2017 Christmas Traditions at the Westin

When looking for holiday things to do this year, check out the Westin in Union Square. They'll have the 12-feet tall Medieval Sugar Castle and the St. Francis Enchanted Castle. Plus, their popular St. Francis Sweet Boutique will be filled with tasty treats, plus holiday décor in both lobbies.

CASTLES
On November 22 at 11 a.m., their executive pastry chef Jean-Francois Houdré and his team will unveil two unique handcrafted castles in the Landmark Lobby. They'll reveal their 12-ft. Medieval sugar castle, originally created in 2005. It resembles a French chateau inspired by Chef Houdre’s travels, and features grand circular towers, individual rooms and colorful illuminated windows.

Coming Up: Fall Holiday Chocolate Salon

You can start drooling now. The fall holiday chocolate salon is coming up - and that means lots of gourmet chocolate eating. Plus demonstrations, celebrity chef and author talks and more.

photo copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan. No reprinting without permission

When: November 19 from 10-5
Where: San Francisco County Fair Building, Golden Gate Park, SF (1199 9th Ave at Lincoln Way)
Tickets: $20/advanced purchase, $25/door. Children ages 6-12 are $10. Children under 6 are free (maximum 2 kids per adult or they'll charge $10 for each additional child). Tickets include chocolate and wine tastings and demonstrations.

Coming Up: IlluminOdyssey – A Winter Light Experience for Kids

Electrify your child’s imagination at CuriOdyssey’s spectacular light exhibition. Be amazed and transfixed by fascinating works of interactive luminosity and kid-friendly, glowing art, at IlluminOdyssey – A Winter Light Experience for Kids.

When: November 10, 2017 - January 7, 2018 (open late November 10, December 1, January 5 until 8 p.m.)

Where: CuriOdyssey - 1651 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo

Cost: Exhibition is free with admission. 

Coming Up: Birth and Baby Fair

It's time for the 12th annual Birth and Baby Fair, which helps out expecting, new or fairly new parents across the Bay Area! This locally owned, operated and organized fair features many Bay Area resources, as well as locally made goods. It hosts workshops and demonstrations on popular parenting topics such as sleep techniques, baby sign language, potty training, making your own baby food, etc. They also have a mom pampering area with complimentary mini spa services and some great giveaways during the product showcase and raffle (one prize is a stroller).

The first 100 families receive a special goody bag.

What: San Francisco Birth and Baby Fair
When: Sunday, November 12, 2017 10 am- 4 pm
Where: Golden Gate Club, 135 Fisher Loop, San Francisco
Cost: $12/online, $15/at the door (free for ages 18 and under)
Purchase tickets online and use code "bbfair2017" to get $2 off admission.

Get 'Yer Tickets: Willy Wonka

Bay Area Theater Company is performing
Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka. It follows Charlie's magical adventure, when he wins a tour of Mr. Wonka's chocolate factory. It's been adapted for young audiences.

They offer Friday dinner performances, with free pizza for all. At every Friday night show, everyone gets a free slice of pizza before the show. Juice boxes and extra slices available for purchase.

Ages: 5+
Where/When:
Berkeley - November 10 - December 31
San Francisco - January 5 - January 21

Coming Up: Joy! A Holiday Show with Circus, Dance and Live Music

This holiday show looks like a lot of fun. It's called JOY!, a Holiday Show with Circus, Dance, and Live Music, and features Pickle Family Circus stars Pino and Razz (who are also Cirque du Soleil soloists Jeff Raz and Diane Wasnak). This new show follows last year’s Nutz RE-Mixed! and is set to the live music of award-winning a cappella group SoVoSó. The music accompanies "a magical madcap holiday circus featuring world-class acrobats, dancers, and circus artists in a zany holiday spectacular."

Photo by Jana Marcus, courtesy of JOY!

There's comedy, acrobatics, Mongolian backbending contortionists, hand-balancing from Xiaohong and Jennings, dancers and more.

When: November 24 – 26
Where: Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St., Santa Cruz

When: December 1 – 3
Where: Hammer Theatre, 101 Paseo De San Antonio, San Jose.

Tickets: $9.75 - $50, plus box office fees

Photo by Jana Marcus, courtesy of JOY!