In response to the North Bay firestorm-the most destructive and deadliest firestorm disaster in California history-a coalition of Bay Area business and community leaders are launching "Band Together Bay Area," a benefit concert to support local relief and long-term recovery in the region.
Published: November, 2017
Fire Relief Concert
In response to the North Bay firestorm—the most destructive and deadliest firestorm disaster in California history—a coalition of Bay Area business and community leaders are launching “Band Together Bay Area,” a benefit concert to support local relief and long-term recovery in the region. Metallica, Dave Matthews, G-Eazy and other artists come together to support the coalition and to help aid those in need on Thursday, November 9 at AT&T Park. Tickets are $49 to $199 and are available through Ticketmaster. All funds raised by Band Together Bay Area will go into an emergency relief fund established by Tipping Point Community and will be directed to the North Bay community foundations, service providers and government partners supporting the low-income communities hit hardest by the fires. The fund aims to address urgent needs, such as temporary housing, food, education and healthcare services, as well as rebuilding efforts.
Unleash Your Inner Scientist
The Bay Area Science Festival’s seventh annual Discovery Day at AT&T Park is a free event to entertain and inspire families and kids on Saturday, November 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The AT&T field is transformed into a science wonderland with hundreds of hands-on activities, numerous performances, interactive demonstrations and family-oriented science entertainment. Past events have featured robots, astronaut training and scientists engineering the next great medical cure. Every exhibit sparks a child’s curiosity about health, medicine, engineering, technology, biotechnology, climate science and more. Bay Area museums, cultural institutions, universities and corporations created the Bay Area Science Festival, including festival organizer UC San Francisco. This year will feature over 150 hands-on science exhibits, games, experiments and shows. Learn more at www.BayAreaScience.org.
Mmmm, Chocolate!
Discover, taste and savor the finest in artisan, gourmet and premium chocolates and confections for the holiday season. The Fall Holiday Chocolate Salon is the seasonal chocolate show for the San Francisco Bay Area and takes place this year at a cool new venue at the San Francisco County Fair Building Auditorium in Golden Gate Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, November 19. Chocolate aficionados, fanatics, lovers and addicts can taste and experience the finest in artisan, gourmet and premium chocolate in one of the world’s great culinary regions. The event participants include over 20 chocolatiers, confectioners, wineries and other culinary artisans. An intimate setting, the Fall Holiday Chocolate Salon is the perfect place to find the perfect gift while tasting and savoring a true chocolate lovers’ experience. Salon highlights include chocolate tasting, chef and author talks, wine tasting and ongoing interviews by TasteTV’s Chocolate Television program. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door for adults and $10 for children 6 to 12. For tickets and more information, visit www.fallchocolatesalon.com.
Skating Away
Embarcadero Center
Celebrate the holiday spirit in San Francisco with the Bay Area’s largest outdoor ice rink, a beautiful city setting and an array of shops and restaurants to enjoy. This is signature San Francisco and it’s what makes the Holiday Ice Rink at Embarcadero Center presented by Hawaiian Airlines the perfect place for holiday fun. For three decades, locals and visitors have been celebrating the season at Embarcadero Center. Join the fun and create festive, unforgettable memories to last a lifetime. Located in Embarcadero Plaza, adjacent to Four Embarcadero Center and across from the historic San Francisco Ferry Building, the hours are 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 11:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. General admission is $12 and $7 for children eight years old and under, with skate rentals available for $5.
Union Square
San Francisco’s favorite holiday tradition, the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Alaska Airlines, is celebrating 10 years of outdoor ice skating in the bustling and festive locale that is quintessential San Francisco. Featuring new events and holiday festivities, the anniversary season kicks off on Wednesday, November 1 at 9:30 a.m. with a fun-filled opening day ceremony, followed by an all-day birthday celebration on Friday, November 3, where the community is invited to enjoy free ice skating, a variety of performances and special birthday treats! The milestone season features the return of favorite holiday traditions, including Drag Queens on Ice (December 7), Flashback Fridays and Polar Bear Skate (January 1), as well as a lineup of new events and promotions for all ages. The ice rink will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., with the exception of closing at 9:30 p.m. on December 31. Ticket prices for regular admission are $18 and $13 for children eight years old and under, with figure skate or hockey skate rental included in the cost of admission. Advance tickets are on sale at www.unionsquareicerink.com. The Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square will remain open through the holiday season, closing on Monday, January 15.
Light Up!
Pier39
Welcome the holiday season on Sunday, November 19 with a day of magic and merriment at Pier 39’s tree lighting celebration! Pier 39 invites you to join special friends from the Disneyland Resort to experience the magic—sing songs, see your Disney friends, and welcome the holiday season with a day of holly-jolly magic for the whole family. The fun culminates in the Entrance Plaza at 6 p.m. as the Disneyland Resort helps illuminate Pier 39’s majestic 60-foot tree against a stunning backdrop of the San Francisco skyline.
Macy’s
Macy’s will celebrate the start of the holiday season with its 28th annual tree lighting ceremony in San Francisco’s Union Square on Friday, November 24, at 5:30 p.m. Following an evening of special musical performances, the ceremony will culminate with the presentation of a beautiful, reusable, 83-foot tree decorated with more than 33,000 twinkling energy-efficient LED lights and 1,100 shining ornaments. Enjoy live performances from the S.F. Boys’ Choir, Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, and performers from S.F. Playhouse’s A Christmas Story: The Musical. Plus, join us with Snoopy and Santa as we count down to light the tree. The Christmas tree will be lit at the end of the ceremony, around 6:40 p.m. The holidays would not be the same without a trip to see Santa, and Old St. Nick will listen to holiday wishes and be available for portraits on the seventh floor, starting Friday, November 24 through Saturday, December 24.
San Rafael
The 38th annual Parade of Lights and Winter Wonderland event in San Rafael culminates with the official tree lighting ceremony. Following the parade, Santa, Mrs. Claus and other costumed characters will arrive with the mayor of San Rafael at the center of town in San Rafael City Plaza for the tree lighting. Kids will have a chance to meet Santa and friends following the tree lighting ceremony in the plaza. See full details on page 16.
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