🎄 2025 Bay Area Christmas Markets｜Top 10 Must‑Visit Holiday Markets & Fairs

As soon as Thanksgiving ends, the San Francisco Bay Area shifts into full Christmas mode. From late November to December, dozens of holiday markets pop up across the region — from traditional European fairs and maker markets, to waterfront bazaars, cultural festivals, and light-up night markets.

In 2025, the range is more exciting than ever. We’ve rounded up the 10 best Christmas markets across San Francisco, the Peninsula, East Bay, and North Bay — chosen for size, quality, atmosphere, and photo-friendliness. These events offer the best way to transition from Thanksgiving into the festive season.

Top 10 Christmas Markets in Bay Area

1. Union Square Holiday Market — Downtown’s Classic Christmas Market

Union Square transforms into a holiday village the weekend after Thanksgiving. With over 100 booths, this market offers handmade crafts, jewelry, candles, art, seasonal snacks, and local goods.

📍 Union Square, San Francisco | Late Nov – Mid Dec

Why go:

• Central location, easy access

• Street music, family-friendly activities, and ice skating

• Giant tree + city lights = unbeatable holiday photo ops

2. Pier 39 Holiday Market — Seaside Christmas Vibes

This market blends bayfront charm with festive fun: nautical-themed decorations, artisan stalls, and a sparkling waterfront tree show. Sea lions and salty air included.

📍 Pier 39, San Francisco | Late Nov – Dec

Why go:

• Chill vibe with views of the Bay

• Great for families and couples

• Holiday treats and gifts with a coastal twist

3. Ferry Building Holiday Marketplace — Foodie Holiday Heaven

Part farmers market, part gourmet pop-up, this festive edition of the Ferry Building market includes handmade gifts, art, and loads of seasonal food options.

📍 Ferry Building, Embarcadero | Multiple dates from Nov–Dec

Why go:

• Covered and cozy even in rain

• Local baked goods, cheeses, seafood

• Artisan gifts + iconic SF backdrop

4. Great Dickens Christmas Fair — A Victorian-Era Immersive Experience

Step into 19th-century London with gas lamps, carolers, period costumes, and themed shops. Buy handcrafted goods while sipping mulled wine in a fully immersive world.

📍 Cow Palace, Daly City | Weekends Nov–Dec

Why go:

• It’s more than a market — it’s time travel

• Live shows, photo ops, and cultural flair

• Perfect for families and holiday romantics

5. Ghirardelli Square Holiday Market — Chocolate-Themed Christmas Fun

Famous for sweets, this market adds cocoa-inspired gifts, live music, and charming lights across its brick courtyards. Santa appearances, too.

📍 Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco | December weekends

Why go:

• Holiday sweets + artisan vendors

• Kid-friendly with baking activities

• Warm lights and cozy date-night atmosphere

6. Christkindlmarkt SF — A Taste of Europe

Co-hosted by European cultural groups, this market brings German, Austrian, Swiss, and Czech holiday traditions: gingerbread, glühwein, wooden toys, and more.

📍 Downtown SF | Select dates in December

Why go:

• Authentic European Christmas vibe

• Live demos of woodcarving, glass-blowing

• Small but high quality

7. SF Etsy Holiday Indie Market — Local Creators + Design Finds

100+ independent Bay Area artists and makers gather here to sell handmade gifts, art, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, and more.

📍 SF Bay Area locations | Multiple dates

Why go:

• Perfect for gift shopping

• Meet-the-maker experience

• Artsy photo backdrops & creative energy

8. Jack London Square Winter Market — Oakland’s Waterfront Holiday Fair

Craft booths, live jazz, and harbor views. A relaxed East Bay market with handmade gifts, street food, and holiday lights.

📍 Oakland | Early to mid December

Why go:

• Less crowded than SF

• Great night views of the Bay

• Family-friendly with a cultural twist

9. Palo Alto Christmas Market — Small but Chic

This boutique-style market emphasizes craftsmanship and minimalism. Expect clean design, wood décor, and a calm pace under tree-lined streets.

📍 Downtown Palo Alto | One-day event in early Dec

Why go:

• Design-forward atmosphere

• DIY holiday craft corners for kids

• Ideal for photos + chill shopping

10. Mountain View German Holiday Market — Old-World Festive Charm

This German cultural fair features bratwurst, glühwein, wooden toys, folk music, and traditional dance — one of the Bay’s most authentic Euro-style Christmas events.

📍 Mountain View | Early December

Why go:

• Packed but festive

• Great for families and foodies

• Feels like a European village

🎁Holiday Market Planning Tips

• Start right after Thanksgiving — most markets open that weekend

• Midweek = fewer crowds for better shopping + photos

• Support local — handmade gifts = meaningful gifts

• Layer up — outdoor markets get chilly after sunset

• Mix & match — big downtown market + cozy indie fair = best of both worlds