Explore the must-see holiday events in San Jose! Discover all the top festive highlights with our guide. Whether San Jose is your home base or your holiday escape, our guide maximizes your yuletide potential.
One of the standout attractions is the enchanting "Christmas in the Park," where you can stroll through beautifully decorated trees and dazzling displays. Alongside it, "Winter Wonderland" offers a unique experience with its festive attractions and activities perfect for families. And the "Enchant San Jose" is something you definitely don’t want to miss, featuring a stunning light maze and holiday market. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around San Jose
- Christmas in the Park
- Winter Wonderland
- Enchant San Jose
- Holidays in the Park - Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (Vallejo)
- Holiday Magic - Gilroy Gardens (Gilroy)
- Holiday Lights Train - Roaring Camp (Felton)
- Santa's Landing - Enchant: San Jose
- Winterfest - California's Great Adventure: Bay Area (Santa Clara)
- Filoli Historic House & Garden Holiday Events (Woodside)
- California Christmas Lights (Various Locations, CA)
See these and even more events listed below!
San Jose Holiday Light Displays
Christmas in the Park
What to Expect:
Over 40 musical and animated exhibits.
Description:
Christmas in the Park is a free holiday celebration in downtown San Jose featuring over 500 decorated Christmas trees, 40 animated displays, and a 65-foot walk-thru Christmas tree. Guests can stroll through an enchanted forest of trees decorated by local schools, community groups, and businesses, enjoy holiday-themed food and refreshments, and visit with Santa.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Christmas in the Park
Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
60-foot Ferris wheel and classic carousel.
Description:
Winter Wonderland in downtown San Jose features a 60-foot Ferris wheel, colorful classic carousel, and various festive arcade rides and attractions for the entire community.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Winter Wonderland
Enchant San Jose
What to Expect:
Interactive light maze with a story-based adventure.
Description:
Enchant San Jose features a World's Largest Christmas Light Maze, an ice skating trail, and seasonal food and drink. Explore Reindeer Games, a captivating original story, and enjoy activities like Santa visits, nightly caroling, and mainstage entertainment.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Enchant San Jose
Holiday Lights Train - Roaring Camp
What to Expect:
Holiday lights train ride through city streets.
Description:
Ride vintage train cars adorned with thousands of colorful lights through the streets of Santa Cruz, featuring live music by Steve Bennett and visits with Santa Claus.
Where: Felton | More Info: Holiday Lights Train - Roaring Camp
California Christmas Lights
What to Expect:
Extensive holiday light display with live music and activities.
Description:
The Historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa's Festival of Lights is a spectacular holiday event featuring millions of holiday lights, live music, rides, attractions, and food vendors. The festival includes an ice rink, Santa's House, and the Merry Art Market with live art demonstrations and interactive workshops.
Where: Various Locations, CA | More Info: California Christmas Lights
Santa's Landing - Enchant: San Jose
What to Expect:
Interactive Santa visits with storytime.
Description:
At Santa's Landing, meet Santa Claus and share your holiday wishes. Enjoy storytime with Mrs. Claus and capture cherished moments with a photo.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Santa's Landing - Enchant: San Jose
San Jose Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Craft and Gift Festival, San Jose
What to Expect:
Juried show with a focus on original handmade crafts and gifts.
Description:
The Holiday Craft and Gift Festival in Ventura, CA, features a 3-day indoor event showcasing original handmade crafts, gifts, and seasonal items. It offers a variety of unique and curated products, including cottage foods, boutiques, and select direct sales items. Admission is free with ticket registration.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Holiday Craft and Gift Festival, San Jose
San Jose Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holiday Magic - Gilroy Gardens
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with jolly characters and interactive activities.
Description:
Gilroy Gardens transforms into a holiday destination with live shows, ice skating, festive food, and stunning light displays.
Where: Gilroy | More Info: Holiday Magic - Gilroy Gardens
Holidays in the Park - Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
What to Expect:
Holiday-themed attractions and activities.
Description:
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom transforms into a holiday extravaganza with twinkling lights, seasonal music, and special visits with Santa. Enjoy holiday activities like Santa's Workshop, Frosty Foam Party, and festive face painting. Savor festive eats and sweet treats while celebrating the season with joyful rides and holiday-themed attractions.
Where: Vallejo | More Info: Holidays in the Park - Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Winterfest - California's Great Adventure: Bay Area
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday event with ice-skating and festive attractions.
Description:
WinterFest at California's Great America transforms the park into a holiday festival with over 60 rides, ice-skating, and festive attractions like Santa's workshop and Mrs. Claus's kitchen. Guests can enjoy dazzling sights, sip crafted hot chocolate, and marvel at spectacular live shows amidst millions of twinkling lights.
Where: Santa Clara | More Info: Winterfest - California's Great Adventure: Bay Area
Holiday Night with Santa - Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden
What to Expect:
Photo opportunities with Santa and a beautiful ballet performance.
Description:
Join Gamble Garden for a holiday night with Santa, featuring beautifully decorated gardens, a ballet performance, photo opportunities with Santa, and holiday shopping.
Where: Palo Alto | More Info: Holiday Night with Santa - Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden
The Nutcracker - Symphony San Jose
What to Expect:
Unique setting inspired by 1905 San Jose landmarks.
Description:
The San Jose Nutcracker is a holiday ballet production set in 1905 San Jose, featuring landmarks and scenic elements inspired by the era. It includes live accompaniment by Symphony San Jose and showcases swirling snowflakes, waltzing flowers, and the Sugarplum Fairy. The event celebrates the heritage of Santa Clara Valley and offers pre-concert festivities with festive decorations and holiday music.
Where: San Jose | More Info: The Nutcracker - Symphony San Jose
How The Grinch Stole Christmas - Broadway San Jose
What to Expect:
Heartwarming holiday musical with Dr. Seuss' classic tale.
Description:
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical features hit songs "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" and "Welcome Christmas." Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is two sizes too small, decides to steal Christmas away from the holiday-loving Whos. The show is directed by Matt August and choreographed by Bob Richard, inspired by Dr. Seuss' original illustrations.
Where: San Jose | More Info: How The Grinch Stole Christmas - Broadway San Jose
San Jose Other Holiday Activities
Filoli Historic House & Garden Holiday Events
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday displays and historic natural beauty.
Description:
Filoli Historic House & Garden transforms into a vibrant holiday destination with beautifully adorned houses and gardens, offering a variety of activities including daytime delights with warm drinks and hearty lunches, evening immersive displays, and exclusive experiences like the Ballroom Signature Lounge and Private Fire Pit Experiences.
Where: Woodside | More Info: Filoli Historic House & Garden Holiday Events
Selfies with Santa - City Center Bishop Ranch
What to Expect:
One-on-one Santa chats for shy children.
Description:
Take photos with Santa at City Center Bishop Ranch every Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 4pm. Parents can capture moments with Santa while children can enjoy a one-on-one chat if they prefer. The North Pole mailbox is nearby for no-postage letters.
Where: San Ramon | More Info: Selfies with Santa - City Center Bishop Ranch
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Santa Clara (3 miles)
- Campbell (5 miles)
- Cupertino (8 miles)
- Sunnyvale (8 miles)
- Saratoga (9 miles)
- Los Gatos (9 miles)
- Mountain View (11 miles)
- Los Altos (12 miles)
- Fremont (15 miles)
- Palo Alto (15 miles)
- Newark (15 miles)
- East Palo Alto (16 miles)
- Menlo Park (18 miles)
- Union City (19 miles)
- Morgan Hill (20 miles)
- Redwood City (21 miles)
- San Carlos (23 miles)
- Belmont (24 miles)
- Livermore (25 miles)
- Hayward (25 miles)
- Dublin (25 miles)
- Foster City (26 miles)
- Santa Cruz (26 miles)
- Castro Valley (27 miles)
- San Lorenzo (27 miles)
- Ashland (27 miles)
- San Mateo (28 miles)
- Gilroy (29 miles)
- San Leandro (30 miles)
- Watsonville (31 miles)
- San Ramon (31 miles)
- Burlingame (31 miles)
- Millbrae (32 miles)
- Danville (34 miles)
- San Bruno (35 miles)
- South San Francisco (36 miles)
- Alameda (36 miles)
- Pacifica (38 miles)
- Tracy (38 miles)
- Oakland (38 miles)
- Visitacion Valley (38 miles)
- Lafayette (40 miles)
- Daly City (40 miles)
- Walnut Creek (40 miles)
- Mission District (41 miles)
- Noe Valley (41 miles)
- San Francisco (42 miles)
- Berkeley (42 miles)
- Chinatown (42 miles)
- Brentwood (42 miles)
- Patterson (43 miles)
- Pleasant Hill (43 miles)
- Hollister (43 miles)
- Concord (45 miles)