Editor’s note: The Six Fifty will be taking next week off for Thanksgiving, resuming Dec. 4.
OK, I’ll admit it: I’m usually a staunch advocate of waiting until Thanksgiving is over to get into the holiday spirit. I winced hearing “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” while dining outdoors at a restaurant before Halloween, and the holiday decor typically stays in boxes until December.
But the more I think about it, the less I can defend it. Who am I to have a “Bah, humbug” attitude if someone wants to break out their holiday decorations the minute Halloween ends or holiday events take up two months instead of one? The more the merrier, right?
So it’s with that sentiment that I present our holiday events guide, a monolith of a roundup that includes a multitude of artisan markets, Santa photo sessions and breakfasts, tree-lighting ceremonies and so much more. Bookmark it as a reference guide for festivities between now and late December, with the first tree lighting taking place Friday night at the mall where I shared my wish lists with Santa growing up, Hillsdale Shopping Center.
We’ve also got a separate guide devoted to holiday craft classes for kids and adults. Make decor for your home, like a wreath for the front door, or gifts for friends and loved ones. It’s a way to channel your creativity while simultaneously supporting a small business or local library. Read Angela Swartz’s story for details.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Julia Brown
Six Fifty Editor
editor@thesixfifty.com
Merry and bright: Our guide to jolly holiday happenings around Silicon Valley
The Peninsula has a flurry of special traditions to warm up the start of winter and brighten up those darkest days before the solstice starts to bring a little daylight back. Read on for the many ways to ring in the holidays with good cheer on the Peninsula.
Where to find holiday-themed crafting classes on the Peninsula
From wreath making to creating Victorian-era ornaments, there are a variety of holiday crafting classes being offered along the Peninsula in November and December that will help you zhuzh up your home while socializing.
Malatang madness: Build-your-own malatang bowls are taking the Peninsula by storm
The Peninsula is seeing an increase in restaurants devoted to malatang, a type of Chinese street food where customers craft their own hot pot bowls from a wide variety of fresh vegetables, meats and noodles.
Congrats to Cara B., who was the first reader to correctly identify where last week’s photo was taken (it’s the Museum of San Carlos History in San Carlos!).
The first person to reply to this email with the correct place where the below photo was taken will win a prize from The Six Fifty and a shoutout in our next newsletter!
Be sure to check out our November events guide for more things to do!
Ada & The Engine: Nov. 21-Dec. 7 The Pear Theatre presents popular playwright Lauren Gunderson’s show about visionary mathematician Ada Lovelace, sometimes called the first computer programmer.
Art on the Square Holiday Show: Nov. 22 Art on the Square’s annual holiday show brings more than 25 artists inside the San Mateo County History Museum offering work for sale, plus live blues music.
Root Down Fall Farm Fest 2025: Nov. 22-23 The Pescadero farm will open to the public with food from Full Steam Dumpling, farm meat products for sale and vendors offering tasty goodies, plus live music from Lucas Lawson.
Holiday Card Writing for Seniors: Nov. 22 Brighten a Daly City senior citizen’s winter by making a homemade holiday card with Peninsula Book Collaborative. Supplies will be provided, but you can also bring your own.
Holidays at Filoli: Nov. 22-Jan. 11 Filoli transforms into a festive wonderland with lights, decorations and the all-new Thistlewyck – a holiday village in the redwood forest featuring tiny trains and fairy houses.
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair: Nov. 22-Dec. 21 The Cow Palace transforms into a Victorian England winter wonderland of entertainment, shops, foods and, of course, Dickensian characters.
A Driving Beat: Through Nov. 23 A mother and her adopted son take a cross-country road trip set to a hip-hop beat in TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s newest show.
Plan Ahead:
Spartan Turkey Trot: Nov. 27 MVHS Sports Boosters’ annual event includes a 5K run and walk, kids’ races and the Spartan Mile, a 1-mile run.
Opt Outside Sensory Celebration: Nov. 28 Explore the five senses in the great outdoors on a moderately paced Midpen docent-led hike of The Lost Trail at Windy Hill Preserve.
George Packer with Dave Eggers: Dec. 2 George Packer discusses his new dystopian novel “The Emergency,” about a post-imperial-collapse society, with fellow author Dave Eggers at an event at Kepler’s.
Holiday Markets at Little Green: Dec. 6, 11 and 20 Little Green hosts a holiday market each Saturday in December leading up to the holidays, featuring different vendors and artisans each week.
Edible & Medicinal Plant and Mushroom Walk: Dec. 6 Forager and herbalist Cindy Li leads a guided walk to discover edible, medicinal and poisonous plants and fungi of the region.
Allied Arts Christmas Market: Dec. 6 Find craft vendors, live music, treats, a mini Christmas tree silent auction, live music and more.
BayLUG LEGO Holiday Show: Dec. 6-Jan. 10 Palo Alto’s annual LEGO show this year has the theme of “Great American Road Trip.”
The Blind Boys of Alabama: Dec. 12 The gospel and soul ensemble makes a stop in Menlo Park as part of its Christmas tour.
Hysterical: Marie Faustin: Dec. 13 Comedian, actor and host of the dating game show “Why Are You Single?” performs at Stanford’s Bing Studio.
Eichler’s experimental utopia in Palo Alto remains virtually unchanged since 1954
The historic Greenmeadow neighborhood provides a rare opportunity to explore 22 blocks of pristine midcentury modern homes
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