Bay Area Holiday Events and Activities

The Bay Area has tons of family friendly activities and the holidays are no different. There are many activities in the winter all over the Bay Area, and the Mom Squad gives you a great start.

Thanksgiving Day Events:

Silicon Valley Turkey Trot

On Nov. 22 in downtown San Jose, early in the morning people of all ages and abilities will participate in the city’s annual Turkey Trot to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank, The Housing Trust, and Children’s Health Initiative of Santa Clara County.

There will be a 5K Run/ Walk, 10K Run, 10K Wheelchair, Elite Men’s & Women’s runs, Children’s Fun Run, kids Fun Zone, and costume contest.

Hanukkah Events:

Hanukkah Palooza

Celebrate Hanukah at the Silicon Valley Jewish Ccommunity Center. Hanukah Palooza will be held on Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Latkepalooza

Join the Peninsula Jewish Community Center in Foster City in celebrating Hanukkah! The Latkepalooza will be held on Dec. 9 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and will have music, food, arts, crafts and more.

Holiday Festivals and Parades:

Campbell Carol of Lights

Campbell has the Carol of Lights. This annual event, held Dec. 1 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. is a fun, wonderful, and free community event for kids of all ages. Downtown Campbell will be all lit up and store windows decorated with holiday themes. There will be carolers, a petting zoo, jumpy castle, fire trucks, police motorcycles and a classic police car, a visit from Santa and SNOW! 

This event is put on every year in beautiful downtown Campbell and hosted by the Carol of Lights Committee (a non-profit organization). The event is funded entirely by donations and is always in need of volunteer help.

Christmas in the Park

San Jose’s Christmas in the Park begins Nov. 23 with a tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. in downtown San Jose. The display runs from 9 a.m. to midnight until Jan. 1. 

Santana Row Holiday Events

On Dec. 11 at 10 a.m., Santana Row's Mommy and Me Event, Celebrate the Season will have a special appearance from Mrs. Claus. Bring a new or gently used coat to donate to One Warm Coat. There will be educational activities designed for parents and their pre-school aged children.

Families will enjoy arts and crafts, face painting, music, balloon art, story time, and much more. On Dec. 4, 11, and 18 there will be a Holiday Wine Walkbenefiting Second Harvest Food Bank from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. And for your furry children, enjoy the Santa Paws event. Bring your dog or cat to take pictures with Santa.

And Santana Row Celebrates Hannukah on Dec. 9. There will be holiday story reading, crafts and much more.

Children’s Holiday Festival San Jose

Come to History Park in San Jose on Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for theChildren's Holiday Festival! Sip hot cocoa, take a trolley ride with Santa and make crafts.

Global Winter Wonderland

Located in the Great America parking lot, Global Winter Wonderland offers a look into how other cultures celebrate the holidays plus much more. It opens Nov. 23 and runs until Jan. 1, (hours vary).

Christmas at Ardenwood

Ring in the holiday season at Ardenwood Farm in Fremont. On Dec. 1 and 2, visit the beautifully decorated Patterson House, sing Christmas carols, find the Yule Log and make crafts!

Los Gatos Childrens Christmas/Holiday Parade

The Los Gatos Children's Holiday Parade will be Dec. 1 at 11 a.m. (rain or shine) in downtown Los Gatos.

Holiday Traditions From Around the World

This free day at the San Mateo County History Museum features children’s craft activities such as making a German bauble (tree ornament), a Filipino parol (star lantern), an English cracker (party favor), an Italian Le Befana (doll), a Japanese hagoita (New Year’s game) and a Mexican rattle (New Year’s noise maker). This event is held in conjunction with Redwood City’s “Hometown Holidays.”

Free photos of children with Santa Claus in the museum’s rotunda will be part of the fun.

Gilroy Gardens Holiday Lights

Gilroy Gardens will be lit up for the holidays. Holiday Lights runs on various days throughout December. Visit the website for more details.

Los Altos Festival of Lights

The Los Altos Festival of Lights will be on Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. in downtown Los Altos.

Hometown Holidays

Head to downtown Redwood City for its Hometown Holidays on Dec. 1 at 10 a.m. This free event will be held rain or shine and include arts, crafts, fireworks, Santa and snow.

Great Dickens Christmas Fair

Every weekend from Nov. 23 to Dec. 23 the Cow Palace will be transformed into Victorian London, complete with period holiday decorations and costumed actors. There will be food, shopping, and entertainment—all in keeping with the spirit of the Victorian era. This year is the 34th annual Great Dickens Christmas Fair, and also happens to be the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens.

Santa Events:

Breakfast with Santa at Quinlan Community Center

Mrs. Claus will serve her specialty North Pole pancakes at this annual Cupertino event on Saturday, Dec 1 from 8:30 am. to 10:30 a.m. Children can visit with Santa and make crafts. Cost is $15 for Cupertino residents, $18 for non-residents.

Breakfast with Santa

Campbell Church of Christ hosts its annual Breakfast with Santa event on Saturday, Dec 1. There are various times open from 7:20 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. While you wait your turn, elves have crafts for children and you can enjoy some hot cocoa or cider.

Each family will be seated and will have the chance to enjoy a breakfast buffet as well as have their photo taken with Santa. After the photos are done, Santa walks around to the tables to meet and talk to the children. Reservations are needed, and the last day to make a reservation is Nov. 23 (and they fill up fast, so call as soon as possible).

Photos With Santa at The Ainsley House

Santa Claus makes a very special appearance at the Ainsley House in downtown Campbell on Friday, Nov. 23 and Sunday, Nov. 25, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Don't miss the chance to take your photo with him and give him your Christmas wish list. Be sure to bring your own camera.

Admission for this event is $5 for museum members, $10 for the general public.  For more information, call 408-866-2119.

Tiny Tots Store in Campbell Photos with Santa Event

Each family will have 15 minutes to spend with Santa to allow the children to “warm up” to him, share letters or drawings, and take photos.

The event is fully booked this year, but they are taking names for the official wait list. If you would like to be on the waitlist, please contact Tiny Tots and they will notify you if a time opens up.

Surfin Santa

Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa Claus is coming to town … Surfin’ Santa that is. Santa and his reindeer will arrive on the shores of Capitola Beach by outrigger canoe at 12 p.m. Santa then settles in his beach chair for a nice long visit with all the kids. Be sure to bring your camera to capture Santa’s wave-riding arrival. Could be your best Christmas photo yet…and a happy memory for sure.

Santa Arrives at Hiller Aviation Museum

What’s cooler than Santa arriving by helicopter? Not much, we think! Visit Hiller Aviation Museum on Dec. 1 at 10 a.m. to see just that.

Holiday Train/Carriage Rides:

Los Gatos Carriage Rides

The Los Gatos Carriage Rides begin Nov. 30 and run until Dec. 23. These lovely horse drawn carriages take you on a 15-minute ride through festively decorated North Santa Cruz Avenue in Los Gatos.

Vasona Park Fantasy of Lights/Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad

The Fantasy of Lights begins Nov. 23 and runs through Dec. 31 nightly from 6 to 10 p.m. There are many ways to view these beautiful decorations but one of the most fun ways is from a decorated train on the Billy Wildcat Jones Railroad, which runs on most Thursdays through Sundays in December.

Roaring Camp Railroad

Roaring Camp Railroad offers many activities for the holidays. The Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train offers a beautiful ride through downtown Santa Cruz to admire decorated houses (and a visit from Santa). There also is the Holiday Out with Thomas, which offers a train ride on everyone’s favorite train through Santa Cruz. And in Felton, take one of Roaring Camps steam trains to Bear Mountain for the Holiday Tree Walk. Sip on hot cider and enjoy the lovely trees.

Niles Canyon Train of Lights

Niles Canyon Railroad offers two options for its Train of Lights. One train departs Niles at 4:30 p.m. and another departs from Sunol at 7:30 p.m. Each offers beautiful views of holiday lights!

CalTrain Holiday Train

CalTrain will have one of its trains beautifully decorated with 60,000 glittering lights for their Holiday Train. Enjoy fun festive activities and decorations on the train running Dec. 1 and 2 at various times. This event also benefits local children, collecting toys and donations for charity!

Tree Lighting Events:

Cupertino Tree Lighting

Music, refreshments and a visit by the jolly elf himself at this annual outdoor event at Quinlan Community Center at 10185 N Stelling Rd. is on Nov. 30 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Please bring a non-perishable canned good to donate to West Valley Community Services.

Saratoga Holiday Tree Lighting and Wine Stroll

Head over to Saratoga on Nov. 23 for a Holiday Tree Lighting and Wine Stroll. The fun begins at 5 p.m. and includes a wine stroll, tree lighting, horse drawn carriage ride, photos with Santa and much more.

Ghirardelli Square Tree Lighting

Nov. 23 from 2:30 to 7 p.m. there will be free live entertainment and music, give-a-ways, and the lighting of the tree in Ghirardelli Square.

Campbell Holiday Tree Lighting

On Friday, Nov. 30 at starting at 6 p.m. there will be a reception with a “birthday” cake to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Campbell Community Center where “Rescue 25”, the city's first paramedic vehicle that has been beautifully restored, will be officially unveiled as a gift to the City of Campbell.

After the reception, gather outside for the lighting of the CCC tree! The tree lighting event is very special to the City of Campbell, and also has quite a history!

Holiday Ice Rinks:

• Ice Center (Cupertino and San Mateo)
• Downtown Ice at Circle of the Palms (San Jose)
• Embarcadero Rink (San Francisco)
• Union Square Ice Rink (San Francisco)
• Walnut Creek on Ice (Walnut Creek)
• Oakland Ice (Oakland)
• Winter Lodge (Palo Alto)
• Yerba Buena (San Francisco)
• Dublin Iceland (Dublin)
• Ice Oasis (Redwood City)

Other Holiday Events:

“A Christmas Carol” Featuring Duffy Hudson at Cupertino Library

This Performance is one of the Cupertino Library Fall Arts and Culture series. Sponsored by the Cupertino Library Foundation, the show is free at Cupertino Community Center,10350 Torre Ave.,  on Saturday, Dec. 22 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Ebenezer Scrooge. Jacob Marley. Bob Cratchit. Tiny Tim. The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. Watch as Broadway and film actor Duffy Hudson, without the aid of props or costumes plays all 46 characters, and brings this magical tale to life.
This 75-minute show is ideal for the entire family.
For additional information visit www.duffyhudson.com

Help Make Holiday Cards for Seniors

Children grades K-5 are invited to make holiday cards Wednesday, Dec. 5 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Campbell Library. You can make one for yourself, and make another for a local senior citizen.

Hot Cocoa Family Storytime
Holiday Puppet Shows at Gamble Gardens

Visit Gamble Gardens for some wonderful Holiday Puppet shows. There are three showings on Dec. 8: 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., and 12:30 p.m.

Small Business Saturday Shopping Soiree

Simply Smashing! in Campbell is celebrating Small Business Saturday in style! They will have many local/indie art, clothing, and jewelry designs carried in the boutique full time, and will also be featuring some of their favorite local vendors:

All things babylicious from Artsy Fartsy Baby, Custom Origami Owl lockets designed by you, with Christina Chapman, Coffee tasting and gifts from Tico Coffee Roasters, Vintage place settings, photo cards and hand-crafted gifts from Justine Creations, Amazing artwork by John Cloud, Organic, non-toxic body products and candles by Hip E Chick, Sweet & Savory Waffles from Waffle Amore, Live DJ Entertainment by Mr. Chip DeVille, and more ... They will also have many special offers, sales, and of course champagne on hand to celebrate!

You can also check out the Campbell Patch Mom Squad on Facebook! We share our articles, community events, thoughts on parenting, parent related current events, and more. We also welcome your comments, suggestions, and questions anytime!

Do you know of any other holiday events or activities not mentioned above. Please share with us in the comments below.