San Francisco Holiday Events

Geary Street at Stockton Street, San Francisco, CA 94108 (map)

Strap on your skates and hit the ice at Union Square's annual holiday rink. With the big tree overhead, festively decorated stores on every side and holiday music piped in, it's easy to forget that you're still in California.

201 Van Ness St., San Francisco, CA 94102 (map)

Each weekend in December, the Symphony offers a different musical holiday tradition: "Peter and the Wolf" for kids (Dec.10-11), contemporary Christmas music (Dec. 22-24) and, of course, Handel's "Messiah" (Dec. 16-18).

5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA 94111 (map)

While most of us in San Francisco are glad to avoid the powdery white stuff, non-natives miss the snow this time of year. Get in on some fake snowfall action at the Hyatt, which offers a shower at 1pm, 5pm and 7pm daily. Sip a hot cocoa--or a happy hour cocktail--and enjoy the twinkling lights in the lobby.

420 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94102 (map)

If your mom's been nagging you to find that nice Jewish boy or girl, consider heading out for some dancing and mingling at the annual Latke Ball, held on Dec. 22. Advance tickets are just $20, and donors to the Young Adult Division of the Jewish Community Foundation can get access to free drink tickets and a private VIP bar.

401 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102 (map)

Does Swiss Miss satisfy your cocoa cravings? If the answer is no, never fear: You can customize your hot chocolate at this Hayes Valley chocolatier. Christopher Elbow offers 14 different flavors of cocoa, from Venezuelan spice to peppermint, all of which can be made with water or milk.

1725 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109 (map)

Let someone else handle the Hanukkah cooking: The city's best New York-style deli offers fantastic latkes, which you can top with corned beef and pastrami for an extra caloric kick. And don't forget the matzo ball soup.

950 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94108 (map)

OK, so you can't eat it, but the gigantic and lavish gingerbread house at the Fairmont should provide plenty of inspiration for a smaller, homemade knockoff. Just try not to drool on the dwelling.