Santa Clara County
Seasonal and holiday events in Santa Clara County: 25 picks from the Santa Clara County guide, each linked to its source. Details can change. Check with the venue before you go.
Every listing links to its source · Updated
Holiday season in Santa Clara County brings North Pole Nights to Gilroy Gardens on select evenings from November 21 through December 31
. Downtown light displays, holiday house tours and library craft days are gathered on this page. Source: gilroygardens.org
Pumpkin patches, holiday lights and seasonal festivals, with dates.
Section: Seasonal and holidayeventWhere: 201 S. Market St, San Jose, CA 95113Map of Tech or Treat at The Tech Interactive (opens in new tab)
Halloween trick-or-treating throughout the museum, with hands-on spooky science and laser shows. Oct 31, 10am-5pm.
Section: Seasonal and holidayeventWhere: 180 Woz Way, San Jose, CA 95110Map of Día de los Muertos & Diwali at Children's Discovery Museum (opens in new tab)
Día de los Muertos celebration (Nov 1) and Diwali, the Festival of Lights (Nov 7).
Section: Seasonal and holidayhistoric siteWhere: Ainsley House, 300 Grant Street, Campbell, CA 95008Map of Holiday Tours at the Ainsley House: Hollywood Holiday (opens in new tab)
Celebrate Hollywood Holiday at the historic Ainsley House, with movie-inspired decorations, self-guided tours and holiday shopping at the Holiday Boutique.
Section: Seasonal and holidaylibraryWhere: 880 Tully Rd, San Jose, CA 95111Map of Friday Fun: Christmas Paper Ornaments at Tully Library (opens in new tab)
Make colorful and festive paper ornaments to celebrate the winter holidays; all supplies provided. Free, no registration required, for ages 6 and up.
Section: Seasonal and holidayeventWhere: Gilroy Gardens, 3050 Hecker Pass Highway, Gilroy, CA 95020Map of North Pole Nights at Gilroy Gardens (opens in new tab)
Holiday evenings at Gilroy Gardens with light displays, a 100-foot musical Tunnel of Lights, character shows with Santa, ice skating and North Pole Village.
Section: Seasonal and holidayeventWhere: Plaza de Cesar Chavez, Market St. between San Fernando and San Carlos, San Jose, CAMap of Christmas in the Park (opens in new tab)
Free downtown holiday celebration with free Santa photos at Plaza de Cesar Chavez, on Market St. between San Fernando and San Carlos.
Section: Seasonal and holidaymarketWhere: Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 95054Map of SJMADE Holiday Fair (opens in new tab)
The largest winter holiday craft fair in the Bay Area: 350+ makers, artists, designers, illustrators, bakers and crafters indoors at the Santa Clara Convention Center. Free admission and free on-site parking.
Section: Seasonal and holidayfestivalWhere: 14460 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, CA 95070Map of Saratoga Holiday Wine Stroll Experience (opens in new tab)
Stroll the Historic Saratoga Village for an evening of wine tasting, live music by Kurt & Johnny and holiday cheer, hosted by the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce. Tickets are limited; rain or shine.
Section: Seasonal and holidaylive musicWhere: Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Boulevard, San Jose, CA 95113Map of The Carpenters Songbook: At Christmas at the Center for the Performing Arts (opens in new tab)
Nothing says the holiday season has arrived like hearing the voice of Karen Carpenter singing "Merry Christmas, Darling." This all-new production brings the brother-sister duo's unforgettable music back to the stage. 2 hours and 20 minutes, including a 20-minute intermission.
Section: Seasonal and holidayfestivalWhere: Paseo de San Antonio, San José, CAMap of Winter Wonderland in Downtown San José (opens in new tab)
Rides and attractions from a 60-foot Ferris wheel to a classic carousel, holiday photo opportunities, a gift market and a rotating selection of food trucks and booths serving holiday treats. Admission is free; rides require tickets.
Section: Seasonal and holidaytheaterWhere: San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Boulevard, San José, CA 95113Map of Hip Hop Nutcracker at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts (opens in new tab)
A remixed Nutcracker smashing hip hop dance and Tchaikovsky, with a dozen all-star dancers, a DJ, a violinist and MC Kurtis Blow opening the show. Grab your family and friends; about 2 hours with intermission. All guests entering the theater, regardless of age, must have a ticket; no lap seats.
Section: Seasonal and holidayfestivalWhere: Lytton Plaza, 200 University Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301Map of Palo Alto Holiday Tree Lighting at Lytton Plaza (opens in new tab)
A festive evening of entertainment and holiday cheer with the lighting of the holiday tree in Lytton Plaza. All ages and abilities are welcome.
Section: Seasonal and holidayfestivalWhere: Downtown Campbell, CAMap of Carol of Lights Celebration in Campbell (opens in new tab)
Campbell's annual celebration to open the holiday season, with Santa visits, a petting zoo, donkey rides, bounce houses, craft tables, face painting, music and dance performances on the community stage.
Section: Seasonal and holidayeventWhere: History Park, Empire Fire House, 635 Phelan Ave., San José, CA 95112Map of History Park Heritage Holiday Tea (opens in new tab)
A holiday tea from History San José at History Park's Empire Fire House. Book in advance.
Section: Seasonal and holidaylive musicWhere: California Theatre, 345 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113Map of Symphony San Jose: Merry Mozart at the California Theatre (opens in new tab)
Nathan Aspinall conducts Wagner's Siegfried Idyll, first performed on Christmas morning, Respighi's Trittico Botticelliano and Mozart's Symphony No. 39, with carolers in the lobby before the concert. Approx. 1 hr 50 min. with intermission.
Section: Seasonal and holidayeventWhere: Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose, 180 Woz Way, San Jose, CA 95110Map of Menorahs & Miracles at Children's Discovery Museum (opens in new tab)
Discover the traditions of Hanukkah in this partnership event with Jewish Silicon Valley: play dreidel games, an interactive performance by edu-tainer Koren Zuckerman, songs by Yavneh Day School students, a miracles scavenger hunt and a traditional Hanukkah treat.
Section: Seasonal and holidayfestivalWhere: Civic Center Plaza, 500 Castro Street, Mountain View, CAMap of Mountain View Community Tree Lighting Celebration (opens in new tab)
Festive music, crafts, sweet treats and the lighting of the community tree at Civic Center Plaza. Free and open to everyone.
Section: Seasonal and holidaylive musicWhere: Carriage House Theatre, Montalvo Arts Center, 15400 Montalvo Rd, Saratoga, CA 95070Map of David Benoit Christmas Tribute to Charlie Brown at Montalvo (opens in new tab)
Jazz pianist David Benoit, longtime composer for the Peanuts TV specials, pays tribute to Charlie Brown with his own Christmas originals and the beloved Vince Guaraldi classics in the Carriage House Theatre. ADA seating and parking available.
Section: Seasonal and holidaylive musicWhere: California Theatre, 345 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113Map of Symphony San Jose: Holiday Spectacular at the California Theatre (opens in new tab)
Elena Sharkova leads Symphony San Jose, the Symphony San Jose Chorale, Cantabile Youth Singers and New Ballet in beloved holiday classics, carols, dance numbers, audience sing-alongs and the Twelve Days of Silicon Valley; pictures with Santa before the concert. Approx. 1 hr 50 min. with intermission.
Section: Seasonal and holidaytheaterWhere: Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Boulevard, San Jose, CA 95113Map of A Magical Cirque Christmas at the Center for the Performing Arts (opens in new tab)
A dazzling holiday variety show that captivates audiences of all ages, with festive charm, laugh-out-loud comedy, heartwarming magic and gravity-defying acrobatics from elite cirque performers. 2 hours, including a 20-minute intermission. All guests entering the theater, regardless of age, must have a ticket. No lap seats.
Section: Seasonal and holidayeventWhere: 635 Phelan Ave, San Jose, CA 95112Map of Children's Heritage Holiday at History Park (opens in new tab)
Holiday event for children, 2:00 pm.
Section: Seasonal and holidayhistoric siteWhere: Grant Ranch House Complex, Mount Hamilton, CAMap of Holiday Ranch House Tours at Grant Ranch (opens in new tab)
Historic ranch house holiday tour, treats and a craft at the Grant Ranch House Complex.
Section: Seasonal and holidaylive musicWhere: Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Boulevard, San Jose, CA 95113Map of Love Actually In Concert at the Center for the Performing Arts (opens in new tab)
A live-to-film concert of Richard Curtis' Christmas classic: a live orchestra performs the film's soundtrack, featuring Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" and Craig Armstrong's score. Recommended for ages 17+. 2 hours and 42 minutes, including a 20-minute intermission.
Section: Seasonal and holidaytheaterWhere: California Theatre, 345 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113Map of The San Jose Nutcracker at the California Theatre (opens in new tab)
Symphony San Jose and New Ballet present Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker set in San Jose at the turn of the last century, with a growing replica of the historic San Jose Light Tower. Ballet performance with live orchestra, approx. 2 hr with intermission.
Section: Seasonal and holidaytheaterWhere: California Theatre, 345 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113Map of My Very First Nutcracker at the California Theatre (opens in new tab)
A special one-act presentation of The San Jose Nutcracker ideal for families with toddlers, preschoolers, and young children, with a live orchestra, costumed characters and holiday music on the theatre's historical organ. Approx. 55 minutes, no intermission.
