carolers, Costumed Characters,
Gingerbread House Making, Holiday Treats, Fun Face-Painting,
Winterland Photo Shop for the kids... and more! 5:30pm
More
Info on A Storybook Holiday Festival in Tiburon
Dec. 4-6 — Sausalito Artists'
Winter Open Studios,
ICB (Industrial Center Building), 480 Gate Five Road, Sausalito.
Visit Sausalito's Artists' Winter Open Studios this Holiday Season — Sausalito's
largest art source for eclectic art works. A Sausalito tradition
for
40+ years,
the studios feature 80+ painters, sculptors, and craftspeople
— find exceptional works of art, unique crafts and special
gifts for the Holidays. 11am-6pm. 415-332-0730
More Info on Sausalito Artists Open Studios
Dec. 4-20 The
Great Dickens Christmas Fair,
Cow Palace, South S.F. Five Weekends (including the Friday
after Thanksgiving) of Holiday Fun featuring lively and colorful
characters from Dickens' London. Entertainment includes
continuous performances on five stages and in the streets.
And for the kids — Punch & Judy Puppet Shows, Victorian
Fairies, Father Christmas, Interactive Theatrical Performances,
Games and Holiday activities, and Victorian Arts & Crafts.
International foods and English specialties like Fish & Chips
and English Bangers. British Ales, wine and champagne too.
Adults: $22, Senior/Student/Military (photo ID req'd $19,
Child (5-11) $10. Parking $10 per car. Discount for Advance
Tickets. No pets allowed. 11am-7pm.
800-510-1558
More Info on The Great Dickens
Christmas Fair
Dec. 4-27 — Smuin
Ballet's "Christmas Ballet Holiday Program 2009" at
various Bay Area locations (San Francisco, Mountain View,
Walnut
Creek and Carmel). Bring your family or treat yourself
and friends to this FUN Magical performance
and celebrate Smuin Ballet's Holiday Season.
415-495-2234
More
Info on Smuin Ballet's "Christmas Ballet Holiday Program
2009"
Dec. 5 — Lighted Yacht Parade, Jack
London Square, Oakland waterfront. Come and see the magical Lighted
Yacht Parade as it sails through the Oakland/Alameda estuary. 5:30-9pm.
Special performance by the Oakland Symphony Orchestra begins at
5:30pm.
More Info
on Lighted Yacht Parade
Click to buy StubHub Gift Certificates!
(they can be used for Concerts, Sports & Theatre Tickets)

Top
15+ Special Holiday Gift Ideas
Dec. 5 "Cirque
de la Symphonie" at Davies Symphony Hall, S.F. Treat
your whole family to the festive Cirque de la Symphonie at Davies
Symphony Hall. The magical show features the incredible San Francisco
Symphony and Cirque de la Symphony (with highflying aerialists,
jugglers and more). Tickets $15-65. Half price for ages 17 and
under.
More
Info on Cirque de la Symphonie — San Francisco Symphony
Dec 5 — Union
Street "Fantasy of Lights" Celebration, Union
Street, S.F. Join in the month-long celebration of events this
season on Union Street bet Van Ness & Steiner, Fillmore Street
from Union to Lombard. Holiday Celebration 3-6pm.
See Santa and the Snow Queen, carolers, jugglers, face-painters and fun entertainers.
Snow Queen Children's Parade at 4:30pm.
Kids can visit with Santa at Cudworth Mansion (2040 Union) and have their picture
taken for free (from 5-7pm). 800-310-6563
More
Info on Union Street "Fantasy of Lights" Ceremony
Dec. 5 — Lighted
Boat Parade at Santa Cruz Harbor, Santa Cruz. Lighted
Boat Parade features 50 beautifully-decorated power and sailboats
parading through the Santa Cruz Harbor. Charter boats available.
Fun family event. Hot drinks and snacks available at various
locations through the south harbor. Boat parade sponsored by
the Santa Cruz Yacht Club — and includes a canned food
drive benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank. 5:30pm rain or shine.
More
Info on Lighted Boat Parade at Santa Cruz Harbor
Dec. 5 — Holiday
Lighting Ceremony San Anselmo,
Lawn at Town Hall, downtown San Anselmo. Santa arrives at 5pm in
a fire truck. Free pictures with Santa. Complimentary refreshments,
treats
and holiday entertainment. Fun for the whole family! 5-7pm 415-454-2510
Holiday Lighting Ceremony San Anselmo
Dec. 5 10th
Annual San Jose Inflation Celebration, San Jose. Get a
sneak preview of The San Jose Holiday Parade at the 10th Annual
Inflation Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 5th 3-7pm. Spectacular
floats arrive on the eve of the parade right outside the Tech
Museum of Innovation on Market Street and Park Avenue. The night
features giant helium balloons, dazzling floats, children's activities,
fun giveaways, live entertainment... and more!
More Info
on San Jose Inflation Celebration on the eve of the Holiday Parade
Dec. 5 — Napa
B&B Tour & Taste Event, Napa. Tour Napa B&Bs — each
inn will host a wine reception, featuring a Napa Valley winery.
Live entertainment and limo transportation will be provided.
2-6pm.
More
Info on Napa B&B Tour & Taste
Dec. 5-6 — Caltrain
Holiday Train & Toys for Tots,
SF, Peninsula and South Bay stops. Decorated with more than 40,000
lights, the Caltrain Holiday Train will visit 9 stations along
the peninsula,
between
San
Francisco and Santa Clara. Free family-oriented event draws thousands
of visitors to train stations
every year.
Sing
along
to live
holiday
music.
Meet Santa
and Mrs. Claus... and other holiday favorites, including Rudolph
and Frosty. 800-660-4287
More Info on Caltrain Holiday Train
Dec. 5-6 "Deco
the Halls" Art Deco and Modernism Holiday Sale,
Concourse Exhibition Center, 8th & Brannan Street, S.F.
1900-1980 Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Vintage
Western, Mid-Century Modern furniture, accessories, art, pottery,
books, jewelry, vintage clothing, collectibles. General Admission:
$10, Deco Society Members & Seniors $8. Sat 10am-6pm, Sun
11am-5pm. Vintage Fashion Show Saturday at 2pm. Swing Dance
Performance on Sunday at 2:30-pm. Architectural Walking Tours
Sat & Sun at 11am.
More Info
on "Deco the Halls" Holiday Sale
Dec 5-6 — 31st Annual Celebration
of Craftswomen, Herbst Pavilion at Fort Mason Center, S.F. "Celebration
of Craftswomen" is the nation's largest women's crafts fair.
This fun two-weekend event features decorative ceramics and glass, sculpted
wood
and metals, jewelry, clothing, household furniture and accessories, fine
art sculpture, photography, paintings and children's toys. Live entertainment,
gourmet food and drink, Silent Auction and Raffle. 10am-5pm.
415-431-1180
More Info
on the Celebration of Craftswomen
Dec. 5-6, 11-13, 18-21 — Santa Cruz
Holiday Lights Train,
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz. Sing along to Holiday Carols and sip
cider as you enjoy a 60-minute round-trip ride on a vintage train adorned
with
twinkling
lights
through
the streets of Santa
Cruz. Enjoy
live
entertainment and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Have fun at Santa's
Kingdom (at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk) — one fun activity
(Holiday miniature golf, laser tag or arcade games) is included in the Holiday
Lights Train Ticket price. Advance reservations recommended. Trains depart
and return in front of Neptune's Kingdom at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.
More Info on Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train
Dec. 5-6, 12-13, 19-20 — Holidays
at Dunsmuir Historic Estate, Oakland. Spectacular Decorations, scheduled
Mansion Visit, Holiday Teas, Costumed Carolers, and more! Saturday & Sunday
11am-5pm. Advance reservations recommended. 925-275-9490
More
Info on Holidays at Dunsmuir Historic Estate
Dec. 5-6, 12-13- 19-23 Gingerbread
Architectural Extravaganza — Bay Area Discovery Museum, Fort
Baker, Sausalito. 11am, noon and 1pm.
More
Info on Gingerbread Architectural Extravaganza at Bay Area Discovery
Museum
Dec. 6 San Jose Holiday
Parade, San Jose. The San Jose Holiday Parade is considered one
of the "Top 25" Parades in America. It's the largest parade of
its kind in Northern California, and one of the largest in California.
Come and
see Giant Helium Balloons, over two dozen Marching Bands, Creative Floats,
Clowns, Santa Claus...and more. Parade begins at 8:30am (televised live
on NBC at 9am). Parade route: Santa Clara Street and Delmas Avenue (near
the
HP Pavilion), proceeding east on Santa Clara Street, turning right on Market
Street, marching south past Plaza De Cesar Chavez Park and ending at San
Carlos Street. 408-794-6200
More
Info on San Jose Holiday Parade
Dec. 6 San Jose ParadeFest
@ Christmas in the Park, San Jose. ParadeFest @ Christmas in the Park
(at Plaza De Cesar Chavez) immediately follows the San Jose Holiday Parade.
The ParadeFest features fun activities, special guests, awards ceremonies,
free giveaways, live entertainment... and more! Don't miss this fun family
event. 11-7pm. 408-794-6200
More Info on San
Jose ParadeFest @ Christmas in the Park
Dec. 6 "Deck The
Hall" Children's Holiday Party & Concert at Davies Symphony Hall,
S.F. Treat your children to this festive Holiday Party featuring a magical
presentation onstage at Davies Symphony Hall. Recommended for ages 3-10.
Morning Party: 11am. Afternoon Party 3pm. Tickets: $15-65. 415-864- 6000.
Angel packages available @ 415-503-5500.
More
Info on "Deck The Hall" at San Francisco Symphony
Dec. 6 Antiques by the
Bay "Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles Faire", at
the former Alameda Point Naval Air Station, Alameda. Northern California's
largest antiques and collectibles show is a must-see for antique and collectible
lovers. $15: 6-7:30am $15 (vendors set up at 4am); $10: 7:30-9am; $5: 9am-3pm.
Free admission for children 16 and under.
More
Info on Antiques by the Bay
Dec. 6 & 13 — 2nd Annual Santa
and Friends, Great Hall, San Francisco Zoo, S.F. Join in the fun "Santa
and Friends" at SF Zoo. Enjoy brunch, Santa, ornament-making, gingerbread
cookies, holiday stories... and more! 11am-1pm. 415-753-7236
More Info on
Santa and Friends at SF Zoo
Dec. 6, 13, 17-23 Christmas Train,
Sacramento RiverTrain, Sacramento, CA. The Christmas
Train is a special treat for children of all ages. Your Christmas
journey includes Santa, Elves, Storytellers, Musicians, plus
hot cocoa and cookies. You can even wear your pajamas! Tickets
sell out fast, so be sure to book well in advance. Tickets: Adult
$31, Child $24. 800-866-1690
More
Info on Christmas Train
Dec. 8-27 San Francisco Ballet "Nutcracker",
War Memorial Opera House, Van Ness at Grove, S.F. This timeless
tale is a San Francisco holiday tradition and fun for the entire
family. Captivating music, dance and costumes (over 170 storybook
characters). 415-865-2000
Buy
Hard-to-Find San Francisco Ballet "Nutcracker" Tickets 
More Info on San Francisco
Ballet "Nutcracker"
Dec. 12 — 2nd
Annual Pet Parade, Cannery Row,
Monterey. Pet Parade starts at 11am.
More
Info on 2nd Annual Pet Parade in Cannery Row, Monterey
Dec. 11-19 "Happy
Chanukah"
Chanukah begins at sundown on Friday,
Dec 11th. Menorah
lighting ceremony takes place in Union
Square, S.F. late Friday afternoon. 416-668-6178
More Info on
Menorah Lighting in Union Square
More Info on Chanukah
Dec. 12-13 — Holiday
Kwanzaa & Christmas Gift Show,
Oakland Marriott Convention Center, 10th & Broadway, Downtown
Oakland. Holiday Gift Shopping from 100 exhibitors. Top Bay Area
performers. Sat & Sun 11am-8pm. 510-534-1594
More
Info on Holiday Kwanzaa & Christmas Gift Show
Dec. 12-13, 19-20 — Brunch
with Santa at Jelly Belly, Jelly Belly
Candy Company, One Jelly Belly Lane, Fairfield. Join Santa
and Mrs. Claus for a yummy brunch 10:30am-12 noon. See Frosty,
Rudolph and Mr. Jelly Belly too. FUN Family entertainment and
photo ops! Advance ticket sales required; spaces are limited.
Tickets offered exclusively through JellyBelly.com. Children
aged 3 and under are free. 707-399-2266
More
on Brunch with Santa at Jelly Belly
Dec. 13 "Peter and
the Wolf" at Davies Symphony Hall, S.F. Delight your
children with this charming Holiday Concert. Christmas carols
and a traditional sing-along make this perfect for music lovers
of all ages. Show times: 1pm and 4pm. Tickets $15-57. Half price
for ages 17 and under. 415-864-6000
More Info on "Peter
and the Wolf" —San Francisco Symphony
Dec. 13 "Holiday
Pipe Dreams" at
Davies Symphony Hall, S.F. Soprano Lisa Vroman and
a quintet of San Francisco Symphony brass musicians join organist
David Higgs for this year's "Holiday Pipe Dreams"
Concert, showcasing Davies Symphony
Hall's magnificent 8,264-pipe Ruffatti organ. Enjoy
a mix of holiday music and classical
organ works. Show starts at 7pm. Tickets
$15-65. Half price for ages 17 and under. 415-864-6000
More
Info on "Holiday Pipe Dreams" — San
Francisco Symphony
Dec. 14-16 "Colors
of Christmas" at Davies Symphony Hall, S.F. Enjoy
some of the greatest Christmas music and the most memorable pop
hits ever. Shows start at 8pm. Tickets $15-85. 415-864-6000
More
Info on "Colors of Christmas" — San
Francisco Symphony
Dec. 14-16, 19-24"Santa
Express Train" — Napa Valley Wine Train, downtown
Napa Valley. Fun Holiday Train ride for the whole family. Sing
Carols with Santa and his elves along the route. Wine Train is
located in Downtown Napa, just off Soscol and First Streets.
800-427-4124 or 707-253-2111
More Info on "Santa
Express Train" — Napa Valley Wine Train
Dec. 17-19 "Choral
Christmas Spectacular " at Davies Symphony Hall,
S.F. Dec 17 and 18 shows begin at 8pm, Dec 19 matinee at 2pm.
Tickets $29-65. Half price for ages 17 and under. 415-864-6000
More
Info on "Choral Christmas Spectacular" — San
Francisco Symphony
Dec. 17-19 "A Creole
Christmas" with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band at Davies
Symphony Hall, S.F. Celebrate a Creole Christmas with
the FUN Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Show begins at 9pm. Tickets
$15-65. Half price for ages 17 and under. 415-864-6000
More
Info on "A Creole Christmas" Preservation
Hall Jazz Band — San Francisco Symphony
Dec. 19-Apr. 18 — "Cartier
and America" at Legion of Honor, Lincoln Park, S.F. The
exclusive "Cartier and America" exhibit covers
the
history
of the House of Cartier, featuring a spectacular
array of more than 200 objects, including jewelry of
the Gilded Age and
Art Deco
periods. 415-750-3600
More Info on Cartier and America at Legion of Honor
Dec. 21 Winter Solstice
at Stonehenge, Stonehenge, Wiltshire, U.K. Stonehenge
draws millions of visitors from around the world, especially
during the Summer
and Winter Solstices — the
shortest and the longest days
of the year — when the sun rises in perfect alignment to the circle of
stones.
More Info on Winter Solstice
at Stonehenge
Dec. TBD — "Santa's
Sweets" Holiday Treat (Smuin Ballet),
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, S.F. Bring your family to "Santa's
Sweets" — a FUN reception for kids and adults alike.
Don't forget your camera for pictures with Santa and the dancers. 415-495-2234
More
Info on Santa's Sweets at Yerba Buena Center
Dec.-Ongoing — "The
Best of Broadway" San Francisco 2009-2010 Season,
Curran, Golden Gate and Orpheum Theaters, S.F. Get into the Holiday
Spirit — treat
yourself to a Fun Broadway Show in San Francisco.
More Info on The
Best of Broadway Shows
Dec. 21 "Home
for the Holidays" with
New Orleans Jazz Orchestra and Irvin Mayfield at Davies Symphony
Hall,
S.F. Celebrate the Holidays with big-band New Orleans-style
jazz. Grammy-nominated
artist Irvin Mayfield leads this amazing 16-piece ensemble.
415-864-6000
More Info
on "Home for the Holidays" at San
Francisco Symphony
Dec. 24 Track
Santa's Sleigh & Reindeer on Xmas Eve, North American
Air Defense Command (NORAD). This time of year brings a lot of
activity to the North Pole region. Log onto the Annual NORAD
Tracks Santa web site to track Santa's Sleigh and Reindeer from
4pm on Christmas Eve via radar. Fun for adults and kids alike!
More Info on NORAD Tracks Santa
Dec.
25 Merry
Christmas!
FUN Christmas Tip - Don't forget to visit
the local neighborhoods that go all-out to decorate their
homes/streets with
Christmas Lights. Check your local papers or Search for them on
the Internet.
In the SF Bay Area, look in the following areas:
- Alameda: Thompson Avenue (3200 block)
- Palo Alto: Fulton Street (1700 and 1800 blocks)
- San Carlos: Eucalyptus Avenue (1900 block)
- San Mateo: Kenwood Avenue (Smaller Displays)
Dec. 26 Emerald
Bowl 2009,
AT&T Park, S.F. Get tickets to see the country's top college
football teams — it's the only post-season game matching
teams from the Pacific-10 Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference.
The sell-out game is also one of the highest rated bowl games
on TV. Emerald Bowl takes place at
5pm
PST. 415-947-2695
More Info on Emerald Bowl 2009
Dec. 26 Annual
Kwansaa Celebration — Bay Area Discovery Museum,
Fort Baker, Sausalito. Fun event 10am-5pm. Free museum admission
and performances. The African Roots of Jazz 11am and
1pm.
More
Info on Annual Kwanzaa Celebration at Bay Area Discovery Museum
Dec. 31 New
Years
Eve Masquerade Ball with San Francisco Symphony, Davies
Symphony Hall, S.F. The San Francisco Symphony's New Year's
Eve Masquerade Ball features Bramwell
Tomey, guest conductor of the famed Hollywood Bowl; popular
tenor Alfie Bow, playing selections from Viennese operettas
and 15-year old violin prodigy Chad Hoopes. Pre-concert
entertainment, fun party favors, complimentary champagne, savories,
and desserts following the concert. Dance
the night away on stage with the Peter Minton Orchestra — and Tainted
Love on the First Tier. Tickets
$80-195. 415-864-6000.
More Info
on "New
Year's Eve Masquerade Ball" at San Francisco Symphony
Dec. 31 "Romp
with the Beasts!" New Year's Eve at Safari West, Santa
Rosa. Go wild this New Year's at Safari West's Annual "Romp
with the Beasts!" Indulge in a Gourmet Dinner and Dancing
in the company of exotic animals. The fun starts at 6:30 pm.
Leave after midnight strikes or enjoy all the creature comforts
and spend the night
in a luxury safari tent. $100 per person for Dinner/Dance. Reservations
required. 3115 Porter Creek Road Santa Rosa.
707-579-2551 or 800-616-2695
More
Info on "Romp with the Beasts" New Year's Eve at
Safari West
Read about our Safari West adventures and see fun animal pics
Dec. 31 "Glitter
Ball"
New Year's Eve Party at Domain Chandon, étoile
Restaurant, Domaine Chandon, Yountville, Napa Valley. Dinner seating
7pm–8:30pm — five-course tasting menu paired with
Chandon wines. Lounge Party 9pm-1am features a live band, DJ
and dancing. "Glittery" attire suggested. Formal portrait, party
favors and midnight toast. Dinner/Party
Tickets: $200 per person (plus tax & gratuity). Lounge Party
Tickets only: $75.
800-736-2892
More
Info on "Glitter Ball" New Year's Eve Party at
Domaine Chandon
Dec. 31 New Years
Eve Celebration & Ball Drop in Times Square,
New York City, NY. What a great place to celebrate
and ring in the New Year. Expect HUGE crowds and plan to have
FUN!
212-768-1560
More Info on New Year's Eve Celebration & Ball
Drop in Times Square, NY
Dec. 31 New Year's Eve Express,
Sacramento RiverTrain, Sacramento, CA.
New Years Celebrate the New Year in style. Tickets
include dinner, champagne toast, roses for the ladies, coffee &
soda, private tables, live music and party favors. Tickets:
$100. The fun starts at
8:30pm.
800-866-1690
More
Info on New Year's Eve Express
Thru' Feb. Monarch Butterflies at
Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary, Pacific Grove on Monterey
Peninsula. If you like butterflies, don't miss a visit to the outdoor
Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary — see thousands of beautiful
butterflies clustered on pine, eucalyptus, cypress and redwood
trees. The Monarch Butterflies arrive at the Sanctuary in October,
where they overwinter until late February, before joining in the
spring migration. The Sanctuary is located just minutes from Cannery
Row in downtown Monterey. Fun for kids and big kids too!
More
Info and Pics of Monarch Butterflies and Monarch Grove Butterfly
Sanctuary
Top
of Page
Back to What's New
page
January
Calendar of Fun Events— Coming Soon!
We recommend calling ahead to confirm all dates,
times and locations. Every care is taken to ensure that all information
in Love to Eat and Travel is accurate and up-to-date; however,
information is subject to change.