Tree Lightings Around the Bay

Along with eating plenty of food and holiday shopping getting underway, Thanksgiving weekend also usually marks the start of tree-lighting ceremonies across the Bay Area.

There are plenty to choose from but the big one is taking place Friday night in Union Square. The annual tree lighting ceremony across the street from Macy’s in Union Square Park is always attended by huge crowds. The tree lighting is expected to take place at 6:00 p.m., with musical performances and the ice skating rink open as well. Having gone last year, a delay is not unusual and the scene is pretty claustrophobic if you are not a fan of crowds.

Here are a few other options if you’re looking to get out of the house.

Alameda: Alameda’s South Shore Center will be a bevy of activity on Friday as Santa makes his arrival. And at 6:00 p.m., Center Court lights up for the annual tree lighting.

San Rafael: Another all day celebration on Friday, which includes snow sledding, a holiday marketplace, a parade through downtown beginning at 5:30 and finally, the tree lighting, which follows the conclusion of the parade.

Ghirardelli Square (SF): Music all afternoon and through the evening followed by the annual lighting scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

San Jose: Continuing a holiday tradition for the past 30+ years, Friday will mark the opening of Christmas in the Park in downtown San Jose. Tree lighting commences at 5:30 p.m. and the park will be open through the end of the year.

Just a few options if you want to get out, get rid of that food coma and don’t feel like braving the shopping crowds this day after Thanksgiving.

It's simple. Keith Mizuguchi loves to write and write and write some more. After taking a hiatus from the journalism business, he has rekindled his passion for writing over the last two years, holding a job as both a web and on-air writer for San Francisco news radio station KCBS. While he enjoys the news business, his true passions are twofold: sports and food. Bay Area born and raised, he lives in San Jose, commutes to SF and loves every minute of it. You can follow his food adventures on Twitter @foodie_keith.