Holiday Happenings

Craft Fairs and Holiday Shopping

Nov. 17

Herbal Holiday Gift Making: Led by Suzanne Elliot, explore the natural essence of creating gifts. Pre-payment is required.
7 p.m., $10, 117 Valencia St., 821-0997.

Nov. 18-20

Norwegian Fair: Enjoy arts, crafts, sweaters, foods, and confections at this unique event.
Norwegian Seamen's Church, 2454 Hyde St. 775-6566.

Nov. 19

Crafts Marketplace: Includes crafts, entertainment, raffle drawings, and a selection of gifts.
10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Lick-Wilmerding High School, 755 Ocean Ave., 585-1725 or 333-4021.

Nov. 19-Nov. 27

Celebration of Craftswomen: The 27th annual fair features 300 female artists, music, gourmet food, a Women's Building benefit raffle, arts and crafts, and more.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Saturdays and Sundays), $6-8, Festival Pavilion, Ft. Mason, 843-4233.

Nov. 26-Dec. 18

Holiday Open Studios: The Berkeley Artisans free 15th annual self-guided holiday tour allows interested attendees to visit over 100 artists' studios in downtown Berkeley and draw their own conclusions.
Saturdays and Sundays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., free, (510) 845-2612.

Nov. 30-Dec.18

Christmas tree sale: In an arena that can hold 5,000 people, the diverse array of decorations and trees sold at this yearly sale will benefit underprivileged children.
9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center. 441-3400.

Dec. 3-4

Muir Beach Quilters Holiday Arts Fair: Family fun awaits all at this event. Enjoy perusing ceramics, quilts, paintings, wearable art, and T-shirts, while indulging in food, drink, and children's activities.
Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., free, 19 Seascape Dr., Muir Beach.

Dec. 3-4

"Deco the Halls": Come see the hundreds of collectibles -- designer furniture, accessories, literature, and more from the period spanning 1900 to 1980. While there, check out a vintage fashion show and some swing dancing.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. $7-9, The Concourse Exhibition Center, 635 8th St. (at Brannan).

Dec. 8

"Circa '75": New Langton's 21st annual Art Auction celebrates 30 years of art with live performances, gourmet food, fine wines, and over 100 works of art up for auction, starting at $50.
5:30 to 8 p.m. New Langton Arts, 1246 Folsom St., 626-5416.

Dec. 10

Studio18, Studio19 and Studio20 Winter Opening Festival: Check out this evening of art and jazz (featuring the Roy Bailey Trio) where photographers, media artists, sculptors, painters, and even a metal smith expose their work. Over age 21 only.
7 to 10:30 p.m., free, 1500 Partridge Ave., Bldg. 8, (408) 242-7170.

Dec. 10

Winter Fest: Celebrate Las Posadas, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and Hanukkah with a day of holiday activities, entertainment, and a special world craft market.
Noon to 4 p.m., $5-8, Oakland Museum, 1000 Oak St., Oakland, (510) 238-2200.

Dec. 10-24

Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair: Over 300 artists and artisans showcase their work on the Avenue, decked in evergreens and lights. Call for dates.
10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Telegraph Avenue between Bancroft and Dwight, Berkeley, (510) 234-1013.

Dec. 10-11

KPFA Community Crafts Fair: Featuring live world music, speakers, a vast array of foods from different cultures, and 225 craftsmakers and artists, this fair is aimed at all audiences.
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. $8., Concourse Exhibition Center, 635 8th St., (510) 848-6767.

Dec. 10-11

Holiday Kwanzaa and Christmas Gift Show: This 20th annual gift show features over 100 exhibitors at the Marriott. Children's activities and entertainment will be provided.
10 a.m. to 8 p.m., $6, Oakland Marriott Convention Center, 10th and Broadway, downtown Oakland, (510) 534-1594.

Tree Lightings and Holiday Lights

Nov. 18

Hyatt Regency San Francisco's Tree Lighting Celebration: Check out the atrium lobby in all its grandeur, with 30,000 cascading lights and a 45-foot Christmas tree featuring 3,000 ceramic ornaments.
5 Embarcadero Center, (800) 233-1234.

Nov. 20

Embarcadero Center Lighting Ceremony: View thousands of lights being lit on Embarcadero office buildings at 6 p.m. and enjoy ice-skating performances, entertainment, and food.
4 p.m., free, 1 Embarcadero Center, 772-0500.

Nov. 25-Jan. 1

Zoolights: The 18th annual celebration features live entertainment along with an impressive display of lights in a winter wonderland setting.
5 to 9 p.m. $5-7, Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Road (off Highway 580), Oakland, (510) 632-9525.

Nov. 25

Ghiradelli Square Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony: On this day it's the tree -- not just the chocolate -- that causes families to flock to the "sweetest" site in San Francisco. Lights on the 50-foot tree, complete with chocolate trimmings, begin sparkling at 5:30 p.m. Other festivities include caroling, dancing, and a visit from Santa.
5:30 p.m. Ghiradelli Square, 900 North Point St. (at Larkin), 775-5500.

Nov. 26

Macy's Union Square Tree Lighting Ceremony: Festivities, including music and an appearance from Old Saint Nick, are slated to go on throughout the day, starting at noon. The tree lighting is at 6 p.m.
Union Square (at Geary and Powell sts.), 885-6407.

Nov. 26

Union Street Lighting Ceremony and Fantasy of Lights Parade: This event features a light parade, carolers galore, and a special appearance by Santa and the Snow Queen. (For those anxious to meet with the North Pole native earlier, Santa will be stationed at 2040 Union St. every Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. until Thanksgiving.)
5:30 p.m., free, Union St. (between Gough and Steiner).

Nov. 26

Carousel Lighting Ceremony: Watch the carousel light up and the parade march through the gardens while munching on cookies, sipping cocoa and tuning in to the free music at this all-inclusive event.
5 to 8 p.m., free, Yerba Buena Gardens, 899 Howard St., 543-1275.