December 2023

There are 140,000 square feet of holiday excitement from now until December 17 at the Great Dickens Christmas Fair at the Cow Palace. All the Dickensian folk will be there including Ebenezer Scrooge. It is party time with music halls, pubs, shops and, of course, roasted chestnuts. Enjoy it from 10-6 daily. Adult tickets are $45.

Even if your kids are now adults you can give toys to deserving children during the 26th Annual Toy Drive on November 26 at New Hall in San Francisco. It is sponsored by Frisco’s Finest Car Club. Stop by from 10-4 and bring new, unwrapped toys. Of course there is no charge to get in.

4th Street in Berkeley is lighting again for the holidays this year. Check out their schedule for caroling, ornament workshop, marionette shows, visits from Santa, fantasy parade and three blocks of lights. Weekends are especially entertaining. Yes, entry is always free.

Expect downtown to light up this season when Let’s GlowSF returns. It is the largest holiday projection arts festival in the U.S. It starts by flooding the Ferry Building with intense colors. Buildings all over the City will join in these blocks and blocks of illumination. It appears to end on December 10.

Just your luck. Broadway’s musical salute to love and gambling “Guys and Dolls” shows up until January 23 at the San Francisco Playhouse. Does this 1950’s event show its age? I doubt it. Tickets from $15 to $125. This was probably my dad’s favorite musical.