December Magic: Easy Outings & Holiday Fun
The weekend picks, festive monthly events & winter break camps - all in one spot.
Hi parents,
Mid-December always feels a little magical – part sparkle, part chaos, part “wait… how is there only one week of school left?” Whether you’re keeping things low-key or leaning all the way into the season, this week’s guide is packed with easy outings, festive happenings, and joyful little adventures around the Peninsula and the Bay.
With winter break coming up, I know a lot of us need coverage for some time during the day so we can get stuff done! I added a mini roundup of winter camps and drop-in programs - perfect for those in-between days when school is out but work (and life!) isn’t slowing down.
Here’s what’s happening this weekend, this month & camps over the winter break - let the merry begin. ❄️🎪
What’s happening this weekend?
Friday, December 12
Night Lights: Ugly Sweater Party
5:00 – 8:00 pm | 📍Half Moon Bay
Break out your best ugly holiday sweater and join the fun downtown! This family-friendly event includes dancing, food, and festive lights. Don’t miss the sweater contest, live music, and cozy local cheer.
All ages | Free | More details
Saturday, December 13
Celebrate the Season – Breakfast with Santa
9:00 am–11:30 am | 📍San Mateo Fire Station #21, San Mateo
Enjoy breakfast, holiday fun, and photos with Santa in a fire station setting, which is extra magical for truck-loving kids.
All ages | Paid tickets | More details
Redwood City Hometown Holidays
10:00 am–10:00 pm | 📍Downtown Redwood City
Spend the day downtown with a holiday parade, Santa, live performances, and vendor booths. A festive, high-energy celebration for the whole family.
All ages | Free | More details
Free Holiday Happenings: Tree Treasures
10:00 am–4:00 pm | 📍San Mateo County History Museum
Hands-on Victorian ornament crafting for kids plus a Wandering Bow Band performance in a historic courtroom, creating a relaxed, low-cost holiday outing.
Ages 4–12 | Free | More details
Native American Drumming and Dance
2:00–2:45 PM | 📍 Belmont Library
Experience the rhythm of traditional drumming and dance in this engaging cultural presentation by local Urban Indian performers. A beautiful way to introduce kids to Native culture.
All ages | Free | More details
Carols, Cookies & Christmas! – Masterworks Family Holiday Concert
4:00 pm | 📍Congregational Church of San Mateo
A family-friendly holiday concert packed with sing-alongs, stories, and a post-show cookie reception, designed to keep even younger listeners engaged.
Ages 4+ | Paid tickets | More details
Sunday, December 14
Festive Watercolor Botanical Cards Workshop
10:00 am–12:00 pm | 📍Gamble Garden, Palo Alto
Create beautiful watercolor botanical cards in a cozy garden setting. Perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike looking to add a handmade touch to holiday giving. All materials included.
Ages 12+ | $65 | More details
Main Stage: “Madeline’s Christmas”
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (also other dates) | 📍Palo Alto Children’s Theatre
A charming musical adaptation of the beloved book, sized just right for young theatergoers and staged by the city’s children’s theatre program.
Ages 4–12 | ~$20 | More details
Makers & Minis: Holiday Crafternoon
3:00 pm–4:30 pm | 📍Burlingame
A cozy little holiday session where kids (ages 4–8) and their grown-ups create hand-stamped wrapping paper and handmade cards together. Expect beverages, nut-free snacks, festive tunes, and a playful pup wandering through it all.
Ages 4–8 | $45 | More details
Chanukah Festival at City Hall
4:30 pm – 6:00 pm | Palo Alto City Hall
A joyful Chanukah celebration with menorah lighting and family-focused festivities, perfect for introducing kids to the holiday’s traditions in a community setting.
All ages | Free | More details
What’s happening this month?
Peninsula
IlluminOdyssey at CuriOdyssey
Museum hours | 📍 San Mateo
Glowing tunnels, interactive light exhibits, and a mini zoo kids adore.
Ages 3–12 | Regular admission | More details
San Mateo on Ice
Daily sessions | 📍 San Mateo (Central Park)
A festive outdoor rink with music, lights, and skate rentals.
Ages 4+ | Paid admission | More details
Holidays at Filoli - Daytime
Daily time slots | 📍 Woodside
Holiday-decorated historic house and beautiful garden stroll.
All ages | Ticketed event | More details
Filoli Night Garden (Lights)
Evening sessions | 📍 Woodside
Magical illuminated gardens with tunnels, trees, and glowing pathways.
All ages | Ticketed event | More details
San Francisco
Great Dickens Christmas Fair
Weekends through Dec 22 | 📍 Cow Palace, Daly City
Step into a Victorian London holiday world with costumed characters, shops, treats, performances, and festive streets.
All ages | Ticketed event | Tickets & details
Safeway Holiday Ice Rink
Daily | 📍 Union Square
Skate under the big Christmas tree in Union Square - classic city-holiday moment.
Ages 4+ | Paid admission | More details
Breakfast with Santa - Westin St. Francis
Weekends | 📍 Union Square
A festive holiday brunch with Santa photo ops in a landmark hotel.
Ages 2–10 | Ticketed event | More details
Panto in the Presidio
Showtimes all month | 📍 Presidio Theatre
Interactive, musical holiday pantomime for families with lots of audience participation.
Ages 5+ | Ticketed event | Tickets & details
East Bay
Glowfari at the Oakland Zoo
Evenings through January | 📍 Oakland Zoo
A nighttime lantern walk with larger-than-life glowing animals and illuminated pathways. Tickets open 28 days before each date, so plan ahead - popular nights tend to sell out fast.
All ages | Ticketed event | Tickets & details
Winter Camps for the holidays
Need coverage for the winter break? I got you. Here’s a list of camps you can register your kiddo in - whether it’s for the week or a quick drop-in day.
Science & Nature
CuriOdyssey Winter Camps
San Mateo (Coyote Point)
Single-day options with science themes like Mission to Mars, Illumineers, and Radical Reactions.
Ages 6–10 | More details
Sports & Active
Legarza Sports & STEAM Camps
San Carlos, San Mateo, Palo Alto, Burlingame
Basketball, All-Sports, and STEAM options during select days, Dec 22–Jan 2.
Ages 4–13 | More details
My Gym Winter Camp
San Carlos
Drop-off sessions with gymnastics, songs, relays, and puppet shows, PLUS themed days and pizza lunch included.
Ages 3–9 (potty trained) | More details
Creativity & Arts
Dragonfly Designs Winter Art Camp
San Mateo
Kids dive into jewelry making, painting, clay work, and more at this vibrant art studio. Every day features new themed projects designed to spark creativity and confidence.
Ages 7–12 | More details
Peninsula Youth Theatre (PYT) Winter Camp
Mountain View
A week of theatre fun where kids learn acting, improvisation, and performance skills while preparing a short showcase. A great mix of play, confidence-building, and creativity in a supportive environment.
Ages 8–12 | More details
West Coast Dance Conservatory Winter Dance Camps
Millbrae
A festive dance experience with themed days like Nutcracker Ballet, Winter Wonderland, and Elf Party. Dancers learn choreography, play games, and do crafts in a joyful, inclusive environment.
Ages 3–10 | More details
Flexible & General Day Camps
Steve & Kate’s Camp
Palo Alto, San Mateo, San Francisco
Buy “Day Passes” and drop in anytime. Choice-based activities include coding, film, sewing, baking, and sports. Lunch included.
Ages 4–12 | More details
City Recreation Department Camps
Redwood City, San Mateo, Menlo Park, Burlingame
Check city guides for Winter Wonderland or Holiday camps with crafts, games, and local fun.
All ages | Redwood City, San Mateo, Menlo Park, Burlingame
Hope this helps take one thing off your plate this week. If you know another parent who’d love this list, feel free to forward it their way. Thanks for being here!