December events and activities for all ages

Berkeleyans can enjoy the incoming holiday season with events such as a winter festival, carnival, fun run, dance, school break camps, and a meal with Santa.

• Teenagers can join a supervised holiday dance.
• Kids five years old or under can enjoy a winter carnival with games, crafts, and meet-and-greets with Elsa and a snowman.
• People of all ages can gather for a seasonal fun run around Aquatic Park, with prizes by age group.
• Families can take part in a friendly festival and group bike ride. Or enjoy a pancake breakfast with Santa and his North Pole friends.

See what the season offers by checking each event’s details and registering where needed. Use our events calendar to see all City events.

Bring your 6th through 8th graders to a winter dance night

Bring your sixth through eighth graders to a supervised night designed just for them. Teens can move, meet friends, listen to music, dance, and take part in an evening that celebrates the season. Reserve a spot early because only pre-registered students will be admitted.

Participants must be current sixth-, seventh-, or eighth-grade students at a Berkeley Unified School District middle school. Teens must show proof of school attendance at the door.

Snacks and drinks will be available throughout the evening. For questions or to request an accessibility accommodation, contact Assistant Recreation Coordinator Joaquim Lee at (510) 981-6674.

Winter-themed kids’ carnival

Kids under five, supervised by an adult, are invited to our winter carnival. Tots can play carnival games like Snowflake Toss or Pin the Nose on the Snowman, make crafts, and meet Elsa, a snowman, and other winter friends.

For questions or to request an accessibility accommodation, contact LaShay Johnson at LJohnson@Berkeleyca.gov.

Join an all-ages winter fun run at Aquatic Park

Come out for a seasonal run, walk, or roll through Aquatic Park. The 2.3 mile course gives all ages a chance to enjoy the waterfront and meet community at this low-cost outdoor event. Register before race day to secure your t-shirt, bib, and goodie bag.

Check-in begins at 10:30 am and the run starts at 11:30 am. The 2.3-mile route travels counter-clockwise around Aquatic Park, with water stations placed after the one-mile point and before the two-mile point.

The start and finish point are located near Street Level Cycles on 84 Bolivar Drive. All ages are welcome. Prizes will be awarded by age group: youth, adults, and seniors.

For questions or to request an accessibility accommodation, contact the Recreation Customer Service Hub at recreation@berkeleyca.gov or (510) 981-5150.

After finishing, stay at Aquatic Park for winter-themed activities at the Winter Youth Festival, co-hosted with Waterside Workshops.

Bring your family to Aquatic Park for a festival that celebrates youth

Join winter-themed activities at Aquatic Park. You can meet holiday characters, decorate cookies, take photos at the booth, watch a bubble show, talk with City staff, test drive an electric vehicle, and learn about the park through hands-on environmental activities. Food trucks will be onsite.

Kids of all ages, family members, and supporters can join a slow-paced Kidical Mass Bike Ride at 1:15 pm. This guided ride starts at Street Level Cycles and travels to the Berkeley Waterfront and back.

Connect with community organizations and City departments to learn about programs and services in Berkeley, including a preview of 2026 summer camps at the Recreation Division booth.

Charge Across Town is offering a variety of electric vehicles test rides. You can learn about incentives and programs that help make electric vehicles more affordable. Anyone who takes a test ride will receive a gift certificate to Waterside Workshops’ Street Level Cycles bicycle shop.

For questions or to request an accessibility accommodation, contact the Recreation Customer Service Hub at recreation@berkeleyca.gov or (510) 981-5150.

Meet Santa and enjoy a festive breakfast

Enjoy a pancake breakfast, meet Santa, and take a photo with him and his North Pole friends. We have seating available at two time slots, so make sure to reserve your spot.

Breakfast includes pancakes, eggs, fruit, and sausage, with dietary options available. Groups larger than eight will be seated at more than one table. Smaller groups will be seated with others.

For questions or to request an accessibility accommodation, contact Perry Nalle at PNalle@berkeleyca.gov or (510) 981-5150.

Choose from winter break camps designed for different age groups

Sign up for winter school break camps offered in late December. Programs serve preschoolers through elementary ages and include creative projects, skill-building, sports, and single-day options.

• For preschoolers (ages 3 years 5 months–5 years)
  Pre-K/TK Winter Break Camp Registration
  Full-day sessions offered across two weeks
• For elementary ages (Kindergarten–5th grade)
  James Kenney School’s Out Super Fun Camp Registration
  Single-day camps with AM extended care options
• For ages 5–14
  Winter Break Chess Camp Registration
  Two afternoon sessions
• For ages 6–14
  Winter Break Youth Hoops Camp Registration
  Two morning sessions

Getting to recreation events

To get to these events without a car, try AC Transit's route planner, borrow an e-bike or scooter, or bicycle using our bike boulevards.

These December events are organized by the City of Berkeley's Recreation Division, which offers dozens of camps, classes, and activities for all ages. Learn more and sign up via our online recreation portal. Find more fun activities on our events calendar.

Dance. Run. Ride bikes. Eat pancakes. Snap photos. Meet Santa. Join camps. Celebrate the season in Berkeley.

Links

• Friday, December 5:
  • Teen Night Turn Up Holiday Dance
• Saturday, December 6:
  • Tots Winter Carnival
• Saturday, December 13:
  • Aquatic Park Winter Fun Run
  • Winter Youth Festival
• Saturday, December 20:
  • Pancake Breakfast with Santa
• Winter Break Camps:
  • For preschoolers (ages 3y5m–5y): Pre-K/TK Winter Break Camp
  • For elementary ages (K–5): James Kenney School’s Out Super Fun Camp
  • For ages 5–14: Winter Break Chess Camp
  • For ages 6–14: Winter Break Youth Hoops Camp
• Online recreation portal