With the start of Hanukkah and Christmas just a week away, we're officially in full on holiday mode.
Catch the annual dragtastic Christmas rendition of The Golden Girls at The Victoria Theatre; pick up a last minute gift made on the West Coast; check out Nevin Aladağ's music-inspired abstract art at SFMOMA; and down endless tacos at Xingones. If you're looking to imbibe, hit up the release party for Anchor Brewing's Barrel Aged Christmas Ale or craft some festive cocktails at Alembic.
Monday, December 16th
Xingones pop-up
11am to 3pm and 4pm to 10pm Monday through Friday; noon to 10pm on Saturday; 10am to 8pm Sunday
Fort Green, 736 Washington St. (Oakland), xingones.com
If you haven't had a chance to check out hot new pop-up Xingones, now's your chance. Indulge in variety of tacos (steak, house-made smoked tofu, sofrito with veggies, umami-marinated chicken, or chili-marinated pork), or go all in on other pub-y fare like nachos, chicken taquitos, or fried chicken and waffles.
Holidays on Ice
7pm to 9pm
The Alembic, 1725 Haight St. (Upper Haight), alembicsf.com
Up your holiday cocktail game—and release some end of year stress—at Alembic's festive Monday night mixology class. After learning to make four full-sized drinks, you'll be all set to wow your friends at your next holiday party. // Tickets ($85) can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Arts of Fashion Competition
Reception at 6pm, show at 7:30pm
The Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin St. (Civic Center), asianart.org
At the annual International Arts of Fashion Competition runway show, you'll see designs by 50 emerging fashion designers selected from top art schools around the world. // Tickets ($95 and up) can be purchased on arts-of-fashion.org.
Tuesday, December 17th
New Work: Nevin Aladağ
Through June 7, 2020
SFMOMA, 151 3rd St. (SoMa), sfmoma.org
Explore a new exhibit from Berlin-based artist Nevin Aladağ, whose sculptures use a variety of musical instruments and textiles to showcase themes of culture and transformation. // Tickets ($25) are available via sfmoma.org.Doña opens
8am to 9pm Monday-Friday, 9am to 9pm Saturday and Sunday
Doña, 3770 Piedmont Ave. (Oakland), instagram.com
Beloved restaurant Doña Tomás is reincarnated in a new location as simply Doña. Stop in for tasty Mexican dishes like tacos, burritos, machos, enchiladas, chile rellenos, and ceviche.
Naughty or Nice Pop-up
11:30am to 8pm Sunday through Wednesday; 11:30am to 10pm Thursday through Saturday
Twenty-Five Lusk, 25 Lusk St. (SoMa), 25lusk.com
If you're in the mood for some holiday indulgence, head to the decked-out rooftop for Naughty or Nice, a pop-up with plenty of photo ops, festive drinks—think bourbon peppermint hot chocolate—and decadent bites like organic latkes. Bring a new, unwrapped gift to donate to Toys for Tots San Bruno.
Wednesday, December 18th
Wine & Design Winter Pop-Up
6pm to 7pm
Waterfront Hotel, 10 Washington St. (Oakland), jdvhotels.com
Grab a glass of vino and let your inner artist shine with a painting class, featuring tips from a pro on how to create an epic Oakland-themed masterpiece. // Tickets to paint ($20) can be purchased on wineanddesign.com. Wine will be available by the glass ($8) and by the bottle ($25-30) for an additional cost. Sign ups also available at the door.Holiday Fashion Soiree
6pm to 9pm
Dirty Habit, 12 4th St. (SoMa), dirtyhabitsf.com
Support Fashion Community Week with a pop-up fashion event. Browse apparel and accessories from special designers while enjoying a few holiday cocktails. Bring your old duds to donate for a clothing drive and you'll earn $10 off any purchase. // Tickets ($30) can be found on Eventbrite.
Mesmerica at Chabot
Reception at 6pm, show at 7pm
Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd. (Oakland), chabotspace.org
Sit back and relax in Chabot's Planetarium and prepare for musician James Hood's surround sound and trippy 360 projection light show to leave you awestruck. During this special one night only double feature, you'll also catch a rare Beatles laser show right before Mesmerica, and VIP tickets include priority seating and an exclusive reception. Proceeds benefit Chabot Center's Planetarium campaign and ensure that the magical projection system stays up to date. // Tickets ($50 or $100 for VIP) can be purchased on blackbaudhosting.com.
Saison class
6pm to 7pm
Temescal Brewing, 4115 Telegraph Ave. (Oakland), temescalbrewing.com
Brush up on your beer knowledge with this special class focused on saisons. Sip on a pint of Temescal Brewing's Take of the Time and learn about this fun style. // Tickets ($6) get you a pint and educational tidbits. Purchase on site.
Thursday, December 19th
Barrel Aged Christmas Ale Release Party
5pm to 9pm
Anchor Public Taps, 495 DeHaro St. (Potrero), anchorbrewing.com
Celebrate the holidays with Anchor Brewing Company's festive ale, a blend of 2017 and 2018 Christmas Ales and aged Old Foghorn Barleywine. Taste your way through the new barrel aged ale, as well as a flight of four versions of their Christmas ale. Bonus: you also get a 22 ounce bottle to bring home. // Tickets ($25) can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Destination dining tickets on sale
Online at outstandinginthefield.com
Dreamy dinner hosts, Outstanding in the Field, have just released their 2020 Winter Dinner tickets. Long table harvest meals are hosted in enchanting locations like the Malibu pier, agave farms, ranches, and even on the floating gardens of Xochimilco in Mexico City. Book your tickets now for one of the three California feasts, or head to one of their new first-time locations like Australia and Nicaragua to escape your cold winter blues.
The Golden Girls Live! The Christmas Episodes
8pm
The Victoria Theatre, 2961 16th St. (Mission), victoriatheatre.org
Catch four top-notch drag performers act out the hilarious Christmas episodes from the TV show, "The Golden Girls." On deck we have local legends Heklina (Dorothy), Matthew Martin (Blanche), D'Arcy Drollinger (Rose), and Holotta Tymes (Sophia) bringing the magic and the laughs. // Tickets ($30 and up) are available on goldengirlssf.com.
The All-Sparkling Bubble Room Menu
J Vineyards & Winery 11447 Old Redwood Hwy, Healdsburg
Thursday through Sunday, 11:00 am, 11:30 am, noon, 2:30pm and 3:00pm
Head to J Vineyards & Winery to explore the full range of sparkling wines through the special holiday Bubble Room experience. The award-winning five-course pairing menu always has a sparkling component throughout the year, but during the holidays (through early January), executive chef Carl Shelton's pairs his menu entirely with sparkling wines. The expert staff will help guide you through the five-course pairing, describing how Chef Carl uses impeccable, progressive cooking techniques and local sources to showcase the acclaimed wines from J winemaker Nicole Hitchcock. // $125/person, $110 for Club J Members; jwine.com
Thank you to our partners at J Vineyards & Winery.
Friday, December 20th
Children's Magical Tea
12pm and 12:30pm seatings, today and Saturday
InterContinental Mark Hopkins, 999 California St. (Russian Hill), intercontinentalmarkhopkins.com
Grab the little ones, this tea time is packed with fun activities. Expect face painting with a pixie, cookie decorating, and an appearance by balloon-artist The Master Baloonatic. Goodies to consumer include mini sandwiches, scones and kid favs like pigs in a blanket, mac n' cheese, and make-your-own sliders station, dessert bar, and more. // Tickets ($80) are available at the hotel's desk, or by calling 415-616-6941 or emailing Athena.Golling@ihg.com. Find more event info on holidaysatthemark.com.
The Last Black Man in San Francisco: Screening + Fundraiser
7pm to 10pm
Manny's, 3092 16th St. (Mission), welcometomannys.com
Catch a screening of The Last Black Man in San Francisco, and enjoy a discussion with two of the actors in the film, Isiain Lalime and Jordan Gomes. // Tickets ($10) are available on Eventbrite and support their "Awareness Through Action" campaign.
Comedy Soup
9pm to 11pm
Sycamore House, 737 Sycamore St. (Oakland)
Head over for a local stand-up show with some hot new comic talent. Free to attend with an RSVP, plus free popcorn and wine (is this heaven?). // Free to attend with a suggested donation of $10-20, RSVP via Eventbrite.
Watch Elf
10:30pm to 1:30am
The New Parkway Theater, 474 24th St. (Oakland), thenewparkway.com
Feel like binging holiday movies but also know you should get out of the house? Mix things up with a screening of the "Elf" starring Will Farrel at Oakland's New Parkway Theater. Their movie theater is packed with cushy sofas, plus snacks and drinks for purchase. // Tickets ($10) can be purchased on veezi.com.
National Sangria Day
5pm to 9pm
Spark Social SF, 601 Mission Bay North (Mission Bay)
Celebrate this very important holiday with five holiday-themed sangrias, 12 food trucks, live DJs, and more. // Bottomless sangria is $30/person; register at sparksocialsf.com.
Saturday, December 21st
Rororiri Holiday Pup-Up
Backyard at the Tilden Hotel, 345 Taylor St. (Union Square), tildenhotel.com
Ali Wong: The Milk & Money Tour
7pm
The Masonic, 1111 California St. (Nob Hill), sfmasonic.com
Insanely awesome comic, Ali Wong, is in town for her latest show, "Ali Wong: The Milk & Money Tour." Unfortunately, tickets are currently sold out, but here's your FYI in case you want to scrounge around to find a pair. // Tickets ($60-110) currently sold out on livenation.com.
The Guardsmen Tree Lot Party
8pm
The Guardsmen Christmas Tree Lot, 2 Marina Blvd (Marina), sftreelot.guardsmen.org
Grab your swanky holiday cocktail outfits for this winter wonderland bash with countless Christmas trees, multiple bars, and one big dance party. Hosted bar included in your ticket with tips going to support Bay Area at-risk youth. // Tickets ($100 and up) can be found on Eventbrite.
Madrone's 15th Anniversary
9pm to 2am
Madrone Art Bar, 500 Divisadero St. (NoPa), madroneartbar.com
Divis favorite, Madrone Art Bar, is celebrating 15 years in business with a week's worth of parties. Tonight things culminate with the last event, an indie-rock music-video dance party with a Christmas twist—Santa hats, mistletoe, and ugly Xmas sweaters. // Free to attend before 10pm, $5 after at the door. Find event info on Facebook.
Winter Equinox Beach Yoga
11am to 12:15pm
Baker Beach (Presidio), outdooryogasf.com
Celebrate the shortest day of the year—and reflect as the decade comes to a close—with Outdoor Yoga's Winter Equinox class. During this special class held at Baker Beach, you'll be sure to get some calm—and a good sweat—in amidst all the holiday chaos. // Tickets ($25 and up) can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Head West Holiday Marketplace
11am to 5pm
Peralta Street Warehouses, 2435 Peralta St. (Oakland)
If you haven't quite finished grabbing gifts for everyone on your nice list, stop by Head West's holiday market. With offerings ranging from coffee beans to jewelry to recycled wool pillows from over 60 Bay Area and West Coast makers and artists, you'll be sure to wrap up your holiday shopping with a few days to spare. // Details and vendors can be found on headwestmarketplace.com.
12 Days of Magic
Events today through January 1
The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, 13031 Ritz-Carlton Highlands Court (Truckee), ritzcarlton.com
The Ritz's Twelve Days of Magic provides the perfect excuse for a snowy escape. The festivities kick off today with a Winter Solstice party—complete with tiki cocktails, live music, and an outdoor igloo—and continue all December long with everything ranging from a holiday trunk show to a snowman contest to a champagne bar. // Details (and event prices) can be found on ritzcarlton.com.
Sunday, December 22nd
Learn to Skate
8:30am to 9:30am, Saturday and Sunday
Holiday Ice Rink at Union Square, 333 Post St. (Union Square), unionsquareicerink.com
Ice skates kind of intimidating? Head to the rink early for some free lessons (and free skate rentals) to learn the basics from professional skate instructors. Limited to 50 participants per day. // Free to attend, sign up at unionsquareicerink.com.A Charlie Brown Christmas—Live!
11am to 1pm, 2pm to 4pm
Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave (Civic Center), sfsymphony.org
One last holiday show for your weekend, this time see a live rendition of animated film, "A Charlie Brown Christmas," brought to life by actors, an animated backdrop, and the SF Symphony. Come early to peep the festive lobby with a massive Xmas tree and Peanuts-themed decorations. // Tickets ($40 and up) are available on sfsymphony.org.
Serena & Lily at Carneros
Available through January 5th
Carneros Resort and Spa, 4048 Sonoma Hwy (Napa), carnerosresort.com
If you're in need of some R&R amidst all the holiday madness, book a stay in Carneros Resort and Spa's special Serena & Lily Residence. Completely decked out in Serena & Lily decor, this multi bedroom residence can easily accommodate up to six people and offers some serious design-spiration. Plus, enjoy a hand delivered holiday spread with wine pairings, take a dip in a private in-ground hot tub, cozy up by the fire, and enjoy pours at nearby tasting rooms. The catch? This residence is only available through January 5th, so book ASAP! // Starting at $1300 per night, find details and reserve your stay on carnerosresort.com.
Glowing Hanukkah Party at Ghirardelli Square
3pm to 6pm
Ghirardelli Square, 900 North Point (Russian Hill), ghirardellisq.com
Kick off the first night of Hanukkah with an illuminating mini festival. Wear you best glowing, light-up attire to light traditional candles, sing songs, make crafts, snack on gourmet donuts, and play dreidel Make sure to catch the final portion of the event: an LED piano concert. // Free to attend, RSVP via jccsf.org.
