Civic Center Plaza Holiday Tree Lighting 2024

Join us for a festive evening at Civic Center Plaza as we light up the holiday season! Happening rain or shine!

The annual Civic Center Plaza Tree Lighting event returns December 4, 4-7pm! Add this fun, free, family-friendly event to your holiday calendar; featuring festive performances led by Boxcar Theatre’s Artistic Director Nick A. Olivero, with the night’s lineup including music, performances, and appearances by Christmas VIPs and the man-of-the-hour: Santa.

The event also features “snow” flurries, where kids (and kids at heart) can twirl and dance through the falling snow, and a toy giveaway for the first 400 children 12 and under, led by Another Planet Entertainment with the San Francisco Police Foundation, along with the Civic Center Community Benefit District.

In the Makers Village, SF Etsy will lead holiday-themed activities (Santa letter writing station! Ornament making! More!) and the San Francisco Public Library will host a book giveaway. Festive bites from an Off the Grid food truck will be available for purchase, along with a full bar featuring seasonal favorites from Rye on the Road.

The event takes place across from an illuminated City Hall in Civic Center Plaza. Event begins promptly at 4pm, with the lighting of Civic Center’s 50-foot noble fir at 5:30pm.

RSVP for an event reminder, but no ticket required to attend this free event.

See some footage from years prior !

Host or Publisher Civic Center CBD & Civic Center Initiative