# Embarcadero Center Building Lighting & Holiday Carnival > Event for families in the San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont area (CA). Times are Pacific Time. - When: Wed, Nov 18 · 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM - Where: Embarcadero Center, 1 Embarcadero Ctr, San Francisco, CA 94111 - Ages: All ages (free family carnival; flat pedestrian shopping promenade with wide stroller walkways) - Price: Free admission (open public outdoor community celebration) - Organizer: Embarcadero Center & BXP - Official page: https://embarcaderocenter.com/ - Last checked: Wed, Nov 4 Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/san-francisco/activities/embarcadero-center-building-lighting-and-holiday-carnival--listing-4f75d2345cafac351ad4d98f ## About San Francisco's holiday season kicks off with the illumination of Embarcadero Center's four iconic high-rise towers, outlined with 17,000 brilliant lights that brighten the waterfront skyline through New Year's. The celebration begins with an afternoon family carnival featuring interactive carnival games, face painters, balloon artists, cookie decorating, and visits with Santa Claus. The evening culminates in the ceremonial lighting countdown and a pyrotechnic fireworks show reflecting over San Francisco Bay. The pedestrian plazas are spacious and fully stroller accessible. All carnival festivities and building light viewings are free for the community. ## Similar picks in San Francisco - [PIER 39 Holiday Tree Lighting & Synchronized Light Spectacular](https://grassyknees.com/san-francisco/activities/pier-39-holiday-tree-lighting-and-synchronized-light-spectacular--listing-1aba7a326a720cecdbb40171) — Nov 23 – Jan 10 · 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM · PIER 39 Entrance Plaza · All ages · Free · checked Nov 4. PIER 39's towering 60-foot live Monterey pine tree in the Entrance Plaza sparkles with thousands of color-changing LED lights and festive ornaments. Beginning with a grand… - [Macy's Great Tree Lighting & Holiday Ice Rink at Union Square](https://grassyknees.com/san-francisco/activities/macy-s-great-tree-lighting-and-holiday-ice-rink-at-union-square--listing-17dc1d8b1aa0f5b5c57028fc) — Fri, Nov 27 · 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM · Union Square Park · All ages · Free · checked Nov 4. 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