Berkeley for the Holidays

Welcome to the most wonderful time of the year in Berkeley! It's filled with joy, interesting experiences, and one-of-a-kind shopping. From outdoor holiday markets and themed events to strolling cheerful commercial districts, the city offers something special for everyone. Begin with charming neighborhood lights, move on to local craft fairs and live performances, and cap it all with thoughtful keepsakes from independent stores. Make this year memorable in Berkeley.

More spirit. Less stress. Revive, revel, and yes, relax! Create your new/throwback holiday tradition in Berkeley.

Holiday Events in Berkeley

The Berkeley Holiday Gift Fair

Date: 2026 TBA
Time: 3-7pm
Location: Hotel Shattuck Plaza | 2086 Allston Way

Enjoy a fun evening of shopping, holiday cheer, and supporting local businesses and makers. Find unique, one-of-a-kind gifts and enjoy perusing the tables for the best gift.

Fourth Street Berkeley Dazzling Holiday Light Celebration

Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026
Time: 5-7pm
Location: Fourth St. at Delaware

Ring in the holiday season on Fourth Street at the Fourth Street Berkeley Dazzling Holiday Light Celebration, where the Christmas lights are turned on for the first time! Then, throughout the holiday season, you can enjoy activities, events, and the enchanting atmosphere under the twinkling lights.

Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair

Date: December 12-13, 19-20, & 23-24, 2026
Time: 11am-6pm
Location: Adeline between Ashby and MLK Jr Way

Good cheer, great music, fine food, and handcrafted gifts? Sounds like the perfect holiday market! Take this opportunity to buy fine original art and inexpensive gifts in the same place, with over 200 local artisans offering their handcrafted wares.

San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, Holiday Spectacular 2026

Date: Saturday, December 19, 2026
Time: 1pm and 5pm
Location: Zellerbach Hall | UC Berkeley

Both naughty and nice, the beloved San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus returns for its annual Christmas pageant at Zellerbach Hall. The hilarious and heartwarming spectacle is different each year, as the chorus offers clever mash-ups of pop culture and political figures, along with chart-topping hits and classic holiday carols.

Holiday Shopping in Berkeley

Holiday shopping is a time to celebrate the season, behold twinkling lights, and take a well-deserved "cheer" break. Berkeley offers a high-quality holiday experience to celebrate the season. Joy, Berkeley-style, includes finding a parking space, local and organic snacks (and craft beer and natural wine) on nearly every block, an abundance of holiday spirit, friendly shopping streets, and local, independent retail in neighborhoods all around.

Here are just a few stand-out shops to check out this holiday season:

Mr. Mopps' Toy Shop

Address: 1405 Martin Luther King Jr Way

Low-tech toys that you won't find in big box stores. They offer toys that foster open-ended play and inspire imagination and fun for kids of all ages, from newborns on up.

Games of Berkeley

Address: 2510 Durant Ave.

This is the area's one-stop shop for games, toys, activities, and other geeky fun, from the traditional to the obscure, the ancient to the new.

Fern's Garden

Address: 1831 Solano Ave., A

Fern’s Garden is an affordable place to find the work of American and fair trade artisans. Find tons of things like wind chimes, pottery, jewelry, books, bird feeders, greeting cards, hand-blown glass, and more.

Mrs. Dalloway's

Address: 2904 College Ave.

Mrs. Dalloway’s is an independent neighborhood bookstore in the historic Elmwood District. They're known for their skillfully curated fiction, non-fiction, poetry, garden book, and children’s book sections.

510 Skateboarding

Address: 2506 Telegraph Ave.

A locally owned skate shop that is beloved in the local skateboarding community. Find skateboards, clothing, shoes, accessories, and friendly faces willing to chat and give advice and suggestions.

Berkeley Potters Guild

Address: 731 Jones St.

Every Saturday from 11am-5pm, shop through handmade ceramics that are special enough to one day become precious family heirlooms. From classic celadon and ruby-red porcelain to avant-garde sculpted vessels, ceramic jewelry, wood-fired tumblers, and whimsical teapots, there’s a piece for every taste.

Koraa

Address: 2840 College Ave.

Koraa is a hub for handmade gifts from a variety of cultures, with items ranging from accessories to home goods to apparel to wellness goods. Their collection includes a kids and baby section for those looking for gifts for their little ones!

BAMPFA

Address: 2155 Center St.

Find the perfect gift for the cinephile or fine arts lover in your life. The Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive's gift store, open Wednesday through Sunday from 11am to 7pm, has books on artists, home decor, movie games, and more.

These shops are in addition to numerous clothing, book, antique, gift shops, and more! There are more than enough shops in Berkeley to cover everyone on your list, and maybe even get a little something for yourself!

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