Every year, San Francisco transforms into a city of lights, holiday cocktails, and festive displays – and 2025 is shaping up to be no exception. After living here for 18 years, I’ve put together a fresh, updated guide to the best holiday decorations, bars, and seasonal events in San Francisco. Many lists online recycle outdated spots (some of which no longer decorate), so this one focuses on what’s truly worth seeing this year. Whether you’re visiting for Thanksgiving or planning a holiday walking route, this guide will help you make the most of the season in San Francisco.
Here is my current list that I plan on keeping updated throughout the holiday season. A map to all the spots in this post plus more that didn’t make the best of list is at the end.
Festive Decorations
The Fairmont
This hotel is on the top of the list for every post about holiday things to do in San Francisco, and for good reason! The life size gingerbread house is worth seeing, and smelling! There is more to do at The Fairmont over the holidays than just admire the gingerbread. The lobby has a giant Christmas tree and there is a small bar set up in the lobby serving champagne. Walk past the gingerbread house into Laurel Court to sit at the bar for a cocktail. You can also walk further to see the rooftop, which has a Holiday Faire on select weekends. Even without the faire, the rooftop is worth venturing to for the view.
I struggle to write what I really think about the Fairmont. While it is worth seeing, I have been many times over the years and I just don’t love it as much as I used to. Like many other places that have become popular over time, this seems to have evolved into having more moments separated for Instagram moments. The tree that used to be in the center of the lobby has been moved to the side and a champagne bar is in the center. You no longer walk through the gingerbread house to Laurel Court, but wait in a line to walk close to it.
With that said, there are more decorations down the hall on the way to the rooftop and things are spread out enough that it is not uncomfortable, even on a crowded weekend. If you haven’t been, it is still worth a visit.
Even on a non-holiday visit, the Tonga Room is a bar worth visiting at night for the tiki cocktails and the time warp. I have it on my list to write a post about touristy things to do in SF that even locals do and the Tonga Room is on that list!
Union Square
Union Square is another must visit for San Francisco Christmas Decorations and the next three on the list are all adjacent so if you choose anything in this area, you can’t miss it! The giant tee and skating rink are in Union Square. The best view of all the wreaths in the windows of Macy’s is from this Square.
Macy’s Puppy Windows
I already mentioned the wreaths you can see in the window’s from Union Square, but one of the best things that Macy’s does for the holidays (in my opinion) are the puppies and kittens from the SF SPCA in the window displays, for adoption! It does not get any cuter than that! For 2025, puppies and kittens will be in the windows at the corner of O’Farrell and Stockton November 21 – December 31 Wednesday to Sunday from noon to 5pm.
Fun fact, my dog Pepper was adopted from the SF SPCA, not a Christmas display window, but I can confirm it is a good place to adopt a rescue pup.
Neiman Marcus Christmas Tree
At the corner of Union Square, Neiman Marcus is worth popping inside to see the giant Christmas tree made of lights under the rotunda. You can wander up the levels to get a better view!
Westin St. Francis Sugar Houses
Also across from Union Square, the lobby of the Westin St. Francis Hotel features sugar houses decorated for the holidays.
Festive Cable Cars
If You are visiting Union Square (or walking up the hill from Union Square to the Fairmont), be on the lookout for cable cars that are decorated for the holidays. For extra credit, the Cable Car Museum is close to the Fairmont and is a free museum that is worth a visit if you have time. You can see the wheels that move the cables that run under the street and pull the cable cars up the hills.
The Palace Hotel
Check out the Christmas Trees under the giant stained-glass dome in the Grand Court.
Fort Mason Christmas Tree Lot
One of the largest Christmas tree lots in the City is inside Fort Mason. If you plan a trip here, it is a large indoor tree lot that also has wreaths, ornaments, and beverages to purchase. Don’t miss walking around Fort Mason for the views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Private Home: 45 Upper Terrace
This home has stunning decorations for every holiday, and I mean every holiday! If you venture up the hill, don’t miss walking by this adorable home that looks straight out of a fairy tale and guaranteed to be decked out for the holidays.
Cherry Street Swing
This is a sweet little swing from a tree decorated with lights. It is not over-the-top, but it is an adorable little spot to see. This neighborhood is one of the highest end neighborhoods in San Francisco and there are professional level decorations for Christmas and Halloween nearby if you have time to stroll, just looking at the impressive homes is worth it.
Nearby, Presidio Terrace is a small loop with impressive homes that are often professionally decorated for holidays and is worth a drive-by if you are in the neighborhood. If you have a dog, they have signs that no dogs are allowed so if you are walking your dog is not allowed.
A note about homes no longer decorated…
If you keep up with real estate in San Francisco, some of the most Instagram famous decorated homes in San Francisco have been sold recently. Most notable are the Tom and Jerry House at 3650 21st Street and the house at 68 Castro Street. These have been sold within the past couple of years and are no longer displaying the over-the-top decorations that are prominent on many other websites. If you see these listed on other blogs, those articles are not updated for 2025.
Holiday Cocktails
I have a lot of places saved on the map for holiday cocktails. Some of these are on the list for their over-the-top décor, festive cocktails, a great setting for festive drinks, or all of the above. I will keep this list updated with my favorites, but I want to make sure I keep it current for 2025, so the map has every place I want to check out in 2025, and this list is my all time favorites.
Pacific Cocktail Haven
Every year, Miracle at PCH goes all out with the seasonal decorations and even has a fresh menu and glassware just for the holidays. Beware, this is well known and is likely to have a line down the street to get in and a cover charge. Plan to arrive when it opens and be prepared to wait.
The Summer Place
I visited The Summer Place over Thanksgiving weekend and can confirm they are fully decorated for the holidays and have a specialty cocktail menu that does not disappoint. This is a lovely neighborhood bar that felt like a perfect break for a cocktail while walking between the crowded more touristy destinations for holiday decor nearby.
Horsefeather
If you are near Alamo Square to admire the painted ladies, Horsefeather has a special holiday cocktail menu and also serves food, including duck fat fries! There isn’t much holiday decor, but the specialty cocktails are enough reason for a festive visit.
Elixir
Elixir is a classic San Francisco cocktail bar that has seasonal cocktails all year, and a special Victorian Holiday menu beginning November 5th. For the holidays, expect hot apple cider in a crock pot and fresh seasonal ingredients, it never disappoints. They won’t have the Instagram worthy décor, but if a solid seasonal cocktail is what you want without the influencers, this is one of my favorites.
Seasonal Holiday Events
These are seasonal events happening in San Francisco in 2025 that I plan on checking out.
Let’s Glow SF
Let’s Glow is a free event of Holiday art light projections in multiple locations in Downtown San Francisco December 5-14.
Union Square Winter Walk
Winter Walk lasts for two weeks near Union Square. From December 13-24 Stockton Street between Post and O’Farrell will be closed off for decorations, food trucks, and holiday cocktails.
Botanical Gardens Lightscape
Lightscape is a seasonal light display in the Botanical Gardens inside Golden Gate Park. This event is from November 21 – January 4 and you can purchase tickets ahead online.
Map with locations and walking route
This map has everything in this blog post plus more locations throughout San Francisco.
The walking route is my current plan for entertaining a friend in town for the holidays. It starts off at the Powell Street Bart Station and climbs up the hill from Union Square up to the Fairmont. My plan is to take a Waymo home to give her the experience of the driverless car in SF.
I plan on keeping this map updated throughout the holiday season so check back for updates.
Conclusion
The holiday season in San Francisco is one of the most magical times of year – especially if you know where to look. From classic spots like the Fairmont and Union Square to hidden gems decked out in lights, there’s always something new to discover. I’ll be keeping this list and map updated throughout the season as I explore, so check back for new finds. If you visit any of these places, I’d love to hear your favorites or see your photos – happy holidays!
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