As you might expect, the holiday spirit is strong this week with lots of happenings well suited for having family in town.
Check out festive shows, San Francisco hot spots, and inventive drink scenes this week. And if you’re still figuring out plans, don’t miss our guide to restaurants open for Christmas dinners.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and may your days be bright.
Raise your Champagne game at the St. Regis San Francisco in the final days of their Twelve Days of Sabering program. Each evening features a new bubbly, served in elegant style; Monday and Tuesday at 6pm. // St. Regis San Francisco, 125 3rd St. (Union Square); details at marriott.com
Speak easy and throw down some nog in the Sequoia Holiday Speakeasy. Wayfare Tavern's top floor is transformed into an enchanted winter forest (think elegant, not cheesy) for sophisticated holiday cocktails and bites; through Monday, Dec. 30. // Wayfare Tavern, 558 Sacramento St. (FiDi); reservations at OpenTable.
Buck tradition with the Pan-American Nutcracker Suite. The iconic Christmas score gets a twist in a performance from theNew York Afro Bop Alliance Big Band; Monday at 8pm. // Yoshi's, 510 Embarcadero West (Oakland); tickets at etix.com
Groove to classic Vegas Christmas tunes as Bud E. Luv channels icons Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Tom Jones in a fabulous show; Monday, 8pm.// The Chapel, 777 Valencia St. (Mission); tickets at seetickets.us
Don't miss the decked-out halls of Filoli, where 54,000 square feet and 16 acres of holiday cheer await in their gorgeous grounds and property. Snap a last-minute holiday photo or snag one last gift. // Filoli, 86 Cañada Rd. (Woodside); tickets at filoli.org (Pst: 7x7 Social Club members get BOGO tickets.)
Catch the legendary Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir. This moving performance is an annual event not to be missed; Tuesday at 6pm and 9pm. // Great American Music Hall, 859 O'Farrell St. (Tenderloin); tickets at seetickets.us
Drop in for some yoga and last-minute giving with a special vinyasa flow class benefitting Something Queer Music and Arts Collective (and your mental clarity); Tuesday at 10am. // Haum, 2973 16th St., Flr. 5 (Mission) and 780 Stanyan St. (Upper Haight); register at haumsf.com
Sip a groovy Aurora Borealis under a magical night sky. Get the northern lights experience without the trek on Terrene’s transformed patio. Enjoy their color-changing cocktail (or try something hot) as you dip Acme bread into Cowgirl Creamery fondue; 4pm to 10pm nightly, through January 19. // Terrene at 1 Hotel, 8 Mission St. (SoMa); reservations at sevenrooms.com
Play tourist with SF City Guides. Walk off those holiday sweets, show your fam the sights, and rediscover the city’s many gems; Tuesday and Wednesday, starting at 11am. // Details and tickets at sfcityguides.org
Party hard at Question Mark Bar. The SoMa hang has movies and sports on screen, food and drinks on hand, and karaoke at the ready when it's time to unwind; 5pm to 2am, Christmas Day. // Question Mark Bar, 312 Harriet St. (SoMa); details on Instagram
Get rewarded for phone-free conversation. If your new year’s resolutions include less screen time, head to Kothai Republic and earn surprise, Asian-inspired bites when you set down your phone and strike up conversation with a neighbor; through January 31. // Kothai Republic, 1398 9th Ave. (Inner Sunset); reservations at exploretock.com
Go for a glide on a fresh ice skating rink at Thrive City; sessions from 10am to noon, 1pm to 3pm, and 5pm to 7pm Thursday and Friday. // Thrive City, 1725 3rd St. (Mission Bay); RSVP at chasecenter.com
Catch the Moet & Chandon speakeasy at the W. Extend the Christmas vibes with a 90 minutes of holiday bites and cocktails in a festive hideaway; Friday and Saturday at 4:30pm, 6:30pm, or 8:30pm. // W San Francisco, 181 3rd St. (SoMa); tickets at eventbrite.com
Dance off holiday stress at Monarch with an all-night tribute to Fred Again, Jamie xx, and other EDM sensations; Saturday at 9pm. // Monarch, 101 6th St. (SoMa); tickets at eventbrite.com
Plan ahead for the new year with a reflection session. Practice your breathwork and prepare for 2025 with a workshop meant to release stress and give you clarity for what’s ahead; Saturday, 7pm to 9pm. // The Center SF, 548 Fillmore St. (Lower Haight); tickets at eventbrite.com
Book at spot at Mister's Jiu's to experience chef Brandon Jew's legendary five-course, Chinese-Californian tasting menu—and get a glass of Champagne on the house when you join the 7x7 Social Club; 5pm to 9pm Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and until 10pm Thursdays and Fridays. // Mister's Jiu's, 28 Waverly Pl. (Chinatown); reservations at exploretock.com
Enjoy improv with a Victorian twist at An Improvised Dickens Musical from the BATS crew; Saturday, 8pm. // Fort Mason Center For Arts & Culture, 2 Marina Blvd. (Fort Mason); tickets at app.gopassage.com
Head to an epic Hanukkah celebration. The trek to Petaluma is worth it for the spectacle of the world's biggest dreidel and a helicopter gelt drop; Sunday, 4:30pm to 6:00pm. // The Petaluma Fairgrounds, 175 Fairgrounds Dr. (Petaluma); RSVP at jewishpetaluma.com
Get away for the weekend with a visit to Faust Haus. This boutique winery is a cozy winter hideaway for tastings, including the exclusive barrel tasting experience just for 7x7 Social Club members. // Faust, 2867 St. Helena Hwy. (St Helena); reservations at faustwines.com
Wrap up the week with Waitress. Catch the hit Broadway musical before your winter break is over; Sunday at 2pm. // San Francisco Playhouse, 450 Post St. (TenderNob); tickets at sfplayhouse.org
Indulge in sustainable caviar from the California Caviar Company in their elegant Sausalito lounge. Pick your favorites à la carte or opt for a decadent tasting menu. 7x7 Social Club members get a free bump; 6:30pm to 10pm Saturdays, and 5pm to 9pm Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. // The Bump Bar, 1403 Bridgeway B (Sausalito); reservations at toasttab.com
