From the SF Ballet’s The Nutcracker to Candlelight Christmas concerts, this list takes you through the most merry and bright Christmas shows in San Francisco.
After a day of ice skating, gift shopping at holiday markets, and sipping hot chocolate, what should you do with all that leftover seasonal spirit? Not to worry, because San Francisco is the place to be for holiday-themed concerts, performances, and shows. Read on for our favorite San Francisco Christmas shows this winter, ranging from jaw-dropping orchestral numbers to kid-friendly daytime performances.
1. Candlelight Christmas concerts
Celebrate the holiday season by immersing yourself in a candlelit concert paying tribute to some of the most popular Christmas classics. Traditional carols and timeless compositions are being brought to life at SF’s 9th Street Building and the Chan National Queer Arts Center. Find your seat at one of these Candlelight holiday specials and ring in the most wonderful time of the year on a festive note.
Candlelight: Christmas Special Featuring “The Nutcracker” & More
December 20, 2024 6:30 PM
The Chan National Queer Arts Center
From $48.28
Buy tickets
Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
December 21, 2024 6:30 PM
The Chan National Queer Arts Center
From $41.28
Buy tickets
2. SF Ballet’s Nutcracker
SF Ballet presents the 2024 rendition of Tchaikovsky’s beloved Nutcracker. A dazzling cast of 150 dancers will perform alongside the SF Ballet Orchestra for this holiday classic. See your favorite toy soldiers, King of the Mice, Sugar Plum Fairy, and endless others in a lively and magical performance for the Christmas season.
Dates: Dec. 6-29, 2024
Location: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102
3. SF Symphony performances
You can’t go wrong with a performance by SF Symphony, and their lineup for the holidays is unparalleled. Here are all the holiday-themed concerts on the calendar through December.
Location: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102
Dates:
- Film concerts – Watch screenings of classic movies to the music of a live orchestra at these unforgettable performances.
- Dec. 12-14, 2024 – The Muppet Christmas Carol
- Dec. 19-21, 2024 – Elf
- Dec. 1, 2024 – A Merry-Achi Christmas – Mariachi Sol de Mexico® performs a lively Christmas show.
- Dec. 2, 2024 – Holiday Cirque – Troupe Vertigo performs a circus show with a holiday theme.
- Dec. 3-4, 2024 – Colors of Christmas – A holiday program showcasing powerhouse vocalists including Peabo Bryson, Jennifer Holliday, Jackie Evancho, and BeBe Winans with the Bay Area Super Choir.
- Dec. 6-7, 2024 – Handel’s Messiah – SF Symphony’s rendition of this timeless holiday classic from 1742.
- Dec. 8, 2024 – Deck the Hall – A joyous holiday spectacular with traditional melodies and sing-alongs.
- Dec. 11, 2024 – Holiday Brass – SF Symphony’s brass section performs holiday classics.
- Dec. 13, 2024 – Holiday Gaiety – Conductor Edwin Outwater and drag legend Peaches Christ co-host this holiday variety show.
- Dec. 15, 2024 – SFS Youth Orchestra: Peter and the Wolf – A guest narrator leads the SF Symphony Youth Orchestra in this performance of Peter and the Wolf.
- Dec. 17-18, 2024 – Holidays with Boys II Men and the SF Symphony – Grammy-winning trio Boys II Men sing soulful renditions of original hits and holiday classics.
4. Holiday shows with the SF Gay Men’s Chorus
The beloved SF Gay Men’s Chorus presents several epic performances this season.
Dates:
- Nov. 22, 2024 – Holiday Singalong – Sing along with the SF Gay Men’s Chorus in this fun family-friendly evening at the Chan National Queer Arts Center (San Francisco). This event is “pay what you can.”
- Holiday Spectacular – Spend a joyous evening listening to lively performances of classic songs and choral works.
- Dec. 7-8, 2024 – Sydney Goldstein Theatre, San Francisco
- Dec. 8, 2024 – 526 Castro St, San Francisco
- Dec. 16, 2024 – Green Music Center, Sonoma
- Dec. 22, 2024 – Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley
- Dec. 25, 2024 – Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco
5. Grace Cathedral concerts and performances
Grace Cathedral is one of the most iconic churches in San Francisco, famous for its gorgeous stained glass windows, mosaics, floor labyrinths, and overall French Gothic design. It’s a beautiful place to attend for any church service, but at Christmastime, it is especially spectacular thanks to a great lineup of SF Christmas shows, performances and concerts.
Choir performances
- Dec. 14-15, 21-23, 2024 – A Cathedral Christmas: The Choir of Men and Boys will perform classic Christmas carols accompanied by a full orchestra and organ.
- Dec. 24, 2024 – Christmas Lessons & Carols: The Choir of Men and Boys will perform an Anglican tradition of readings, hymns, and anthems.
- Choral Eucharists
- Christmas Eve: The Cathedral Choir of Girls and Cathedral Singers sing the first Eucharist of Christmas.
- Midnight Mass: The Choir of Men and Boys and a full orchestra celebrate Christmas.
- Christmas Day: The Men of the Cathedral Choir celebrate Christmas Day.
More Christmas concerts, music, and shows
- Dec 9, 2024 – 19th Annual World Tree of Hope Lighting Celebration – Grace Cathedral is home to the largest origami Christmas tree in the world. This year’s lighting ceremony features performances from the Choir of Men and Boys, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and more.
- Dec. 12, 2024 – A Baroque Christmas – A team of talented singers will present Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio” (Part I) and “Gloria in excelsis Deo,” as well as Handel’s “Messiah” (Christmas portion) and the “Hallelujah” chorus.
- Dec. 13, 2024 – Handel’s Messiah – A 25-year tradition featuring talented vocal soloists.
- Dec. 16, 2024 – A Brass and Organ Christmas – Bay Area brass musicians play holiday classics accompanied by the cathedral’s 7,466-pipe organ.
- Dec. 17, 14, 21, and 23, 2024 – Sing You a Merry Christmas: A family sing-along event led by toys brought to life from St. Nicholas’s workshop.
- Dec 20, 2024 – Soulful Joy – Enjoy the holiday spirit reimagined with jazz, gospel, soul, and storytelling.
- Dec. 24, 2024 – The Cathedral Christmas Pageant – The Christmas story told by the Right Rev. Dr. Marc Handley Andrus, Bishop of California, accompanied by children portraying magi, angels, and shepherds.
6. Union Square Menorah lightings
The Bill Graham Menorah Project displays a 25-foot menorah at Union Square on every night of Hanukkah (Dec. 25, 2024 – Jan. 2, 2024), which is a sight to behold during the lighting ceremonies. On the fifth night (Dec. 29), you can enjoy fun activities, food, music and more for “Bill Graham Menorah Day” from 2-6pm to accompany the lighting ceremony at 4:45pm. This includes a variety of kids’ crafts and shows, plus musical performances from SHAMATI with Greg Anton of Zero. You can also see live music at the first and last lighting ceremonies.
Dates: The menorah lighting ceremonies will take place daily from Dec. 25, 2024 – Jan. 2, 2025. There will be live music on Dec. 25, Dec. 29, and Jan. 1.
Location: Union Square, San Francisco, CA
7. Holiday performances from Broadway SF
Broadway SF brings us a wonderfully entertaining lineup of performances all year long, but the holiday season brings some of the best Christmas shows in San Francisco. Here’s what’s coming up:
Dates:
- Nov. 29, 2024 – Leslie Odom Jr.: The Christmas Tour (Golden Gate Theatre) – Tony- and Grammy-winning Leslie Odom Jr. will play holiday hits including pieces from his own The Christmas Album.
- Dec. 5-22, 2024 – The Golden Girls Live (Curran Theatre) – Back for its 19th year, this Christmas-themed drag show is an SF holiday tradition.
- Dec. 10, 2024 – A Drag Queen Christmas (Golden Gate Theatre) –
- Dec. 13-15, 2024 – Cirque Dreams Holidaze (Golden Gate Theatre) –
Get tickets for Murray and Peter’s 10th annual “A Drag Queen Christmas,” hosted by the fabulous Nina West. See your favorite Drag Race queens perform live in this Christmas spectacular at LA’s Dolby Theatre.
8. A WhyNot Christmas Carol
The American Conservatory Theatre presents a family-friendly adaptation of A Christmas Carol all month long. Enjoy a creative performance with magical ghosts, festive music, and hilarious hijinks in this brand-new take on Dickens’ timeless story.
Dates: Nov. 26 – Dec. 24, 2024
Location: Toni Rembe Theatre, 415 Geary St, San Francisco, CA 94102
