San Jose Christmas Events & Things to Do 2025
Your complete guide to the best christmas events in San Jose and surrounding areas
San Jose welcomes the holiday season with lively Christmas markets and plenty of things to do around Downtown and Santana Row where festive lights set the scene. Winter Wonderland San Jose, Christmas in the Park & Blinky's Drive Thru and San Jose Holiday Lights offer family fun and seasonal attractions near the Tech Interactive and Plaza de César Chávez. From neighborhood displays to large-scale holiday festivals, San Jose’s festive attractions and seasonal activities create joyful experiences for visitors and locals alike.
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Christmas Markets
23 eventsDowntown San Jose holiday hub with rides and a gift market.
Christmas Lights
22 eventsFestively decorated historic train ride through Niles Canyon at night.
Christmas Shows
10 eventsMusic-filled adaptation of 'A Christmas Carol' with a 90-minute runtime.
Christmas Parties
7 eventsFestive bar crawl with included drinks and after-party.
Other Christmas Activities
36 eventsPremier amusement park with waterpark and year-round attractions.
Editor's Picks (6)
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Niles Canyon Railway Train of Lights
(Sunol)
Festively decorated historic train ride through Niles Canyon at night.
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Winter Wonderland San Jose
Downtown San Jose holiday hub with rides and a gift market.
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San Jose Holiday Lights
Five acres of themed holiday light zones
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WinterFest at California's Great America
(Santa Clara)
Premier amusement park with waterpark and year-round attractions.
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Los Gatos in Lights - Winter Celebration 2025
(Los Gatos)
Annual tree lighting ceremony with Santa and live music
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Pleasanton Hometown Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony
(Pleasanton)
Community parade and tree lighting with Santa
This Week / Coming Up (6)
Christmas Giving Opportunities Near San Jose
Give back this holiday season with volunteering and charitable opportunities in San Jose.
Palo Alto Holiday Toy Drive
City-wide toy drive with numerous convenient drop-off points.
View Our Interactive Map for More Events Around San Jose
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Also Near San Jose
Santa Clara
- Triton Museum Holiday Art Fair
- Christmas Tree Elegance 2025
- Rotary Club of Santa Clara Christmas 4 Kids Event
Los Gatos
- The Nutcracker by Los Gatos Ballet
- Holiday Wreath Workshop
- 69th Annual Children's Christmas/Holidays Parade
Saratoga
See all in Saratoga →Mountain View
See all in Mountain View →Fremont
See all in Fremont →San Jose Christmas FAQ
The DOCA Festival's San Jose Holiday Lights and Christmas in the Park are two of the largest annual events, drawing crowds with lights, markets, and community activities.
San Jose is known for its vibrant neighborhood light displays and the Christmas in the Park celebration, which features a tree lighting and community stage events.
Areas like Willow Glen and Almaden Valley are especially popular for their festive neighborhood displays, but many other neighborhoods also join in the holiday spirit.
Christmas in the Park and various neighborhood holiday markets are great places to find local makers, crafts, and festive food in San Jose.
Free neighborhood light displays, public tree lightings, and some holiday markets offer festive fun without a ticket price, making them great for families and budget-conscious visitors.
The DOCA Festival's Holiday Lights, Christmas in the Park, and neighborhood light walks are all family-friendly options that kids especially enjoy during the holidays.