San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara · November 15, 2026 – January 1, 2027
Christmas and holiday events for kids in San Jose
20 tree lightings, Santa visits, light displays and holiday shows around San Jose, November 15 to New Year’s Day. 7 are free.
Updated Oct 24. Every listing links to its organizer’s page.
Don’t miss
- Christmas
Through Jan 1
Christmas in the Park in Downtown San José
Plaza de Cesar Chavez
FreeAll ages
- Christmas
Sat, Nov 28 · 6:00 PM
Christmas in the Park Opening Night Ceremony
Plaza de Cesar Chavez
FreeAll ages
- Light displays
Sat, Dec 5 · 4:00 PM
Carol of Lights Celebration in Downtown Campbell
Downtown Campbell
Free
NovemberSun, Nov 15 – Mon, Nov 30
DecemberTue, Dec 1 – Fri, Dec 18
- Santa visits
Tue, Dec 1 · 6:00 PM
Spirit of The Row Holiday Nights at Santana Row
Santana Row
FreeAll ages
- Nutcracker and shows
Wed, Dec 2 · 7:00 PM
The Hip Hop Nutcracker at the Center for the Performing Arts
San Jose Center for the Performing Arts
PaidAll ages
- Tree lightings
Fri, Dec 4 · 7:00 PM
Milpitas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Milpitas Community Center
FreeAll ages
- Christmas
Sat, Dec 5 · 10:00 AM
Holiday Hike & Hands-on Fun!
Environmental Volunteers EcoCenter
All ages
- Light displays
Sat, Dec 5 · 4:00 PM
Carol of Lights Celebration in Downtown Campbell
Downtown Campbell
Free
- Light displays
Sat, Dec 5 · 4:00 PM
Fantasy of Lights Walk-thru at Vasona Lake County Park
Vasona Lake County Park
From $10All ages
- Hanukkah
Sun, Dec 6 · 10:00 AM
Menorahs & Miracles Hanukkah Celebration at Children's Discovery Museum
Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose
PaidAll ages
- Santa visits
Thu, Dec 10 · 4:30 PM
Visit from Santa Claus at Vineland Library
Vineland Branch Library
Free
- Santa visits
Sat, Dec 12 · 1:00 PM
Visit with Santa at Alum Rock Library
Alum Rock Branch Library
- Nutcracker and shows
Sat, Dec 12 · 7:00 PM
A Winter Wonderland – Academy of Classical Ballet at Campbell Heritage Theatre
Campbell Heritage Theatre
From $45
- Christmas
Sun, Dec 13 · 9:00 AM
Special Inclusion Sundays at Christmas in the Park
Plaza de Cesar Chavez
Free
- Santa visits
Sun, Dec 13 · 3:00 PM
Silicon Valley Santa Run and Kids Reindeer Dash
Downtown San Jose start, W Santa Clara St and Almaden Ave
From $27.50Ages 2–7
- Train rides
Mon, Dec 14 · 6:00 PM
Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad Holiday Night Train & Carousel
Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad, Oak Meadow Park
From $6All ages
Christmas breakSat, Dec 19 – Fri, Jan 1
- Christmas
Sat, Dec 19 · 12:00 PM
Holiday Ranch House Tours at Joseph D. Grant County Park
Grant Ranch House Complex, Joseph D. Grant County Park
All ages
- Christmas
Sat, Dec 19 · 2:00 PM
History Park Heritage Holiday
History Park
From $5
- Nutcracker and shows
Sat, Dec 19 · 2:00 PM
The San Jose Nutcracker by New Ballet
California Theatre
PaidAll ages
- Nutcracker and shows
Sun, Dec 20 · 11:00 AM
My Very First Nutcracker by New Ballet
California Theatre
Paid
- New Year’s Eve
Thu, Dec 31
New Year's Eve Celebration at Gilroy Gardens
Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park
PaidAll ages
All seasonLight displays, Santa visits, shows and exhibits that run for weeks. Check the organizer’s page for open nights and times.
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Quick answers
What free Christmas events are there for kids in San Jose?
7 listed. Coming up:
- Christmas in the Park in Downtown San José · Fri, Nov 27 · Plaza de Cesar Chavez
- Christmas in the Park Opening Night Ceremony · Sat, Nov 28 · Plaza de Cesar Chavez
- Spirit of The Row Holiday Nights at Santana Row · Tue, Dec 1 · Santana Row
- Milpitas Tree Lighting Ceremony · Fri, Dec 4 · Milpitas Community Center
For organizers
Hosting a tree lighting, Santa visit or holiday show in San Jose?
List it on Grassy Knees and it can show up on this Christmas page, in the metro’s weekend picks and in the app. Free to post until Oct 31.
How this list works
Tree lightings, Santa visits, light displays, Nutcrackers, menorah lightings and Noon Year’s Eve parties, beyond your own block. This page collects every event and program in our San Jose listings whose title names Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Santa, holiday lights, the New Year or the like, dated between November 15 and January 1. 20 are still ahead. Each one opens its listing page, which links to the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. Dates are in Pacific Time.