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Holiday Happenings in the Tri-Valley

There’s so much to be merry about this holiday season in the Tri-Valley, from Ugly Sweater Spirit Strolls and cozy brunches to enchanting winter wonderland light displays, festive parades, and unique holiday pop-up bar experiences. Explore our list of holiday happenings in the Tri-Valley to make the most of this joyful season!

Family Fun

Celebrate the magic of the season with family-friendly events across the Tri-Valley. Enjoy festive parades, free community events, special Christmas Light tours, and chances to snap a photo with Santa.

Lighting of the Old Oak Tree

Watch as Father Christmas and the Snow Angel sprinkle a little magic dust on the old oak tree and bring it to light. Danville’s Oak Tree is estimated to be over 350 years old and the lighting of its sprawling branches & limbs marks the beginning of the holiday season.

41st Annual Holiday Tree Lighting in Dublin

Come out to the Dublin Civic Center to celebrate the lighting of the holiday tree! Enjoy performances by local musicians and dancers, and help count down as the 30-foot holiday tree is illuminated. Be sure to be on the lookout for a special guest from the North Pole! 

Magical Holiday Evening

Capture cherished memories with free photos alongside Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Museum on Main and enjoy a variety of family friendly activities & live music at this fun Downtown Pleasanton event. Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic so it is the perfect time to stroll Downtown and celebrate the season! Take advantage of shopping specials, savor delectable dining options, and groove to live Christmas music. 

Featured Event
Lights of Livermore Wine Trolley Tour

Gather your friends and family to enjoy a fun-filled night of Christmas light displays from the comfort of a music-filled trolley car. 

An adults only tour is also available, which includes a one-hour wine tasting at Concannon Vineyard.

HOLIDAY VILLAGE AT CARNEGIE PARK
Head to Carnegie Park in Livermore for an evening of holiday cheer. Shop for gifts, holiday treats, decor, and more from local makers, artists, and craft vendors. Expect a visit from Santa from 4:00PM – 7:00PM.

Truly a hidden gem in the Tri-Valley, the Blackhawk Museum houses five incredible galleries under one roof. This holiday season, Santa’s also on display. This meet & greet event is included with museum admission, so come enjoy the celebration as part of your visit.

Families are invited to enjoy a delicious hot pancake breakfast served with sausage, fruit, coffee, and juice, followed by the arrival of Santa Claus! Santa will pose for holiday photos following each session, creating cherished memories for all who attend.

Christmas at the Livery

Experience free Santa Visits, country trolley rides, hot cocoa bar, snow zone, balloon twisters, face painters, holiday carolers, our DJ Extraordinaire, and free jolly gift bags for the little ones, including a custom Livery ornament! Bring a camera to capture your visit. 

City of Pleasanton hometown Holiday celebration
The City of Pleasanton Hometown Holiday Celebration begins at 5PM with a parade of floats, marching bands, community groups & more! Then, around 6:45, the Mayor lights up the tree in front of the Museum on Main with a special appearance from Santa. 
City of Livermore holiday sights & sounds parade

The City of Livermore’s Sights & Sounds Parade willfeature local businesses, marching bands, live music, light displays and of course, Santa! The parade route is First Street – Between “M” Street and McLeod Street. A tree lighting will follow the parade.

Breakfast with Santa at Garre Vineyard

An event the whole family will enjoy. Don’t forget to bring your camera!

Santa at the Livery - Every Weekend!

Head to the Livery Mercantile in Danville every Saturday and Sunday of December from 12pm-3pm up until Christmas to capture your holiday photos with Santa Clause.

Santa at Dimitri's Taverna - Every Sunday!

Grab a table at Dimitri’s Taverna and visit with Santa every Sunday in December from 4PM – 7PM.

Photo Courtesy of The Independent

Adult Only Celebrations (21+)

Toast to the holidays with spirited 21+ events across the Tri-Valley! From incredible holiday-themed pop up bars to boozy sweater strolls, these adult-only gatherings add a lively twist to the season.

Miracle pop-up at the Fat Pigeon

Head to The Fat Pigeon in Downtown Livermore and step into a Christmas Wonderland. This Christmas-themed pop-up offers tasty seasonal drinks presented in unique holiday cups in an uber-festive setting. No reservations required; first come first serve.

Sippin' Santa pop-up at Beer Baron, Pleasanton

Stop by Beer Baron in Pleasanton to swap snow for sand this holiday season. This Sippin’ Santa pop-up is all about celebrating Christmas with tropical twist. 

A Christmas STory Pop-up at The cellar Door

Stop by Beer Baron in Pleasanton to swap snow for sand this holiday season. This Sippin’ Santa pop-up is all about celebrating Christmas with tropical twist. 

Holidays in the Vineyards

Nearly 30 wineries will showcase their decorated tasting rooms with special wines, arts, crafts, holiday music, activities and more. Admission is free, however, tasting fees may apply and vary by winery.

Featured Event
Lights of Livermore Wine Trolley Tour

Gather your friends and family and get ready to indulge in a delightful evening filled with wine tasting and a festive Holiday lights tour. Start at the historic Concannon Vineyard for a one-hour wine tasting before hopping on the Livermore Valley Wine Trolley. Sit back, relax, and let the holiday magic unfold as the trolley takes you on a one-hour tour of Livermore’s biggest and best light displays.

Pick from two different options: a family-friendly tour or an adults only tour, which includes a wine tasting at Concannon Vineyard. This tour sells out quickly, be sure to reserve your spot early!

Tequila Rose Comedy presents ‘Tis the Season, a comedy show featuring Cassie G., Mexi-King, Lourdes Ayon and Jose Tequila. 

Red Suits & Reindeer Boots

Get your Santa suit on and prep yourself for some holiday shenanigans at this Santa-centric celebration at The Cellar Door. Enjoy a live DJ, snow machine, food truck, specialty costumes, and a costume contest. 

Downtown Pleasanton Spirit & Sweater Stroll

Get into the holiday spirit by wearing your favorite holiday sweater and strolling down Downtown Pleasanton’s Main Street. Stop by 20 Downtown Pleasanton shops and restaurants for a festive cocktail.

He’s a mean one! Don’t miss a ridiculous themed drag brunch to everyone’s favorite holiday character. You’ll be laughing and singing along with the grinch. Don’t forget to wear an ugly holiday sweater, there will be a contest. Hosted by Nicki Jizz

dragged to the door - a Christmas Special

Get ready to be entertained by high energy drag performances, holiday-themed acts, and special surprises. Watch out for those cartwheels! This event promises to be a jolly good time with laughter, music, and fabulous costumes. Don’t miss out on this unique Christmas drag experience with your friends!

Livermore Santa Con - Restaurant & Bar Crawl

Get into the holiday spirit at Downtown Livermore’s SantaCon! Dress up as Santa, Mrs. Claus, or your favorite festive character and enjoy a jolly night of holiday cheer. Stroll through downtown, visit local bars and restaurants, and spread Christmas joy with fellow revelers.

Photo Courtesy of The Independent

Holiday Shopping

Find unique gifts and seasonal treasures for everyone on your list by taking advantage of special holiday shopping opportunities across the entire Tri-Valley, from decked out malls to small community markets and special events in Livermore Valley Wine Country. 

This beloved pajama shopping tradition is back! Roll out of bed, throw on your PJs, and hit the Downtown Livermore boutiques at 7AM for amazing deals, giveaways, and holiday cheer. Don’t miss this year’s exclusive giveaway —a free belt bag, available while supplies last!

Thrift Fest

Just in time for Christmas… the Thrift Fest is returning to the Tri-Valley by popular demand! Shop a diverse selection of over 150+ of California’s diverse vintage vendors and creators. 

holiday nights at the garden store

Watch as Father Christmas and the Snow Angel sprinkle a little magic dust on the old oak tree and bring it to light. Danville’s Oak Tree is estimated to be over 350 years old and the lighting of its sprawling branches & limbs marks the beginning of the holiday season.

San Francisco Premium Outlets

Each year, the San Francisco Premium Outlets is home to larger than life Christmas decor, making great photo ops. While you’re at it, get some shopping in at Northern California’s largest premium outlet mall! 

Santa Photos: Stoneridge Shopping Mall

Visit the Stoneridge Mall to take family photos with Santa Clause. Pet photo opportunities also available.

Holidays in the VIneyards: McGrail Vineyards

As part of the Livermore Valley Wine Community’s Holidays in the Vineyards weekend, McGrail Vineyards will be hosting a variety of vendor pop-ups from local small businesses, collecting Toys for Tots donations, and offering exclusive holiday wine packages for purchase. Tickets to this event include walk-up wine tastings of five McGrail wines, a stemless McGrail wine glass and live music. Tickets are free to those under 21, non-drinkers, or people just there to shop. 

Seasonal Shows & Performances

From holiday concerts and ballets to theatrical comedies and festive productions, the Tri-Valley’s lineup of live performances has something for everyone this season.

The new Christmas sequel will feature the 5 ladies we have all come to know and love gathering for a night on the town to laugh, cry, gossip and just let their hair down during the craziest of times: the holidays! ‘Twas a Girls Night Before Xmas will feature the touching and hilarious writing by Roche that has entertained audiences worldwide, with classic Christmas songs and contemporary hits that will have everyone singing and dancing along.

Kick off the holiday season with The Best Intentions Holiday Concert. With soulful harmonies, electrifying choreography, and a setlist packed with Motown classics, old school hits, and R&B favorites, The Best Intentions deliver an unforgettable musical experience. Their perfect blend of nostalgia and modern flair captivates audiences, making this the ultimate way to start the festive season. 

God, dressed in an all new holiday power suit, returns to set the record straight and expound on everything from the beginnings of Christmas with Yule, Saturnalia and Winter Solstice, to holiday foods, Christmas carols, Star Wars, the true story of the Nativity, and even Tiny Tim! This show blends together the nostalgia of holidays gone by, a hilarious and laugh-out-loud look at the holidays of today and a heartwarming and perfectly sweet peek at holidays yet to come!

PCO’s performance of Handel’s Messiah is a perfect way to welcome the holiday season. Revel in the communal experience of the grace, artistry and splendor. Be uplifted to a place of wonder, love and harmony. Be awed by the soaring, rich vocal tones the acclaimed soloists and thrilled by the PCO’s thunderous 50 voice chorus. 

PCO’s performance of Handel’s Messiah is a perfect way to welcome the holiday season. Revel in the communal experience of the grace, artistry and splendor. Be uplifted to a place of wonder, love and harmony. Be awed by the soaring, rich vocal tones the acclaimed soloists and thrilled by the PCO’s thunderous 50 voice chorus. 

Experience a joyous journey through holiday classics with The Doo Wop Project at the Bankhead Theater! From timeless tunes like “White Christmas” and “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” to their unique “doowopified” take on contemporary hits, this performance promises to be a festive treat for all.

Featured Event

Valley Dance Theatre brings full-length and repertory classical ballet and contemporary dance productions to the San Francisco East Bay. Every December, the Company presents several full-length performances of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker.

Join Ballet Roots this Christmas season for an entertaining holiday show that’s sure to delight audience members both young and old! You’ll find our usual array of dances, ranging from classical to contemporary, and maybe a surprise or two! Showtimes at 2PM and 4PM.

Get ready to celebrate the holidays in style with “Jeff Bordes & Friends: A New Orleans Christmas” at the Firehouse Arts Center in Downtown Pleasanton. This annual holiday extravaganza brings a unique and festive twist to your favorite Christmas classics, infused with the vibrant sounds of New Orleans jazz, funk, and blues.

Experience the magic of “Boleros De Navidad” with Tres Souls, a festive Latin holiday celebration blending Christmas classics and beloved Bolero standards al estilo Serenata. Join Rocio Mendoza, Roberto Carlos, and Jesus Martinez for an enchanting evening, as they infuse modern flair into vintage hits from the 1940s-1960s and the Golden Era of Mexican Cinema.

Be mesmerized by the Grammy-nominated acapella group Kings Return in their upcoming holiday show. Based in Dallas, this quartet effortlessly blends gospel, jazz, R&B, and classical music into their unique renditions of holiday favorites. Known for their seamless harmonies and captivating vocal chemistry, Kings Return has garnered comparisons to iconic acts like Take 6 and Boyz II Men. From humble beginnings to viral sensations, they continue to charm audiences with their polished performances.

It’s “CSI: Bethlehem” in this holiday mystery extravaganza, from the author of Late Nite Catechism, as Sister takes on the mystery that has intrigued historians throughout the ages – whatever happened to the Magi’s gold? (“We know that Mary used the frankincense and myrrh as a sort of potpourri – they were in a barn after all.”) Retelling the story of the nativity, as only Sister can, this hilarious holiday production is bound to become a yearly classic. Employing her own scientific tools, assisted by a carol singer as well as a gaggle of audience members, Sister creates a living nativity unlike any you’ve ever seen.

Join Mostly Kosher, the acclaimed Klezmer/Rock band, as they radically reconstruct Judaic and American cultural music with ravenous klezmer beats and arresting Yiddish refrains. Led by frontman Leeav Sofer, Mostly Kosher is a musical feast exploding into a global food fight of Jazz, Latin, Rock, and Folk. They’ve even made history as the first Jewish music ensemble at the Disney Parks, stealing the Festival of Holidays Show.

With a storied career that includes collaborations with musical icons and a reputation for mastery on the trumpet, Jeff Bordes promises a performance that will set the stage for a memorable start to the new year. His artistry knows no bounds, blending captivating melodies and infectious rhythms to create an immersive musical experience. 

Don’t miss out on a special New Year’s Eve Package including accommodations at The Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Livermore Wine Country, dinner at Downtown Livermore’s Simply Fondue, 2 tickets to this show, and more! 

Christmas Light Displays

Every year, thousands of visitors flock to our corner of the San Francisco Bay Area to see the amazing Christmas light displays of Tri-Valley residents. We’ve included some of our favorite annual displays below, but be sure to browse the full list of Christmas Light Displays in the Tri-Valley to plan the ultimate light-viewing route! 

Each July, Kris & Kim Widmer begin decorating their home in Christmas lights & displays for the public to enjoy through most of December.

This majestic neighborhood has decorated their street for over 60 years.

View a full list of our favorite Christmas Light Displays in the Tri-Valley