We found three Christmas markets and winter events in and around San Francisco Bay Area with 2026 dates posted: one German-style Christmas market, one holiday market and one winter wonderland event. Two are free to get in. They’re spread over three areas, from Daly City to Mountain View.
By date
Tap one for hours, prices, stroller notes and what’s there for little kids.
Holiday market · to Dec 20 · Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Ave.27NovFriChristmas in the ParkWinter wonderland · to Jan 1 · Plaza de César Chávez12DecSatGerman Holiday MarketGerman-style market · 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. · City Hall Plaza, 500 Castro St.Nothing matches that filter yet.
Markets
Dates, hours and prices come from each organizer’s, venue’s or city’s own page.
Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Ave. · Daly City, CA · about 6 miles away
Good to know: An indoor Victorian London fair with shops and shows. Parking is paid at the lot.
Plaza de César Chávez · San Jose, CA · about 45 miles away
City Hall Plaza, 500 Castro St. · Mountain View, CA · about 35 miles away
Good to know: Rain or shine.
Before you go
TimingGo when it opensWeekday afternoons and opening hour are the least crowded, which makes a stroller much easier.
DressLayer upOutdoor markets get cold after dark. Mittens and a blanket for the stroller help.
StrollerCheck the stroller noteSome markets get packed on weekend evenings. A carrier can be easier there.Keep planning
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Free things to do in Bay AreaFree days, free events and places that never charge
Indoor play in Bay AreaIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in Bay AreaBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in Bay AreaHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in Bay AreaParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in Bay AreaKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in Bay AreaParades and tree lightings with dates and start times
Christmas trains in Bay AreaPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in Bay AreaBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas break in Bay AreaWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1
This week in Bay AreaDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
Great Dickens Christmas Fair at Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Ave.: Nov 21 – Dec 20. Christmas in the Park at Plaza de César Chávez: Nov 27 – Jan 1. Free. German Holiday Market at City Hall Plaza, 500 Castro St.: Sat, Dec 12, 2026. Free.
German Holiday Market (Mountain View, CA · about 35 miles away): Sat, Dec 12, 2026.
Christmas in the Park (San Jose, CA · about 45 miles away): Nov 27 – Jan 1, Free.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them every week through December. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Bay Area that weekend, holiday markets included.
