Last updated: November 11, 2024
Get the big picture of the holidays in Newark with our guide. Discover all the key festive activities. Whether you're rediscovering your city or visiting for the first time, our guide showcases the best of Newark's holidays.
Popular events like the Train of Lights invite visitors to enjoy a dazzling display of lights along a festive train route, creating a whimsical experience for all ages. Featuring beautiful gardens adorned with seasonal decorations, Holidays at Filoli offers a serene atmosphere perfect for family outings. And the Train of Lights is something you definitely don't want to miss with its enchanting ambiance. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Newark Holiday Light Displays
Train of Lights
- What to Expect
- Holiday train ride with antique coaches and festive lights.
- Description
- The Train of Lights at Niles Canyon Railway features a 1.5-hour round trip through Niles Canyon with holiday lights, refreshments, and music aboard antique coaches and open cars.
- Where
- Fremont | More Info : Train of Lights
Train of Lights
- What to Expect
- Holiday train ride with antique coaches and extensive holiday lighting.
- Description
- The Train of Lights at Niles Canyon Railway offers a 1.5-hour round trip through Niles Canyon aboard antique coaches and open cars, featuring holiday lights and decorations. The train ride includes refreshments, music, and cheer, providing a unique holiday experience.
- Where
- Sunol | More Info : Train of Lights
Holidays at Filoli
- What to Expect
- Dazzling light displays and immersive holiday experiences in a historic estate.
- Description
- Filoli Historic House & Garden transforms into a vibrant holiday destination with dazzling light displays, festive decorations, and immersive experiences. Visitors can explore the beautifully adorned House and Garden, enjoy warm drinks by a firepit, and indulge in a hearty lunch at the Quail Café. The evening brings a dazzling world of holiday cheer with immersive displays and historic natural beauty.
- Where
- Woodside | More Info : Holidays at Filoli
Fairy Winterland
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration with twinkling lights and festive activities.
- Description
- Fairy Winterland at Children's Fairyland in Oakland, California, features twinkling lights, festive music, and holiday crafts. Santa Claus visits, and there are puppet shows and hot cocoa for all.
- Where
- Oakland | More Info : Fairy Winterland
Entwined in Golden Gate Park
- What to Expect
- Interactive light and color display controlled by QR codes.
- Description
- Entwined in Golden Gate Park is an immersive art installation featuring a 30-ft metal sculpted tree, Elder Mother, which moves in the wind and offers a 25-ft canopy with ever-changing illumination and color. The installation incorporates six unique QR codes that allow attendees to control the tree's lighting patterns.
- Where
- San Francisco | More Info : Entwined in Golden Gate Park
Newark Other Holiday Activities
Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round
- What to Expect
- Antique carousel with hand-carved wooden animals.
- Description
- Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round features a historic, hand-carved carousel with calliope-style music, offering rides and a snack bar with various beverages and snacks.
- Where
- Berkeley | More Info : Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round
Tilden Park Steam Trains at Christmas
- What to Expect
- Holiday-themed steam train rides through decorated redwoods.
- Description
- Tilden Park Steam Trains transform into a toddler-friendly Holiday Train, decorated with twinkling lights, tiny snowflakes, and Christmas ornaments. The trains offer scenic rides through the redwoods, creating a festive atmosphere perfect for families.
- Where
- Berkeley | More Info : Tilden Park Steam Trains at Christmas
Ugly Holiday Sweater Fun Run
- What to Expect
- Themed run with oversized games and giveaways.
- Description
- Join us for the Ugly Holiday Sweater Fun Run at Lakeshore Park, where themed runs, oversized games, music, and giveaways create a lively atmosphere to kick off your weekend. One registration required per person, with free entry for residents under 2 years and non-residents under 12 years.
- Where
- Newark | More Info : Ugly Holiday Sweater Fun Run