From weekend getaways to shows not to miss, the next two months offer days and nights of joy.
The Christmas Ballet dances into Carmel-by-the-Sea, Mountain View and San Francisco this month.
It’s a tradition of beauty in motion. Smuin’s The Christmas Ballet showcases an elegant first act presenting a classic ballet set to traditional carols. In contrast, the second act offers a wild ride of swirling sound and cascading movements with a contemporary pop-music soundtrack. Dec. 1-2, Sunset Center, San Carlos St. at 9th Ave., Carmel-by-the-Sea, sunsetcenter.org; Dec. 7-10, Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View, mvcpa.com; Dec. 14-24, Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA, 700 Howard St., ybca.org
Mama Mia! takes the Gate Theatre by storm Dec. 5-10.
Take a chance on this show for the holidays. Mama Mia! is back. BroadwaySF presents the timelessly campy show that first played in London in 1999 and eventually took Broadway by storm. The cheerful narrative, centered around a mother, a daughter and three potential fathers on a sun-kissed Greek island, offers melodies of ABBA’s timeless songs. Dec. 5-10, Gate Theatre, 1 Taylor St., broadwaysf.com
Rock the holidays with Million Dollar Quartet Christmas at Curran Theater.
Million Dollar Quartet Christmas graces San Francisco’s Curran Theater as part of an 18-city national touring production. Reuniting members of the original Million Dollar Quartet team, including Tony Award-nominated book writer Colin Escott and original orchestrator Chuck Mead, along with director Scott Weinstein, the musical tells the story of rock ‘n’ roll newcomers who would soon become legends—Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley—who reunite to celebrate the holiday season. Dec. 15-17, 445 Geary St., 415.358.1220, sfcurran.com
Glow: Discover the Art of Light offers a range of innovative installations.
It’s time to see the light. The Exploratorium’s annual celebration of luminous artworks, Glow: Discover the Art of Light, returns to Pier 15 with new, mind-blowing works. Patrons will compose music with light, touch quantum physics, play LED dungeon crawlers, unveil hidden crystals and see themselves in mechanical mirrors. Through Jan. 28, Pier 15 Embarcadero at Green St., 415.528.4444, exploratorium.edu
SF artist Kate Tova’s work graces the bottles of STELLAR bourbon’s latest release.
Subtle Spirits, an indie bottler founded by Joshua Thinnes, creates limited-production spirits ranging from single barrels to small-batch blends. Its latest bottle, STELLAR bourbon, showcases the work of superstar SF artist Kate Tova (@kate_tova). The sip’s nose offers red fruits, vanilla, cinnamon and allspice. The palate fuses sweet, savory and spicy elements—a bottle to celebrate the holidays. subtlespirits.com
Expect incredible water views at The Inn Above Tide.
This winter, embark on the ultimate adventure through The Inn Above Tide’s exclusive collaboration with Seaplane and Aero Adventures. As the sole seaplane-based helipad in the Bay Area, Seaplane has joined forces with The Inn Above Tide to offer an extraordinary experience: a one-hour private Seaplane tour of Northern California and an overnight stay. 30 El Portal, Sausalito, 415.332.9535, innabovethetide.com
Chef Chris Cosentino brings his culinary flair to Nick’s Cove.
After winning Top Chef Masters and competing on The Next Iron Chef and Iron Chef America, Chris Cosentino takes over the culinary program at bespoke getaway Nick’s Cove on Tomales Bay. The revamped menu is a decadent combination of East and West Coast fish houses— think black cod dip, halibut sandwiches and Tomales Bay clam chowder. Also, look for ingredients grown or foraged on-site; the chef uses wild sea beans, New England spinach, wild fennel and nasturtiums from the shoreline. 23240 CA-1, Marshall, 415.663.1033, nickscove.com
The Teddy Bear Tea at the Ritz-Carlton
We love the San Francisco holiday traditions at the Ritz-Carlton on Nob Hill—especially the Teddy Bear Tea. Guests ages 2 to 11 receive a cuddly bear while enjoying a room of festivities animated by elves, photo ops and holiday cheer. The crescendo: Families partake in a menu of hot chocolate, scones, teddy bear sweet treats and assorted sandwiches. Families may bring a wrapped toy—donated to USSF Benioff Children’s Hospital—to place under the historic property’s tree. Other activities at the property include a holiday caramel apples decorating lesson (Dec. 16), 12 Days of Christmas sweet holiday surprise (Dec. 13-24), story time with Mrs. Claus (Dec. 23) and Christmas Day in the Lounge (Dec. 25). Teddy Bear Tea, Dec. 2-3, Dec. 9-10, Dec. 18-23, 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 600 Stockton St., 415. 296.7465, ritzcarlton.com
FOG DESIGN + ART
FOG DESIGN + ART takes over the Mason Center for the Arts and Culture again this year for the annual celebration of the region’s creative scene. Pier 3 features 45 exhibitors, and Pier 2 will bring the community FOG FOCUS—a salute to SF’s legacy as an incubator for emerging artists. The exhibitors included in the inaugural edition of FOG FOCUS are Commonwealth and Council (Los Angeles), Crèvecoeur (Paris), CULT Aimee Friberg Exhibitions (San Francisco), Et al. (San Francisco), George Adams Gallery (New York), Johansson Projects (Oakland), Jonathan Carver Moore (San Francisco), OCHI (Los Angeles) and Schlomer Haus Gallery (San Francisco). Jan. 17-21, 2 Marina Blvd., sfmoma.org
49ers Fred Warner at Holiday Heroes
Holiday Heroes returns to Oracle Park this month, raising funds for at-risk children and their families. Expect photo ops with celebrity guests—past attendees have included Chris Wondolowski, Fred Warner, Donald Strickland and Barry Sims—while dance parties, holiday crafts, cookie decorating and arcade games keep the kids entertained. Don’t miss the VIP reception with s’mores, cocktails, mingling and more. Dec. 12, 24 Willie Mays Plaza, holidayheroes.org
The Velveteen Rabbit is a classic tale families will adore.
The St. Regis and ODC have crafted a brunch-and-a-show package for The Velveteen Rabbit at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. Before the show, enjoy a brunch at Astra at The St. Regis—adjacent to the YBCA. The culinary team plans a prix-fix menu for adults and kids. The package includes center orchestra seats, valet parking, a VIB (very important bunny) gift bag and a post-performance photo with the cast. Dec. 2-3, Dec. 9-10; brunch, 11:30; show, 2 p.m., 125 3rd St., odc.dance, marriott.com
Photography by: CHRIS HARDY; BRINKHOFF MÖGENBURG; COURTESY OF SF CURRAN THEATER; COURTESY OF THE EXPLORATORIUM; COURTESY OF SUBTLE SPIRITS; FELIPE PASSALACQUA; COURTESY OF NICK’S COVE; COURTESY OF THE RITZ-CARLTON; NIKKI RITCHER; DREW ALTIZER; ROBBIE SWEENEY
