It’s that time of year again, and the team at Cypress Lawn is merrily preparing for the holiday season in the Bay Area. Many families come together at this time of year to visit with one another, enjoy special traditions, and share memories of past holidays. No doubt, you have some friends and family coming into town this month or next. Some of our favorite area events are scheduled during the months of December and January in the Bay Area! Your visiting family and friends may particularly enjoy:

The Lighted Boat Parade at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. This free event will be held this year on December 15 from 6 to 8pm. Join the festivities by staking out your viewing spot anywhere between Pier 39 and Crissy Field to enjoy the parade of watercraft decked out in holiday lights. Pack a thermos of hot chocolate and a cozy blanket for this sparkling evening!

Holidays on Fourth Street. Head over to Berkeley to enjoy live music, lights, shopping, and other holiday treats. Stroller-friendly and filled with festive sights and smells, Fourth Street is the place to be on weeknights for an early dinner with the family, or through Christmas – shops will be open a little later – until 7 PM. On weekends, between 12 PM and 4 PM, the kids will have a FREE photo opportunity with Mr. Claus himself! Be sure to bring a donation of a new or gently used coat.

If your tastes tend toward the traditional, take in a performance of the Nutcracker ballet through December 30 at the War Memorial Opera House or Dickins’ classic “A Christmas Carol” at ACT’s Geary Theatre. Running through December 24, this timeless tale is sure to transform even the “scroogiest” Scrooge.

San Francisco ZooLights 2017. Even the animals are celebrating the season! Pick a pretty evening and see trees covered with twinkling lights, Santa (through December 23), an indoor tropical rainforest, games, music, and visiting reindeer at the San Francisco Zoo.

Hit the ice! Ready to burn off a few holiday calories and have some laughs at the same time? Through Jan. 15, enjoy the ice rink in downtown San Jose. Skates are available to rent and the rink is open 11 AM through midnight every day during winter break.

Celebrate Kwanzaa in San Francisco. Enjoy 15 free celebrations in eight different neighborhoods with food, live entertainment, cultural programs, and the lighting of the candles of the Kinara each night, starting on December 26.

Ring in the new year with a bang at one of the largest events in San Francisco – the fireworks display over the Bay! Stake out your spot near the Ferry Building at the San Francisco Bay Bridge or along the waterfront. Pack your paper party hats and horns for the show starting at 11:59 pm December 31.

Of course, Cypress Lawn will be open during the holidays for you and your family to visit your loved ones buried here on our beautiful grounds. Pay a visit to the cemetery, memorial park and historic gardens to honor the loved ones you remember at this time of year and always. Please contact us for any special requests you may have or view our visiting hours to plan your visit. And no matter what holidays you celebrate this time of year, or what your plans are, the team at Cypress Lawn wishes you and all your loved ones a very happy and safe holiday season and a prosperous new year!