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San Mateo holidays kick off at Hillsdale Shopping Center, and for Bay Meadows residents, this popular destination is just a short stroll away. Perfectly positioned adjacent to the Bay Meadows neighborhood, Hillsdale serves as a lively extension of our community with an incredible mix of shopping, dining, and engaging entertainment – complete with live music, performances and experiences for every family member. Whether you’re crossing off your gift list, meeting friends for a holiday meal, or simply soaking in the festive atmosphere, Hillsdale is ready to make your season bright.

The holiday magic officially begins on Friday, November 21 at 6 p.m., when Hillsdale’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony illuminates the North Block Outdoor Plaza. This year’s celebration will feature a Nutcracker-themed performance from the SF Youth Ballet and ballerina characters by Circosphere. Guests will also enjoy the holiday spirit with 99.7 NOW’s DJ Greg Sherrell and a special appearance by San Mateo City Mayor Rob Newsom, who will join in welcoming Santa’s grand arrival to town.

From there, the fun continues all season long. Families can snap photos with Santa in Macy’s Center Court on the Lower Level starting November 21 through December 24, complete with interactive games and displays. Pets are invited, too, special “Paws with Claus” photo sessions will be held every Sunday and Wednesday from 5–7 p.m., November 23 through December 10. For animal lovers, the Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA will host a holiday adoption pop-up from November 15 through December 24, offering the perfect opportunity to bring a new furry family member home for the holidays.

Hillsdale is also embracing the season of giving. The Samaritan House Giving Tree will collect donations at Macy’s Center Court from 2-7pm on November 28–30 and December 6–7, and the San Mateo Consolidated Firefighters Toy Program will accept toy donations from December 6–23, with collection bins located near the LEGO store. These charitable initiatives make it easy for shoppers to share the holiday spirit with local families in need while completing their own festive errands.

After a day of shopping and celebration, guests can refuel at one of Hillsdale’s many dining destinations — from Palette Tea Garden and Shake Shack to Mikiya Wagyu Shabu, The Cheesecake Factory, and California Pizza Kitchen. Or head home to Bay Meadows Town Square where you’ll find Bahche Mezzehouse & Wine Bar, The Breakfast Club – Midtown San Mateo, Sidewalk Juice, Blue Bottle Cafe at Bay Meadows and Fieldwork Brewing Company San Mateo Beer Garden. And with shops like Nordstrom, Macy’s, lululemon, LEGO®, West Elm, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, everything from gifts to groceries for all of your holiday spreads is conveniently close to home.

A summary of Hillsdale Shopping Center’s hours are as follows through the holiday season:

• Thanksgiving: Closed
• Black Friday: 9am-9pm
• Christmas Eve: 8am-5pm
• Christmas Day: Closed
• New Year’s Eve: 10am-6pm
• New Year’s Day: 10am-6pm

*Please note that individual store hours may vary.

With twinkling lights, family-friendly fun, and a full lineup of festive events, Hillsdale Shopping Center is ready to make this holiday season unforgettable. For a complete schedule of events and holiday hours, visit hillsdale.com.