Prepare for a holiday adventure in Los Gatos! Our guide features all the exciting festive events and activities. From Los Gatos aficionados to first-time guests, our guide is your gateway to holiday wonder.
One must-see event is the Holiday Winter Celebration & Tree Lighting, where the community gathers to welcome the festive season with the illumination of a grand tree and delightful entertainment. The Los Gatos Children’s Christmas & Holidays Parade brings joy and cheer with its vibrant floats and local participation. And the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad Holiday Train is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a charming ride through a winter wonderland. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Los Gatos
- Los Gatos Children’s Christmas & Holidays Parade
- Holiday Winter Celebration & Tree Lighting
- Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad Holiday Train
- The Nutcracker
- Holiday Carriage Rides
- Holiday Magic - Gilroy Gardens (Gilroy)
- Garden d'Lights - Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery (Walnut Creek)
- Light Maze - Enchant: San Jose (San Jose)
- The San Jose Nutcracker - Symphony San Jose (San Jose)
- Smuin's The Christmas Ballet (Walnut Creek)
See these and even more events listed below!
Los Gatos Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Winter Celebration & Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Traditional tree lighting ceremony with live music and winter activities.
Description:
Join us in Town Plaza Park for the Annual Winter Celebration, featuring Fisher Middle School Chamber Strings, Winter Wonderland Light Show, Snow Flurries, Story Walk, and the traditional tree lighting at 6:00 PM. Enjoy an evening of winter fun with Santa's visit and an encore performance by Fisher Middle School.
Where: Los Gatos | More Info: Holiday Winter Celebration & Tree Lighting
Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad Holiday Train
What to Expect:
Special holiday train ride through festive lights.
Description:
The Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad's Holiday Train offers a festive ride through Vasona Park's Fantasy Lights set, with special tickets required for this fundraising event. Enjoy a train ride and carousel experience while supporting the railroad.
Where: Los Gatos | More Info: Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad Holiday Train
Light Maze - Enchant: San Jose
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday light maze with a captivating original story.
Description:
The Light Maze at Enchant Christmas in San Jose features a captivating, story-based adventure through 80,000 square feet of breathtaking light sculptures, where you search for the missing bells the reindeer need to fly Santa's sleigh.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Light Maze - Enchant: San Jose
Garden d'Lights - Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery
What to Expect:
Illuminated cacti and succulents with art installations and lasers.
Description:
The Garden of D'Lights at Ruth Bancroft Garden features thousands of colorful lights, lasers, and art installations transforming three acres of succulents and cacti into a dazzling spectacle.
Where: Walnut Creek | More Info: Garden d'Lights - Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery
Holiday Lights - Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds & Event Center
What to Expect:
Spectacular holiday lighting display at a historic event center.
Description:
The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds & Event Center transforms into a vibrant display of holiday lights, creating a festive atmosphere with its unique blend of natural beauty and festive illumination.
Where: Watsonville | More Info: Holiday Lights - Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds & Event Center
Los Gatos Holiday Markets and Shopping
Downtown Holiday Shopping Spree - City of Benicia
What to Expect:
Chance to win a $500 shopping spree by spending $10 at participating merchants.
Description:
Downtown Benicia offers a holiday shopping spree where every $10 spent at participating merchants earns one ticket for a $500 Downtown Benicia Shopping Spree drawing.
Where: Benicia | More Info: Downtown Holiday Shopping Spree - City of Benicia
The Alameda Holiday Boutique
What to Expect:
Unique gifts and handmade crafts benefiting a local recreation program.
Description:
The Alameda Holiday Boutique is a premier shopping event featuring unique gifts, handmade crafts, and holiday decorations. Proceeds benefit the Leisure Club, a recreation program for teens and adults with developmental disabilities.
Where: Alameda | More Info: The Alameda Holiday Boutique
Holiday Parade & Market - City of Benicia
What to Expect:
Local marching bands, dancers, and Santa Claus highlight this family-friendly event.
Description:
The Holiday Parade & Market in Benicia features a festive procession along First and D Streets, culminating in a holiday market with handcrafted arts, gourmet items, and delicious foods.
Where: Benicia | More Info: Holiday Parade & Market - City of Benicia
Crocker Holiday Artisan Market
What to Expect:
Juried art festival with high-quality, handcrafted items.
Description:
The Crocker Holiday Artisan Market is a three-day event featuring over 100 regional artists showcasing unique, handcrafted gifts and artwork. Visitors can meet the artists, enjoy live music, and participate in fun activities for children. The market supports local creative arts and offers a high-quality shopping experience.
Where: Sacramento | More Info: Crocker Holiday Artisan Market
Santa Rosa Handmade Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience with local artisans.
Description:
The Santa Rosa Handmade Craft Fair is a two-day event featuring over 90 local artists selling handcrafted holiday decorations, home goods, jewelry, and gourmet delights. Enjoy live entertainment, a free ride on Rosie the Trolley, and a prize giveaway fundraiser benefiting the Santa Rosa Recreation and Parks Scholarship Fund.
Where: Santa Rosa | More Info: Santa Rosa Handmade Craft Fair
Los Gatos Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The Nutcracker by Los Gatos Ballet features Clara's journey with her Nutcracker Prince, set to Tchaikovsky's iconic score, with exciting choreography, exquisite dancing, and beautifully designed costumes and sets.
Where: Los Gatos | More Info: The Nutcracker
Holiday Magic - Gilroy Gardens
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with interactive activities and festive entertainment.
Description:
Gilroy Gardens transforms into a holiday wonderland with jolly characters, live shows, ice skating, a grand feast in Snowflake Square, Santa's Workshop, and magical light displays.
Where: Gilroy | More Info: Holiday Magic - Gilroy Gardens
Smuin's The Christmas Ballet
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with a mix of classical and contemporary dance.
Description:
Smuin's The Christmas Ballet is a vibrant holiday performance blending classical ballet, contemporary dance, and Broadway jazz. The show features a classical first act and a fun, jazzy second half with red-hot contemporary dances set to pop favorites. It includes iconic numbers like "Santa Baby" alongside new additions, making each performance a big-hearted production.
Where: Walnut Creek | More Info: Smuin's The Christmas Ballet
The San Jose Nutcracker - Symphony San Jose
What to Expect:
Holiday ballet performance with period-inspired sets and costumes.
Description:
The San Jose Nutcracker is a unique holiday production set in 1905 San Jose, featuring landmarks like the historic electric tower and period-inspired costumes. It includes live accompaniment by Symphony San Jose and showcases swirling snowflakes, waltzing flowers, and the Sugarplum Fairy.
Where: San Jose | More Info: The San Jose Nutcracker - Symphony San Jose
Holiday Open House - City of Benicia
What to Expect:
Costumed carolers and live entertainment.
Description:
First Street merchants and Benicia Main Street host an open house at the beginning of the Christmas season, offering beverages, treats, and showcasing holiday goods while costumed carolers sing traditional Christmas tunes. Live entertainment and Christmas Tree lighting add to the festive atmosphere.
Where: Benicia | More Info: Holiday Open House - City of Benicia
Los Gatos Other Holiday Activities
Los Gatos Children’s Christmas & Holidays Parade
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with school band judging.
Description:
The 68th Annual Los Gatos Children’s Christmas & Holidays Parade is a festive event featuring over 230 entries, including floats and walking groups, celebrating the holiday season with a Christmas or holiday theme.
Where: Los Gatos | More Info: Los Gatos Children’s Christmas & Holidays Parade
Holiday Carriage Rides
What to Expect:
Surprise appearances by Santa on a decorated trolley ride.
Description:
Take a scenic ride through downtown Los Gatos on a beautifully decorated emerald green trolley. Santa will make surprise appearances, and live entertainment and sponsored surprises await those in the first-come, first-served queue. The event benefits a local children's charity.
Where: Los Gatos | More Info: Holiday Carriage Rides
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Saratoga (4 miles)
- Campbell (4 miles)
- Cupertino (7 miles)
- Santa Clara (9 miles)
- San Jose (9 miles)
- Sunnyvale (10 miles)
- Mountain View (13 miles)
- Los Altos (13 miles)
- Palo Alto (18 miles)
- Santa Cruz (18 miles)
- Morgan Hill (19 miles)
- East Palo Alto (19 miles)
- Menlo Park (19 miles)
- Newark (21 miles)
- Fremont (22 miles)
- Redwood City (23 miles)
- Watsonville (25 miles)
- San Carlos (25 miles)
- Union City (26 miles)
- Belmont (26 miles)
- Gilroy (27 miles)
- Foster City (28 miles)
- San Mateo (30 miles)
- Hayward (31 miles)
- San Lorenzo (32 miles)
- Burlingame (33 miles)
- Castro Valley (33 miles)
- Dublin (33 miles)
- Ashland (33 miles)
- Livermore (33 miles)
- Millbrae (34 miles)
- San Leandro (36 miles)
- San Bruno (37 miles)
- South San Francisco (38 miles)
- San Ramon (38 miles)
- Marina (39 miles)
- Pacifica (39 miles)
- Alameda (41 miles)
- Hollister (41 miles)
- Danville (41 miles)
- Visitacion Valley (41 miles)
- Salinas (42 miles)
- Daly City (43 miles)
- Seaside (43 miles)
- Oakland (43 miles)
- Monterey (44 miles)
- Noe Valley (44 miles)
- Mission District (44 miles)