Holidays in San Francisco
There’s Nothing Quite Like San Francisco for the Holidays
Twinkling lights along the waterfront. A towering Christmas tree at PIER 39. Ice skating on Fisherman’s Wharf. The Nutcracker, holiday concerts and festive traditions throughout the city. San Francisco takes on a little extra magic during the holidays—and Argonaut Hotel puts you in the perfect place to experience it all.
Set along Fisherman’s Wharf, steps from some of the city’s most iconic holiday attractions, Argonaut is your home base for a San Francisco holiday getaway filled with festive experiences, great food and plenty of reasons to stay awhile.
A Very San Francisco Holiday
Make a holiday getaway even sweeter. Stay two nights or more and enjoy 15% off your stay, daily continental breakfast for two and a Ghirardelli chocolate amenity waiting to welcome you.
- 15% Off Your Stay
- Daily Continental Breakfast for Two
- Ghirardelli Chocolate Amenity
- Two-Night Minimum Stay
*Book September 1–October 31, 2026. Valid for stays November 22–30 and December 20, 2026–January 5, 2027. Two-night minimum stay required.
Holidays at Argonaut
The holiday spirit starts right here. Throughout December, Argonaut will be adding a little extra cheer to your stay with festive treats, creative traditions and special moments designed to bring guests—and our four-legged friends—together.
Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate Bar
Throughout December | Lobby
Warm up after a day exploring the city with complimentary hot chocolate in the lobby, complete with festive toppings like marshmallows, peppermint, whipped cream and chocolate shavings. A sweet holiday treat inspired by our famous Ghirardelli Square neighbor.
Cards of Cheer
Fridays | 4–5 PM | Lobby
Take a moment to spread a little holiday cheer. Guests are invited to create holiday cards in the lobby each Friday, which Argonaut will deliver to local seniors throughout the season.
Letters from the North Pole
A little North Pole magic is coming to Argonaut. Young guests can take part in a special holiday letter experience, adding an extra dose of anticipation and wonder to their San Francisco stay.
Holiday Sips at Blue Mermaid
Throughout December
Toast the season at Blue Mermaid with a special menu of signature holiday cocktails created just for December. Stop in for a festive drink before dinner or cozy up after a day exploring the city.
Holiday Dining at Blue Mermaid
Celebrate the season without leaving the Wharf. Blue Mermaid brings friends and family together with festive holiday dining just steps from your room. Settle in for seasonal flavors, good company and a relaxed San Francisco celebration—without the cooking or cleanup.
Holiday Events at Fisherman’s Wharf
From the waterfront to Union Square, San Francisco is filled with traditions worth planning a trip around. Stay at Argonaut and make some of the city’s most festive holiday experiences part of your getaway.
San Francisco On Ice – Fisherman’s Wharf
November 4-January 18
Lace up your skates right on the waterfront. SkyWheel Fisherman’s Wharf is bringing a holiday ice rink to the Wharf, adding another festive experience just minutes from Argonaut. Take a spin on the ice, ride the SkyWheel and soak up the lights and energy of the season.
PIER 39 Holiday Season
November 23, 2026–January 10, 2027
Just a stroll from Argonaut, PIER 39 transforms for the season with festive décor, lights, shopping, photo opportunities and holiday entertainment—all centered around its spectacular 60-foot Christmas tree.
PIER 39 Christmas Tree Lighting
December 3, 2026
See the waterfront light up for one of the season’s signature celebrations. The annual lighting of PIER 39’s 60-foot Christmas tree brings live music, holiday festivities and a special appearance from the North Pole.
MerryTime at the Wharf
Throughout the Holiday Season
The holiday spirit stretches across Fisherman’s Wharf with seasonal décor, local shopping, family-friendly activities and festive experiences from PIER 39 to Ghirardelli Square—all within easy reach of Argonaut.
Fisherman’s Wharf Lighted Boat Parade
December 11, 2026 | 6–8 PM
A San Francisco holiday tradition on the water. Watch a sparkling procession of decorated boats illuminate the waterfront as they cruise past PIER 39, Fisherman’s Wharf and toward Crissy Field.
Christmas Events Around San Francisco
Ready to venture beyond the Wharf? Some of San Francisco’s most beloved holiday traditions are only a short ride away.
Ice Skating in Union Square
Beginning November 4, 2026
Lace up your skates in the heart of downtown San Francisco. The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink returns to Union Square for another season of outdoor skating surrounded by the lights, shopping and energy of the city.
Union Square Holiday Tree
Throughout the Holiday Season
One of San Francisco’s most recognizable holiday sights, the towering Union Square Christmas tree creates a festive centerpiece for an afternoon of shopping, sightseeing and celebrating downtown.
San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker
December 4–27, 2026
Experience one of San Francisco’s most treasured holiday traditions at the War Memorial Opera House. San Francisco Ballet’s dazzling production brings Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score to life in a spectacular setting inspired by 1915 San Francisco.
Holidays with the San Francisco Symphony
Throughout December
Add a little music to your holiday getaway with seasonal performances at Davies Symphony Hall. From festive orchestral concerts to family favorites, the Symphony offers plenty of ways to make holiday music part of your San Francisco stay.
Great Dickens Christmas Fair
Weekends, November 21 to December 20, 2026 | Cow Palace
Step into Victorian London for the day. Four acres of festive shops, pubs, performances and characters fill the Cow Palace every weekend of the fair.
Illuminate SF
Beginning Thanksgiving weekend | Citywide
Light-art installations switch on across San Francisco’s neighborhoods and landmarks. Take an evening walk and see how many you can find.
Illuminate SF
December 31, 2026 | San Francisco Bay
Ring in the new year with fireworks over the Bay. Our holiday offer runs through January 5, so stay for the countdown and sleep in the next morning.
Your Holiday Home Base
Stay in the middle of the magic. From morning walks along the waterfront and holiday shopping at Ghirardelli Square to festive dinners, sparkling city lights and some of San Francisco’s most beloved seasonal traditions, Argonaut puts the best of the holidays within easy reach.
Come for the festivities. Stay for the waterfront views, unmistakable San Francisco character and a holiday getaway you’ll want to make a tradition.
FAQ
Yes, San Francisco is a good place to visit at Christmas because December stays mild, with highs in the upper 50s and no snow. Skate at Union Square or on Fisherman’s Wharf, then catch San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker at the War Memorial Opera House. Bring a warm layer for the waterfront.
The main San Francisco Christmas events in 2026 are:
- PIER 39 Christmas Tree Lighting: December 3, 2026 (a 60-foot tree)
- San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker: December 4 to 27, 2026, War
- Memorial Opera House
- Great Dickens Christmas Fair: weekends, November 21 to December 20, 2026, Cow Palace
- Fisherman’s Wharf Lighted Boat Parade: December, date to be announced
- Holiday ice skating: Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf, 2026 dates to be announced
San Francisco has two holiday ice rinks: the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square and San Francisco On Ice at Fisherman’s Wharf, beside the SkyWheel. The Wharf rink is the closer one to us, a short walk along the waterfront. Skate a few laps, then warm up with complimentary Ghirardelli hot chocolate in our lobby, which runs through December.
The PIER 39 Christmas tree lighting is on December 3, 2026. The 60-foot tree is the centerpiece of PIER 39’s holiday season, which runs November 23, 2026 to January 10, 2027. From our front door, it’s about a 10-minute walk east along the waterfront.
On Christmas Day in San Francisco, you can walk the waterfront from Aquatic Park to PIER 39 or ride the Powell-Hyde cable car from Hyde and Beach. Many attractions keep limited hours, so check before you head out. Back at the hotel, Blue Mermaid serves holiday dining. Call 415-771-2222 for Christmas Day hours.
Yes, Argonaut Hotel’s 2026 holiday offer takes 15% off stays of two or more nights and includes daily continental breakfast for two plus a Ghirardelli chocolate welcome amenity. Book by October 31, 2026, for stays November 22 to 30 or December 20, 2026 to January 5, 2027. Use code BAYHOL. That covers Thanksgiving week and Christmas through New Year’s.
Yes, Argonaut Hotel is pet-friendly, and dogs are welcome for the holidays. Our December programming includes treats for four-legged guests, so your furry family members get to celebrate too. You’ll find fees and details on our pet-friendly hotel page.
ADDRESS
Argonaut Hotel
495 Jefferson Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
HOTEL DIRECT
415-563-0800ROOM RESERVATIONS
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