Twisted Holiday Festival — 24 New Holiday-Themed Plays in San Francisco, Dec. 4–20, 2026

What the festival is

PlayGround is launching the inaugural Twisted Holiday Festival, a three-week, fringe-style new works festival running December 4–20, 2026. The festival collects eight new holiday-themed pieces described as having a twist — a range that includes ensemble plays and solo shows, and subjects that span "Naughty" to "Nice." Performances take place at Potrero Stage in Potrero Hill and will be simulcast and available on demand.

Who's involved

Format and schedule basics

Each of the eight productions is scheduled to be presented for three in-person performances at Potrero Stage (location: 18th Street at Arkansas). The complete festival runs over three weeks, with a total of 24 performances across the program. Exact performance dates and times for each show are listed through PlayGround's ticketing page.

Tickets, cost, and donations

Admission is free. PlayGround asks for donations: tickets are free the day of performances (donations gratefully accepted) for both in-person attendance and all online viewing (live simulcast and on-demand). If you want to reserve an in-person seat before the day of the performance, PlayGround requests a minimum $10 donation.

How to reserve and where to check details

Reserve in-person or online tickets through PlayGround's site (playground-sf.org) at the twistedholiday page. The festival page will have current details, reservation links, and the full schedule. The festival announcement includes a standard disclaimer to verify event details with the organizer, since lineups and schedules can change.

Practical tips for attending

• If you prefer to watch remotely, use the festival's live simulcast or wait for the on-demand option.
• Check the PlayGround festival page before attending for the final performance schedule and any last-minute changes.

Why it matters for theatergoers in SF

The festival focuses on new holiday-themed theater across a compressed festival format, which makes it a concentrated way to see multiple new short runs and a range of theatrical styles in one visit. It offers low-barrier entry through free admission and donation-based reservations, while also providing remote viewing options for audiences who cannot attend in person.

Where to go for tickets and updates