Celebrate holiday traditions throughout the Tri-Valley
Light up the holidays
Visitors to the area from the San Francisco Bay can delight in many charming light displays around the Tri-Valley. Visit Tri-Valley has a guide to the top light displays in the region, showing the best houses, streets and neighborhoods in Pleasanton, Danville, Dublin and Livermore to dazzling displays of lights throughout the season.
Spirit of shopping
You’ll also find a great schedule of events offered to visitors and locals alike that are sure to put you in the holiday spirit. Those shopping in downtown Pleasanton through Monday, Dec. 15 can submit their receipts to 12daysdowntown@gmail.com for a chance to win giveaway baskets featuring items from local stores and restaurants. Winners will be announced each day from Monday, Dec. 8 to Friday, Dec. 19.
Local favorites
Dublin is hosting its free 2025 Annual Holiday Tree Lighting on Thursday, Dec. 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Dublin Civic Center, where families can enjoy arts and crafts, performances from local bands and choirs, rides on the Clover Express trackless train and writing letters to Santa while sipping hot chocolate and snacking on cookies.
Those in town Friday, Dec. 5 are sure to have fun at the free Magical Holiday Evening we noted in our last blog. From 4 to 7 p.m. in downtown Pleasanton, enjoy photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, family-friendly activities, live music, food and shopping.
Frosty hunting
For another free downtown Pleasanton activity your family is sure to enjoy, use your sleuthing skills at Finding Frosty from Friday, Dec. 5 to Friday, Dec. 19. After picking up a map from Towne Center Books or Five Little Monkeys, explore the mapped local businesses to find where snowmen are hidden. After an employee at each store signs off, turn in a completed map to the Pleasanton Downtown Association office to be entered in a prize drawing presented by local businesses. If the office is closed, leaving the map in the mailbox is acceptable to enter.
Lights and Wine
Every night from Friday, Dec. 5 to Tuesday, Dec. 23, the Livermore Wine Trolley becomes your guide to local light displays as the Lights of Livermore Wine Trolley Tour. With multiple time slot options, attendees depart from Concannon Vineyard with cheerful music playing for either a family-friendly tour option or an adults-only option that includes a one-hour wine tasting before departure.
Additional food and drink options are available for purchase on the adults-only tours. Tickets range from $37.10 to $77.37 per person and are available online for both adults-only and family-friendly tours.
Decorating competition
Downtown Pleasanton explorers can gaze upon local businesses’ window displays at the area’s Window Decorating Contest that runs from Friday, Dec. 5 to Wednesday, Dec. 31. Check out beautiful window displays, and when you want to vote for your favorites, scan the QR codes next to the displays to make your voice heard in crowning the best display.
Sensory Santa visit
Going to Dublin on Saturday, Dec. 6 is a great opportunity for Breakfast with Santa, with time options at 8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m. and a special sensory-friendly session at 11:15 a.m. Diners can enjoy a pancake breakfast at Shannon Community Center with sausage, fruit, coffee and juice while listening to Dublin High School musicians perform. After each event time, Santa himself will take photos with children who attend. Tickets are $15 to $18 per person and available online.
Hometown Holiday
No matter which time you choose for Breakfast with Santa, you’ll still be able to attend the Hometown Holiday Celebration we listed in our last blog. On Saturday, Dec. 6, the free event kicks off in downtown Pleasanton with the Hometown Holiday Parade at 5 p.m., featuring floats, marching bands and groups from the community. After the parade concludes, it will be followed by a tree lighting ceremony at 6:45 p.m. with music and an appearance by Santa.
Sweater Stroll
If you’re looking for a fun adults’ night out, the Spirit and Sweater Stroll 2025 will make your evening merry and bright on Saturday, Dec. 13. From 5 to 8 p.m., explore downtown Pleasanton in your best ugly sweater after checking in at the Museum on Main.
After collecting your event wristband, map and commemorative glass, you’re free to sample cocktails from more than 15 local businesses, some of which may also serve light snacks. You may even get a glimpse of Santa and Mrs. Claus themselves. Tickets are available on Eventbrite for $49.87 per person.
When you’re ready to rest up for more merriment the next day, the Rose Hotel is happy to host your stay. We’re a boutique hotel inspired by Old World settings, and we put every effort into ensuring that your visit to Pleasanton is one to remember.
No detail is overlooked in creating the perfect intimate setting to enjoy your visit to our tranquil town. Due to our focus on creating high-quality guest experiences over quantity of stays, our reservations fill up quickly, so we suggest booking your desired dates as soon as possible.
We wish you safe travels to Pleasanton, and we look forward to hosting your visit to the best place to celebrate the holidays in Northern California.
Reach us by emailing info@RoseHotel.net, calling (925) 846-8802, or stopping by to visit at 807 Main St., Pleasanton, CA 94566. Click here to book your next visit to the Rose Hotel.