Kids, San Francisco and the holidays are a good combination. There won't be snow, but San Francisco is no less magical at Christmas. Lights glitter, schools close and families find time to do things together. Whatever their cultural or religious persuasion, every family can find plenty to do in the city at the holidays.
Tree Lighting
The holidays kick off with the annual tree lighting at Ghirardelli Square. This is a multi-cultural welcome to the season of lights. The family event is musical and magical. Holiday songs for Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa are sung. The tree reaches over 60 feet and lights up with an impressive sparkle after celebrants give a countdown. The Square is located at Pier 39 and Santa comes for the occasion.
Bell Ringing
If you are around on New Year's Eve do not miss the bell ringing at the Asian Art Museum. The bronze bell weighs more than 2 tons and was built in 16th-century Japan. San Franciscans stand in line to have a whack at the bell with a log. It is struck 108 times to ward off negative vibes. Kids under 12 get in free.
Menorah Lighting
Union Square is the place to be on the first day of Hanukkah. For more than three decades, San Fransicans have been on hand for the lighting of the 25-foot-tall menorah. The mahogany menorah was commissioned by rock promoter Bill Graham, the son of Russian Jews. The festivities begin around 3 p.m. and the candle is lit at 5 p.m.
Kwanza
Kwanzaa is honored at the Bay Area Discovery Museum during Kwanzaa at the end of December. The events throughout the day celebrates the guiding principals of Kwanzaa: faith, unity, responsibility and creativity. Children make arts and crafts and have their faces painted. Plenty of music is played, forms from spirituals to jazz to hip hop.
Ice Skating
The holiday extravaganza at the San Francisco Zoo is when Santa's reindeer fly in to meet the kids. The zoo's outdoor ice skating opens in late November and is open through the holidays except for Christmas Day. Families get some good exercise on the ice and meet Holly, Velvet, Belle and Peppermint.
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