# Christmas parades and tree lightings in San Francisco Bay Area, 2026

> 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.

- Last checked: 2026-10-29
- 4 parades and tree lightings with 2026 dates
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## Christmas parades

- **Niles Festival of Lights Parade and Tree Lighting** at Niles Town Plaza and Niles Boulevard, Niles, Fremont. When: Fri, Nov 27, 2026. Time: Not listed. Price: Free. More than 60 floats, marching bands and costumed characters, with Santa at the end. It's the night after Thanksgiving. Official page: https://www.niles.org/festival-of-lights-parade (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Oakland-Alameda Lighted Yacht Parade** at Oakland-Alameda Estuary, Jack London Square. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: Starts just after sundown, around 5:30pm. Price: Free. Lit-up boats cruise the estuary. Watch from either shore; the parade runs rain or shine. Official page: https://www.lightedyachtparade.com/ (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Sausalito Lighted Boat Parade and Fireworks** at Sausalito waterfront, Gabrielson Park, Sausalito. When: Sat, Dec 12, 2026. Time: 6–7:15pm; fireworks around 7:15pm. Price: Free; reserved seating sold separately. The 39th year. The waterfront fills up early in the afternoon, so come early or pick a spot farther along the shore. Official page: https://www.winterfestsausalito.org/ (checked 2026-10-29)

## Tree lightings and lighting nights

- **Christmas in the Park Opening Night** at Plaza de César Chávez, Downtown San Jose. When: Sat, Nov 28, 2026. Time: 6–7pm. Price: Free. The opening ceremony for San Jose's holiday park, and the first night Santa is there for free photos. Official page: https://christmasinthepark.com/events/ (checked 2026-10-29)

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### When is the Christmas parade in San Francisco Bay Area in 2026?
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).

### When is the Christmas tree lighting in San Francisco Bay Area?
Christmas in the Park Opening Night at Plaza de César Chávez: Sat, Nov 28, 2026, 6–7pm.

### Are Christmas parades and tree lightings in San Francisco Bay Area free?
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.

### Which are best for little kids?
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.

### How do you check these parades and tree lightings?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).