14 Exciting Things To Do & Eat For The Holidays

The holidays are upon us, and our electricity bill has gone up by about 300%. To mark the occasion, lots of events and pop-ups are going on all over the city—and we’ve rounded up a guide to some exciting ones. We update this guide weekly, so keep checking back. 

SIP N PAINT AT CONVIVIUM ENOTECA

Convivium Enoteca is a new wine bar and Italian restaurant in North Beach. And if you’re looking for a fun date night or holiday activity that won’t make you feel like you’re on the set of Elf, they’re hosting a sip and paint event on December 23rd. Your ticket ($155) includes “Italian bites,” wine, truffles, and a vase to paint and take home. 

EAT SOMETHING GOOD NEAR UNION SQUARE

photo credit: Erin Ng

In the vicinity of Union Square for last-minute gifts you completely forgot to buy? First off, we can empathize. And second, when you get hungry, don’t default to a mall pretzel—go to one of the great restaurants in the area instead, from a sit-down Northern Vietnamese spot to a place serving one of the best fried chicken sandwiches in the city. 

SMASHBURGERS AT THE LAUNDROMAT

photo credit: Julia Chen

Wednesday nights at The Laundromat, a new-ish pizza and bagel spot in the Richmond, are officially smashburger nights. It happens weekly from 5-9pm, and there’s plenty of beer and wine to go with your burger. 

CHRISTMAS BAKE SALE AT ABACÁ

photo credit: Abaca

If you’re in charge of desserts this year for Christmas, or just want an excuse to eat some choco mallow or strawberry pandan cookies, Abacá can help. The Filipino restaurant in Fisherman’s Wharf is selling Büche de Noêl and cookie tins (which includes a milk punch cocktail for two) for the holidays. Order for pick-up on December 23rd.

WINTER WONDERLAND AT THE VAULT GARDEN

photo credit: The Vault

The Vault Garden in the Financial District has transformed into Winter Wonderland. Holiday-themed cocktails, like a “Christmas-tini” and spiked hot chocolate, are on deck—just bundle up, since it’s all going down on the heated patio through New Year’s Eve.

MIRACLE AT PCH

The annual holiday bar pop-up at Pacific Cocktail Haven is officially underway. Miracle at PCH runs from Tuesday to Saturday all month long from 3pm-12am. The Union Square bar has tons of festive cocktails and more Christmas lights than the houses on an entire Pac Heights block combined. There’s a $10 cover and it’s walk-in only.

TINSEL TIME AT TRADE ROUTES

photo credit: Trade Routes

Another place where you can celebrate the holidays and simultaneously forget about how much you’ve spent on gifts this month? Tinsel Time at Trade Routes. Head to the Nob Hill bar and sip on a “Frosty the Slushie” or a “Jolly Cookie Shot” for the rest of December.

FEAST OF SEVEN FISHES AT PENNY ROMA

photo credit: Erin Ng

Celebrate the Feast of Seven Fishes at Penny Roma. The Mission restaurant is offering a special seafood dinner to mark the Italian Christmas Eve tradition on December 24th. They’ll serve a family-style tasting menu ($125) of dishes like baccala-filled mezzaluna, smoked trout and potato croquettes, and more. Reserve a spot here. 

FEAST OF SEVEN FISHES AT ITRIA

photo credit: Angelina Hong

Another Italian restaurant to celebrate the Feast of Seven Fishes: Itria. The Mission spot for pastas and crudos will serve a special five-course menu ($140) on December 24th that highlights seven different types of fish and shellfish. Book a ticket here.

SIPPIN’ SANTA’S AT KONA’S STREET MARKET

photo credit: Kona's Street Market

The more holiday-themed bars, the merrier. And another going on all month is Sippin’ Santa’s at Kona’s Street Market in SoMa (the sister cocktail bar to PCH). They’re decked out with wrapping paper, stockings, and lights everywhere, and are open daily (except Sunday) from 5pm-12am. 

KRAMPUS AT RYE BAR

photo credit: Rye Bar

Krampus, the half-goat, half-man Christmas monster, is the theme at Rye Bar in the Tenderloin for the month. Scary cocktails include the “Kram-punch!” (tequila, pomegranate, hibiscus and lemon, and mint), and the “Demon Reindeer” (Jägermeister, bergamot liqueur, and lime). 

GIANT GINGERBREAD HOUSE AT THE FAIRMONT

If you’re in Nob Hill, consider swinging by The Fairmont to check out their massive, life-sized gingerbread house made with real gingerbread bricks and candy. Because you’ll inevitably get hungry after inhaling all of the sugar, head to one of the excellent restaurants or bars nearby, like Key Klub, Mensho Tokyo, or Ox + Tiger. 

POP-UPS AT ICA SF

photo credit: Calaca Coffee

The Institute of Contemporary Art SF (ICA) in the Dogpatch hosts rotating food and drink pop-ups every Sunday. This month, you can stop by for breakfast, pastries, and coffee by Calaca Coffee, Asian-inspired pastries by Year of the Snake, Filipino dishes by Likha, and more. Keep an eye on ICA’s Instagram for schedules and updates.

KUNG PAO KOSHER COMEDY

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Kung Pao Kosher Comedy, a Jewish comedy show hosted at a Chinese restaurant on Christmas. This year, the food will be provided by pop-up Green Chow Down inside Congregation Sherith Israel in Pacific Heights. Expect dishes like the titular kung pao chicken, steamed cod, and sautéed eggplant. Grab a ticket here. Shows run December 23rd-25th.