The holidays are calling in Saratoga! Explore our guide for the best festive events and activities. For Saratoga natives and newcomers, our guide is your passport to festive adventures.
One highlight of the season is the Union Square Ice Rink, where locals and visitors alike can glide under twinkling lights, creating a picturesque winter wonderland. Another notable event is SantaCon, a lively gathering where revelers don their best Santa attire, spreading holiday cheer throughout the community. And the Victorian Streetwalk Weekend is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring charming carolers and local artisans showcasing their crafts. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Saratoga
- Union Square Ice Rink (San Francisco)
- SantaCon (San Francisco)
- Contra Costa's "The Nutcracker" (Walnut Creek)
- Light Maze - Enchant: San Jose (San Jose)
- Drag Queens on Ice (San Francisco)
- Victorian Streetwalk Weekend (Saratoga Springs)
- Smuin's The Christmas Ballet (Walnut Creek)
- Polar Bear Skate (San Francisco)
- Holiday Magic - Gilroy Gardens (Gilroy)
- Union Square Menorah Lighting (San Francisco)
See these and even more events listed below!
Saratoga Holiday Light Displays
Tree Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Live music and performances with Santa and a laser light show.
Description:
Join the Tree Lighting Celebration in Theater Square on December 6, 2024, for an evening of live music, performances, including Santa's Mailbox and a laser light show.
Where: Santa Rosa | More Info: Tree Lighting Ceremony
Light Maze - Enchant: San Jose
What to Expect:
Interactive light maze with a captivating original story.
Description:
Wander through the 80,000 square feet of breathtaking light sculptures in the Reindeer Games maze, searching for the missing bells the reindeer need to fly Santa's sleigh. The maze is part of the Enchant Christmas experience, which also includes an ice skating trail, seasonal food and drink, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a bird’s-eye view of the dazzling lights from the Ferris Wheel.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Light Maze - Enchant: San Jose
Days of Christmas
What to Expect:
Spectacular Christmas light display with free guided tours.
Description:
The Days of Christmas at Temple Hill feature stunning Christmas lights, family-friendly activities, and various performances, including concerts and ballets. The event offers free admission to most activities, with some requiring ticket reservations.
Where: Temple Hill | More Info: Days of Christmas
Holiday Lights - Santa Cruz Fairgrounds
What to Expect:
Drive-through holiday light display with local radio station carols.
Description:
Holiday Lights at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds features a 3/4-mile drive-through of spectacular lighted displays, including giant Christmas trees, Santa, reindeer, and snowmen. Enjoy holiday carols from local radio stations while viewing millions of lights decorating tractors, trees, lawns, and buildings. See community and family entries, as well as the Youth Designer awardee.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Holiday Lights - Santa Cruz Fairgrounds
Saratoga Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Parade & Market
What to Expect:
Local marching bands and Santa Claus parade.
Description:
The Holiday Parade & Market in Downtown Benicia features local marching bands, dancers, and the much-anticipated Santa Claus. The parade starts at First and D Street and ends at H Street, followed by a holiday market offering handcrafted arts and crafts, gourmet items, and delicious foods.
Where: Benicia | More Info: Holiday Parade & Market
Saratoga Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Victorian Streetwalk Weekend
What to Expect:
Traditional holiday celebration with live music and festive activities.
Description:
The 38th Annual Victorian Streetwalk in downtown Saratoga Springs features a Christmas Tree Lighting, live music, and various festivities. Enjoy family-friendly activities and entertainment, including Santa's Cottage and the Festival of Trees at the Saratoga Springs City Center.
Where: Saratoga Springs | More Info: Victorian Streetwalk Weekend
Drag Queens on Ice
What to Expect:
Glitzy drag performances on ice.
Description:
Drag Queens on Ice features fabulous performances and lip syncs by Bay Area drag queens, offering an evening of glitz and unmatched on-ice exuberance.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Drag Queens on Ice
Holiday Magic - Gilroy Gardens
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities with Santa and his friends.
Description:
Gilroy Gardens presents a holiday celebration featuring 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 styles.
Description:
Smuin's The Christmas Ballet is a vibrant holiday production blending classical ballet with contemporary and Broadway elements, featuring new additions alongside iconic numbers like "Santa Baby."
Where: Walnut Creek | More Info: Smuin's The Christmas Ballet
Contra Costa's "The Nutcracker"
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
Contra Costa Ballet presents The Nutcracker, a family-friendly production featuring youth performers and professional guest artists. The show includes colorful costumes, whimsical sets, and an array of talented young dancers in a one-hour performance that is an elegant introduction to the holiday classic.
Where: Walnut Creek | More Info: Contra Costa's "The Nutcracker"
The Biggest Gift
What to Expect:
ASL-interpreted performance for the Deaf community.
Description:
Join Tucker the elf and his toy friends as they set out to save Christmas in this fun and laughter-filled performance. Recommended for ages 3-6, the show features an ASL-interpreted performance on Saturday at 10 AM.
Where: Walnut Creek | More Info: The Biggest Gift
Saratoga Other Holiday Activities
Visit Santa's Cottage
What to Expect:
Meet Santa Claus in a charming cottage setting.
Description:
Visit Santa's Cottage in downtown Saratoga Springs, located in front of Putnam Market on Broadway, where Santa Claus greets children during the holiday season.
Where: Saratoga Springs | More Info: Visit Santa's Cottage
Choose & Cut Your Own Christmas Tree
What to Expect:
Traditional cut-your-own Christmas tree experience with historic charm.
Description:
At Boulder Brook Farm, choose from carefully pruned 6 to 8 foot Fraser and Canaan Firs in the rolling woods and fields west of Saratoga Lake. Enjoy the natural beauty of the farm as you select your tree, then warm up in the Christmas Barn with hot mulled cider and browse locally crafted gifts and tree care items.
Where: Saratoga Springs | More Info: Choose & Cut Your Own Christmas Tree
Holiday Dining Specials for Christmas & New Year's
What to Expect:
Unique holiday dining packages with local flavors.
Description:
Local restaurants in the Saratoga region offer a variety of dining specials for Christmas and New Year's, including dine-in and takeout options. Each package serves 10 people and includes sides and desserts, available for pickup or delivery.
Where: Saratoga Springs | More Info: Holiday Dining Specials for Christmas & New Year's
Union Square Ice Rink
What to Expect:
Unique blend of holiday fun and ice skating with special themed events.
Description:
The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square, presented by Kaiser Permanente, offers outdoor ice skating and holiday festivities in the heart of downtown San Francisco. Special events include Drag Queens on Ice, Silent Skate, and Polar Bear Skate. Learn to Skate sessions are available for beginners, taught by professional instructors.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Union Square Ice Rink
SantaCon
What to Expect:
Large-scale Santa-themed bar crawl with exclusive drink specials.
Description:
Thousands of Santas, elves, and holiday enthusiasts gather in San Francisco for a vibrant celebration featuring festive costumes, holiday-themed drinks, and lively music at various bars and venues.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: SantaCon
Union Square Menorah Lighting
What to Expect:
Largest public menorah outside of Israel.
Description:
The Bill Graham Menorah, a 48-year tradition, illuminates Union Square with a 25-foot menorah from December 7-14. This event celebrates Chanukah with live music, kids' crafts, and a festive atmosphere.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Union Square Menorah Lighting
Polar Bear Skate
What to Expect:
Unique beach-themed ice skating event.
Description:
Polar Bear Skate is an event where participants wear beach attire and skate in Union Square, with prizes awarded for theme, originality, and overall appearance.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Polar Bear Skate
Holiday Tree Walk
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday train ride with Santa.
Description:
Ride the Redwood Forest Steam Train through wintry redwoods to Bear Mountain, sipping hot cider while greeting Santa Claus.
Where: Felton | More Info: Holiday Tree Walk
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Los Gatos (4 miles)
- Cupertino (4 miles)
- Campbell (4 miles)
- Santa Clara (7 miles)
- Sunnyvale (7 miles)
- San Jose (9 miles)
- Mountain View (9 miles)
- Los Altos (10 miles)
- Palo Alto (14 miles)
- East Palo Alto (16 miles)
- Menlo Park (16 miles)
- Newark (18 miles)
- Redwood City (19 miles)
- Fremont (20 miles)
- Santa Cruz (20 miles)
- San Carlos (21 miles)
- Morgan Hill (22 miles)
- Belmont (23 miles)
- Union City (23 miles)
- Foster City (24 miles)
- San Mateo (27 miles)
- Hayward (28 miles)
- Watsonville (28 miles)
- Burlingame (29 miles)
- San Lorenzo (29 miles)
- Castro Valley (30 miles)
- Ashland (30 miles)
- Millbrae (31 miles)
- Dublin (31 miles)
- Gilroy (31 miles)
- Livermore (32 miles)
- San Leandro (33 miles)
- San Bruno (33 miles)
- South San Francisco (34 miles)
- Pacifica (35 miles)
- San Ramon (36 miles)
- Alameda (37 miles)
- Visitacion Valley (38 miles)
- Danville (39 miles)
- Daly City (39 miles)
- Oakland (40 miles)
- Noe Valley (40 miles)
- Mission District (41 miles)
- San Francisco (41 miles)
- Marina (42 miles)
- Chinatown (42 miles)
- Lafayette (43 miles)
- Berkeley (44 miles)
- Walnut Creek (44 miles)
- Hollister (45 miles)