Holiday Lights, Festivals And Celebrations Fill The Novato Calendar

NOVATO, CA — With Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa festivities filling the December calendar, the problem may be deciding which events in Novato to attend.

Outside these religious and cultural celebrations, there are plenty of holiday light shows, fairs and festivals to attend in Novato. Here are some to consider:

Novato Tree Lighting Festival 2025

The annual Novato Tree Lighting Festival 2025 will illuminate downtown Novato starting at 4 p.m. on Dec. 6 on Sherman Avenue. Enjoy a festive evening featuring live music, community dance performances, and children's activities, including art and crafts, and cookie decorating. Stroll and shop at vendor booths lining Grant Avenue, and visit the local shops, restaurants, tasting rooms, and tap rooms. Children can visit a special village to share their holiday wishes. Don't miss the grand arrival at 5 p.m. on the Novato Fire Department's ladder truck.The Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place at 5:30 p.m. and the event concludes at 7:30 p.m.

City of Novato’s Holiday Crafts Faire

From 6-9 p.m. on Dec. 5 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 6 at the Margaret Todd Senior Center, located at 1560 Hill Rd., artisans will be selling handmade crafts, including jewelry, ceramics, specialty foods, wreaths, ornaments, and bath and body products. Entertainment will be provided throughout the event, and food will be available. Shoppers are advised to bring cash, as the event organizers cannot guarantee all vendors will be able to accept credit cards. This is a great opportunity for attendees to purchase unique holiday gifts. Admission is free to the public on both days.Attendees can explore over 60 booths across two locations. This year, ten additional vendors have been added to the Hill Community Room, a space next to the Senior Center.

2025 Gingerbread Build

Join Novato Parks, Recreation and Community Services for The Gingerbread Build fun from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Dec. 13 at the Margaret Todd Senior Center, located at 1560 Hill Rd.. This festive morning of gingerbread house decorating includes holiday music, hot chocolate, and coffee, and registration opens on November 3, 2025; click here to register for one of the two time slots available: 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Each registration includes a single gingerbread house kit — with a house, frosting, candies, and sprinkles — suitable for a group of up to four people; only one registration is needed per group, but additional kits can be selected when registering for larger groups.

Marin Ballet’s Nutcracker

Embrace a wonderful holiday tradition with Marin Ballet's Nutcracker! Featuring the artistry of 125 dancers, along with elaborate Victorian costumes and sets, the performance brings Clara's magical Christmas Eve dreams to life. The performances are on Dec. 6 and 7 at the Novato Center for the Arts, located at 625 Arthur St. Purchase tickets here.

As you plan your calendar, here are some key dates to consider:

• Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods, begins at sundown on Dec. 14 and continues until sundown on Dec. 22. The dates vary every year.

• Christmas, of course, is always Dec. 25.

• Kwanzaa, a weeklong celebration primarily held in the United States to honor African heritage and African-American culture, is observed from Dec. 26-Jan. 1, culminating with gift-giving and a lavish feast. The dates of this holiday do not change.