NEMA San Francisco is positioned at the intersection of SOMA, Civic Center, Hayes Valley, and The Mission neighborhoods—each offering a unique appeal and distinct character. December in the neighborhood and beyond is overflowing with a variety of live entertainment. Here are a few of the many must attend events that are up next this month near NEMA:
December 1, Hayes Valley Holiday Stroll. Walk around the neighborhood surrounded by music, lights, and decorated storefronts. Visit the shops for activities, wine & treats, and promotions.
December 1-9, SF Conservatory of Music’s Fall Series. Featuring a robust calendar of music, from performances by guitar virtuoso Sérgio Assad to baroque ensembles, to Chamber Music Tuesdays and more.
December 1-10, Let’s Glow SF. Downtown SF is once again pulling out all the stops with the largest holiday projection mapping display in the United States.
December 1-17, Great Dickens Fair. Enter the winding lanes of Victorian London and immerse yourself in a world of music halls, theatres, pubs, dance parties, and shops overflowing with hand-made holiday treasures.
December 1- 23, Holiday Fanfare Concert Series. The Civic Center Community Benefit District's festive Holiday Fanfare pop-up concerts, featuring musicians from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
December 1-23, Holidays with the Symphony. Make your season merrier with the San Francisco Symphony! Deck The Hall, Cirque Nutcracker, Handel’s Messiah, A Merry-Achi Christmas and much more.
December 2, 2nd Annual Ugly Sweater Holiday Party. Dress in your holiday best while soaking in the festive tunes and drinking hot mulled wine or cocoa.
December 2, Mattie’s Market x Transgender District. Mattie’s Market is coming to the LINE SF in partnership with the Transgender District. Support small businesses and community vendors, check off your holiday gift list with plants, candles, jewelry, accessories, clothes, vintage, and more.
December 3, Holiday Makers Market. A popup market featuring AAPI and women makers! Proceeds from the event support Kapwa Gardens, a Kultivate Labs program in SOMA Pilipinas.
December 5, Sip & Consign with The RealReal. Declutter your closet and turn your luxury items into cash during 'The RealReal' Consignment Event, your exclusive opportunity to sell top-tier designer pieces and refresh your wardrobe. Details on the NEMA app.
December 6, Civic Center Plaza Holiday Tree Lighting. The event takes place across from an illuminated City Hall in Civic Center Plaza, a wonderful backdrop for a photo.
December 6, A NEMA Affair Holiday Party. Get ready for a glamorous celebration at our holiday party event. Embrace the glitz and glam by dressing in your finest formal attire, gowns, and shimmer to capture the essence of this Red Carpet inspired occasion. Details on the NEMA app.
December 7-15, Giant menorah lightings at Union Square. The Bill Graham Menorah Project is gearing up for its 48th annual giant menorah lighting and display. A 25-foot menorah will glow over Union Square.
December 8, Holiday Nights, Sights & Lights Tour. Experience the Holidays San Francisco Style. aboard a Motorized Cable Car all decked out in holiday decor for an unforgettable evening of holiday magic.
December 9, NEMA on Ice. Lace up your skates as NEMA celebrates this Holiday season for a Saturday night ice skating session. Before you hit the ice, indulge in a complimentary Ghirardelli hot cocoa and a mini champagne bottle at the North Concierge. Details on the NEMA app.
December 9, Trellis Holiday Market. Shop at an indoor holiday market featuring local vendors, artists, and food in Trellis’s beautiful SOMA space.
December 10, Victorian Holiday Home Tour. The Victorian Alliance of SF brings back its house tour featuring five glittering homes in the Alamo Square neighborhood, known for the city’s most iconic Victorians.
December 13-30, SF Ballet’s Nutcracker. Experience the magical winter wonderland of toy soldiers, King of the Mice, Sugar Plum Fairy, and so much more. This dazzling production is a kaleidoscope of over 150 dancers accompanied by the SF Ballet Orchestra performing Tchaikovsky’s beloved score.
December 15, Holiday Gaiety. Hear holiday hits played by the SF Symphony, and be regaled by a star-studded lineup of iconic guests, delectable vocalists, and drag queens galore.
December 20-23, Charlie Brown Christmas. The San Francisco Symphony provides an afternoon of music based on the iconic television special, including Charlie, Snoopy, Woodstock, Lucy and all the gang.
December 21, Ci-NEMA-nia showcasing “Home Alone”. Join your fellow neighbors for a showing of the timeless Holiday Classic, "Home Alone"! Details on the NEMA app.
December 31, 38th Annual Japanese New Year Bell-Ringing Ceremony. Ring in the New Year by taking a swing at a 2,100-pound, 16th-century Japanese temple bell at the Asian Art Museum.
December 31, Scarlet Elixir: New Year's Twilight. Step into the allure of the "Scarlet Soirée" this New Year's Eve at Charmaine's Rooftop Bar & Lounge, perched high above San Francisco in the Proper Hotel.
Thru January 1, Fairmont Hotel’s 2-story gingerbread house. One of San Francisco’s most celebrated holiday installations is the two-story gingerbread house at the Fairmont Hotel. The fascinating creation is 22 feet tall, composed of thousands of gingerbread bricks and gallons of royal icing.
Thru January 15, Union Square Ice Skating. San Francisco’s favorite outdoor rink is back with daily ice skating for all ages and special events scheduled throughout the holiday season.
Thru February 2024, Takashi Murakami. The Asian Art Museum notes, this is the "first solo exhibition in San Francisco by Takashi Murakami," a renowned artist with recognizable works that appear throughout popular culture and fashion.
Thru March 2024, Middle Ground. From the Exploratorium, Middle Ground returns to Civic Center. Find it at the Larkin Street steps of the Main Branch of the SF Public Library.
Thru May 2024, SF JAZZ 2023-2024 Season. Featuring over 300 concerts, the season is a "continued celebration of the organization's 40th anniversary and 11th at the SFJAZZ Center.
Thru May 2024, SF Symphony 2023-2024 Season. Enjoy a robust calendar of performances.
Thru June 2024, SF Opera 2023-2024 Season. A calendar full of wonderful operas continues with The Elixir of Love (thru December 9) and the special immersive event: The Elixir of Love Encounter (December 1).
Thru summer 2024, Orpheum Theater 2023-2024 Season from BroadwaySF. The season brings the return of award-winning productions like The Lion King (thru December 30) and Wicked (August 2024), along with other great shows like MJ The Musical (January 30-February 25) and Mrs. Doubtfire (July 2-28).
Sunday, Wednesday & Friday. Zumba instructor Matt Ziegler leads classes in Civic Center Plaza (weather permitting) on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays with SF Rec & Parks Zumba in the Parks. The class is for all ages and skill levels; meet on the paved portion of the plaza adjacent to City Hall. Free, drop-in. See the schedule here.
Image credit: Holiday Nights, Sights and Lights Tour
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