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Accessible Places and Events to Visit this 2023 Holiday Season in the Bay Area

December 13, 2023

December is here and that means bringing out the beanies, puffy jackets, and mittens. Alright now that everyone has their cozy winter outfits on, the question is where are the best places to visit this 2023 holiday season with friends and family? Here in the Bay Area, the options seem limitless with events happening each weekend. While this may sound great for some, others who have loved ones with disabilities find that they will have to do extra research to ensure that the places they’d like to visit are inclusive and have accessibility features.

Aside from the population we serve, adults with developmental disabilities, staff and Board members at LSA also have family members with a disability so we know how important it is to be able to go out and experience the holidays with your loved one in the community.

We’ve compiled a list below of places with accessibility features that our residents had a blast visiting and events that are inclusive of all abilities. Let this be your guide in choosing the destination to create magical memories this 2023 holiday season with your friends and family in the Bay Area.

Sensory Play

1. Magical Bridge Foundation @magicalbridge

Red and White Grandparents Pictures Photo Collage 1 1

We’re starting off the list with the Magical Bridge Foundation. The story of how the Magical Bridge Foundation began resonates with many of us. Olenka Villarreal, the founder of Magical Bridge Foundation and LSA Board Member, saw that no playground was designed for families who had children of different needs so she sought to create spaces that transcended these social and physical barriers.

Magical Bridge Foundation embraces the true spirit of inclusivity and has parks throughout the Bay Area like Palo Alto and Sunnyvale where those of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to experience the magic of play. View their other locations here.

Check out their Choral Concert event on Saturday, December 16th at 12 pm. View their upcoming events here.

2. Holiday Event at Mitchell Park

Head to this free Holiday Event at Palo Alto’s Mitchell Park for some holiday arts & crafts, sensory play, light refreshments, and gift-giving.

Location: Mitchell Park, 600 E Meadow Dr, Palo Alto, CA

Details: Sun Dec 17 2023 10:00 am to 02:00 pm

3. Animal Assisted Happiness

Red and White Grandparents Pictures Photo Collage 1

Animal Assisted Happiness is one of our volunteer sites for our Community Integration Training Program. Volunteer or visit this local San Jose nonprofit whose mission is to “enrich the lives of youth with needs through barnyard animal interaction…” While this isn’t your typical event to make a holiday list, there’s no denying the smiles and therapeutic benefits animals can bring especially during these short winter days.

Meet the barnyard buddies with your family

Holiday Lights

4. Alameda’s Christmas Tree Lane

Want to see the dazzling holiday lights with the family but everyone would rather stay in the comfort of a nice warm car? Then check out Alameda’s Christmas Tree Lane! A neighborhood that goes all out in decoration and festivities each December. This has been a long-standing tradition for nearly 84 years. While families are welcome to drive by, residents of the block also invite those to take a stroll and admire the lights. You can see the holiday lights from December 3, 2023, through New Year’s Eve from 5 – 10 pm.

See what Christmas Tree Lane Residents Want You to Know and the lane’s Facebook page for all the latest updates.

Location – 3200 block of Thompson Ave, between High & Fernside

Events – “Fresh off of their performance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC, the Tap Dancing Christmas Trees will be sharing joy and fun with Christmas Tree Lane on Friday, Dec 15th starting at about 6 pm.”

5. Palo Alto’s Christmas Tree Lane

Palo Alto’s Christmas Tree Lane is another opportunity to experience the holiday magic all while staying cozy in the car. Visitors are welcome to take a stroll as well.

Location – 1700-1800 Fulton Street, Palo Alto

Details – Saturday, December 16 through Sunday, December 31, 2023 (5 pm to 11 pm)

Holiday Pictures

6. Selfies with Santa

Gather the family to take a Selfie with Santa at Oakland’s Jack London Square. Visits are free, just be sure to bring your camera.

Location – Jack London Square 70 Washington Street Oakland across from PLANK.

Details – Sat December 16, 2023, from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Sensory Friendly

7. Nutcracker Sensory Friendly Dance-Along

Experience the joy of ballet with San Francisco Ballet during this 2023 holiday season. This sensory-friendly guided workshop is perfect for family members of all ages and abilities to experience ballet together through the story of the Nutcracker.

Learn more about this sensory-friendly ballet activity here.

Location – Location: SF Ballet, 455 Franklin Street, SF

Details – Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 1:30 – 2:30 PM

Cost: $25 per person, adults and children*

8. A Christmas Carol

Bah Humbug…. Watch the journey of Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dicken’s timeless story of the Christmas Carol. There will be a sensory-friendly performance for neurodiverse attendees or those with sensory sensitivities.

Reserve tickets and get more information on this sensory-friendly performance here.

Location: The Toni Rembe Theater

415 Geary StreetSan Francisco, CA, 94102

Wednesday, December 20, 2023, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

9. Black Diamond Ballet’s Nutcracker

Watch the Nutcracker in this sensory-friendly performance that was crafted for “individuals with autism spectrum disorders, sensory sensitivities, or other disabilities”. At this event, you’ll notice relaxed features like low-level lights, a reduction of loud sounds, and a quiet area in the lobby. Attendees are also welcome to bring support items like seat cushions.

Reserve your seats for this sensory-friendly Nutcracker performance.

Location: El Campanil Theatre

602 West 2nd Street Antioch, CA, 94509

Details: Saturday, December 16, 2023 from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM