FRIDAY FIVE
The Bay Area might not get a blanket of snow during the holiday season, but it does offer a few other ways for you to bring in the cheer. There are plenty of activities that will make a San Franciscan embrace the holiday spirit that don’t involve sledding, building snowmen or snuggling by a fireplace (a.k.a. going to Tahoe).
Despite our perpetual moderate climate, the month of December here can be quite fun—for free. Here are our favorite holiday activities in the city that won’t put a dent in your bank account:
1. Window-Shop for a Furry Friend at Macy’s
Macy’s in Union Square doesn’t have your typical holiday windows. No, they’re done San Francisco–style. For the unfamiliar, for the last 32 years, the SF Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has partnered with the store to connect shoppers with the newest members of their family by displaying them in the windows instead of clothes or jewelry. In 2016, the windows resulted in 257 animal adoptions and raised nearly $100,000 for the organization’s operational costs. So if you’re looking for a new best friend, you know where to find one.
2. Attend the Lighted Boat Parade
A perk of living in the City by the Bay is that rather than attending a land parade, you get to attend a water one. A holiday tradition since 1994, the Lighted Boat Parade is scheduled to take place this month on December 14 at 6:00 p.m., rain or shine. Members of the St. Francis Yacht Club, the Fisherman’s Wharf Fishing Fleet, the Golden Gate Yacht Club, PIER 39 Marina and the Sea Scouts decorate their boats with beautiful lights for the spectacle. For those who want to watch, some good spots are Aquatic Park, PIER 39, the Marina Green and Crissy Field.
3. SantaCon
San Franciscans either love or hate SantaCon, which takes place tomorrow, December 8. If you’re new to the city or have been blessed to usually be out of town this weekend, SantaCon is technically a “convention of santas” where people dress like Mr. Claus and partake in a citywide bar crawl — also known as “spreading good cheer.” At noon, everyone meets in Union Square, but often, groups of friends meet elsewhere and find the nearest bar with the best SantaCon deal. Like we said, you either love or hate this holiday event. If you’re on the fence, you might as well participate, because you’ll end up spending more effort to avoid it.
4. The Village Project’s Kwanzaa Celebration
For the last 13 years, the Village Project and various community partners have hosted an annual seven-day Kwanzaa celebration. This year, the festivities will kick off officially on December 26 at noon at San Francisco City Hall. In total there will be 17 free events in nine different neighborhoods. One event includes a “a spiritual ceremony — pouring of libations” and “honoring of ancestors” followed by a feast and live entertainment. The week-long celebration is meant to raise awareness about Kwanzaa and engage the community.
5. Drink at Miracle at Pacific Cocktail Haven
For one month out of the year, a special Christmas-themed pop-up brings the holiday spirit to the city’s bar scene. It’s the fifth year Miracle will return to Pacific Cocktail Haven. Miracle’s 2018 cocktail menu includes holiday-themed drinks such as the Christmapolitan, Snowball Old Fashioned, Bad Santa, Koala-La La La, La La La La, and Naughty or Nice shots. This is the perfect spot at which to hang with your friends in your best ugly Christmas sweaters.
Have other favorite SF holiday activities? Add them in the comments.
Hey! The Bold Italic recently launched a podcast, This Is Your Life in Silicon Valley. Check out the full season or listen to the episode below featuring Aarti Shahani, technology reporter at NPR. More coming soon, so stay tuned!
