Celebrating the Holidays in San Francisco

Although San Francisco could not, by any stretch of the imagination, be considered "traditional", the Holidays here are certainly filled with tradition. Once a year, you can choose from cultural, spiritual, and even epicurean activities that San Franciscans have been celebrating for years. It isn't often that young children have the run of a luxurious hotel restaurant, but at the Ritz Carlton's Teddy Bear Tea, they can do just that.

From November 24th until December 24th, children and their stuffed animals can attend a tea, replete with storytelling, carols, balloons and a teddy bear to take home. I took both my son and daughter to this event every year when they were young, and they loved it. Seeing other children dressed in the best clothes, being poured tea - -it was, as my daughter would say, a very "fancy" afternoon. Early reservations are essential, as the teas quickly sell out. As an alternative, the other major hotels (including the Fairmont, the Sheraton, and the St. Francis) have followed suit, and are now offering their own teas. The city may not get snow, but if you head over to the Embarcadero's outdoor skating rink, you can experience a local version of a white Christmas. Located across the street from the Ferry Building, this small, but very popular rink draws lot of crowds every year.

Those with visions of turning figure eights or practicing their jumps would do better to go to the indoor Yerba Buena Skating Rink (open year round). Skating here is like driving in rush hour traffic: there is nothing to do except follow the person in front of you as they move very, very slowly along. I'm not sure why this is so much fun, and why so many people do it every year. Maybe it has to do with the architecture surrounding the rink, or the knowledge that you can have artisan hot chocolate afterwards. I just wonder if there are large groups of native San Franciscans who are now convinced that a slide-step-step movement on blades constitutes skating. The City prides itself on it's Arts programs, and at no time is that more apparent than during the Holidays. In the mood to see The Nutcracker? The classic program is offered by the San Francisco Ballet Company, but there are plenty of variations, including the Dance Along Nutcracker, from the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band. If a dance along isn't your thing, then how about a sing along, as in the San Francisco Symphony's Sing Along Messiah. I must admit, I have only been to this event once.

I went there with a group of friends thinking I'd just join in during the part that everyone knows. Except "that part" comes at the end of a very long two hours, and even though you are provided with a score, there is just no way to fake it. It is moving and beautiful to hear a few hundred people, lifting their voice in song. As I was to learn later, there are people who attend every year, and practice for months beforehand for the performance. In San Francisco, even the churches have world renowned programs. One of the most spiritually uplifting days I've ever spent was walking the Cathedrals's Labyrinth in the afternoon, then attending the Cathedral Christmas program in the evening. Performed by the Grace Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys, the music simply soars. As a testament of it's popularity, this event regularly sells out. A music performance designed for the two to eight year old crowd can be found in the Symphony's "Deck the Hall" event.

Davies Hall is transformed into a Holiday center, and children and their parents spend several hours participating in arts and crafts, listening to carolers, then going into to watch the Symphony perform a short program. Of course, no list of Holiday Activities would be complete without shopping. This year, with the opening of the San Francisco Westfield Centre, shopping downtown has become a must for the season. But even those who want to avoid the throngs of shoppers should make a special trip to see the Lighting of the Tree. New York may have the ball drop on New Years Eve, but San Franciscans have the lighting ceremony in Union Square. This year, the event will be on November 25th, where, against a dark cool sky, residents count down to the moment "their" tree is lit, where it will remain a fixture for the rest of the season.