PIEDMONT, CA — The holidays are nearing in Piedmont!
Christmas this year falls on a Friday, Dec. 25. Hanukkah runs Thursday, Dec. 10 through Friday, Dec. 18. And Kwanzaa is Dec. 26 to Jan. 1.
Celebrations are markedly different for 2020, to be sure. Many annual community extravaganazas were canceled this year throughout Piedmont and East Bay cities due to the pandemic.
But festivities still abound throughout the region as towns and organizations are getting creative with drive-thrus, virtual and in-person, socially distanced events — many with limited availablity and required reservations.
Check out our annual event guide to see what's going on near you. And Happy Holidays, from Patch!
NOTE: Bookmark this page as additional events will be added when announced. Also, remember to double-check with organizers to confirm activities still are proceeding as originally planned.
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DEC. 5: Holiday Lighted Yacht Parade. Masks & social distancing required.
DEC. 12: Jets & Jammies Family Virtual Overnight: USS Hornet. Hunker down at home & enjoy.
DEC. 13: The Amazing Bubble Show. Fun for all ages.
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DEC. 5-20: 'Santa on Solano' - Meet him outdoors for 2020!
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NOV. 28-DEC. 20: Artisans Holiday Open Studios. "The artists invite you in ... but in a different way this year."
DEC. 4-13: The Light. Roller coaster ride of laughter, romance & despair that begins with a surprise proposal gift.
DEC.: Snow Day In Gourmet Ghetto. Canceled.
DEC. 5-6 & 12-13: Annual Holiday Show. With beautiful, handmade gifts for sale.
DEC. 5-20: 'Santa on Solano' - Meet him outdoors for 2020!
DEC. 12-13, 19-20, 23-24: Annual Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair. Featuring unique & one-of-a-kind holiday gifts
DEC. 20: 'The Nutcracker' with Berkeley Ballet Theater. A celebration & watch party.
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NOV. 27-DEC.: BSA Scout Christmas Tree Lot (Fundraiser). Nine local troops participating.
DEC. 5: Eden United Holiday Lights Car Caravan. Don't miss it!
DEC. 12: 'Creating Your Charcuterie Chalet' - Replace your edible gingerbread house with one made from cheese, salami, crackers & more.
DEC. 19: 4th Annual East Bay Rockin' Christmas. Supports wildfire relief.
DEC. 19-24: The Sights & Sounds of Christmas. A new, outdoor drive-through Christmas experience!
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NOV.-DEC.: Clayton Valley Pumpkin Farm & Christmas Trees. Canceled. Online shop open.
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NOV. 27-DEC. 24: Santa’s Flight Academy & Photos: Sunvalley. Reservations required this year.
Through NOV. 30: Historical Society's Virtual Holiday Market. Get that shopping started!
DEC. 6: Super Holiday Marketplace Boutique. Free event with social distancing & safety precautions.
Through DEC.: The aRt Cottage. Annual holiday art & boutique.
DEC. 15: 'Succulents & Sips' Wreath-Making: The Veranda. Choose from two, socially distanced seatings.
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NOV. 25: Holiday 'Lighting Of The Old Oak Tree' -Virtual. Community tradition is in its 44th year.
NOV. 30-DEC. 10: 'Santa's Mailbox' - Get a letter fom the North Pole!
DEC. 12: 'Elf' Holiday Drive-In Movie. Waitlist accepted if bookings are full.
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DEC. 3: Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. Canceled.
DEC. 5: Santa Drive-Thru Meet & Greet. Parking lot to become winter wonderland. Registration required.
DEC. 10: Holiday Home-Decorating Contest Deadline. Deck the halls: five categories!
DEC. 17: Holiday Resources Drive-Thru For Seniors. Free & first-come, first-served.
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Through NOV. 30: Winter Letters From Holiday Elves, Elsa ... Even Hogwarts School will write to you.
Through DEC. 6: Winter Break: Camp In A Box. Keep the kids busy!
DEC. 12-26: Sundar Shadi Holiday Display. Beloved, community tradition continues.
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NOV.-DEC.: Holiday Train Of Lights: Niles Canyon Railway. Canceled.
NOV.-DEC.: 'Giving Hope' Holiday Donation Drive. One option is to sponsor a family.
NOV. 21: Joe's Corner Holiday Pop-Up Market - Niles. Get your shopping started!
DEC. 4: Car Cinema: 'ELF' - Limited tickets & pre-sale only.
DEC. 5: Mission San Jose Christmas Tree Lighting. Canceled.
Through DEC. 26: Virtual Santa Photos: Pacific Commons. For children, pets & families.
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DEC. 18-23: Live Nativity Drive-Thru: Valley Bible Church. Free to all.
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NOV. 27-DEC. 25: Town Hall Theatre's 'A Christmas Carol' - Free with new episode every Friday.
DEC. 6: 'It’s A Wonderful Life In Lafayette' - Canceled.
DEC. 6: 'Light Up The Town' Chanukah Experience. With scavenger hunt & more. RSVPs required.
DEC. 6: 'Making The Holidays Bright' Spreading cheer in each neighborhood!
DEC. 16: Family Menorah Competition: Contra Costa JCC. "Build a menorah from junk you have accumulated at home."
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NOV. 21: 'Earlier Than The Bird' Pajama Shopping. Sweats & yoga-wear will not count for giveaway!
NOV. 28: Family Photo Day Helping Homeless of Goodness Village. By appointment only.
DEC.: 'Home for the Holidays,' Parade & Tree Lighting. Canceled.
DEC. 3: Festive Trivia Night with Livermore Shakes. Sign up as individual or team.
DEC. 4-JAN. 1: Deacon Dave's Christmas Display. Canceled.
Through DEC. 11: Christmas Toy Drive. Sponsored by Tri-Valley Blue Oaks & Valley Community churches.
DEC. 13: The Great Yule Log Hunt: Sycamore Grove Park. Grab your silliest holiday hat & join 26th annual hunt for fabled Yule Log!
DEC. 20: 'Mistletoe Mission' Hike: Sycamore Grove Park. All ages welcome in search of mistletoe.
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NOV. 23-DEC. 19: Hot Cocoa Kits & Selfies In Plaza. Sign up soon as supplies are limited.
Through DEC. 31: Family Fun Holiday Hopper & Snowflake Hunt. Scavenger hunt with chance to find prizes.
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NOV. 30: Holiday Tree-Lighting, Carolers & Santa. Includes countdown to tree-lighting.
DEC. 5: Milk & Cookies with Santa Drive-Thru. Kits are limited, so don't delay.
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Through DEC.: Annual Hacienda Holiday Faire. With "one-of-a-kind handmade gifts and gourmet food items from local artisans."
Through DEC. 24: Art Exhibit & Holiday Boutique. Boutique features handmade items from local artists.
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DEC. 11: Winter Holiday Drive-Thru. With photo booth, holiday fun & take-home cookie & cocoa kits.
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NOV. 20-JAN. 17: Zoo's 'Glowfari' Holiday Lantern Festival. A mile-long, dazzling stroll.
DEC. 2-JAN. 3: Holiday Walk-Thru Wonderland: Dunsmuir Hellman. "Come for the sights, fun, most of all the memories."
DEC. 5: Holiday Lighted Yacht Parade. Masks & social distancing required.
DEC. 5: Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir Annual Holiday Concert. "We can still kick off the holiday season together!"
DEC. 9: Holiday Hope for Homeless Pets. Reduced-fee pet adoptions courtesy of BISSELL Pet Foundation.
DEC. 17: East Bay SPCA's 'Pawliday Baking Hour' - Learn to bake delicious, festive & some pet-friendly treats.
DEC. 18-30: 'Fairy Winterland': Children's Fairyland. Festival of Lights Parade will go on, and Black Santa will be there, too!
DEC. 20: Nutcracker Stay-At-Home Matinee: Oakland Ballet Company. "Save the date for Snowflakes and Sugar Plums!"
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NOV.: Annual Holiday Bazaar. Canceled.
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NOV. 27-DEC.: Annual Boy Scout Christmas Tree Lot. Order online for curbside pick-up or delivery.
DEC. 2: Annual Holiday Tree Lighting. Tune in for town tradition!
Through DEC. 15: 'Toys For Tots' Holiday Drive. Led by Piedmont Fire Department.
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NOV. 18-DEC. 28: Holiday Fair 2020. Perfect stop for your holiday shopping.
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NOV. 20: East Bay Hospice Tree Of Lights. Supports hospice care, music therapy and grief programs.
DEC. 5: Super Holiday Marketplace Boutique. Free event with social distancing & safety precautions.
DEC.: 'Light Up The Night' & Holiday Fest. Canceled.
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NOV. 27: 'Holiday Lights Tour' Map List Deadline. Sign up to be on tour list for Dec. 4-27.
NOV. 27-DEC. 24: Santa Visits & Photos: Stoneridge. Reservations required this year.
DEC.-JAN.: Widmer World Annual Christmas Display. Canceled.
DEC. 5: Hometown Holiday Virtual Tree-Lighting. Fatures annual tree lighting countdown with special guest … Santa Claus.
DEC. 5: Hometown Holiday Parade & Fest. Canceled.
DEC. 6: Wreath Making At The Barn. For all ages. Registration required.
DEC. 11: Tri-Valley Cultural Jews Virtual Hanukkah Celebration. With menorah lighting & dreidel fun.
Through DEC. 11: Christmas Toy Drive. Sponsored by Tri-Valley Blue Oaks & Valley Community churches.
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NOV. 20-JAN. 3: ’Tis Season for Science & Reindeer. Meet Peppermint and Cookie, the dashing reindeer duo.
NOV.-JAN. Holiday Ice Rink 2020-21: Union Square. Canceled.
NOV. -JAN.: Holiday Ice Rink 2020-21: Embarcadero. Postponed.
NOV.-JAN.: Conservatory Of Flowers 'Night Bloom' -Canceled.
NOV. 27-29: Etsy Virtual Market Hosted by the SF Etsy Street Team.
DEC. 4-31: A.C.T.'s 'Christmas Carol On Air' Radio Play. Two ticket levels include family-activity kits.
DEC. 5-6: Caltrain Annual Holiday Train & Toy Drive. Canceled.
DEC. 12: Japanese Cultural Center's Holiday Crafts Workshop. Learn to make bread-dough ornaments & origami crane wreaths.
DEC. 12: Taylor Mac’s 'Holiday Sauce…Pandemic!' - "A virtual vaudeville ... blends music, film, burlesque & random acts of fabulousness."
DEC. 24: SF Gay Men’s Chorus '[At] Home For The Holidays' Concert. "Haul out the holly and don your gay apparel."
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NOV. 20-JAN. 2: Victorian Candlelight Tours: Winchester Mystery House. All-new tour is rare glimpse into alleged haunted mansion.
NOV. 27-JAN. 3: Christmas In The Park - A Drive-Thru Holiday. With whimsical displays, hundreds of decorated Christmas trees & Santa!
NOV.-JAN. 2021: Kristi Yamaguchi 'Downtown Ice' Holiday Skate Rink. Canceled.
DEC. 5: Makers Market in the Park - An Open Air Craft Market. Start that shopping!
DEC. 12: Nutcracker: Short & Sweet 2020: Hammer Theatre. "A classical holiday ballet unique to our hometown."
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NOV.-DEC.: Creekside Holiday Arts & Crafts Show. Local tradition will not be in-person this year, but you can still shop from artisans.
NOV.-DEC.: Davis Street’s Holiday Basket Program. "Helping 1,000 families and nearly 2,000 kids."
NOV. 27-JAN. 13: Free Holiday Lights Recycling Program. For San Leandro residents only.
DEC. 1-31: Ghirardelli's Annual Chocolate Warehouse Sale. Mostly online, with in-person sales Dec. 11-20.
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Through NOV. 21: Holiday Food Drive: City Center Bishop Ranch. Supports Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.
DEC.: Bah Humbug! 5K & Kid’s Dash. Canceled.
DEC. 10: Jim Brickman 'Comfort & Joy' Concert. Enjoy Grammy-nominated sensation & support the city.
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NOV.-DEC.: Holiday Train Of Lights: Niles Canyon Railway. Canceled.
DEC. 6: Wreath Making At The Barn. For all ages. Registration required.
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NOV. 30: Holiday Decorating Contest Deadline. A free, fun & friendly community competition.
DEC. 5: Zoomin' With Santa. Limited availability, so book soon.
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NOV.-JAN.: Walnut Creek On Ice. Canceled.
NOV. 20-DEC. 20: Holiday 'Garden Of d'Lights' 2020: Ruth Bancroft Garden. "Unlike anything else in the East Bay."
Through NOV. 29: Take-Home Teddy Bear Tea: Gardens at Heather Farm. New twist as annual holiday teas are canceled.
DEC. 4-6: Downtown Holiday Stroll. Ugly sweater contest, too!
DEC. 9: Luminary Walk. Sounds amazing, plus Santa will be there.
DEC. 15-23: 'Visit To North Pole' - "Exclusive visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus.
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