We just love everything about the holiday season — the religious and multicultural celebrations, the Christmas decorations, and the starry lights that light up everywhere in Silicon Valley. Right after Thanksgiving, San Jose transforms into a magical wonderland with millions of holiday events dazzling all across the city. When the temperature drops and the sun goes down, it’s time to bundle up your kids and head to the best places to visit and see the holiday and Christmas Lights displays in San Jose!
San Jose knows how to warm your heart with millions of twinkling lights and extravagant Christmas events that bring holiday cheer to everyone. And taking a trip to one of the beautiful Christmas lights attractions in the city is one of the family fun traditions you’ll never want to miss.
Kick off the Christmas season through the shimmer of festive lights while taking a family stroll, a short drive under the giant candy canes, or watching light up the giant Christmas tree. But do you know where to find the best places to see holiday and Christmas lights display in San Jose?
Look no further! Your family’s guide for the holiday lights in San Jose is here! Whether you want interactive Christmas light shows, walking light displays, or drive-through lights attractions, we’ve got you covered!
This roundup of the top holiday destinations and the brightest Christmas events across San Jose will surely bring smiles to your little one’s face!
History Park San Jose
635 Phelan Ave, San Jose, CA 95112
Phone Number: (408) 809-9627
November 21, 2024 – January 1, 2025
Monday – Sunday | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Experience the magic of Christmas in the Park like never before! Since 2020, the Drive Thru Light Show has been bringing holiday joy to the community. Cruise through dazzling light tunnels, festive buildings, and giant candy canes all synced to your favorite holiday tunes.
The Drive Thru Light Show is a major fundraiser for the nonprofit. Your ticket purchase keeps downtown experience free for more than 700,000 people. The holidays will be here before you know it, and this magical experience is sure to sell out quickly.
PayPal Park
1123 Coleman Ave., San Jose, CA 95110
Phone Number: (276) 262-4268
November 22 – December 29, 2024
Monday – Sunday | 4:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Journey into the heart of a magical holiday tale at Enchant Christmas, home of the World’s Largest Christmas Light Maze experience. Set against the backdrop of a captivating original story, Reindeer Games, your adventure leads you through 80,000 square feet of breathtaking light sculptures as you search for the missing bells the reindeer require to fly Santa’s sleigh!
Wander the maze, glide along the ice skating trail, savor seasonal food and drink, visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, and take in the dazzling lights. At Enchant Christmas, magical holiday memories are made. Along with the dazzling lights and nostalgic holiday charm, they’ve gathered all the essentials to make your Enchant Christmas experience – and your time in San Jose – smooth and unforgettable.
Plaza de Cesar Chavez
Downtown San Jose, 1 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose, CA 95113
Phone Number: (408) 809-9627
November 29, 2024 – January 1, 2024
Monday – Thursday | 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Friday | 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Saturday – Sunday | 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Christmas in the Park is an annual holiday lights tradition in the heart of Downtown San Jose at the Plaza de Cesar Chavez — and one of the most awaited events is the tree lighting ceremony, which will take place during the opening day at 6:00 pm. For over 40 years, the Park has brought people from all over the Bay Area together during the holidays. Each year, the two-acre park is transformed into a holiday fantasy with over 40 musical and animated exhibits, glittering lights, and a 65-foot illuminated Christmas Tree.
Guests enter a winter wonderland of lights, songs, and local entertainment while strolling through an enchanted forest of trees decorated by San José schools, community groups, and businesses. It is and always will be free. Children (young and old) can visit with Santa, watch nightly entertainment, and enjoy holiday-themed food and refreshments from vendors.
1419 Lamore Dr., San Jose, CA 95130
November 30 – December 31, 2024
Monday – Sunday | 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
One of the best places to see holiday and Christmas lights in San Jose, Lamore Drive has an epic amount of lights in its display, with two different light shows that happen every 15 minutes. After you drive through the large arch over the street, walk under the sidewalk’s arches. As you do, you will be amazed by the many reindeer, trees, the flock of hockey-playing penguins, the animated train, and topped with the sparkling star atop the house.
For your viewing enjoyment, they present two different musical light shows where the entire yard and large arch come alive with the beats of the music. If it is cold, windy, rainy, and social distancing, you can hear the music in your car if you set your radio to 89.1 FM. Stay on the lookout for the penguins playing hockey with candy canes!
History Park
635 Phelan Ave., San Jose, CA 95112
Phone Number: (408) 287-2290
December 14, 2024
Saturday | 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
History Park will transform into a winter wonderland for two weekends in December. Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit at Children’s Heritage Holiday at History Park! Enjoy festive activities, crafts, seasonal treats, and cultural performances that celebrate San José’s diverse traditions. Meet Santa and witness the enchanting display from Christmas in the Park Drive-Thru.
Children’s Heritage Holiday visitors will receive an exclusive 30% discount for the mesmerizing drive-thru experience at night. Celebrate the holidays with history, heritage, and joy!
Gilroy Gardens
3050 Hecker Pass Hwy., Gilroy, CA 95020
Phone Number: (408) 840-7100
November 29 – December 31, 2024
Monday – Friday | 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Saturday – Sunday | 1:00 pm – 9:00 pm
(Closed on December 2-5, 9-12, & 24-25, 2024)
The North Pole magic is back at Gilroy Gardens this holiday season! For selected dates from November 29 through December 31, get into the holiday spirit as you immerse yourself in the enchanting world of North Pole Nights.
This extraordinary experience includes jolly characters, fun live shows, ice skating under the stars, festive food and drinks, Santa’s Workshop, magical light displays and much, much more!
California’s Great America
4701 Great America Pkwy., Santa Clara, CA 95054
Phone Number: (408) 988-1776
November 29, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Monday – Sunday | 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm
(Select Dates only)
The Bay Area’s most immersive holiday event returns this year, sparkling brighter than ever before. WinterFest brings holiday cheer to California’s Great America as the park is magically transformed into a winter wonderland and holiday festival. Guests can ice-skate in front of the iconic Carousel Columbia, take in the dazzling sights, sip on crafted hot chocolate and marvel at spectacular live shows.
With more than 60 rides and holiday attractions, such as sending letters to the North Pole, checking out Santa’s workshop and baking cookies in Mrs. Claus’ kitchen, and all the scrumptious holiday fare at numerous dining locations—WinterFest has something for guests of all ages and appetites. This amazing holiday lights and events feature millions of lights, creating a Christmas event for the entire family.
Central Park
969 Kiely Blvd., Santa Clara, CA 95051
Phone Number: (408) 615-2200
December 6, 2024
Friday | 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Join the community for festive fun and enjoy a visit with Santa, food, holiday music and live performances by local groups, booths to visit, kids activities, the lighting of the holiday tree and much more. Ring in the holiday season at the Holiday Tree Lighting event with the community.
You and your child’s attendance at any City of Santa Clara Parks & Recreation Department sponsored event constitutes your permission for your photographs to be used for promotional use. The event is open to the public.
Vasona Lake County Park
333 Blossom Hill Rd., Los Gatos, CA 95032
Phone Number: (408) 355-2201
December 7 – 8, 2024 (Walk-thru)
Saturday – Sunday | 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
December 10, 2024 – January 5, 2025 (Drive-thru)
Monday – Sunday | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
(Closed December 25 & 31, 2024 and January 1, 2025)
First presented in 1999, Fantasy of Lights is now in its 26th year and has become a cherished Holiday tradition. Enjoy a magical evening in the warmth of your vehicle as you drive through large animated displays while listening to holiday music on your car radio, or bask in the warm glow of the holiday lights as you leisurely stroll through the park with family and friends.
See the sights and sounds of an erupting volcano in the dangerously fun Dinosaur Den, cheer on Santa shooting hoops, wave at a pen of playful penguins, watch blazing pirate cannons and sail through tunnels of moving lights. Over 50 themed displays and a 90-foot twinkling tree will have you “oohing and aahing” throughout your adventure.
De Anza Park
1150 Lime Dr., Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Phone Number: (408) 287-7259
December 21, 2024
Saturday | 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
It’s the holiday season! Let’s check out some Sunnyvale neighborhood holiday lights on easy-to-ride neighborhood streets. Get ready to pedal your way into the holiday spirit with SVBC and Bike Sunnyvale’s Annual Holiday Lights Bike Ride. Join us for a memorable evening that’ll have you feeling the joy of the season while exploring the twinkling holiday lights.
This slow-paced ride is suitable for all ages who can ride 6 miles without training wheels in about 1 hour. They will navigate the streets like a slow-rolling bicycle bus and occasionally stop for pictures. Please decorate your bicycles with lots and lots of holiday lights and wear bright and warm clothing.
The holiday season shines bright in San Jose as attractions with glowing traditions bring endless strands of brilliant Christmas lights events to the city. With the days getting shorter, there’s something genuinely magical about driving around to look for the Christmas light displays in the area.
With our list of the best places to see holiday and Christmas Lights in San Jose, you’re sure to find multiple events that will get the whole family into the holiday spirit. The kids will surely delight in these spectacular gatherings that set the mood for a merry holiday season!
San Jose offers so many opportunities for kids to enjoy and have fun all year round! Check out our list of resources, or browse through our things to do in San Jose with kids. Still looking for more activities for kids in San Jose? No problem! Check out our comprehensive listing of places to go in the region and our highly recommended seasonal blog posts.
Best Places to See Holiday and Christmas Lights in San Francisco
Best Places to See Holiday and Christmas Lights in San Diego with Kids
Best Places to See Holiday and Christmas Lights in Los Angeles with Kids
Best Places to See Holiday and Christmas Lights in Fresno with Kids
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