Christmas Events for Kids in Oakland (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

8 min read

The Oakland area has 7 Christmas events for kids we could confirm for the 2026 season, from Glowfari in Oakland on November 6 to Countdown in Wonderland in Oakland, on December 31. 3 of them are free, and every listing links straight to the host. It is one stop on our guide to Christmas events for kids in California, part of our guide for every state.

The short version

  • 7 kids’ Christmas events confirmed in Oakland for 2026, in Oakland and Livermore
  • First: Glowfari, Oakland, November 6. Runs latest: Glowfari, Oakland, through January 31
  • Free: Holiday Sights & Sounds Parade & Tree Lighting, Montclair Village Holiday Stroll and Winter Stories in Kamishibai
  • Checked on each host’s own page; each listing links straight to it

Christmas events for kids in Oakland

6 confirmed events for kids in Oakland, soonest first.

Holiday lights

Glowfari

  • When: Friday, November 6, 2026 to Sunday, January 31, 2027 (nightly except Nov 9, 10, 16, 17, 26, Dec 24, 25 and select January Mondays and Tuesdays)
  • Where: Oakland Zoo, Oakland
  • Cost: Timed tickets, dynamic pricing
  • Ages: Family friendly
Details, tips and host

Glowfari returns to Oakland Zoo for its seventh year with hundreds of all new animal lanterns. This season's themes include California forests, San Francisco Bay, Montana, the Florida Everglades and Hawaii, with the displays highlighting how species interact with their habitats. It is an evening walk that keeps kids busy spotting animals they recognize.

The festival runs from November 6 to January 31 and is closed on several Mondays and Tuesdays, Thanksgiving, and December 24 and 25. Tickets are dated, non refundable and go on sale 28 days before each visit date at 9 am, with savings for buying ahead. Parking is included with admission. Add ons such as a light up toy or a Gondola Express Pass can be bought in advance, and members receive a discount.

Parent tip: Buy tickets as soon as your date opens 28 days out; the zoo notes some lights may be photosensitive.

Host
Oakland Zoo (opens in a new tab)
Address
Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland, CA 94605 (near San Francisco)
Sign-up
Required ahead of time
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Oakland Zoo (opens in a new tab)

Story time with SantaFree

Montclair Village Holiday Stroll

  • When: Thursday, December 10, 2026, 4 to 8 pm
  • Where: Montclair Village, Oakland
  • Cost: Free admission; Santa photos $35
  • Ages: All ages
Details, tips and host

The Montclair Village Association's Holiday Stroll fills the village with lights, live music and caroling on Thursday, Dec 10, from 4 to 8 pm. Admission and entertainment are free. Performers include DJ Wiley Coyote, the Edna Brewer Jazz String Combo, Evelie and the Merry Minstrels, the Piedmont Troubadours and The Tap Dancing Christmas Trees.

Kids can have professional winter wonderland photos with Santa for $35, taken by Leah Marie Studio, or stay busy in the family zone with glow-in-the-dark face painting, crafts hosted by local churches and a storytime led by Montclair Oakland Public Library. An Oakland Fire Department parade rig collects toys for a Random Acts toy drive, and more than 40 village businesses offer treats and promotions. Parking is available at the Montclair Garage at 6235 LaSalle Avenue.

Parent tip: Bring a new toy for the toy drive if you can. Use the Montclair Garage at 6235 LaSalle Ave, since village streets get busy.

Host
Montclair Village Association (opens in a new tab)
Address
Montclair Village, La Salle Ave at Mountain Blvd, Oakland, CA 94611
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Montclair Village Association (opens in a new tab)

Santa visit

Fairy Winterland

  • When: Sat December 12, Sun December 13, Sat December 19, Sun December 20, Sat December 26 and Sun December 27, 2026, noon to 7 pm
  • Where: Children's Fairyland, Oakland
  • Cost: $21 children, $23 adults, $20 seniors; members $10.50 children, $11.50 adults
Details, tips and host

Fairy Winterland fills Children's Fairyland on three December weekends, including the weekend after Christmas. Kids can visit Black Santa in the Chapel, catch puppet shows at 2, 4 and 6 pm, and watch live performers such as KulArts, Firelight Shadow Theater and the Tap Dancing Christmas Trees. Around the park there is a snowball fight on Play Island, ice fishing and dreidel in the Merry Meadow, gumdrop hopscotch, a snow machine in the Upper Plaza, wax candle making, holiday keepsake crafts and rangoli chalk drawing. A parkwide scavenger hunt ends with prizes at the Rainbow Desk, and the day closes with a Freeze Dance finale.

Hot cocoa, cider and tea are complimentary. General admission is $21 for children and $23 for adults, with lower prices for seniors, members and FL4A guests. Tickets are sold through the Fairyland ticket site.

Parent tip: Plan your visit around the 2, 4 and 6 pm puppet shows. Buy tickets through the Fairyland ticket site; call (510) 452-2259 with questions.

Host
Children's Fairyland (opens in a new tab)
Address
Children's Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Children's Fairyland (opens in a new tab)

Holiday show

Graham Lustig's The Nutcracker

  • When: Sat December 19 and Sun December 20, 2026, 1 pm
  • Where: Paramount Theatre, Oakland
  • Cost: Ticketed; optional Sweet Dreams Party add-on
  • Ages: All ages
Details, tips and host

Oakland Ballet Company presents Graham Lustig's The Nutcracker at the historic Paramount Theatre in downtown Oakland, described as perfect for all ages. Marie and her soldiers rescue the Nutcracker Prince from the Rat King, and dancing snowflakes lead the way to the Land of Sweets. The Oakland Symphony and the Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir perform the Tchaikovsky score.

There are two performances, Saturday, Dec 19 and Sunday, Dec 20, 2026, both at 1 pm, which suits families with younger children. Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster and the Oakland Ballet site, and the Paramount box office is open Fridays from noon to 5 pm. Families can add a ticket to the Sweet Dreams Party to meet the cast and characters, pose for photos, collect autographs and enjoy treats. The theater is a short walk from the 19th Street BART station.

Parent tip: Buy tickets only from Oakland Ballet or Ticketmaster. The Sweet Dreams Party is an optional add-on after the show.

Host
Oakland Ballet Company (opens in a new tab)
Address
Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612
Sign-up
Required ahead of time
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Oakland Ballet Company (opens in a new tab)

Holiday story timeFree

Winter Stories in Kamishibai

  • When: Tuesday, December 29, 2026, 6:30 to 7:30 pm
  • Where: Rockridge Branch Library, Oakland
  • Cost: Free
  • Ages: Families and intergenerational groups
Details, tips and host

Kamishibai is a Japanese form of paper-theater storytelling in which a storyteller slides illustrated cards through a small stage. At this Oakland Public Library program, winter-themed stories are told in that style, and then everyone makes paper snowflakes.

The program is on Tuesday, Dec 29, 2026, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at the Rockridge Branch Library, 5366 College Ave. The library lists it for children, families and adults, and it especially invites intergenerational family groups, so grandparents and parents are welcome to join the children. Educators and parents of preschool, transitional kindergarten and kindergarten children can also stop by to learn how to check out a kamishibai kit to use at home. The listing does not require registration, and the contact is the library at 510-597-5017.

Parent tip: This is an after-dinner program, so plan for an early evening. Ask staff about borrowing a kamishibai kit.

Host
Oakland Public Library (opens in a new tab)
Address
Rockridge Branch Library, 5366 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Oakland Public Library (opens in a new tab)

Holiday show

Countdown in Wonderland

  • When: Thursday, December 31, 2026, 10 am to 4 pm
  • Where: Children's Fairyland, Oakland
  • Cost: Included with general admission; members free
  • Ages: Young children and families
Details, tips and host

Countdown in Wonderland is Children's Fairyland's New Year's Eve celebration made for kids who go to bed early. The park is open 10 am to 4 pm on Thursday, Dec 31, with an Alice in Wonderland theme and a proper ball drop at noon and again at 3 pm.

Activities include themed arts and crafts, puppet shows, a Mad Tea Party photo spot, a flurry of bubbles, a toast with Shrinking Drink, noise makers and a White Rabbit cameo. Storyteller John Weaver is the featured performer. The event is included with general admission, and Fairyland members get in free. The park's own page says tickets will be available soon, so check the Fairyland website before you plan the day. Plan for an outdoor park visit in winter weather.

Parent tip: Choose the noon or 3 pm countdown that fits nap time. Check the website for ticket release details.

Host
Children's Fairyland (opens in a new tab)
Address
Children's Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave, Oakland, CA 94610
Sign-up
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Children's Fairyland (opens in a new tab)

Look inside the book

Story time with Santa in Oakland? Bring Rally home.

Rally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. It makes a cozy bedtime story after a big day with Santa. Turn a few pages here.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $16.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

Christmas events for kids in Livermore

1 confirmed event for kids in Livermore, soonest first.

Holiday paradeFree

Holiday Sights & Sounds Parade & Tree Lighting

  • When: Saturday, December 5, 2026, 6 pm
  • Where: First Street, Downtown Livermore, Livermore
  • Cost: Free
  • Ages: All ages
Details, tips and host

Downtown Livermore holds its Holiday Sights & Sounds Parade on Saturday, December 5, 2026. The parade starts at 6 pm on First Street and features floats and performances by local businesses, bands, schools and clubs. The tree lighting follows right away. The fire department escorts Santa to the parade, and he joins a children's choir from local schools on stage for a sing-along before the countdown.

Stores and restaurants downtown hold a holiday open house earlier in the day. The listing mentions face painting for kids at Wingen Bakery and free ornament painting at Pinot's Palette from 9 am to 3 pm. The parade goes ahead in rain or shine.

Parent tip: Bring warm layers and a chair or blanket. Come early to find a spot along First Street.

Host
Livermore Downtown Inc. (opens in a new tab)
Address
First Street, Downtown Livermore, First St, Livermore, CA 94550 (near Oakland)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Livermore Downtown Inc. (opens in a new tab)

Every event above was confirmed on the host’s own page, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (sign-ups, ages, what is included). Looking for a Santa train instead? Those are on our California Christmas train rides page.

Oakland Christmas events for kids at a glance

Kids’ Christmas events
7 confirmed for 2026
Cities
Oakland and Livermore
Season
November 6, 2026 to January 31, 2027
Free events
3
Kinds of events
holiday show, holiday lights, holiday parade and story time with Santa
Last checked
See every event on a December calendar

Plan your December

When each Oakland Christmas event for kids happens

The first is Glowfari in Oakland on November 6; the last runs to December 31. Each bar spans an event’s dates, not every hour in them, so check the host’s page for times.

Looking further afield? Our California Christmas events for kids guide lists every confirmed event in the state, and we have city guides for Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, San Diego, Sacramento, Fresno, Bakersfield, Riverside, Long Beach, Anaheim, Irvine, Stockton, Modesto, Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Santa Rosa, Palm Springs, Fontana, Simi Valley, Victorville, Indio, Chico, Santa Clarita, Escondido, Temecula, Visalia, Thousand Oaks, San Clemente, Santa Cruz, Madera, Gilroy, Hanford, Delano, Oceanside, Salinas, Murrieta, Santa Maria, Vacaville, Hesperia, Redding, Hemet, Merced, Yuba City, Porterville and Watsonville. The national search sorts every event by distance from your town.

A story for the drive home

A morning with Santa or an evening of holiday stories tends to end the same way: tired kids, a long drive and one more book before bed. Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is painted by hand. If your family is spending December missing someone, it was written for that too. For the car, print our free corgi and train coloring pages.

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first ride on a California train, hand-painted in watercolor. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

2026 Christmas events are coming in late November

More Christmas events arrive in late November: unlock the list and we'll email you as soon as we confirm them.

The story of Christmas in Oakland

In 1929, a 10-year-old boy from the East Bay dreamed up a Christmas tree that would float on Lake Merritt, and Oakland made it happen. The city has been finding creative ways to light up December ever since.

How Oakland celebrates

One of Oakland's early Christmas traditions was a pageant. The Oakland Christmas Pageant ran from 1919 to 1987, with nearly 2,000 elementary and junior high students dancing each year. Louise Jorgensen choreographed every show and played the Spirit of Christmas, and Alameda County District Attorney Earl Warren played Santa in 1937. In 1929 the city added a floating Christmas tree on Lake Merritt, first lit on December 14 on the night of the pageant. In the late 1970s, local church members started the Christmas lights at the Oakland Temple, a display that has grown over the years.

Christmas last year in Oakland

On November 29, 2025, the free holiday tree lighting returned to Jack London Square, near Plank, from 5:45 to 8 p.m. A laser light show, music from the Oaktown Jazz Workshops' Performance Ensemble and The Lyric Performing Arts Academy, and photos with Santa, Frosty, a Holiday Teddy Bear and the Peppermint Princess filled the evening. A year earlier the tree was a 55-foot Shasta fir. In the hills, the Oakland Temple glowed with more than 100,000 lights through December, the Oakland Zoo showed hundreds of giant lantern animals, and Children's Fairyland held Fairy Winterland on the last three weekends of the month.

Fun facts about Christmas in Oakland

The 1929 Lake Merritt tree was a 60-foot Douglas fir shipped from Oregon on a steamship and set on a raft of oil drums. PG&E gave 500 feet of underwater cable, and Westinghouse donated 500 colored bulbs. The city council gave $449, and the boy's classmates added $2 in change. By 1987, Louise Jorgensen had taught dances to nearly 130,000 Oakland children. At the Oakland Temple, 42 palm trees averaging 60 feet tall are strung with lights, and the display began with about 10,000 lights.

Trains and Christmas near Oakland

Oakland families have several train rides close by. Redwood Valley Railway in Berkeley runs live steam trains in miniature on a 1.25-mile loop through redwoods in Tilden Regional Park, on weekends all year. Niles Canyon Railway runs historic steam and diesel trains on the original 1860s transcontinental route, and its Train of Lights fills November and December. Western Railway Museum in Suisun City offers 50-minute interurban rides and keeps streetcars from San Francisco, Oakland and Sacramento.

  • Redwood Valley Railway: The closest ride to Oakland, with tiny live steam trains winding through the redwoods of Tilden Regional Park.
  • Niles Canyon Railway: Historic trains on the original 1860s transcontinental route, with a Train of Lights in November and December.
  • Western Railway Museum: Interurban rides and old streetcars, including some that once served Oakland.

Traditions today

  • Jack London Square tree lighting: A free evening by the Oakland estuary with a giant tree, a laser light show, live music and photos with Santa.
  • Lighted Yacht Parade: Decorated yachts travel through the estuary the same day as the tree lighting, a parade that was in its 48th year in 2024.
  • Oakland Temple lights: More than 100,000 lights, plus 42 lit palm trees, shine over the hills in December, a tradition since the late 1970s.
  • Fairy Winterland at Children's Fairyland: Christmas lights, crafts and holiday displays on the last three weekends of December, described as a 20-year Oakland tradition.
  • Glowfari at the Oakland Zoo: Hundreds of giant, glowing animal lanterns light up the zoo, and Santa visits on weekends before Christmas.

A fact for kids

In 1929, a 10-year-old boy named Bobby asked for a Christmas tree that could float on a lake. Oakland built one on Lake Merritt, and kids at his school gave $2 in change to help.

Questions about Christmas in Oakland

What was the Oakland Christmas Pageant?

It was a yearly show of dances performed by nearly 2,000 Oakland elementary and junior high students, tied together by a loose story with a live orchestra and a narrator. It ended with a Nativity scene. Louise Jorgensen choreographed every show, which was held in the Oakland Auditorium arena.

When did the Oakland Christmas Pageant start and end?

The pageant ran from 1919 to 1987, with only a few years skipped because of World War II. It was renamed the Children's Holiday Pageant in 1982. Smaller revivals followed in 1992 and in 2005 and 2006, but those were short-lived and much smaller than the original shows.

Who played Santa in the Oakland Christmas Pageant in 1937?

Earl Warren, then the Alameda County District Attorney, played Santa in 1937. He later became Chief Justice of the United States. Community leaders often took roles like Santa Claus and Father Time in the pageant, while the students did the dancing.

Who was Louise Jorgensen?

Louise Jorgensen was the driving force behind the Oakland Christmas Pageant. A graduate of Oakland Tech in 1916, she choreographed every pageant and played the Spirit of Christmas each year. By 1987 she had taught dances to nearly 130,000 Oakland children.

What was the floating Christmas tree on Lake Merritt?

It was a 60-foot Douglas fir set on a floating raft in Lake Merritt in 1929, lit with colored bulbs and surrounded by music broadcast across the water. It was first lit on December 14, 1929, the night of the Oakland Christmas Pageant, and was taken down in early January 1930.

Whose idea was the Lake Merritt floating tree?

It was the idea of Robert "Bobby" Hillback, a 10-year-old from San Leandro. He wanted the tree on Duck Island, but the parks board worried about the birds and approved a floating island instead. Groups like the Elks, Lions and Optimists supported the project, and local businesses chipped in.

How was the 1929 Lake Merritt tree built and paid for?

Many local businesses chipped in. The Thomas Rigging company built the raft, Union Oil gave oil drums, PG&E gave 500 feet of underwater cable and Westinghouse gave 500 colored bulbs. The Oakland city council gave $449, and Bobby's classmates added $2 in change.

Does the floating Christmas tree still float on Lake Merritt?

Not in its original form. The 1929 tree was removed in January 1930. The Lake Merritt Institute displayed a smaller floating tree through Christmas 2005. Today the city's big public tree stands at Jack London Square, where a free tree lighting is held each year.

How did the Christmas lights at the Oakland Temple begin?

Local church members started the lighting in the late 1970s, and it has run nearly every year since. The display began with about 10,000 lights and now has more than 100,000. In 2010 the opening ceremony was replaced by a simple lighting at dusk to keep the grounds peaceful.

How many lights are at the Oakland Temple at Christmas?

The display uses more than 100,000 LED lights. Forty-two palm trees, averaging 60 feet tall, line the reflecting pools. More than 100 volunteers spend two Saturdays in November hanging the lower lights. Admission to the grounds is free. The lights come on nightly at dusk through December, and the grounds are in the Oakland hills.

How old is the Lighted Yacht Parade in Oakland?

The Lighted Yacht Parade was in its 48th year in December 2024, so it has run since the 1970s. Decorated yachts travel through the estuary starting at 5:30 p.m. on the same day as the Jack London Square tree lighting. Proceeds support the Alameda County Community Food Bank and Oakland Firefighters Random Acts.

What happened at the Jack London Square tree lighting last year?

On November 29, 2025, the free tree lighting ran from 5:45 to 8 p.m. near Plank. It featured a laser light show, music by the Oaktown Jazz Workshops' Performance Ensemble and The Lyric Performing Arts Academy, and photos with Santa, Frosty, a Holiday Teddy Bear and the Peppermint Princess.

How big is the Christmas tree at Jack London Square?

In 2024 the tree at Jack London Square was a 55-foot Shasta fir decorated with thousands of lights. KTVU sponsors the event and provides the emcee. Simulated snowfall and a laser show set to holiday music are part of the evening. For this year's date, see our Oakland Christmas events guide on this page.

What is Fairy Winterland at Children's Fairyland?

Fairy Winterland is a holiday season at Children's Fairyland, a storybook park in Oakland. It runs on the last three weekends of December and has Christmas lights, arts and crafts and holiday displays. In 2022 it included a nightly Festival of Lights Parade and a mailbox for letters to Santa.

How can I explain the Lake Merritt floating tree to my kids?

Tell them that a boy their age had a big idea in 1929: a Christmas tree that floats on the lake. Grown-ups loved it, so companies gave a giant fir, wires and bulbs, and kids gave their coins. It was lit on December 14, 1929, and music played across the water.

Where can kids see a giant Christmas tree in Oakland?

The big public tree stands at Jack London Square, where a 55-foot Shasta fir was lit in 2024 and a free tree lighting returned on November 29, 2025. The estuary setting makes it special. For this season's confirmed dates, see our Oakland Christmas events guide on this page.

Where can families see Christmas lights in Oakland?

Oakland's best-known lights are at the Oakland Temple, where more than 100,000 lights and 42 palm trees glow through December, and at the Oakland Zoo's Glowfari, with giant glowing animal lanterns. Our Oakland Christmas events guide on this page lists this season's confirmed dates and ticket details.

Where can kids ride a train near Oakland at Christmas?

Niles Canyon Railway, in Sunol, runs historic steam and diesel trains on the original 1860s transcontinental route, and its Train of Lights fills November and December. Redwood Valley Railway in Berkeley runs tiny live steam trains through the redwoods on weekends all year, and it is the closest ride to Oakland.

Is there a museum near Oakland with old streetcars?

Yes. Western Railway Museum in Suisun City is Northern California's electric railway museum, with 50-minute interurban rides on the old Sacramento Northern line. Its streetcars come from San Francisco, Oakland and Sacramento. Check its calendar before you go. It is open weekends year round, and tickets are best booked ahead.

Why is Christmas in Oakland different from other cities?

Oakland celebrates on and around the water and the hills. It once floated a Christmas tree on Lake Merritt, still holds a yacht parade on the estuary, and lights up the hillside Oakland Temple with more than 100,000 lights. It also had a children's Christmas pageant that ran for decades.

Sources

  1. Lake Merritt Floating Christmas Tree, Oakland Wiki
  2. The Ghost of Christmas Pageants Past, Oakland Public Library
  3. Jack London Square tree lighting festival returns, Port of Oakland
  4. 2025 Holiday Tree Lighting at Oakland's Jack London Square, KTVU
  5. Christmas Lights Oakland Temple, 100,000 LED Lights, Funcheap SF
  6. List: Best Bay Area holiday light displays in 2025, KTVU
  7. Redwood Valley Railway, Rally Takes the Train
  8. Niles Canyon Railway, Rally Takes the Train
  9. Western Railway Museum, Rally Takes the Train
  10. Oakland's beloved amusement park to host a Fairy Winterland that's not just for kids, The San Francisco Standard

Oakland Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask

What are the best Christmas events for kids in Oakland this year?

We confirmed 7 for the 2026 season, and 3 of them are free. Good places to start: Fairy Winterland (Dec 12 to Dec 27), Graham Lustig's The Nutcracker (Dec 19 to Dec 20) and Montclair Village Holiday Stroll (Dec 10). Every event on this page has the times, the cost and a link to the host.

Are there free Christmas events for kids in Oakland?

Yes, 3 of the 7. Two worth planning around: Winter Stories in Kamishibai (Dec 29) and Holiday Sights & Sounds Parade & Tree Lighting in Livermore (Dec 5). Some free events still need a reservation, so check the listing before you go.

Where can kids meet Santa in Oakland?

3 events here include a visit with Santa. Bring your own camera; most visits allow photos.

Are there Christmas story times for kids in Oakland?

Yes. Library story times are usually free and walk-in; ones with a meal or a show are ticketed.

Is anything on for kids in Oakland on Christmas Eve or after Christmas?

Yes, four events run on Christmas Eve or later. Glowfari runs through Jan 31 and Countdown in Wonderland runs through Dec 31.

Do we need tickets or reservations?

For 4 of the 7 events, yes: they sell tickets or ask you to sign up ahead. Meals with Santa and ticketed shows fill up first. Most library and park events are walk-in, and each listing says which is which.

Are there Christmas train rides for kids in Oakland?

Yes, but they have their own guide. Santa trains and holiday train rides are listed in our Oakland Christmas train rides guide, so this page sticks to story times, Santa visits and other events off the rails.

How do you confirm these events?

We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 4, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.

Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.

Kelsey Cecil
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