We found four Christmas parades and tree lightings in and around San Francisco Bay Area with 2026 dates: three parades and one tree lighting or lighting night, all free to watch. Each one has the date, start time, price and a link to the organizer’s page.
By date
Filter to what fits your evening, then tap one for its time, price and kid notes.
Parade · Not listed28NovSatChristmas in the Park Opening Night
Tree lighting · 6–7pm5DecSatOakland-Alameda Lighted Yacht ParadeParade · Starts just after sundown, around 5:30pm12DecSatSausalito Lighted Boat Parade and FireworksParade · 6–7:15pmNothing matches that filter yet.
Christmas parades
Start time, price and what to know with little kids, from each organizer’s own page.
Niles Town Plaza and Niles Boulevard · Niles, Fremont
Good to know: More than 60 floats, marching bands and costumed characters, with Santa at the end. It's the night after Thanksgiving.
Oakland-Alameda Estuary · Jack London Square
Good to know: Lit-up boats cruise the estuary. Watch from either shore; the parade runs rain or shine.
Sausalito waterfront, Gabrielson Park · Sausalito
Good to know: The 39th year. The waterfront fills up early in the afternoon, so come early or pick a spot farther along the shore.
Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check the date and add it.Suggest a parade
Tree lightings
Most lightings are short and happen at dusk, often with Santa, music or cocoa.
Plaza de César Chávez · Downtown San Jose
Good to know: The opening ceremony for San Jose's holiday park, and the first night Santa is there for free photos.
More to come.Tree lightings are often announced late. We recheck every week through early December.Email me when one’s addedBefore you go
SpotGet there earlyA curb spot near the start means little ones see everything and you can leave before the end.
WarmDress for standing stillWatching is colder than walking. Bring a blanket for the stroller and an extra layer.
TimingCheck the start timeLighted parades start after dark. Daytime parades are easier for nap schedules.Keep planning
November: things to do in Bay AreaEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in Bay AreaEvery dated listing for the month, by week
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 trains in Bay AreaPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in Bay AreaBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in Bay AreaChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas 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
Niles Festival of Lights Parade and Tree Lighting: Fri, Nov 27, 2026, Not listed (Niles, Fremont). Oakland-Alameda Lighted Yacht Parade: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, Starts just after sundown, around 5:30pm (Jack London Square). Sausalito Lighted Boat Parade and Fireworks: Sat, Dec 12, 2026, 6–7:15pm; fireworks around 7:15pm (Sausalito).
Christmas in the Park Opening Night at Plaza de César Chávez: Sat, Nov 28, 2026, 6–7pm.
All of the ones we list are free to watch: Niles Festival of Lights Parade and Tree Lighting, Christmas in the Park Opening Night, Oakland-Alameda Lighted Yacht Parade and Sausalito Lighted Boat Parade and Fireworks. Some charge for extras like Santa photos or rides, and each card says so.
Daytime ones are easiest with toddlers: Niles Festival of Lights Parade and Tree Lighting. Evening ones start after dark and are colder, so bring layers and a blanket for the stroller. Get there early for a curb spot near the start so little ones can see.
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 29, 2026, and we recheck them every week through early 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, parades included.
