Seasonal & Holidays
Livermore Holidays: Christmas Events & Hanukkah Fests 2023
See Santa stops, menorah lightings, Christmas concerts, lights extravaganzas, Nutcrackers & more festivities in Livermore & East Bay.
LIVERMORE, CA — The holiday season is in full swing throughout Livermore and the East Bay!
Grab your calendars, so you don't miss a moment ... as the New Year will be here before your know it.
Hanukkah's "Festival of Lights" ends Friday, Dec. 15. Christmas, Dec. 25, is on a Monday this year, followed by New Year's Eve on Sunday, Dec. 31.
Find out what's happening in Livermorewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Peruse our annual guide to finding Santa, menorah lightings, "Nutcracker" ballets, Christmas concerts, theater productions, winter ice rinks, walk- and drive-thru, holiday-lights extravaganzas and more.
And to all, from Patch, Happy Holidays!
Find out what's happening in Livermorewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Note: Always confirm with organizers that events are proceeding as planned when posted.
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ALAMEDA:
DEC. 31: USS Hornet New Year's Eve Gala. Featuring 3 O’Clock Jump & special guest Nick Rossi & his Swing Four Band.
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ALBANY:
DEC. 17: Winter Solstice Holiday Carols Sing-A-Long. With egg nog, cookies, holiday songs & a 1924 Steinway.
DEC. 24: Christmas Eve Morning Service @ The Church on the Corner. Caroling planned, too.
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ANTIOCH:
THROUGH DEC. 17: Black Diamond Ballet 'Nutcracker': El Campanil Theatre. "Join us for an afternoon or evening of enchantment & artistic excellence." Sensory-friendly show offered, too.
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BERKELEY:
DEC. 16: Locavore Wonderland: Farmers’ Market Gifting Series. A great place to find gifts!
DEC. 17: San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus 'Holiday Spectacular.' Concert experience that blends enchantment of season with compassion & community.
DEC. 21: Winter Solstice & Tinsel Labyrinth Creation. At Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley in Kensington.
DEC. 31: The Dresden Dolls NYE Show. At The UC Theatre.
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CASTRO VALLEY:
DEC. 17: Crafternoon: Let’s Build a “Gingerbread” House. At Castro Valley Marketplace.
THROUGH JAN. 7: Christmas Village & Outdoor Ice Skating Rink. Festivities include Santa, live music, bounce house & crafts.
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CONCORD:
DEC. 15-16: Drive-Thru Christmas Nativity: Bethel Baptist Church. Free to all.
DEC. 16: Wreaths Across America. At Memory Gardens Cemetery.
DEC. 17: Breakfast With Santa: The Veranda. Book soon!
DEC. 17: 'Christmas Is Real - A Joyous Christmas' Free Concert: First Presbyterian Church. Admission is free.
THROUGH FEB. 14: 'Ice At The Veranda' Outdoor, Winter Skating Rink. With more than 20 nearby restaurants, too, for your dining pleasure.
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DANVILLE:
DEC. 16: Encounter- A Festive Christmas Concert. "Join us for a joyful Christmas concert."
DEC. 17: Danville Community Band Free, Christmas Concert. With selection of moving and festive tunes.
DEC. 23: Santa Meet & Greet at Blackhawk Museum. Attention all parents!
DEC. 31: New Year's Eve Party. At Blackhawk Museum.
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DUBLIN:
DEC. 15-17: Tiffany’s Dance Academy 'The Nutcracker' -An annual, Tri-Valley favorite.
DEC. 16: Selfies with Santa. Free at KeyPoint Credit Union.
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EL CERRITO:
DEC. 16-27: Sundar Shadi Holiday Display. Cherished local tradition started in 1949 by the late Sundar Shadi, a long-time resident.
THROUGH DEC. 17: WestCAT’s Holiday Bus Toy & Canned Food Drive. Collections on all buses.
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FREMONT:
DEC. 14: Chabad Of Fremont Chanukah Celebration & Menorah Lighting. With treats & crafts planned.
DEC. 15-23: 'Las Posadas' Christmas Traditions & Caroling: Mission San Jose. Annual tradition at historic mission for 41 years.
THROUGH DEC. 29: Train of Lights. Sold out.
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HAYWARD:
DEC. 17: Bay Philharmonic 'Holiday Spectacular' & Ballet Folklorico: Chabot College. "Some of the most beautiful holiday music you know."
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HERCULES:
DEC. 17: Breakfast with Santa. Sign-ups underway.
THROUGH DEC. 17: WestCAT’s Holiday Bus Toy & Canned Food Drive. Collections on all buses.
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LAFAYETTE:
DEC. 17: Danville Community Band Free, Christmas Concert. With selection of moving and festive tunes.
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LIVERMORE:
DEC. 15-17: A Holiday Story Soiree. Enjoy DIY hot cocoa bar & caroling.
DEC. 16: 'Hittin' the Holiday Road' Concert. Starring Harmony Fusion Chorus, a women’s acapella chorus.
DEC. 16-24: Simbang Gabi. Filipino Novena Mass leading to Christmas.
THROUGH DEC. 17: Valley Dance Theatre 'Nutcracker' With Orchestra: Bankhead Theater. East Bay full-length performance accompanied by Valley Dance Theatre Pit Orchestra.
DEC. 23: Motown Christmas. At Almost Famous Wines.
DEC. 23: Nochebuena: A Christmas Spectacular. "Stunning choreography, dazzling costumes & unforgettable music."
DEC. 24: Christmas Eve Candle Light Services. At VCC.
DEC. 31: New Year's Eve with The Four Freshmen. At Bankhead Theater.
THROUGH JAN. 1: Deacon Dave’s 'Casa Del Pomba' Christmas Lights Display. A must-see extravaganza since 1982!
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MARTINEZ:
DEC. 17: Lowell Ensemble Holiday Concert: Martinez Campbell Theater. With musicians from SF Opera & Ballet Orchestras.
THROUGH DEC. 17: WestCAT’s Holiday Bus Toy & Canned Food Drive. Collections on all buses.
DEC. 19: Brewery Breadmaking Class - Holiday Edition. At Five Suns Brewing.
DEC. 21-23: Holiday Gift Wrapping Fundraiser. Supports Starlight Dance Studios & Theater.
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MILPITAS:
DEC. 14: Hanukkah Fest & Menorah Lighting. At Civic Center Plaza.
DEC. 16-17: Milk and Cookies with Santa at Great Mall. Book soon!
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NEWARK:
DEC. 16: 'Santa At Firehouse' & Christmas Toy Drive. Photos with Santa, milk & cookies, Newark Memorial High School choir &n more.
DEC. 16: Mele Kalikimaka by Ohana Ke Akua Ministries. Hawaiian-style worship featuring music, gospel hula & refreshments.
DEC. 16: Newark Symphonic Winds - Free Holiday Concert & Sing-Along. Ideal for all ages.
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OAKLAND:
DEC. 15-16: KITKA Women's Vocal Ensemble: Wintersongs. Seasonal songs from Balkan, Baltic, Caucasian, Mediterranean & Slavic lands.
DEC. 16-17: Oakland Ballet School 'Ronn Guidi’s The Secret Nutcracker': Performing Arts Center. In San Leandro & set to Tchaikovsky’s classical score.
DEC. 16-17: Winter Open House: Homesteading Holiday Social, Tasting & Sale. At Mariposa Grove.
DEC. 16-17: Oakland Ballet 'Nutcracker' With Symphony: Paramount Theatre. With Oakland Symphony & Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir.
THROUGH DEC. 30: 'Fairy Winterland' Holiday Celebration: Children’s Fairyland. See Black Santa & Festival of Lights Parade before they head back to North Pole Dec. 23.
DEC. 31: New Year's Eve Balloon Drop Celebration: Chabot Space & Science Center. Perfect for families with little ones.
THROUGH JAN. 28: Oakland Zoo 'Glowfari' Holiday Lantern Festival. "Wildly popular, family-friendly experience is back with hundreds of ALL new, larger-than-life animal lanterns."
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ORINDA:
DEC. 14: Miramonte High School Winter Concert. Starring talented choir & musical theater students
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PINOLE:
THROUGH DEC. 17: WestCAT’s Holiday Bus Toy & Canned Food Drive. Collections on all buses.
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PLEASANT HILL:
DEC. 14: Clarinet Fusion 'A Crackin’ Holiday' Concert. Nine musicians playing five different kinds of clarinets from 18 inches to 9 feet!
DEC. 15: Christmas Bunco & Dinner, El Tapatio Restaurant. Reservations underway.
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PLEASANTON:
DEC. 12: Chanukah Wonderland & Menorah Lighting: Stoneridge Shopping Center. Free &open to all.
DEC. 15: "A Very Tucked Holiday" Drag Show. For ages 18 & up.
DEC. 16: Downtown Spirit & Sweater Stroll. Sold out.
THROUGH DEC. 24: Santa Photo Experience at Stoneridge Shopping Center. Reservations advised.
THROUGH DEC. 31: Annual 'Widmer World' Christmas Lights Display. A free, community tradition.
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SAN FRANCISCO:
DEC. 13-30: SF Ballet 'Nutcracker' With Orchestra: War Memorial Opera House. "This dazzling production is a kaleidoscope of over 150 dancers accompanied by SF Ballet Orchestra performing Tchaikovsky’s beloved score. "
DEC. 15-17: 'Million Dollar Quartet Christmas' Holiday Rock N' Roll: Curran Theater. Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins & Elvis Presley come to life!
DEC. 16: Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl. Tickets on sale.
DEC. 16: Holiday Bingo With Sisters Of Perpetual Indulgence. "Festive holiday edition of bingo at enchanting Hotel Zeppelin."
DEC. 16-17: Dance-Along Nutcracker 'Nutmare Before Christmas': Yerba Buena Center For Arts. "You’ll waltz! You’ll march! You’ll pirouette! You’ll sing along!
DEC. 16-17: Stapleton School Of Performing Arts 'Nutcracker': Palace Of Fine Arts. Family-friendly Nutcracker Ball follows Saturday evening performance.
DEC. 16-23: 'Elf' Movie Party: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. With games, props & a very loud sing-along!
DEC. 17: KITKA Women's Vocal Ensemble: Wintersongs. Seasonal songs from Balkan, Baltic, Caucasian, Mediterranean & Slavic lands.
DEC. 19: NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet: Golden Gate Theatre. "Beloved family tradition."
DEC. 24: SF Gay Men’s Chorus 'Holiday Spectacular': Castro Theatre. A 34-year, heartwarming holiday tradition.
THROUGH DEC. 23: 'The Golden Girls: The Christmas Episodes': Victoria Theatre. Four drag legends stage eagerly-awaited holiday tradition.
THROUGH DEC. 24: 'A Christmas Carol': A.C.T. Toni Rembe Theater. American Conservatory Theater's celebrated production of the Charles Dickens classic.
THROUGH DEC. 26: Chase Center 'Winter Wonderland' Ice Skating Rink. Event is free!
DEC. 27: River Otter Snow Days: Aquarium Of The Bay, Pier 39. See otters frolic in snowy wonderland.
THROUGH DEC. 30: 'Dear San Francisco' Holiday Version: Club Fugazi. Homage to SF with world-class acrobats.
THROUGH DEC. 31: Macy's & SPCA Annual Holiday Windows. Tradition returns with kitties & puppies in need of forever homes.
DEC. 31: SF New Year’s Eve Fireworks 2023-24: Embarcadero. "Say goodbye to 2023 and ring in the 2024 new year with 200,000 fellow bundled-up San Franciscans."
DEC. 31: New Year's Eve Pub Crawl Party. Featuring multiple SF hot spots.
DEC. 31: New Year's Eve 'Dear San Francisco': Club Fugazi. Two special NYE performances.
DEC. 31: Thrive City Kwanzaa & Noon Year’s Eve: Chase Center. With arts, crafts, treats & dancing.
THROUGH JAN. 15: Safeway Holiday Ice Rink: Union Square. Special events include Simba Saturdays, Flashback Fridays & Polar Bear Skate.
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SAN JOSE:
DEC. 15-17 & 22-23: Holiday Lights Pedicab Tour of Willow Glen. Fun way to experience sights & sounds of the holidays
DEC. 16: The Official Christmas Bar Crawl. Tickets on sale.
DEC. 16-23: 'The San Jose Nutcracker': California Theatre. Two-act performance with live accompaniment by New Ballet Orchestra.
DEC. 31: Silicon Valley New Year's Eve Bash for Singles Professionals. With DJ & dancing.
DEC. 31: San José Chamber Orchestra New Year's Eve Concert & Reception. "No better way to celebrate the New Year!"
THROUGH DEC. 31: Winchester Mystery House Holiday Candlelight Tours. "Whether in search of romantic night, family adventure or touch of holiday magic, Holiday Candlelight Tour is ideal option."
THROUGH DEC. 31: 'Enchant' Christmas Light Maze, Village & Ice Skating Trail: PayPal Park. "Over 4 million sparkling lights creating an immersive walk-thru, story-themed maze."
THROUGH JAN. 15: 'Downtown Ice' Outdoor, Winter Skating Rink. The San Jose tradition is back at Circle of Palms Plaza!
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SAN LEANDRO:
DEC. 13: Holiday Cookies With Cops & Santa. "SLPD’s Best Event of the Year!"
DEC. 16-17: Oakland Ballet School 'Ronn Guidi’s The Secret Nutcracker': Performing Arts Center. In San Leandro & set to Tchaikovsky’s classical score.
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SAN RAMON:
DEC. 16-17: San Ramon Valley Dance Academy 'Impressions Of The Nutcracker' -With special visit from Santa Claus & chance to meet performers.
THROUGH JAN. 7: Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Skating Rink: City Center Bishop Ranch. Options for private cabanas & fire pits, too.
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UNION CITY:
DEC. 14: Chabad Of Fremont Chanukah Celebration & Menorah Lighting. With treats & crafts planned.
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WALNUT CREEK:
DEC. 14: A Jolly Jubilee | Holiday Crafting Extravaganza. At Tellus Coffee.
DEC. 15-17: The Biggest Gift. An annual favorite at Lesher Center.
DEC. 21: “Upon a Midnight Clear,” An Open Holiday Concert. Admission is free.
THROUGH DEC. 21: Center Rep's 'Christmas Carol': Lesher Center. Annual holiday tradition for thousands.
THROUGH JAN. 15: 'Walnut Creek On Ice' Holiday, Outdoor Skating Rink. Advance booking recommended.
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FOR ENTIRE SF BAY AREA GUIDE: SF Bay Area Holidays: Christmas Events & Hanukkah Fests 2023
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