Merry & Bright: San Francisco’s Best Holiday Lights!

It wouldn’t be the holidays without lots of bright twinkling lights blanketing the city. Thanks to Hetch Hetchy Power and CleanPowerSF, the SFPUC is powering many of your favorite holiday light displays across San Francisco with clean energy. As you celebrate the holidays with friends and family, be sure to check out a few of our favorite displays. And share with us your favorite displays, too! 

  1. Market Street Lights 

When the snowflake lights go up on Market Street, it is officially the holiday season. The beautiful lights are illuminating Market Street between Spear Street and Eighth Street and are powered by 100% clean energy from Hetch Hetchy Power!  

Snowflakes along Market Street.
  1. Christmas Cable Cars 

Hear the cable car bells ring (ring-a-ling ding-dong-ding!), come on its lovely weather for a cable car ride together this holiday season! San Francisco’s iconic cable cars are decked out and ready for the holiday season. You can ride easy over the hills of San Francisco knowing the cable cars are energized by  Hetch Hetchy Power

Photo courtesy of SFMTA.
  1. Let’s Glow SF 

The community benefit district, Downtown SF, is bringing Let’s Glow SF to the Financial District this holiday season. Let’s Glow SF is a visual art installation that projects virtual images from local and international artists onto downtown buildings. Grab a cup of hot cocoa and watch the five-minute winter themed shows on One Bush Plaza, 345 Montgomery, Pacific Stock Exchange building, and the Hyatt Regency.  

Let’s Glow SF.
  1. Ghirardelli Square 

Academy of Art University students designed 11 trees to be displayed for the Annual Holiday Tree Stroll at Girardhelli Square. Enjoy a beautiful view of the bay while you are there!

Photo courtesy of Ghirardelli Square .
  1. Golden Gate Park 

Pay a visit to Uncle John’s Tree, a San Francisco tradition dating back to 1929, and continue your stroll through Golden Gate Park. Experience an immersive outdoor wonderland of light, illuminated paths, interactive exhibits and live music on JFK drive and Music Concourse, all powered by 100% clean Hetch Hetchy Power! 

Photo courtesy of San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department .
  1. Bells on Third Street 

Every holiday season, the Bayview gets in the holiday spirit with bell lights brightening up Third Street. You can experience this special annual installation on Third Street, between Evans and Jamestown Avenues. The extra special décor is also powered by Hetch Hetchy Power!

Holiday Bells on Third Street.
  1. Leland Avenue Snowflakes 

If you are near Visitacion Valley, grab a hot chocolate and put a little holiday pep in your step with the snowflake lights up and down Leland Avenue between Bayshore Avenue and Rutland Street.  

Snowflakes in Visitacion Valley.
  1. An Illuminated Winter Wonderland 

This winter, Golden Gate Park’s Peacock Meadow will again transform into an enchanted forest of shapes, colors, and light.  

“Entwined,” by San Francisco artist Charles Gadeken, creates a whimsical wonderland where visitors can explore twisting paths, colorful trees, large flowering clusters, and constantly changing vistas of light. Inspired by nature, this interactive art installation is energized by Hetch Hetchy Power and will enchant visitors of all ages through February 1, 2022.  

Photo courtesy of San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department.  
  1. City Hall 

This month, City Hall will light up with holiday spirit to celebrate all of the December holidays, including Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s. Civic Center Plaza also features a beautiful Christmas tree, and holiday lights to enjoy.

Photo courtesy of San Francisco Civic Center.  
  1. Salesforce Transit Center Holiday Lights 

Have you been to the Salesforce Transit Center’s rooftop park? Now you might have more reason to, as the Transbay Joint Powers Authority (TJPA) in coordination with the East Cut Community Benefit District recently unveiled a holiday light display atop the park. Check out the lights along with the free, festive activities they are hosting throughout December. Fun fact: Salesforce Transit Center is powered by Hetch Hetchy Power!  

Photo courtesy of Salesforce Transit Center .

Looking for more? Check out this map of holiday lights around SF neighborhoods by “The 415 Guy.”