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Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, Saint Lucia Day—celebrations of light are a common element of many global wintertime traditions.

Here in the Bay Area, we certainly love the comfort of a bright light on a cold night. From the illuminated shop windows of Union Square in San Francisco to the Glowfari at the Oakland Zoo—and from a twinkling train ride through the East Bay foothills to a waterfront festival in Sausalito—the Bay Area has holiday lights aplenty.

With that in mind, The Standard has compiled a list of dazzling local light displays to visit this December.

Downtown San Francisco 

The massive tree anchoring Union Square is aglow, and you can make a whole evening out of visiting it. Book a one-hour ice skating session online to practice your twirls and then take a spin around Macy’s to gaze at the adorable (and adoptable) animals in the shop windows and get some holiday shopping done Downtown, where local stores could use your business. If you’re in the mood for more holiday treats, check out the 12-foot castle made entirely of sugar in the lobby of the Westin St. Francis. (JZ)

📍 333 Post St. 
☎️ (650) 364-8300

Nob Hill 

Decorated with more than 17,000 paper cranes with messages from people of all ages and faiths, the Christmas tree at…