December at NEMA and beyond is packed with holiday fun, complete with carriage rides, amazing symphony performances, ice skating, bell ringing and more! Here are a few of the many must-attend events to get on your social calendar this month:
KYLD FM radio 94.9 brings big-name music artists to the annual Jingle Ball at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on December 1.
Union Street Fantasy of Lights on December 1 features thousands of lights on Victorian homes, jugglers, costumed characters, singers, face painters, carriage rides, ponies dressed as reindeer, and Santa himself.
Raise your spoon and get ready to dive in! 10+ of the Bay’s best food trucks will compete to warm your soul and win over your heart during SF & Chill-i on December 1 at SoMa StrEat Food Park.
Immerse yourself in an illuminated Conservatory of Flowers bursting with vibrant and luminous displays during Night Bloom, December 2-January 6, 2019.
Enjoy a concert of festive favorites and sing-alongs with members of the San Francisco Symphony, guest artists, and special appearances by beloved holiday characters on December 2 during Deck The Hall.
Join us at City Hall on December 4 for a pop-up shopping event, featuring over 40 makers, artisans and merchants from every San Francisco district selling their locally made items.
Join the Holiday Tree Lighting 2018 on December 5 in Civic Center Plaza, featuring musical performances, holiday foods and beverages, a toy giveaway — and new this year — ice skating.
Take in the Parol Lantern Festival and Parade in SoMa Pilipinas on December 8. The Stroll is highlighted by the participants’ brightly-lit and creatively designed lanterns.
Eat, drink and shop at the two-day Sunset Holiday Mercantile on December 8 – 9, featuring 100+ local makers, merchants, artists, food artisans, live entertainment, beer and wine tasting, and more.
Don’t miss out! A ticket to San Francisco Great Santa Run on December 9 includes a Santa suit, a commemorative holiday medal and a 5K/1-mile run at Crissy Field.
During Love Actually Live Concert Tour at the SF Symphony on December 11, you’ll watch the film in a unique way: a full, live orchestra with the film being projected onto the big screen.
The SF Ballet will perform The Nutcracker at the War Memorial Opera House from December 12 – 29.
‘Tis the season to stuff those stockings, shop locally, and enjoy the festivities! Cal Academy of Science NightLife’s annual holiday bazaar returns on December 13, featuring a merry marketplace of gift-worthy treasures from dozens of local makers and merchants, all curated by SF Bazaar.
Holiday Brass on December 16 is a festive mix of classical and popular holiday music played by the San Francisco Symphony brass section at Davies Symphony Hall.
Satisfy your cray-vings at the 6th Annual All-You-Can-Eat Crab Feast on December 16 at SoMa StrEat Food Park.
Christmas Rocks on December 22 features legendary rocker Brian Setzer and his orchestra playing holiday songs at The Warfield.
SF Symphony Celebrates the Season with ‘Twas the Night on December 23.
33rd Annual Japanese New Year’s Bell-Ringing Ceremony on December 30 at the Asian Art Museum.
Ring in 2019 with San Francisco’s famed drag sensation Peaches Christ, Edwin Outwater, and the SF Symphony on December 31.
Take in the New Year’s Eve Fireworks as they launch for 15 minutes from barges 1000 feet offshore of the Ferry Building, and a soundtrack plays along Embarcadero from Mission to Folsom. December 31.
Eye Heart New Year’s Eve promises a “world-class music festival production” with state-of-the-art lighting and sound, interactive displays, art installations, and an open bar at Fort Mason Center for age 21+, December 31.
Go on an epic adventure full of cirque performers, fairy dancers, and wizard magicians, plus an open bar and live jazz in The Palace of Fine Arts during Imagine: New Year’s Eve on December 31.
Stop by the lobby of the Westin to admire the St. Francis Holiday Display, featuring two castles with circular towers, individual rooms, and illuminated windows, surrounded by holiday sugar cakes, through January 2, 2019.
Illuminate SF Festival of Light features dozens of dramatic glowing art installations in different neighborhoods with lights festivals, guided tours, and self-guided walks, through Jan. 1, 2019.
See a life-sized Gingerbread House made of thousands of homemade gingerbread bricks and tons of icing and candy in the lobby of the Fairmont San Francisco hotel, through January 1, 2019.
Discover San Francisco Luxury Apartments @ NEMA
NEMA’s four apartment building towers and three landscaped terraces offer an amazing array of views overlooking San Francisco’s urban landscape and natural setting. Landmarks in the surrounding skyline include the iconic skyscrapers of the San Francisco Financial District, the dome of City Hall, Golden Gate Bridge, Russian Hill, Bernal Heights, Twin Peaks, and San Francisco Bay. Get social with us and follow our story on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+ and Instagram. Use #liveNEMA to share with our team.