Christmas Events & Hanukkah Fests 2022: Palo Alto & Peninsula

PALO ALTO, CA — Keep the ho-ho-ho-ing going!

While several such holiday events as tree lightings and parades are over, festivities still abound for Hanukkah and Christmas 2022 throughout Palo Alto and Peninsula communities.

The Jewish Festival of Lights begins Dec. 18, running through Dec. 26, while Christmas falls this year on Sunday, Dec. 25.

Peruse Patch's annual guide to menorah lightings, Santa stops, "Nutcracker" ballets, Christmas concerts and other holiday extravaganzas.

Do note: Always confirm with organizers that events are proceeding as planned when posted.

And Happy Holidays to all, from Patch!

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BELMONT:

DEC. 19: Build a LEGO Winter Wonderland at Kidizens. Winter camps begin & sign-ups underway.

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BURLINGAME:

DEC. 16: Snow Day. Play in 20 tons of REAL snow!

DEC. 18: A Celtic Christmas Carol Festival. Features fully orchestrated cantata, "Have You Heard?"

DEC. 18: Chanukah on Burlingame Avenue with Chabad NP. Latkes, donuts, crafts & Grand LEGO Menorah Lighting.

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CUPERTINO:

DEC. 18: Harpers Hall Ensemble Christmas Concert. At Bethel Lutheran Church.

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DALY CITY:

THROUGH DEC. 18: Great Dickens Christmas Fair & Ice Skating Rink: Cow Palace. Back & in-person after two-year hiatus. The ice rink is new!

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EAST PALO ALTO:

THROUGH FEB. 25: Après Village & Skate Rink: Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley. "Winter wonderland with rustic wooden chalets, sleek fire tables & lighted alpine trees." Skating rink is new this year.

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FOSTER CITY:

THROUGH DEC. 18: Elf the Musical. Presented by Hillbarn Theatre & Conservatory.

DEC. 18: Chanukkah Concert and Party with Isaac Zones. Advance registration required.

DEC. 21: Outdoor Hanukkah Celebration & Community Candle Lighting. With donuts, dreidels, music, latkes, gelt, balloons & more!

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HALF MOON BAY:

DEC. 15-18: 'Christmas in OZ': Coastal Repertory Theatre. "Full-length Broadway-style musical treat for the entire family."

DEC. 22: Holiday Jazz & Vibrant Dining at Fattoria e Mare. Sonya Jason's Stardust Trio.

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LOS ALTOS:

DEC. 15: Holiday Market: Downtown. Live music planned, too.

DEC. 18: Hanukkah Celebration & Menorah Lighting. With latkes, donuts, crafts & more.

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MENLO PARK:

DEC. 19: Annual Holiday Luncheon. With Peninsula Volunteers at Little House.

DEC. 30: Pre-New Year’s Brunch Bash. Advance registration required.

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MILLBRAE:

THROUGH DEC. 31: Holiday Home-Decoration Contest. A $50 gift card to the winner!

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MOSS BEACH:

DEC. 28: Holiday Jazz Sax & Guitar at Moss Beach Distillery. Open seating. No cover.

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MOUNTAIN VIEW:

DEC. 17-18: Bayer Ballet’s “Snow Queen” - At Center for Performing Arts.

DEC. 18: Mountain View Chanukah Celebration. Free with giant menorah, games, crafts, latkes, donuts, cocoa & more.

DEC. 22: Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir Holiday Concert: Performing Arts Center. "Experience sheer joy & message of unity."

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PACIFICA:

DEC. 18: Holiday Tea At The Mazza Castle. A once-a-year event at the legendary site.

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PALO ALTO:

THROUGH DEC. 18: Children's Theatre 'Nutcracker'- "Enchanting winter adventure will appeal to audiences of all ages!"

DEC. 17: Choral Project & San José Chamber Orchestra Holiday Concert. Winter’s Gifts returns to celebrate & exalt peace.

DEC. 17-18: Children's Theatre 'The Gingerbread Man' - Perfect for little ones.

DEC. 18: PACO's Holiday Extravaganza. Holiday musical extravaganza with all five orchestras performing.

DEC. 18: PASJE Hanukkah Party and Open House. "Eat latkes & sufganiyot, play dreidel, sing songs & light the menorah."

DEC. 18: Hanukkah Celebration, Menorah Lighting & Concert: Oshman Family JCC. Tickets on sale.

DEC. 31: SPLENDID SOIRÉE BY THE BAY - NYE Celebration & Dance Party @ the Hilton. Tickets on sale.

THROUGH APRIL 8: 'Winter Lodge' Outdoor Ice Skating Rink. Holiday tree is up, too.

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REDWOOD CITY:

DEC. 18: Chanukah Festival & Menorah Lighting. With "first ever Graffiti Menorah in NorCal."

DEC. 20: Hanukkah Storytime: Magical Bridge Playground. No advance registration required.

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SAN BRUNO:

THROUGH DEC. 24: Free Photos With Santa: The Shops at Tanforan. Select dates & first-come, first-served.

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SAN CARLOS:

DEC. 24: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. "All are welcome!"

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SAN FRANCISCO:

THROUGH DEC. 16: The Guardsmen Christmas Tree Lot. A Bay Area tradition since 1947.

DEC. 17-18: Creativity Explored Holiday Pop-Up. Saturdays & Sundays at Ferry Building & supporting neurodiverse & disabled Bay Area artists.

DEC. 17-18: Mark Foehringer's Nutcracker Sweets. Unique 50-minute version designed for families with young children.

DEC. 17-18: Dollie & Me Holiday Tea. At The Westin St. Francis.

DEC. 17-18 & 24: Breakfast With Santa: Hyatt Regency SF, Embarcadero Center. Don't miss the 2022 Snow Village display in the lobby.

DEC. 18: Holiday Craft Making. Ideal for families.

DEC. 18: JCCSF Glowing Hanukkah Pop-Up & Menorah Lighting: Ghirardelli Square. Have light-up, glittery, glow-in-the-dark outfits? Wear 'em!

DEC. 18: Bill Graham Chanuakah & Menorah Lighting: Union Square. "Lighting it up since 1975."

DEC. 18: KITKA Women's Vocal Ensemble: Wintersongs. "Abundant feast of sacred & secular songs for holiday season."

DEC. 24: SF Gay Men’s Chorus 'Holiday Spectacular: Home for the Holidays': Castro Theatre. The return to historic Castro Theatre for first time in three years.

DEC. 24: Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir Christmas Eve Concert. At Great American Music Hall.

THROUGH DEC. 24: Smuin Contemporary Ballet's "The Christmas Ballet" - "Declared 'sheer joy…the finest toast to the season' by the San Francisco Chronicle."

THROUGH DEC. 24: 'A Christmas Carol': American Conservatory Theater. A holiday tradition for San Francisco Bay Area families for nearly 50 years.

THROUGH DEC. 30: World Premiere of New 'Sleeping Beauty' Panto for the Holidays. "Slapstick humor, one-line zingers, outrageous characters & send-ups of current events."

THROUGH DEC. 31: 'Dear San Francisco' Holiday & NYE Edition: Club Fugazi. ""Leap into the holiday season with the show thousands have fallen head over heels for!"

DEC. 31: New Year's Eve with ALESSO + Open Bar. "Regarded as one of best New Year’s events in the country!"

THROUGH JAN. 16: SF Union Square Safeway Holiday Ice Rink. Bay Area tradition with themed Drag Queens On Ice, Learn to Skate, Flashback Fridays, Polar Bear Skate & more.

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SAN JOSE:

THROUGH JAN. 1: 'Christmas In The Park' Holiday Walk-Thru: Plaza de Cesar Chavez. Free to all. Tree lighting is Nov.25.

THROUGH JAN. 1: Blinky's Holiday Lights Drive-Thru: Lake Cunningham Park. Load up the gang! Tickets on sale.

DEC. 15-18: Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Presented by Silicon Valley Shakespeare.

THROUGH DEC. 18: The Nutcracker. With live orchestra.

DEC. 17: Winchester Mystery House 'Holidays with the Historian' - Step back in time with treats, caroling & more. Victorian costumes encouraged.

DEC. 16-18: History Park Heritage Holiday Light Show. With "sleigh" rides, games, food trucks & more.

DEC. 18: Santana Row Chanukah Concert & Menorah Lighting. Get your tickets!

DEC. 19: Menorah Lighting. At Westfield Oakridge with Chabad of San Jose.

THROUGH DEC. 23: Willow Glen Christmas Lights Pedicab Tours. Children 5 and under ride for free.

DEC. 29-30: Aiden Sinclair’s Ghost Of Christmas Passed: Winchester Mystery House. "Once upon a time, Christmas was more than a celebration of giving."

DEC. 31: New Year's Eve San José Chamber Orchestra 'Celebration' Concert. "Reception following with a bubbly New Year's Eve toast!"

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SAN MATEO:

DEC. 17-18: Brunch With Santa At Pinstripes: Hillsdale Shopping Center. Bring your letters to Santa, too.

THROUGH DEC. 24: Photos With Santa: Hillsdale Shopping Center. Choose from a variety of photo packages.

THROUGH JAN. 8: 'San Mateo On Ice' Outdoor, Holiday Skating Rink: Central Park. "Skate in sunshine during the day & under stars at night."

THROUGH JAN. 16: 'IlluminOdyssey' Winter Light Holiday Experience: CuriOdyssey. Interactive exhibits create an even more immersive experience.

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SANTA CLARA:

THROUGH JAN. 1: Holiday WinterFest & Ice Rink: California's Great America. Winter wonderland with ice skating, Santa's workshop, millions of lights & more.

DEC. 16: Choral Project & San José Chamber Orchestra Holiday Concert. Winter’s Gifts returns to celebrate & exalt peace.

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SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO:

DEC. 16-18: SSF Civic Ballet 'Nutcracker' - Get tickets at the rec office.

DEC. 18: Outdoor Chanukah Celebration & Menorah Lighting: SSF City Hall. Free with latkes, donuts, gelt & magic show.

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SUNNYVALE:

NOV.-JAN.: Winter Ice Skating Rink: Downtown Sunnyvale. Not planned for 2022-23.

THROUGH JAN. 7: Gingerbread Village Display: Public Library. A sweet exhibit to put you in the holiday spirit.

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WOODSIDE:

DEC. 17-18 & 23: Filoli Santa Days. "Jolly old Saint Nick is available for family photos & magical memories" at the grand estate.

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FOR COMPLETE BAY AREA GUIDE: Hanukkah Fests & Christmas Lights Displays 2022: SF Bay Area

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ALSO SEE: SF Bay Area Crab Feeds 2023: All-You-Can-Eat, In-Person & Drive-Thrus