HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES IN SILICON VALLEY AND BEYOND
2018 simply flew by and suddenly the holiday season is upon us! There is so much to do and see during this time of year so we thought we would compile a list of holiday festivities in Santa Cruz County, Silicon Valley and beyond.
Aptos
Nutcracker Ballet
Saturday, December 15th & Sunday, December 16th
1pm and 4:30pm
Cabrillo’s Crocker Theatre
6500 Soquel Drive
A wonderful holiday tradition filled with enchanting choreography, magnificent guest artists, beautiful sets, brilliant costumes, the Nutcracker Ballet is performed by the Santa Cruz Dance Guild in their 8th season at the Crocker Theatre.
Capitola
Surfin’ Santa
Saturday, November 24th
12-4pm
Main Beach in Capitola Village
Arriving by Outrigger canoe and surfboard, Santa and his reindeer will paddle to shore at Capitola Beach where they will spend the day visiting with all the boys and girls. There will be live music, refreshments, face painting, and a photo booth and the shops and boutiques in the Village are a great place to find those perfect holiday gifts.
Felton
Holiday Tree Walk
Saturday, November 23rd through Sunday, December 9th
Roaring Camp Railroads
5401 Graham Hill Road
Get in the holiday spirit by bringing family and friends to ride Roaring Camp’s daytime steam train to Bear Mountain. At the summit, guests sip hot cider as they stroll through a copse of delightfully decorated holiday trees. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to benefit Toys for Tots and receive $2 off your ticket.
Los Altos
16th Annual Holiday Stroll
Friday, November 9th 5-9pm
Downtown Los Altos Main & State Streets
The 16th Annual Holiday Stroll through Downtown Los Altos is an enchanting experience filled with sparkling lights, strolling carolers, shopping specials and holiday fun throughout Downtown Los Altos.
Holiday Tree Lighting
Friday, November 30th
6-8pm
Veterans Community Plaza
Main & State Streets
The Los Altos Village Association will host the annual Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony on Friday, November 30th from 6-8pm in Veterans Community Plaza. Enjoy festive refreshments and holiday music provided by local businesses and community groups. Saint Nick will make an appearance at 6:30pm to visit with children of all ages.
Los Gatos
Deck the Town
Thursday, November 29th
12-5pm
Led by the Los Gatos Chamber, residents and visitors alike can help deck the streets of downtown Los Gatos win holiday splendor!
Holiday Tree Lighting
Friday, November 30th
4pm
Town Park Plaza
Planted in 1923, the towering fir tree in Plaza Park is bedecked with holiday lights. Enjoy popcorn, coffee and hot chocolate while watching the spectacular sight of the lighting of the town Christmas tree by the town’s Mayor.
62nd Children’s Christmas/Holiday Parade
Saturday, December 1st
11am
Main Street & Santa Cruz Avenue
Marching bands, festive floats, classic cars, horse-drawn carriages and children decked out in their holiday finest make this Los Gatos tradition a must-see holiday event!
Holiday Carriage Rides
December 1st through December 23rd
5pm-9pm
Departs from Plaza Park
Prepaid tickets required
Take a classic carriage ride through the streets of downtown Los Gatos as well as some of the town’s most charming neighborhoods.
Fantasy of Lights
December 1st & 2nd
Vasona Lake Park
333 Blossom Hill Road
Prepaid admission required
Vasona Lake Park is transformed into a winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights as you drive through glittering light tunnels and a one-of-a-kind holiday spectacle. On opening night, walk through the park and enjoy a steaming cup of hot chocolate or food from Movable Feast as you and your family immerse yourselves in the larger-than-life lighted displays.
Palo Alto
Snow Fun Holiday Party & Toy Drive
Tuesday, December 11th
5:30-7:30pm
Sheraton Hotel
625 El Camino Real
An annual event hosted by the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center, this event spreads holiday sheer to underprivileged children and families in the community. A wonderful way to give back to those that are less fortunate, this year’s event is collecting toys for the Ronald McDonald House Holiday POP-UP ToyShop and the Ecumenical Hunger Program of East Palo Alto.
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train
November 23rd through December 23rd
5pm-8pm
Departs from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and travels through the forest to Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton
Advanced tickets required
A perfect outing for the entire family! Vintage excursion cars adorned with thousands of colorful lights roll through the streets of Santa Cruz as passengers sing holiday carols, sip hot spiced cider and listen to musical entertainment. Santa Claus will be on board to visit and chat with children of all ages.
Holiday Lighthouse Lighting & 33rd Annual Lighted Boat Parade
Saturday, December 1st
5:15-5:30pm
Santa Cruz Harbor
135 5th Avenue
O’Neill Sea Odyssey’s yearly Lighthouse Lighting Event will kick off Santa Cruz Yacht Club’s 33rd annual Lighted Boat Parade at 5:30pm. Sailboats and yachts set out into the harbor, each festooned with colorful, glittering lights and holiday decor.
Chanukah Train
Monday, December 3rd
6-8pm
Departs from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Gather at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for the lighting of the menorah at 6:15 pm, and then set off on an incredible 1-hour train ride on Roaring Camp’s vintage excursion cars adorned with thousands of shining lights and Chanukah decorations. Enjoy Chanukah traditions, including Chanukah stories, playing dreidel and enjoying kosher refreshments.
Winter Art Market at the Tannery
Saturday, December 1st 11am-7pm and Sunday, December 3rd 11am-5pm
Tannery Arts Center
1050 River Street
Just in time for gift-giving, Tannery studio artists and loft artists are holding a winter market to showcase and sell their paintings, prints, ceramics, metal art and jewelry, photography, sculptures and more! The café will be serving food, coffee drinks, beer, and wine. There will also be artist demonstrations and craft activities.
Saratoga
Holiday Wine Stroll
Friday, November 23rd
5-8pm
Advanced tickets required
A favorite “opening ceremony ” for the holiday season, the Holiday Wine Stroll through Saratoga Village includes an array of fine wine, live music, caroling, horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday shopping specials, a visit from Father Christmas, Hanukkah Menorahs, holiday lights and an assortment of delicious food and drink.
Sunnyvale
Rides for Toys
Saturday, November 24th
10am-1:30pm
Macy’s Parking Lot on Murphy Avenue
During this free event presented by the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety, each child who donates a new, unwrapped toy will be given a ride on a Sunnyvale fire engine.
19th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration
Saturday, December 1st
5-7:30pm
Historic Murphy Avenue in downtown Sunnyvale
Ring in the holidays with the annual tree lighting celebration. A fun family event with live entertainment and a surprise visit from Santa!
Watsonville
Christmas on the Farm
Saturday, December 8th
11am-3pm
2601 E. Lake Avenue
Experience a country Christmas with traditional craft projects for the kids like paper chains, reindeer puppets, cranberry and popcorn garlands, and holiday movies in the Owl Theatre.
Willow Glen
Holiday Cable Car Rides
Friday, December 7th-22nd
5-9pm
1261 Lincoln Avenue, Suite 217
Prepaid tickets required
Snuggle up in an old fashioned cable car as you tour the neighborhoods of Willow Glen to enjoy the holiday lights.
These are just a few of the many festivities happening around the Bay Area this holiday season. Of course, there is always Downtown Ice and Christmas in the Park in downtown San Jose as well as many other events that will help get you and your family in the holiday spirit.
If your holiday tradition is one of donating your time and talents, many nonprofit organizations all around the Bay Area are in need of volunteers to help serve holiday meals, distribute toys, and help those who are less fortunate.
