San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara · CA
Things to do with kids in San Jose — December 2026
33 family events in December 2026. Every listing links to the organizer’s own page. Dates are in Pacific Time.
What’s on now in San Jose →Events
- Community
Through Jan 1
Christmas in the Park in Downtown San José
Plaza de Cesar Chavez
FreeAll ages
- Community
Through Dec 31
North Pole Nights at Gilroy Gardens
Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park
PaidAll ages
- Community
Tue, Dec 1 · 6:00 PM
Snow Showers at Santana Row
Santana Row
All ages
- Santa visits
Tue, Dec 1 · 6:00 PM
Spirit of The Row Holiday Nights at Santana Row
Santana Row
FreeAll ages
- STEM & discovery
Through Jan 3
Polar Play Days at The Tech Interactive
The Tech Interactive
PaidAll 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
- STEM & discovery
Fri, Nov 6 · 10:00 AM
Tales for Tots at Happy Hollow Zoo
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
From $30Ages 1–3
- Sports & play
Sat, Nov 14 · 11:00 AM
Archery on the Hidden Villa Archery Course
Hidden Villa
Paid
- 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
- Outdoors
Sat, Dec 5 · 10:00 AM
Holiday Hike & Hands-on Fun!
Environmental Volunteers EcoCenter
All ages
- STEM & discovery
Sat, Nov 7 · 10:00 AM
Wild Science for Ages 4–6 at Happy Hollow
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
From $35Ages 4–6
- STEM & discovery
Sat, Dec 5 · 2:00 PM
Zoo U-niversity: Conservation Investigation at Happy Hollow
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
From $35Ages 10–13
- Outdoors
Sun, Nov 15 · 8:30 AM
Behind-the-Scenes with the Farmer at Hidden Villa
Hidden Villa
From $35Ages 10+
- 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
- STEM & discovery
Fri, Dec 11 · 6:00 PM
Star Party with the San Jose Astronomical Association at Hidden Villa
Hidden Villa
With admissionAll ages
- 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
- Outdoors
Sat, Oct 24 · 10:00 AM
Family Fun Zoo Class at Happy Hollow
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
From $40
- Santa visits
Sat, Dec 12 · 1:00 PM
Visit with Santa at Alum Rock Library
Alum Rock Branch Library
- Outdoors
Sun, Nov 8 · 10:00 AM
Weekend Farm Tour at Hidden Villa
Hidden Villa
From $18
- Arts & crafts
Sun, Dec 13 · 1:00 PM
Fratello Marionettes: The North Pole Review at East San José Carnegie Library
East San José Carnegie Branch Library
- 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
- Community
Sun, Dec 13 · 9:00 AM
Special Inclusion Sundays at Christmas in the Park
Plaza de Cesar Chavez
Free
- 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
- Outdoors
Sat, Nov 21 · 10:00 AM
Baylands Explorations Docent Walk
Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve (meet at EV EcoCenter)
FreeAges 6+
- Community
Sat, Dec 19 · 2:00 PM
History Park Heritage Holiday
History Park
From $5
- Community
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
- 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
- Arts & crafts
Wed, Dec 23 · 7:00 PM
Marc Griffiths Winter Ventriloquist Show at Milpitas Library
Milpitas Library
All ages
- New Year’s Eve
Thu, Dec 31
New Year's Eve Celebration at Gilroy Gardens
Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park
PaidAll ages