The Family Galas

Stephanie Breitbard and The Family Gala Co-chair Stacey Silver on the dance floor

The red carpet scene in the Bay Area includes a few family-style celebrations — especially during the holiday season. Red Carpet Bay Area got into the holiday spirit this year by checking out three family galas — The Contemporary Jewish Museum Family Gala, Wender Weis Foundation for Children’s Holiday Heroes and Children of Shelters’ SantaFest.

The seventh annual CJM Family Gala, A NEAT Night, on November 21, 2015, was a hit with the young set! Art and art projects, food, dancing, and entertainment in abundance. The theme, A NEAT Night, was inspired by the CJM’s newest exhibition. NEAT: New Experiments in Art and Technology, features work from nine Bay Area artists and artistic teams who create kinetic and interactive art using digital technology.

Scenes from the CJM Family Gala:

Photos by Susan Adler

Another family party and benefit event we love, Holiday Heroes, is coming up on December 7th at AT&T Park; our video production team will be there to capture the action! Holiday Heroes, presented by the Wender Weis Foundation for Children, provides kids of all ages the opportunity to meet local athletes, access the San Francisco Giants’ dugout and batting tunnels, make s’mores on the field, indulge in unlimited ballpark fare, decorate cookies, stuff teddy bears, get their faces painted and their hair accessorized.

Just some of the sports heroes who have confirmed attendance at this year’s Holiday Heroes event: Carlos Hyde, a running back for the San Francisco 49ers, Shayne Skov, a linebacker with the San Francisco 49ers, Khari Stephenson, a midfielder with the San Jose Earthquakes, Justin Tuck, a defensive end for the Oakland Raiders, Michael Wilhoite, a linebacker with the San Francisco 49ers and Chris Wondolowski, a striker and center midfielder for the San Jose Earthquakes. U.S. Olympians Jonny Moseley, Kristi Yamaguchi and Bret Hedican will be there, too. The event is nearly sold out, we recommend getting tickets right away.

A favorite for families with children ages one to eight, SantaFest, takes place on December 5th at the Golden Gate Club in the Presidio. “It’s Not What You Get, It’s What You Give,” is the theme for Children of Shelters’ annual children’s holiday party, from 9am until 12pm. In the new Santa’s Workshop, children will choose, wrap and decorate gifts for children who are living in San Francisco’s homeless shelters. Later that evening, hundreds of families from local shelters will arrive for an elaborate holiday dinner and party with Santa that includes cookie decorating, holiday crafts and entertainment. Each child will receive a wrapped and personalized holiday gift.

Scenes from Wender Weis Foundation for Children’s Holiday Heroes:

Photos by Drew Altizer Photography

Don’t miss another red carpet-style event in the Bay Area, check our calendar frequently!