# North Pole Nights at Gilroy Gardens > Event for families in the San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara area (CA). Times are Pacific Time. - When: Nov 21 – Dec 31 - Where: Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, 3050 Hecker Pass Highway, Gilroy, CA 95020 - Ages: All ages - Price: Park admission ticket required (prices on the tickets page); free for Premium Members - Organizer: Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park - Official page: https://www.gilroygardens.org/ - Last checked: Sat, Oct 24 Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Oct 24, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-10-24), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/san-jose/activities/north-pole-nights-at-gilroy-gardens--listing-5d85f20e35b7a8ab26ec33c0 ## About On select evenings from November 21 through December 31, Gilroy Gardens becomes North Pole Nights. Families cross the Candy Cane Lane bridge into North Pole Village to meet Santa's mischievous elves, walk through a 100-foot animated musical Tunnel of Lights and other light displays, go ice skating, and write letters to Santa at the North Pole Post Office. The musical show The Magic of Santa, with Rudy the Polar Bear, Mrs. Claus, Tinsel the Tree, Skitter the Mouse and Santa's reindeer, runs several times a night and is included with admission. Ticketed extras include Lunch with Santa (December 12 & 13, 1–3 p.m., with storytime and a Christmas craft) and a Holiday Feast (December 19 & 20); kids under 12 eat free at both. Check the park calendar for the exact operating nights. ## Similar picks in San Jose - [New Year's Eve Celebration at Gilroy Gardens](https://grassyknees.com/san-jose/activities/new-year-s-eve-celebration-at-gilroy-gardens--listing-46c0ac931a2351804e9691f8) — Thu, Dec 31 · Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park · All ages · Paid · checked Oct 24. Gilroy Gardens' New Year's Eve party combines North Pole Nights with a DJ dance party in the Events Plaza, specialty appetizers and drinks, and a midnight fireworks show over… - [Spirit of The Row Holiday Nights at Santana Row](https://grassyknees.com/san-jose/activities/spirit-of-the-row-holiday-nights-at-santana-row--listing-16231fa5cacc2698586d5598) — Tue, Dec 1 (+2 more dates) · 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · Santana Row · All ages · Free · checked Oct 24. On the first three Tuesdays of December, Santana Row hosts Spirit of The Row: two hours of live holiday shows by local arts and community groups, snow showers in Park Valencia… - [Carol of Lights Celebration in Downtown Campbell](https://grassyknees.com/san-jose/activities/carol-of-lights-celebration-in-downtown-campbell--listing-c8381383050fc9f7950023dc) — Sat, Dec 5 · 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM · Downtown Campbell · Free · checked Oct 24. Downtown Campbell's annual winter festival kicks off the holiday season with an afternoon of free family fun along East Campbell Avenue. Kids can visit Santa, meet animals at the… - [Visit from Santa Claus at Vineland Library](https://grassyknees.com/san-jose/activities/visit-from-santa-claus-at-vineland-library--listing-9d58845698a08209303486b4) — Thu, Dec 10 · 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM · Vineland Branch Library · Free · checked Oct 24. Santa makes a special appearance at Vineland Branch Library for an hour on a December weekday evening. Parents can take photos of their child with Santa (bring your own camera or… - [Visit with Santa at Alum Rock Library](https://grassyknees.com/san-jose/activities/visit-with-santa-at-alum-rock-library--listing-5696d88fc8f3292f1c0f3fc3) — Sat, Dec 12 · 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM · Alum Rock Branch Library · checked Oct 24. Santa visits Alum Rock Branch Library for one hour on a Saturday afternoon to hear children's Christmas wishes. He will try to see as many children as possible and listen to each… - [Christmas in the Park in Downtown San José](https://grassyknees.com/san-jose/activities/christmas-in-the-park-in-downtown-san-jose--listing-e60c2f300343f0b087443a9a) — Nov 27 – Jan 1 · 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM · Plaza de Cesar Chavez · All ages · Free · checked Oct 24. San José's free holiday tradition since 1980 fills the two-acre Plaza de Cesar Chavez downtown with an enchanted forest of trees decorated by local schools, community groups and… ## More for families - [This weekend in San Jose](https://grassyknees.com/san-jose/this-weekend) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/san-jose/this-weekend.md) - [Things to do with kids in San Jose](https://grassyknees.com/san-jose) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/san-jose.md)