Holiday Guide to What’s Happening

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Happy Holidays – it’s peak Food Party! season when the Bay Area comes to light and oh… don’t we love all that twinkle? More establishments are getting into the spirit trimming trees and hanging holly—there are many ways to dine with dazzle this year. From classic hotel high teas to a Silent Night Speakeasy, find events for all ages in this—our annual Holiday Guide to What’s Happening. Show some love this year to local spots decking the halls for us all to enjoy. And please check back again—we’ll be adding fresh festivities all month long as we hear about them.

Now through early January

Après Village

Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley

Now – January 4th: 4:30PM – 9:30PM daily

Think of a wintry hideaway straight out of a storybook—this year’s Après Village feels like a secluded mountain getaway. The Four Seasons transforms their outdoor terrace into a glittering must-see village of cozy holiday-themed nooks, warm fires, sheep wool throws, and even falling snow. The prix fix menu (adults: $95 / kids: $45) offers elevated bites like an alluring Marin French Camembert en Phyllo, or a show-stopping Hubbart Squash and Torched Burrata. Adults enjoy cocktails like S’more Old Fashioned and a zippy, home-infused Tequila Pear Martini, while there’s plenty of Fire Pit Marshmallows and Hot Chocolate for the kids.

Come on out for family-friendly activities like holiday movie nights and dine next to the fire, or in a cute chalets like The Nutcracker and Gingerbread House (group rental $150). There’s an all-ages gingerbread making class December 7^th led by Quattro’s executive pastry chef, and a New Years Eve gala in the works.

Après Village at Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley: 2050 University Ave, East Palo Alto

Navidad en la Terraza

Macarena – Palo Alto

Now – December 31st

Step into the warmth of a Spanish holiday at Palo Alto’s Macarena, where December brings Navidad en la Terraza — a festive, candle-lit celebration of Catalan winter flavors. Throughout the month, the kitchen showcases holiday classics with a modern hand, from in-house–carved Negra Ibérico ham to a rich and refined take on the traditional Carn d’Olla in terrine form. Vegetarians and vegans will delight in the made-to-order vegan Paella, finished with a bright squeeze of lemon and exceptional garlic aioli.

Save room for dessert — classic and crispy churros dipped in rich chocolate or the seasonal Tió de Nadal, a plush chocolate sponge in the shape of a yule log, layered with raspberry and mousse. Everything shines at Macarena, but some desserts are pieces of art.

The cocktail menu leans equally celebratory, featuring the delicious, berry-kissed Holly Berry Fizz and the indulgent Noel Reserve with clarified eggnog. Macarena rings in New Year’s Eve with a special menu, and will debut outdoor terrace seating soon after. Come March, expect lively events marking the restaurant’s one-year anniversary — because at Macarena, the party doesn’t end with the holidays.

Macarena: 420 Ramona St, Palo Alto

Lightscape

San Francisco Botanical Garden

Now – January 4

San Francisco shines with this one-of-a-kind, immersive light and music experience, transforming the Botanical Garden into a mesmerizing world of sparkle—more than one million twinkling lights! Stroll through a mile-long trail of dazzling lights, dramatic colors, otherworldly lighted sculptures, and water wonder, plus holiday tastes and sips, right in the heart of the City. More information and tickets here.

Santa Afternoon Tea

Palace Hotel, San Francisco

Saturday & Sunday (Nov. 29 to Dec. 24) 12-4 p.m.

Relive the memories! The Palace Hotel celebrates 150 years with this time-honored high tea. Enjoy handmade artisan creations, fresh fruit and finger sandwiches with

the lightest texture. Simple and elegant, but with so much flavor and such fresh bread. And the scones – oh the freshly baked scones— heavenly. See a photo story of all the food HERE. Take a picture with Santa as he watches over the spectacular Garden Court with it’s majestic dome ceiling that touches angel wings. (pictured below). A harpist played Christmas songs while we breathed in this beloved afternoon tea—a heartwarming outing for the family, or dress up excuse for a play day with gal-pals. The hotel is an historic icon—you must stop at least to see the tree. Enjoy a drink at the walk-up bar, then saunter over to Union Square (12-ish min) for more holiday happenings. And by the by, I asked—the Palace is haunted. Look for Lady in Red this time of year, as well as—OMG— the ghost chef!! More on that another time.

Now, it’s all about sparkles…

Palace Hotel: 2 New Montgomery St., San Francisco

Holiday Noir – Silent Night Speakeasy

W Hotel – San Francisco

December

Don’t forget the password if you want to ring in the season at this new experience of vintage glamour and intrigue. W San Francisco whisks guests up to floor (I can’t tell you) and invites them to step behind the black curtain.

Escape the holiday madness above a twinkling city skyline. Exciting holiday cocktails and light bites add to an expansive City view. We liked the Dim Sum bar with dumplings of all kinds like vegetable spinach, and pork sui mai. The dessert bar had homemade gingerbread men with a zippy lemon frosting, gorgeous raspberry Linzer cookies, meringue snow drops, and the best dark chocolate bark ever. Such a unique place for a private party to celebrate the season (25 guests or less / $700). You don’t even have to drive home—just stay at the hotel. This is part of a growing trend to bring popup vitality into an established stay. The creativity is endless for ventures like these. It’s fun to experience what places are doing to stay current. Open Friday and Saturday nights to the public (if you know the password….) Tickets run $39 (GA) – $57 (VIP) – click HERE to reserve.

Sunday, November 30

Festival of Lights Parade
Downtown Los Altos: 6 PM

Yes – it’s home-town floats, sparkling lights, holiday tunes, and you better believe in Santa stopping by. Bring a picnic, warm blanket and a chair, or visit one of the many good restaurants in downtown Los Altos. More info HERE

Wednesday, December 3

Oasis Makers Fair

TETRA Hotel, Sunnyvale: 5pm – 8pm – free.

TETRA’s annual holiday makers fair is their biggest gathering yet. Check off your gift list while championing local talent and independent artisans offering gifts like handcrafted accessories for home, regional food and drink, jewelry, and more. Wander through the beautifully decorated grounds enjoying live performances and sing-along carolers. Bring friends – this is a good you-don’t-have-to-host holiday party spot. Lots of space to gather, the decorations are up, and someone else is cooking! Plan for dinner at Adrestia with Japanese-inspired California fair, and drinks at Nokori’s Japanese whisky experience, or the AC Gin Bar next door at AC Hotel Sunnyvale Moffett Park.

Snow Globe Dining Returns: For some unforgettable holiday memories, reserve a Pop-Up Snow Globe (no additional cost) on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through December 27 and enjoy shareable dishes hosted by Adrestia and Nokori.

TETRA Hotel: 400 West Java Drive, Sunnyvale

December 4 – 6

Winter Festival

Gamble Garden, Palo Alto

A Winter Festival of light! Grand opening is December 4, followed by a Holiday marketplace and high tea on December 5 and 6. Family Fun Night is Friday, December 5th. For tickets and more information click HERE.

PIX

Gamble Garden: 1431 Waverly St., Palo Alto

Friday, December 5

Christmas High Tea by Candlelight

Lisa’s Tea Treasures: Los Altos

Two seatings: 6 PM and 6:30 PM

What a special evening – dinner by candlelight. Enjoy a 5 -course prefix menu ($95) in Lisa’s beautifully decorated tearoom, a local treasure. Sherry from Portola Valley reminds us on December 12, Lisa also hosts a Children’s Tea Party. For more info and reservations click HERE.

Lisa’s Tea Treasures: 167 Main St, Los Altos

Tree Lighting Ceremony

Palace Hotel, San Francisco: 6PM – 8PM

December 5 is a fun night to plan a City celebration. Start at San Francisco’s iconic Palace Hotel, celebrating its 150^th anniversary tonight with live jazz and complimentary hot cider, hot cocoa, and ginger cookies. With its ornate architecture, sparkly décor, and holiday programming, Palace Hotel is a classic you don’t want to miss this season.

Palace Hotel: 2 New Montgomery St., San Francisco

Let’s Glo opens – San Francisco

December 5 – 14: 5:30PM – 10PM

After tree lighting at the Palace, enjoy the kickoff of Let’s Glo—San Francisco’s annual holiday light show and free, self-guided walking tour to multiple visual installations happening at the Ferry Building, Hobart Building and Pacific Exchange to name a few. Runs nightly till Dec 14th. For more information and a downloadable map click HERE.

Friday, December 12

Holiday Hootenanny

Devil’s Canyon Brewing Co, San Carlos

4:00PM – 10:00PM

Put on your holiday sweater, cowboy boots and giddy on up over to the annual Holiday Hootenanny—a festive night of live music, food truck fare, holiday cheer and lots of beer. Five bands play including local favorites, The Stoney Mountain Ramblers, who hit the stage at 7PM. Huge outdoor area – another ideal place for a friends reunion. Now you got live music! Click here for more information.

Devil’s Canyon Brewing Co: 935 Washington St, San Carlos

Tipsy Gingerbread Workshop

Palace Hotel – San Francisco

4:00PM – 5:30 p.m

These people know how to have fun. Make memories and get creative during a playful adults-only gingerbread workshop in the Pied Piper Lounge of this iconic hotel. Guided by the Palace’s executive pastry chef, guests will craft there own masterpiece gingerbread house while dining on charcuterie and sipping mulled wine. That’s what I am talkin’ about. Workshop repeats on December 19th. Get tickets here.

Party After the Holidays

Remember Shekoh Confections? French-trained Chocolatier Shekoh Moossavi used to have two chocolate shops in Palo Alto around 2022. She recently moved into a shiny new facility in the Dogpatch neighborhood of the City. Known for her vibrant, handcrafted bonbons and small-batch sweets, her style is refined, colorful, and deeply intentional. Shekoh is true master focused on making each piece right— some truffles take 4 days to complete.

We planned to shout out her December truffle making class as a fun holiday happening, but it was canceled due to strong holiday business. Good for her— bad for us. No matter, keep an eye out for Shekoh’s 2026 classes to learn the secrets of good truffle making. Leave with a DIY box of caramel-filled treats and a new appreciation for food as art.