Updated October 2026. Dates below come from the official 2026 event pages for Walnut Creek Downtown, Broadway Plaza, and the Ruth Bancroft Garden. Hours for the ice rink weren’t posted yet when we wrote this, so check before you go.
Quick answer: Walnut Creek’s holiday season kicks off Friday, November 20, 2026, when the free Holiday Tree Lighting (5:30–6:30 p.m.) and the outdoor rink Walnut Creek on Ice both open in Civic Park. The rink runs through January 18, 2027, with skating listed at $20 per 90-minute session. Broadway Plaza hosts its Holiday Parade of Lights and Tree Lighting on Thursday, December 3, and the Ruth Bancroft Garden glows for Garden of D’Lights from November 20 to January 10.
Picture it: cold, clear air, the smell of hot cocoa, and the scrape of skates under strings of lights, with Mount Diablo turning pink in the last of the sun. For about eight weeks every winter, downtown Walnut Creek feels like a small mountain town that happens to have great shopping and a BART station. It’s one of our favorite seasons in the East Bay.
Here’s what’s happening for the 2026 holidays in Walnut Creek, with dates, prices, and a few honest tips to make the most of it.
Walnut Creek Holidays 2026: Dates at a Glance
| Event | Date (2026–27) | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walnut Creek on Ice | Nov. 20 – Jan. 18 | Civic Park, 1365 Civic Dr. | $20 skate session (listed price) |
| Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony | Fri., Nov. 20, 5:30–6:30 p.m. | Civic Park | Free |
| Garden of D’Lights | Nov. 20 – Jan. 10 | Ruth Bancroft Garden, 1552 Bancroft Rd. | Timed tickets |
| Gather with Santa + Holiday Makers Market | Sun., Nov. 22, 1–5 p.m. | Gather Walnut Creek | See event listing |
| Holiday Parade of Lights & Tree Lighting | Thu., Dec. 3, 6–8 p.m. | Broadway Plaza | Free |
| California Symphony “Holiday Traditions” | Dec. 18–19 | Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church | Ticketed |
When Does Walnut Creek on Ice Open in 2026?
Walnut Creek on Ice opens Friday, November 20, 2026, and closes Monday, January 18, 2027, according to the Walnut Creek Downtown Association. It’s the rink’s 21st season in Civic Park (1365 Civic Drive). The rink is built and run by Special Ice and presented with the City of Walnut Creek.
The rink’s page lists these prices:
- Ice skating: $20 per person, per 90-minute session
- Ice slide: $20
- Skate and slide combo: $20 on non-holiday weekdays, $30 on weekends and holidays
The rink is fully cashless. You can also reserve a rinkside fire pit, which is the move if you’ve got non-skaters in your group. Last season, Bay Area Telegraph reported that skate rental was included in the session price. The 2026–27 page doesn’t say either way, so confirm when you book.
Our tip: 2026–27 hours weren’t posted yet in late October. Last season the rink opened at 4 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, with later hours on Friday and Saturday nights. Weekday sessions right after opening tend to be the calmest. Check the official rink page for this year’s schedule and closures for private events.
When Is the Walnut Creek Tree Lighting?
The city’s Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony is Friday, November 20, 2026, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Civic Park, the same night the rink opens. It’s free and open to everyone, with complimentary hot cocoa, live carolers, and a meet-and-greet with Frosty the Snowman. The City of Walnut Creek and the Walnut Creek Downtown Association present it.
Broadway Plaza holds its own celebration two weeks later. The Holiday Parade of Lights and Tree Lighting is Thursday, December 3, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m., with a parade through the center and a tree lighting led by Santa. (One Broadway Plaza page lists the end time as 8:30 p.m., so plan for a little flexibility.)
Where Can You See Santa in Walnut Creek?
According to Broadway Plaza, Santa arrives at his workshop near True Food Kitchen starting November 14. Visiting him is free, and photo packages are available to buy. Reserve a time through the Broadway Plaza Santa page. The daily schedule on that page didn’t match the 2026 calendar when we checked, so confirm hours when you book.
Prefer something smaller? Gather Walnut Creek hosts “Gather with Santa,” a Santa photo experience and holiday makers market, on Sunday, November 22, from 1 to 5 p.m. (the photo line closes at 4:30), per the Walnut Creek Downtown events calendar.
What Is Garden of D’Lights at the Ruth Bancroft Garden?
The Ruth Bancroft Garden is a celebrated dry garden of cacti, succulents, and drought-tolerant plants. From November 20 to January 10, it lights up after dark for Garden of D’Lights, its holiday fundraiser. Entry is by timed ticket, and the event runs rain or shine. All sales are final. The garden has announced themed nights, too: Holiday Sweater Night (December 18), Disco Night (January 1), and Intergalactic Adventure Night (January 8). The nursery stays open in the evening for holiday shopping.
Is Mount Diablo Worth Visiting in Winter?
Yes, especially if you want a holistic reset between the shopping and the skating. Mount Diablo State Park has its North Gate entrance on the edge of Walnut Creek. Gates open at 8 a.m. and close at sunset, and the day-use vehicle fee is $6 to $10, depending on the day. The summit tops out at 3,849 feet, and the Summit Visitor Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
California State Parks notes that the best views often come the day after a winter storm, when the air is scrubbed clean. Every so often, a cold storm leaves a dusting of snow on the peak, and the whole valley looks up at it.
Our tip: Days are short in December. Head up in the morning, pack layers, and plan to be back in your car before sunset so you’re not caught by the closing gates.
Can You Get to San Francisco From Walnut Creek Without a Car?
Yes. Walnut Creek BART station (200 Ygnacio Valley Road) sits on the Antioch–SFO/Millbrae line, which runs straight into downtown San Francisco. That makes Walnut Creek an easy base for a holiday trip that mixes a slower, small-town evening with a day of big-city lights and window shopping. You skip big-city parking and come back to a quieter place to sleep.
Where to Stay for the Holidays in Walnut Creek
Our KeyLuxe home in Walnut Creek is on North Civic Drive, the same street as Civic Park, the rink, and the tree. It has a Jacuzzi, a pool, a gym, and tennis on site, so you can rejuvenate after a day on the ice or the mountain. When you book directly with us, you’re dealing with a small, local team instead of a booking platform, and we’re happy to answer questions about the season before you arrive.
Walnut Creek Holidays: FAQ
When does Walnut Creek on Ice open in 2026?
Walnut Creek on Ice opens Friday, November 20, 2026, and runs through Monday, January 18, 2027, in Civic Park at 1365 Civic Drive.
How much does Walnut Creek on Ice cost?
The rink lists ice skating at $20 per person for a 90-minute session. The ice slide is $20, and a skate-and-slide combo is $20 on non-holiday weekdays or $30 on weekends and holidays. The rink is cashless.
When is the Walnut Creek tree lighting in 2026?
The city’s Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony is Friday, November 20, 2026, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Civic Park. It’s free, with hot cocoa, carolers, and Frosty the Snowman.
When is the Broadway Plaza Parade of Lights?
Broadway Plaza’s Holiday Parade of Lights and Tree Lighting is Thursday, December 3, 2026, starting at 6 p.m., with a tree lighting led by Santa.
When does Santa arrive at Broadway Plaza?
Broadway Plaza says Santa will be at his workshop near True Food Kitchen starting November 14. Visits are free, and photo packages are available. Reserve a time online.
What are the dates for Garden of D’Lights?
Garden of D’Lights at the Ruth Bancroft Garden runs November 20 to January 10, with timed-entry tickets. It goes ahead rain or shine.
Sources: Walnut Creek Downtown Association (rink, tree lighting, and events calendar), Broadway Plaza, Ruth Bancroft Garden, California State Parks, BART, Bay Area Telegraph, and Contra Costa News (2025–26 season details). Photos via Wikimedia Commons, credited in each caption.
