25 Festive Events To Keep You Entertained Through The New Year!
If we learned anything from holidays past, it’s that surviving it is no snowflake waltz. So, in the spirit of the season (and for the sake of your sanity), we’ve put together a calendar packed with fun, easy ways to get your jollies on. Cheap and cheerful or grand and glitzy, classic or of-the-moment, there’s yuletide entertainment here that's meant for you.
And, if hanging out with sugar plum fairies is not your cup of eggnog, perhaps we can help you do something nice for others. We’ve rounded up the best DIY workshops for one-stop gift-giving sprees, decked-out halls, and kitchens full of sweet treats and warm boozy comforts. Oh, what fun. Now, go on your merry way!
Pie-Making Class with Bike Basket Pies at Pot + Pantry
What: Listen up, pie enthusiasts. Learn the differences between butter, lard, and shortening crusts and get the scoop on the cream versus cold water debate. Pastry expert Natalie Galatzer (back by popular demand!) will be serving up pie bites then showing you how to make dough and sending you home with her tried-and-true recipes. Space is limited to 10 students and there’s a $40 fee.
When: Wednesday, December 5 and Wednesday, December 12, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Pot + Pantry, 593 Guerrero Street (at 18th Street); 415-206-1134.
La Boutique: A Holiday Vendor Fair
What: Trust this Jackson Square boutique, with its hard-to-find French labels and chic show-stopping pieces, to put on a fabulous fair. The theme is San Francisco, and we expect an expertly curated selection of wares (many from Kickstarter projects) that represent the city’s best in tech, craftsmanship, and design.
When: Opening Event: Thursday, December 6, 6 to 8 p.m. Goes through Saturday, December 8.
Where: La Boutique, 414 Jackson Street (between Sansome and Balance streets); 415-693-9950.
Santa Paws Pet Photos
What: Don’t forget Fido! Your little four-legged angel deserves his or her close up with Santa, too.
When: Thursday, December 6 and Thursday, December 13, 5 to 8 p.m.
Where: Santa’s Pop-Up Holiday Shop Christmas Treasure, 845 Market Street (between 4th and 5th streets), Westfield San Francisco Centre, Level 4.
Craft City in Partnership with Etsy: Gift-Wrapping Workshop
What: If there ever was a wrap star, it would be Megumi Inouye, an instructor at Creativebug.com, runner-up in Scotch Brand’s national contest for America’s Most Gifted Wrapper, and a guest on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Using upcycled materials, she’ll show you how to wrap from the heart and do it like a pro.
When: Thursday, December 6, 6 to 8 p.m.
Where: SOMArts, 934 Brannan Street (between 8th Street and James Lick Freeway); 415-863-1414.
Live 105 Not So Silent Night
What: Can’t wait for Coachella? Skip the caroling and rock out to two days’ worth of bands. Last we checked, Jack White, The Shins, and Metric will be on the first night. Headlining the next evening are The Killers, M83, and Passion Pit.
When: Friday, December 7, and Saturday, December 8, 6 p.m.
Where: Oracle Arena, 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland; 510-569-2121.
La Cocina Gift Bazaar
What: When you can’t afford to take your foodie BFF to French Laundry, this is the next best thing. More than 30 vendors will be offering their best giftables, including organic pickled fruits from Jarred S.F. Brine, quality meat art from illustrator Alyson Thomas, and finishing salts from Sal de Vida, at this one-stop shop from small-business incubator La Cocina.
When: Friday, December 7, 1 to 7 p.m.
Where: Crocker Galleria, 50 Post Street (between Lick Place and Kearny Street); 415-824-2729.
Winter Beer Tasting Class with Almanac
What: Beer is getting the respect it’s due, and who else to show you how to taste, pair, and gift it than Jesse Friedman, co-founder of local brewery Almanac Beer Co. Included in the $65 ticket price will be food, more than a few beers, and good conversation.
When: Friday, December 7, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Salumeria, 3000 20th Street (between Alabama and Florida streets); 415-471-2998.
Emu and Santa Shopping Event at Convert
What: When gift anxiety hits, we play it warm and cozy. Shop snuggly mocs and boots from Emu Australia at Berkeley's eco-chic shop Convert, and get a gift with purchase. While you’re there for the sheepskin, stay for a polaroid with Santa.
When: Saturday, December 8, 1 to 5 p.m.
Where: Convert, 1809B 4th Street (between Hearst Avenue and Virginia Street), Berkeley; 510-649-9759.
Winter Wonderland Dance Hosted by The Bold Italic & Dusty Stax
What: The ball of the season, fete the holidays in your hipster finest with a super group of acts including Sonny & the Sunsets, Carletta Sue Kay, Heidi Alexander of the Sandwitches, and many more. Tickets are $40 and included in the admission will be Templeton Rye cocktails, plenty of snacks, and a photo booth.
When: Saturday December 8, 8 p.m. to midnight
Where: Verdi Club, 2424 Mariposa Street (between Potrero Avenue and Hampshire Street); 415-861-9199.
Athleta Fitness Networking Event
What: Start your New Year’s resolution early, and find your future trainer or instructor at this mixer, because chemistry is so important — even when you’re sweating your ass off.
When: Sunday, December 9, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Athleta, 2226 Fillmore Street (between Sacramento and Clay streets); 415-345-8501.
Flora Grubb Tillandsia Crafts Make & Give Workshop
What: Chia pets aside, plants make great gifts. Join air-plant expert Zenaida Sengo for live demos of lovely living presents you can create, from wreaths to aeriums, for free!
When: Sunday, December 9, and Saturday, December 22, 1 to 2 p.m.
Where: Flora Grubb Gardens, 1634 Jerrold Avenue (between Newhall and Phelps streets); 415-626-7256.
Tartine + Sprouts Bake Sale
What: The sweetest and gooiest collab of the season, Tartine Bakery pastry chef Laurie Ellen will be baking alongside kid chefs from Sprouts. They’ll be selling melt-in-your-mouth goodies, including salted chocolate chip cookies, gingerbread cookies, and lemon buckwheat sandies. Proceeds go to Sprouts' Scholarship Fund, which gives kids from all socio-economic backgrounds nutrition know-how and a chance to work with famous chefs. Treats will go fast; bake-sale organizers suggest ordering ahead.
When: Tuesday, December 11, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Ferry Building, 1 Ferry Building along The Embarcadero.
Photos Courtesy Of Bike Basket Pies; La Boutique L'Art et la Mode; M83; Ruby Press/Convert; Flora Grubb; Tartine Bakery
And, if hanging out with sugar plum fairies is not your cup of eggnog, perhaps we can help you do something nice for others. We’ve rounded up the best DIY workshops for one-stop gift-giving sprees, decked-out halls, and kitchens full of sweet treats and warm boozy comforts. Oh, what fun. Now, go on your merry way!
Pie-Making Class with Bike Basket Pies at Pot + Pantry
What: Listen up, pie enthusiasts. Learn the differences between butter, lard, and shortening crusts and get the scoop on the cream versus cold water debate. Pastry expert Natalie Galatzer (back by popular demand!) will be serving up pie bites then showing you how to make dough and sending you home with her tried-and-true recipes. Space is limited to 10 students and there’s a $40 fee.
When: Wednesday, December 5 and Wednesday, December 12, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Pot + Pantry, 593 Guerrero Street (at 18th Street); 415-206-1134.
La Boutique: A Holiday Vendor Fair
What: Trust this Jackson Square boutique, with its hard-to-find French labels and chic show-stopping pieces, to put on a fabulous fair. The theme is San Francisco, and we expect an expertly curated selection of wares (many from Kickstarter projects) that represent the city’s best in tech, craftsmanship, and design.
When: Opening Event: Thursday, December 6, 6 to 8 p.m. Goes through Saturday, December 8.
Where: La Boutique, 414 Jackson Street (between Sansome and Balance streets); 415-693-9950.
Santa Paws Pet Photos
What: Don’t forget Fido! Your little four-legged angel deserves his or her close up with Santa, too.
When: Thursday, December 6 and Thursday, December 13, 5 to 8 p.m.
Where: Santa’s Pop-Up Holiday Shop Christmas Treasure, 845 Market Street (between 4th and 5th streets), Westfield San Francisco Centre, Level 4.
Craft City in Partnership with Etsy: Gift-Wrapping Workshop
What: If there ever was a wrap star, it would be Megumi Inouye, an instructor at Creativebug.com, runner-up in Scotch Brand’s national contest for America’s Most Gifted Wrapper, and a guest on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Using upcycled materials, she’ll show you how to wrap from the heart and do it like a pro.
When: Thursday, December 6, 6 to 8 p.m.
Where: SOMArts, 934 Brannan Street (between 8th Street and James Lick Freeway); 415-863-1414.
Live 105 Not So Silent Night
What: Can’t wait for Coachella? Skip the caroling and rock out to two days’ worth of bands. Last we checked, Jack White, The Shins, and Metric will be on the first night. Headlining the next evening are The Killers, M83, and Passion Pit.
When: Friday, December 7, and Saturday, December 8, 6 p.m.
Where: Oracle Arena, 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland; 510-569-2121.
La Cocina Gift Bazaar
What: When you can’t afford to take your foodie BFF to French Laundry, this is the next best thing. More than 30 vendors will be offering their best giftables, including organic pickled fruits from Jarred S.F. Brine, quality meat art from illustrator Alyson Thomas, and finishing salts from Sal de Vida, at this one-stop shop from small-business incubator La Cocina.
When: Friday, December 7, 1 to 7 p.m.
Where: Crocker Galleria, 50 Post Street (between Lick Place and Kearny Street); 415-824-2729.
Winter Beer Tasting Class with Almanac
What: Beer is getting the respect it’s due, and who else to show you how to taste, pair, and gift it than Jesse Friedman, co-founder of local brewery Almanac Beer Co. Included in the $65 ticket price will be food, more than a few beers, and good conversation.
When: Friday, December 7, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Salumeria, 3000 20th Street (between Alabama and Florida streets); 415-471-2998.
Emu and Santa Shopping Event at Convert
What: When gift anxiety hits, we play it warm and cozy. Shop snuggly mocs and boots from Emu Australia at Berkeley's eco-chic shop Convert, and get a gift with purchase. While you’re there for the sheepskin, stay for a polaroid with Santa.
When: Saturday, December 8, 1 to 5 p.m.
Where: Convert, 1809B 4th Street (between Hearst Avenue and Virginia Street), Berkeley; 510-649-9759.
Winter Wonderland Dance Hosted by The Bold Italic & Dusty Stax
What: The ball of the season, fete the holidays in your hipster finest with a super group of acts including Sonny & the Sunsets, Carletta Sue Kay, Heidi Alexander of the Sandwitches, and many more. Tickets are $40 and included in the admission will be Templeton Rye cocktails, plenty of snacks, and a photo booth.
When: Saturday December 8, 8 p.m. to midnight
Where: Verdi Club, 2424 Mariposa Street (between Potrero Avenue and Hampshire Street); 415-861-9199.
Athleta Fitness Networking Event
What: Start your New Year’s resolution early, and find your future trainer or instructor at this mixer, because chemistry is so important — even when you’re sweating your ass off.
When: Sunday, December 9, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Athleta, 2226 Fillmore Street (between Sacramento and Clay streets); 415-345-8501.
Flora Grubb Tillandsia Crafts Make & Give Workshop
What: Chia pets aside, plants make great gifts. Join air-plant expert Zenaida Sengo for live demos of lovely living presents you can create, from wreaths to aeriums, for free!
When: Sunday, December 9, and Saturday, December 22, 1 to 2 p.m.
Where: Flora Grubb Gardens, 1634 Jerrold Avenue (between Newhall and Phelps streets); 415-626-7256.
Tartine + Sprouts Bake Sale
What: The sweetest and gooiest collab of the season, Tartine Bakery pastry chef Laurie Ellen will be baking alongside kid chefs from Sprouts. They’ll be selling melt-in-your-mouth goodies, including salted chocolate chip cookies, gingerbread cookies, and lemon buckwheat sandies. Proceeds go to Sprouts' Scholarship Fund, which gives kids from all socio-economic backgrounds nutrition know-how and a chance to work with famous chefs. Treats will go fast; bake-sale organizers suggest ordering ahead.
When: Tuesday, December 11, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Ferry Building, 1 Ferry Building along The Embarcadero.
Photos Courtesy Of Bike Basket Pies; La Boutique L'Art et la Mode; M83; Ruby Press/Convert; Flora Grubb; Tartine Bakery
Next
- 1 of 2
in NYC