Last updated: November 11, 2024
Excited for a magical holiday in Fremont? Our guide will lead you to all the festive fun! For those who know Fremont's rhythm and those just learning its beat, our guide orchestrates holiday harmony.
Popular events this season include the charming Train of Lights, which invites visitors to enjoy a scenic tour illuminated by sparkling lights. With its unique blend of holiday decor and railway nostalgia, the Niles Canyon Railway Holiday Train offers guests a delightful experience. And the Holidays at Filoli brings stunning gardens to life with extravagant displays you definitely don't want to miss. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Contact information and details below.
Holiday train ride with antique coaches and festive decorations.
Take a 1.5 hour-long round trip through Niles Canyon aboard antique coaches and open cars featuring holiday lights and decorations. Enjoy refreshments, music, and cheer while experiencing a rare opportunity to ride through the canyon at night.
Where: Fremont | More Info: Train of Lights
Immersive holiday light displays and historic natural beauty.
At Holidays at Filoli, immerse yourself in a vibrant landscape of holiday decorations and light displays. Explore the beautifully adorned House and enchanting Gardens, featuring stunning light installations, festive decor, and warm gatherings by fire pits. Enjoy daytime delights with warm drinks and hearty lunches, and experience the magic of the night with immersive displays and historic natural beauty.
Where: Woodside | More Info: Holidays at Filoli
Interactive lighting control via QR codes on a 30-ft metal sculpted tree.
Entwined at Golden Gate Park features a monumental shade-bearing tree, Elder Mother, which moves with the wind and offers ever-changing illumination and color. The installation includes six unique QR codes that allow attendees to control the lighting patterns. This immersive experience, designed by San Francisco artist Charles Gadeken, combines art, technology, and nature.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Entwined at Golden Gate Park
Holiday light display in a historic cemetery setting.
Mountain View Cemetery's Twinkling Lights feature a month-long holiday light exhibition with scenes from Santa's workshop and other holiday themes, including a giant Nutcracker soldier, reindeer sled, and festive decorations.
Where: Mountain View | More Info: Mountain View Cemetery Twinkling Lights
Historic train ride with holiday lights and decorations.
The Niles Canyon Railway Holiday Train offers a 1.5-hour round trip through Niles Canyon, featuring antique coaches and open cars decorated with holiday lights and decorations. The train ride includes refreshments, music, and cheer, providing a unique holiday experience for families.
Where: Fremont | More Info: Niles Canyon Railway Holiday Train
Extensive holiday light displays and immersive garden experiences.
Filoli Estate Trail and Holiday Lights feature 3,600 strands of lights stretching over 25 miles, a 210-foot-long light tunnel, and over 7,000 ornaments. The estate's 16 acres of gardens are beautifully decorated with splendid decor and enchanting displays that shine both day and night. Visitors can enjoy daytime delights with warm drinks by a firepit and hearty lunches at the Quail Café, while evening admission offers immersive displays of historic and natural beauty.
Where: Woodside | More Info: Filoli Estate Trail and Holiday Lights
Interactive LED forest with a 30-foot metal sculpted tree.
Golden Gate Park's Holiday Lights feature an iconic tree lighting, live music, cookie decorating, carnival rides, and the debut of Entwined: Elder Mother, an interactive LED forest with a 30-foot metal sculpted tree.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Golden Gate Park Holiday Lights
Exclusive caboose experience with a docent.
Reserve an entire caboose for your group and enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the train with a docent aboard. The Santa Fe caboose offers a special ride for groups of up to 24 people, featuring tables for serving refreshments and windows on the main floor.
Where: Fremont | More Info: Private Caboose Holiday Ride
Luxurious dome car with swivel seats and panoramic views.
Experience a luxurious holiday ride aboard the First Class Dome car, featuring reserved seats, swivel chairs, and an upper-level glass dome offering unparalleled canyon views.
Where: Fremont | More Info: First Class Dome Holiday Ride
Holiday train ride through Niles Canyon with festive lights and decorations.
Take a 1.5 hour-long round trip through Niles Canyon aboard antique coaches and open cars featuring holiday lights and decorations. The train ride offers a rare opportunity to experience the scenic canyon at night with one departure from Niles at dusk and a second from Sunol after dark.
Where: Fremont | More Info: Holiday Events at Niles Canyon Railway
Unique gifts and local artisanal items.
The 19th Annual "BELIEVE" Holiday Boutique at American High School features unique gifts, local artists, and crafters, along with exciting prize drawings and a bake sale benefiting the Class of 2025. Enjoy a variety of treats and explore a festive indoor experience with free admission and parking.
Where: Fremont | More Info: 19th Annual "BELIEVE" Holiday Boutique
Historic, hand-carved carousel with calliope-style music.
Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round features a historic, hand-carved carousel with beautifully painted wooden animals, offering rides and calliope-style music. The facility includes a wheelchair-accessible snack stand, drinking water, restroom, and parking. It is pet-friendly and LGBTQ-friendly, with special events like Santa hours and holiday parties.
Where: Berkeley | More Info: Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round
Santa photo opportunities with festive decorations.
Snap a photo with Santa on his festive golden throne and enjoy a hot drink and holiday treat in the Woodland Court at Filoli.
Where: Woodside | More Info: Santa Weekends at Filoli
Holiday-themed carousel rides with special events.
Tilden Park Merry Go Round offers a classic Herschell-Spillman carousel with hand-carved and painted wooden animals, calliope-style music, and a wheelchair-accessible snack stand. The event features special holiday activities like buffet breakfasts, scavenger hunts, and classic Christmas movies.
Where: Berkeley | More Info: Tilden Park Holiday Events
