Happy Thanksgiving, San Francisco! From Black Friday shopping to ice skating, here are some essential activities for an unforgettable long weekend in the Bay Area.
Looking for some fun activities to do post-turkey? Thanksgiving weekend in San Francisco brings plenty of events, activities, and fun spots to hit up from November 28 – December 1, 2024. Whether you’re running the Turkey Trot or looking for Black Friday sales, we’ve got a little of everything to make this your best Thanksgiving weekend yet. Scroll through for some essential events and activities to kick off the 2024 holiday season.
1. Sign up for the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot
Need to get your blood pumping before eating your weight in stuffing? Consider registering for the San Francisco Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. The 22nd annual event has a 5-mile race, a 3-mile race, and a 100-meter kids’ race. Participants can run or walk through the course in Golden Gate Park and it’s not uncommon to arrive in costume.
Update: The SF Turkey Trot is sold out, but you can still show up to enjoy the ambiance or run the course on your own.
Date: Nov. 28, 2024
Location: Golden Gate Park Polo Field, San Francisco, CA
Website: SF Turkey Trot
2. Reserve a table at one of these SF restaurants for a decadent Thanksgiving dinner
Cooking a delicious Thanksgiving dinner is not for the faint of heart, but lucky for us, these San Francisco restaurants have got Thanksgiving dialed. We did a deep dive into the most popular SF restaurants open on Thanksgiving with dine-in, take-home, luxurious, and affordable options for this beloved holiday. Our list covers everything from traditional Turkey Day meals complete with a decadent roasted bird, mashed potatoes, gravy, and the works; as well as more creative takes if you want to try something new.
3. Make it your most memorable Friendsgiving yet
In recent years, Friendsgiving has become a popular trend among the younger generations, but hosting a dinner party isn’t always the easiest. Here are a few staff picks for ways to celebrate Friendsgiving in SF — minus all the post-dinner dishes.
4. Honor the Indigenous Peoples of America at the sunrise gathering on Alcatraz
The Indians of All Tribes organization occupied Alcatraz Island from 1969-1971, citing a treaty by which the government promised the return of abandoned federal land to the tribes from whom it was originally taken. Although the movement failed, it is commemorated each year with a sunrise gathering on Thanksgiving Day.
Date: Nov. 28, 2024
Location: Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, CA
Website: International Indian Treaty Council
5. Visit the SF Botanical Garden for free, and look out for fall foliage
Did you know that the San Francisco Botanical Garden offers free admission to everyone on Thanksgiving Day? Make sure to visit and look out for some fall foliage throughout the landscape, especially in the Moon Viewing Garden. If you’re planning to spend part or all of Thanksgiving alone this year, this is a great place to go solo.
Location: 1199 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122
6. Seek out some Black Friday deals at these essential local shopping spots
We’re well aware that Thanksgiving is synonymous with Black Friday for many local bargain hunters, and you can bet on some unbeatable deals all over the Bay Area on Nov. 29th. Here are a couple of roundups summarizing our favorite destinations for a shopping spree:
8 SF neighborhoods with independently-owned shops and boutiques
This list will take you through some essential shopping streets in SF lined with specialty shops and small businesses. Consider paying a visit to Divisadero Street in NoPa/Alamo Square and Hayes Street in Hayes Valley.
10 essential Bay Area shopping malls
If you’re seeking more mainstream retailers and big-box deals, skim our list of local shopping malls to help you plan your day. We’re partial to Stonestown Galleria down by Lake Merced, and Santana Row in San Jose.
7. Volunteer with GLIDE to feed the homeless during the holidays
GLIDE is a nationally-recognized volunteer organization based in SF’s Tenderloin neighborhood, and they are a popular option for volunteering during the holidays. Per their website, holiday shift signups will open in early November for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. You can sign up to help out with food distribution or donate toys as gifts for local children.
Location: 1199 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122
Website: GLIDE
8. Get your skate on at these awesome local ice rinks
It’s that time of year! Plenty of Bay Area ice rinks are open and already hosting fun events by Thanksgiving. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Union Square Ice Rink (San Francisco)
- Snoopy’s Home Ice (Santa Rosa)
- Meritage Resort Winter Village (Napa)
- See the full list of Bay Area ice rinks here
9. Go for a brisk autumn walk around the city
Take this as your friendly reminder to get your steps in! San Francisco is full of endless places to explore, and in a city like this, it’s essential to enjoy the little things. Here are a few of our favorite walking spots:
- Salesforce Park
- Lyon Street Steps, Pacific Heights
- Great Highway
- See the full list of our favorite SF walks
10. Get lost in San Jose’s magical Christmas light maze
When it comes to holiday light displays in the Bay Area, it’s hard to beat this enormous Christmas maze and ice skating rink in San Jose. Enchant San Jose will take over PayPal Park, and it’s the place to be if you (like us) have caught an extreme case of holiday cheer.
Enchant is essentially a massive glittering winter wonderland rife with photo opportunities and fun activities. Explore a giant glowing light maze with larger-than-life reindeer, a 100-foot Christmas tree, and endless interactive elements.
Date: Nov. 22 – Dec. 29, 2024
Location: PayPal Park, 1123 Coleman Ave, San Jose, CA 95110
11. Check out the Exploratorium’s GLOW light art exhibition
The Exploratorium’s visitor-favorite GLOW: Discover the Art of Light will return again in 2024. See brand new installations that play with light and darkness in innovative ways. The exhibition expands upon the Exploratorium’s typical exhibits and is a must during the holiday season in San Francisco.
Date: Nov. 21, 2024 – Jan. 26, 2025
Location: Pier 15, Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94111
12. Pick up a tree at the Guardsmen Christmas Tree Lot
The Guardsmen Christmas Tree Lot is about to open its doors at the Festival Pavilion at San Francisco’s Fort Mason Center. You can stock up on holiday essentials including trees, garlands, wreaths, and ornaments. In addition to the tree lot itself, you don’t want to miss their lively family day, a crab and pasta dinner, and giant holiday party with live music.See our full list of nearby Christmas tree lots for some more options.
Secret SF Promo: Add the promo code SECRETSF-24 at checkout to get 10% off admission to the holiday party on Dec. 14, 2024!
Date: Nov. 30 – Dec. 21, 2024
Location: Fort Mason Festival Pavilion, 2 Marina Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94123
13. Check out the World Tree of Hope at Grace Cathedral
As if Grace Cathedral wasn’t iconic enough, they are pulling out all the stops for the holiday season! During Thanksgiving weekend they usually install the World Tree of Hope, which is the largest origami Christmas tree in the world. You can volunteer to help trim the tree and watch the installation process throughout November, but the lighting ceremony isn’t until Dec. 9, 2024. Other cool events include Yoga on the Labyrinth on Saturday,Nov. 30, a gorgeous weekly practice attracting hundreds of people; and the Nob Hill lighting ceremony on Monday, Dec. 2, which has been going on for over half a century.
Location: 1100 California St, San Francisco, CA 94108
14. Escape to Victorian-era London at this magical local Christmas fair
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair and Victorian Holiday Party will soon return to Daly City’s Cow Palace. This beloved annual event drops you into Victorian London, brought to life by hundreds of costumed players and a plethora of shops, stages, pubs, parties, and memorable performances.
Date: Nov. 23 – Dec. 22, 2024
Location: Cow Palace Exhibition Halls, 2600 Geneva Avenue, Daly City
15. Visit the Fairmont’s famous 2-story gingerbread house display
Every year, the Fairmont creates a real, massive gingerbread display. The 22-foot-tall structure has two levels and is totally decked out for the holiday season, covered in a rainbow of candy, including classic gumdrops, strands of Nerds Rope, and many more. The gingerbread takes the classic tradition and elevates it to new heights— and yes, the walls are actually gingerbread glued together with icing.
Date: Opening Nov. 23, 2024
Location: Fairmont Hotel, 950 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94108
16. See what’s going on at the Ferry Building on Thanksgiving weekend
The Ferry Building really turns up the charm over the holidays with festive decor, fun seasonal products from local makers, and special activities. On Thanksgiving weekend, look for live harp music on Saturday from 11:30am-1:30pm, and a holiday craft making table on Sunday from 10am-4pm. All of the shops will also be decked out with fun holiday displays, and you can vote for your favorite display for a chance to win a Ferry Building shopping spree.
Location: Ferry Building – 1 Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 94105
17. Play board games at GobbleCon all weekend long
GobbleCon is back all weekend long at the Burlingame Hyatt Regency. Enjoy an afternoon with family playing board games in a large open gaming area with the purchase of a two-night stay at the hotel.
Dates: 4pm on Nov. 28 through 10pm on Dec. 1, 2024
Location: Burlingame Hyatt Regency SFO – 1333 Old Bayshore Hwy, Burlingame, CA 94010
Website: GobbleCon
18. Take an unforgettable day trip around NorCal
We love San Francisco for its countless activities to enjoy everywhere you go. But anytime there’s a long weekend or a free day, we’re quite well-located to check out some neighboring California gems. Be sure to put these day trips on your to-do list for the next time you want to get out of the city and into nature.
- Pinnacles
- Capitola
- Winchester Mystery House
- See our ful list of day trips from San Francisco here
19. Visit a charming holiday craft market
Holiday spirit is already in the air and the crafters of San Francisco are working at full throttle to sell their wares! We’ve gone ahead and rounded up some of the best holiday markets, craft fairs, and more in the San Francisco Bay Area for November and December. Think Bay Area Christmas markets with homemade pastries, decorations, and innovative products. Or holiday craft fairs with all the handmade jewelry, pottery, and art you could wish for.
20. Sip on festive cocktails at Miracle at PCH
Miracle at Pacific Cocktail Haven is a San Francisco favorite this time of year, as it offers up the best in seasonal cocktails, festive photo ops, and holiday cheer. Be transported to an over-the-top Christmas explosion outfitted with thousands of colorful lights, wrapping paper decorations, garlands, ornaments, bows, frills, glowing trees, Santa hats, and a huge stack of presents. Festive attire is absolutely non-negotiable here, so make sure you dress to impress.
Dates: Opens Nov. 29, 2024
Location: Pacific Cocktail Haven, 550 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94108
21. Cheer on the Warriors or the Sharks at a home game
Thanksgiving weekend will coincide with multiple major-league sports games this year. Here are a few to plan ahead for:
- Wednesday, Nov. 27 – Golden State Warriors vs. Oklahoma City Thunder at Chase Center
- Wednesday, Nov. 27 – San Jose Sharks vs. Ottawa Senators at SAP Center
- Friday, Nov. 29 – San Jose Sharks vs. Seattle Kraken at SAP Center
- Sunday, Dec. 1 – San Francisco 49ers vs. Buffalo Bills (away – see our list of sports bars for where to watch)
22. Take an epic journey on a vintage train
Escape to another era on these gorgeous vintage locomotives, many of which are decked out for the holidays.
Napa Valley Wine Train
Take a trip through rolling vineyards in wine country while enjoying gourmet food and the best wines in California, all on a gorgeous vintage train with plush chairs, brass accents, glass etchings and lux tableware.
Roaring Camp Steam Trains
Want to enjoy California’s beautiful redwood forests, without having to don hiking boots? This steam train from Roaring Camp is an absolute must! Hop on this authentic train from 1890 for an open-air trip through the redwoods. Roaring Camp also offers a train route to Santa Cruz, where you’ll ride alongside the shore for some beautiful ocean views.
23. Drive through this sparkling winter wonderland in San Jose
Christmas in the Park is back this year, decking out San Jose in tens of thousands of sparkling lights. Head down for their beloved drive-thru experience, where guests can take a trip through a magical glowing winter wonderland by car. There will also be a tree lighting and other events at Cesar Chavez Plaza.
Dates: Drive-through opens Nov. 21, 2024. Downtown displays open Nov. 29, 2024.
24. Explore the dazzling Garden of D’Lights in Walnut Creek
The Ruth Bancroft Garden rolls out its whimsical Garden of d’Lights holiday event again this year. They deck out the plants with multicolored lights, lasers, and more, transforming the already spectacular 3.5 acre space into an otherworldly outdoor adventure. Guests can stroll through the beautiful glowing gardens for 1-1.5 hours to discover countless photo ops and exciting displays.
Dates: Opens Nov. 22, 2024
Location: Ruth Bancroft Garden, 1552 Bancroft Rd, Walnut Creek, CA 94598
25. Satisfy your sweet tooth at these superb bakeries
San Franciscans with a sweet tooth have it easy in this glorious city, because SF bakeries absolutely do not mess around. We wanted to get to the bottom of where San Franciscans get their baked goods, so we posted an Instagram poll asking for recommendations. In the end, here are some of the highest-recommended bakeries in the city.
26. Sip your way through the most decadent hot chocolate in SF
You don’t have to be a kid to know that hot chocolate is one of the most underrated drinks on any cafe’s menu. As we head into the fall and winter seasons, it’s a great time to compile some spots to visit next time you’re craving this delicious drink! Discover everything from indulgent dark chocolate drinks, to spiked adult beverages, to your classic on-the-go treat. Stay warm and enjoy!
