No matter which ones you celebrate or how you celebrate them, holidays are universally treasured. They are deeply ingrained in our cultures, emotions, and communities, offering unique ways to bring people together and foster joy. Our home city of San Francisco holds many special traditions and events when the holiday season rolls around. SHC students shared some of their favorite holiday memories and traditions, attributing to the idea that the holidays reach every one of us differently, but in equally beautiful and unique ways.
You can visit Ghirardelli Square, a Hanukkah menorah lighting at Union Square, and Santa visits throughout the month of December. If you find yourself in the mood for delicious displays, the Westin St. Francis has a massive sugar castle and the Fairmont Hotel crafts a famous gingerbread house.
Union Square is lit up with the inevitable joy the holidays bring. All winter long, crowds will be drawn to the ice rink for the timeless love of ice skating. Kenzie Maroney ’26 explains that she “loves Union Square during Christmas time because of the decorations. It’s always really fun to go ice skating and look at all the different decorations in the various stores.”
At Macy’s, holiday windows offer pets for adoption, emphasizing the idea of greater generosity and kindness. Visit SF Ballet’s renowned Nutcracker performance or the SF symphony, both some of the many artistic ways this city celebrates, selling tickets all throughout December. Specific details light up the holidays for everyone, and for some, the SF Ballet is what creates distinct memories. When she was younger, SHC student Tess Corvera ’26 recalls that she “loved going to the Nutcracker ballet with my dad and sister. It was always really fun to dress up and go downtown to see all the Christmas decorations. It was one of my favorite memories as a kid and I would definitely recommend it!”
One of the most memorable and iconic holiday traditions of San Francisco is the upcoming Chinese New Year festivities following the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.
The Chinese New Year parade is an exhilarating affair that winds through 2nd and Market Streets, around Union Square and ends at Kearny Street & Columbus Avenue. The parade harbors hissing firecrackers, popping and sparking at the feet of professional dancers, performers, and skilled elementary school students moving through over a mile of the city. This event is a spectacular combination of traditional Chinese New Year rituals and a typical American parade, embodying qualities of both in an entrancing display of bold colors and striking performances. The parade also includes intricate floats, booming marching bands, skilled Chinese acrobats, people marching on six-foot stilts, lion dancers, and, of course, the many flowing dragons being carried through the streets. Whether you’ve never attended or are a consistent viewer, San Francisco’s Chinese New Year parade is an event you won’t want to miss!
Everywhere you look, this city is transformed into a wonderful holiday haven. No matter the way you celebrate, life shines brighter with excitement and joy in the air. All of these celebrations are ways we can gather together to honor the things that are uniquely special to each of us. The capacity of diverse traditions and commemorations that are all celebrated here is proof of the blessings surrounding us. So during the holiday season, make sure to appreciate the blessings all around you, and take the time to spread some of your gifts to others.
