San Francisco Christmas Shows 2025

San Francisco Symphony Holiday Concerts

Location: San Francisco

Dates: November 30 - December 22

Cost: $$$

The San Francisco Symphony presents a diverse lineup of holiday concerts at Davies Symphony Hall, featuring live orchestral accompaniment for iconic holiday films such as 'The Holiday' and 'Home Alone'. The performances also include festive musical acts, from mariachi to jazz, and family-friendly concerts like 'Deck the Hall' and 'A Charlie Brown Christmas—LIVE!'. The beautifully decorated hall enhances the experience with a winter wonderland atmosphere.

Graham Lustig's The Nutcracker

Location: Oakland

Dates: December 20-21, 2025

Cost: $$

Graham Lustig's acclaimed production of 'The Nutcracker' returns to the Paramount Theatre, featuring a live orchestra performance of Tchaikovsky's score by the Oakland Symphony and Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir. This year's production celebrates six decades of dance with stunning choreography and a special Sweet Dreams Party for audience interaction with the cast. The enchanting story unfolds as Marie rescues the Nutcracker Prince from the evil Rat King.

The Nutcracker

Location: San Mateo

Dates: Specific dates and times for 2025 are not yet available, but typically runs during the holiday season.

Cost: $$

The Peninsula Ballet Theatre presents a full-length production of 'The Nutcracker' at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center, showcasing the company's rich history and talent. This classic ballet production brings to life the enchanting story of Clara and her Nutcracker with Tchaikovsky's iconic score, elaborate costumes, and breathtaking set designs that transport audiences to a winter wonderland.

Smuin's The Christmas Ballet

Location: San Francisco

Dates: November 22 – December 28, 2025

Cost: $$

Smuin Ballet presents 'The Christmas Ballet,' a cherished holiday tradition featuring a blend of classic and new choreography. This year's performances will take place across multiple Bay Area locations, including Walnut Creek, Carmel, Mountain View, and San Francisco, showcasing new works by acclaimed choreographers alongside beloved Smuin classics and favorite numbers.

Marin Ballet: Nutcracker

Location: San Rafael

Dates: December 10, 1 pm & 5 pm; December 11, 1 pm

Cost: $$

The Marin Ballet brings a classical ballet rendition of 'Nutcracker' to the Marin Center, featuring 125 dancers in a professionally choreographed production. This cherished holiday tradition showcases Clara's whimsical Christmas Eve dreams, filled with clever storytelling and vibrant characters, set against a backdrop of lavish Victorian costumes and intricately designed sets.

The Golden Girls Live: The Christmas Episodes

Location: San Francisco

Dates: December 4–21, 2025

Cost: $$$

Celebrate the 20th anniversary of 'The Golden Girls Live' at Curran Theatre, featuring a drag parody of two classic holiday episodes from the beloved sitcom. The show is infused with razor-sharp wit and festive flair, along with a post-show meet & greet opportunity with the cast for VIP ticket holders.

Contra Costa Ballet's The Nutcracker

Location: Oakland

Dates: November 29 - 30, 2025

Cost: $$

The Contra Costa Ballet presents its 37th annual performance of 'The Nutcracker' at the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts. This elegant one-hour introduction to the classic Christmas ballet is designed for audiences of all ages, featuring colorful costumes and whimsical sets that bring the magical tale to life.

The Nutcracker Suite

Location: Walnut Creek

Dates: November 7 - 8, 2025

Cost: $$

Step into a nostalgic holiday world as Diablo Ballet presents 'The Nutcracker Suite' at the Lesher Center for the Arts, reimagining Tchaikovsky’s beloved score with Julia Adam’s inventive choreography. Set against the glamorous backdrop of 1950s San Francisco, this festive production follows Clara’s magical journey through a whimsical hotel, where dancing sweets, a dramatic Mouse King, and a dazzling snowfall captivate audiences of all ages. With expanded dances, vibrant new costumes, and a touch of local charm, this holiday tradition offers a fresh twist on a timeless classic.

San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker

Location: San Francisco

Dates: December 5-28, 2025

Cost: $$$$

The San Francisco Ballet performs Helgi Tomasson's iconic interpretation of 'The Nutcracker' at the War Memorial Opera House. This historic American production features a sensory-friendly performance on December 28, creating a welcoming environment for neurodiverse audiences, and special matinee performances with festive luncheons and character interactions on December 13.

Kung Pao Kosher Comedy

Location: San Francisco

Dates: December 24-26, 2025

Cost: $$

Celebrate the 33rd annual Kung Pao Kosher Comedy at the Imperial Palace Restaurant, a unique event held on Christmas that combines Jewish humor with Chinese cuisine. Attendees can opt for in-person shows with dinner service or virtual viewing options, featuring live stand-up performances from renowned comedians.

SF Ballet Nutcracker

Location: San Francisco

Cost: $$$

Step into a holiday wonderland with San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker at the War Memorial Opera House, where Tchaikovsky’s timeless score and world-class dancers bring Clara’s magical journey to life. Set against the backdrop of 1915 San Francisco, this production blends local history with dazzling choreography, lavish costumes, and a breathtaking onstage blizzard. Experience the elegance of a classic ballet tradition, enhanced by live orchestral music and a uniquely San Franciscan twist that makes this performance a cherished holiday highlight.

SF Symphony Holiday Concerts

Location: San Francisco

Cost: $$$

Celebrate the magic of the season with the San Francisco Symphony’s 2025 Holiday Concerts at Davies Symphony Hall. Experience a rich blend of timeless Christmas classics, live orchestral film scores, and festive sing-alongs, featuring guest artists and special narrations. This annual tradition offers a unique holiday soundtrack that combines classical masterpieces with joyful community moments in an elegant setting.

SF Opera Holiday Performances

Location: San Francisco

Cost: $$$

Celebrate the holiday season with SF Opera's enchanting Christmas performances at the historic War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco. Experience world-class vocal artistry and festive storytelling through timeless operatic works and seasonal favorites, all set against the venue’s stunning architecture. These performances offer a unique blend of tradition and holiday spirit, perfect for creating lasting memories.

Curran Theatre Holiday Shows

Location: San Francisco

Cost: $$

Experience San Francisco's most irreverent holiday tradition at the historic Curran Theatre, where four drag performers transform into the beloved Golden Girls characters for a campy, hilarious take on Christmas episodes. This 20-year-old theatrical phenomenon blends sharp comedy with heartfelt tributes, featuring elaborate costume changes, live musical performances, and the kind of unfiltered humor that has made this show a Bay Area holiday institution. Perfect for those seeking unconventional festive entertainment that celebrates both the absurd and the touching sides of the season.

Orpheum Theatre Holiday Productions

Location: San Francisco

Cost: $$

Experience San Francisco's premier holiday theater season at the iconic Orpheum Theatre, featuring a diverse lineup of festive productions that blend Broadway spectacle with seasonal charm. From elaborate musical performances to intimate holiday celebrations, this historic venue transforms into a winter wonderland showcasing world-class entertainment. The Orpheum's carefully curated December programming offers something for every holiday enthusiast, combining timeless theatrical traditions with contemporary holiday artistry in an elegantly restored architectural gem.

Golden Gate Theatre Holiday Shows

Location: San Francisco

Cost: $$

Celebrate the magic of the season at the Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco with a captivating lineup of holiday shows throughout December 2025. From dazzling ballet performances to vibrant musical tributes and festive comedy, these events offer a unique blend of tradition and contemporary flair in a historic venue. Experience unforgettable storytelling, spectacular costumes, and joyous music that bring holiday cheer to all ages.

American Conservatory Theater Holiday

Location: San Francisco

Cost: $$

Experience the magic of the holidays at American Conservatory Theater’s festive 2025 Christmas production, where classic tales are reimagined with vibrant performances, original music, and stunning stagecraft. This year’s celebration blends beloved holiday stories with fresh, family-friendly twists, offering a unique theatrical adventure for audiences of all ages. From heartwarming scenes to playful musical numbers, the event captures the spirit of the season in the heart of San Francisco.

SFJAZZ Holiday Jazz

Location: San Francisco

Cost: $$

Celebrate the festive season with SFJAZZ Holiday Jazz, a captivating series of live performances blending classic holiday tunes with vibrant jazz improvisations. Set in the heart of San Francisco, this event offers an intimate atmosphere where world-class musicians reinterpret seasonal favorites, creating a unique and soulful holiday experience. Perfect for jazz lovers and holiday enthusiasts alike, it transforms traditional celebrations into unforgettable musical journeys.

Cobb's Comedy Club Holiday Comedy

Location: San Francisco

Dates: Throughout December 2025

Cost: $$

Celebrate the holiday season with Cobb's Comedy Club's special Christmas 2025 lineup in San Francisco, featuring a curated selection of nationally acclaimed comedians delivering festive, side-splitting performances. Set in the iconic North Beach venue, this event blends warm holiday cheer with sharp wit, creating an unforgettable comedy experience that brightens the winter nights with laughter and joy.

Punch Line Holiday Comedy

Location: San Francisco

Dates: Throughout December 2025

Cost: $$

Celebrate the holiday season with Punch Line Comedy Club’s special Christmas 2025 comedy series in San Francisco. Experience an evening filled with sharp wit, festive humor, and surprise guest appearances from top comedians in an intimate, iconic venue. This event blends holiday cheer with stand-up brilliance, making it a unique seasonal treat for comedy lovers seeking laughter and joy in a cozy setting.

SF Playhouse Holiday Production

Location: San Francisco

Cost: $

Experience the magic of the holidays with San Francisco Playhouse’s 2025 production of 'Into the Woods,' a captivating musical that weaves beloved fairy tales into a profound story of wishes, consequences, and community. Set in an intimate theater space near Union Square, this enchanting show combines stellar performances, innovative design, and heartfelt storytelling to create a uniquely immersive holiday tradition.

Magic Theatre Holiday Show

Location: San Francisco

Cost: $

Celebrate the holiday season with Magic Theatre’s unique contemporary holiday show at Fort Mason, blending innovative storytelling with festive spirit. This immersive performance offers fresh perspectives on holiday traditions through original plays and dynamic theatrical experiences, making it a must-see cultural event in San Francisco’s vibrant arts scene.

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Holiday

Location: Mountain View

Cost: $$

Experience the warmth and charm of the holiday season with TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s 2025 production of 'Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley.' This enchanting musical comedy, set in the beloved world of Jane Austen, offers a fresh and heartfelt celebration of friendship, music, and romance during Christmas. Performed at the Lucie Stern Theatre, it combines witty dialogue, captivating performances, and festive spirit to create a uniquely joyous holiday tradition.

Berkeley Rep Holiday Production

Location: Berkeley

Cost: $$

Experience a masterful solo theatrical interpretation of Charles Dickens' timeless holiday classic at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Actor Jefferson Mays brings the entire story to life in an 80-minute performance featuring innovative staging and lighting design that transforms the beloved tale of redemption and Christmas spirit into an intimate, immersive theatrical event. This limited engagement offers a fresh take on a cherished seasonal tradition, perfect for audiences seeking a sophisticated and emotionally resonant holiday experience.

Club Fugazi Holiday Shows

Location: San Francisco

Dates: Throughout December 2025

Cost: $$

Club Fugazi in North Beach transforms into a festive wonderland this Christmas 2025 with its signature holiday variety shows, blending dazzling circus artistry, surprise guest performances, and immersive storytelling. Audiences experience a unique fusion of San Francisco’s vibrant culture and holiday cheer, featuring new acts, live music, and special pop-ins from beloved Bay Area artists. The intimate theater setting creates a warm, celebratory atmosphere perfect for making lasting holiday memories.