Sunnyvale, CA, becomes a festive wonderland during the holiday season, offering an array of captivating activities for both locals and visitors. From the charming Sunnyvale Holiday Tree Lighting in the historic Murphy Avenue district to the vibrant WinterFest at California's Great America, the city transforms into a hub of holiday joy. Nearby, Fantasy of Lights at Vasona Lake County Park offers a spectacular drive-through illumination experience set against a scenic backdrop.
Whether you're looking to enjoy traditional carols and community celebrations or marvel at dazzling light displays, Sunnyvale’s Christmas events provide the perfect setting for memorable holiday moments. Join in the festivities and soak in the season's spirit as Sunnyvale lights up with cheer.
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The Top Christmas Events in Sunnyvale
See these and even more events listed below!Sunnyvale Holiday Light Displays
Sunnyvale Holiday Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Community-focused celebration in the heart of Silicon Valley
Description:
Sunnyvale's Holiday Tree Lighting brings together residents of this tech-centric city for a night of old-fashioned community spirit. The event takes place in the historic Murphy Avenue district, lined with buildings dating back to the early 1900s. Local school choirs perform seasonal favorites as anticipation builds for the lighting of the city's official holiday tree. Visitors can create personalized ornaments to hang on a community tree, symbolizing the diverse population of this Silicon Valley hub.
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Sunnyvale Holiday Tree Lighting
Sunnyvale Holiday Giving Opportunities
Holiday Train
What to Expect:
Decorated Caltrain spreading holiday cheer along the Peninsula
Description:
The Holiday Train rolls through Peninsula stations, bringing a moving light show to communities from San Francisco to Santa Clara. This Caltrain tradition features a locomotive and two cars covered in over 70,000 glittering lights. The train makes 20-minute stops at select stations, where onboard characters perform and collect toy donations. Spectators can enjoy free entertainment at each stop while awaiting the train's arrival. This unique event showcases the vital role of public transportation in connecting Silicon Valley communities during the holiday season.
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Nearby Events
Christmas in the Park (San Jose)
What to Expect:
Massive walk-through holiday display in downtown San Jose
Description:
Downtown San Jose transforms into a winter spectacle with Christmas in the Park. This long-standing tradition began in 1950 as a single family's elaborate front yard display. Now, visitors can stroll through a forest of illuminated trees, each decorated by local schools and organizations. The air fills with the aroma of freshly roasted chestnuts as you explore animated exhibits and towering holiday scenes. One highlight is the beloved Lima Train, a restored 1905 steam engine decked out in twinkling lights.
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Great Dickens Christmas Fair (Daly City)
What to Expect:
Immersive Victorian London experience
Description:
Step back in time to Victorian London at the Great Dickens Christmas Fair. This elaborate event recreates the sights and sounds of Charles Dickens' world, complete with costumed characters and period-accurate shops. Roaming performers bring literary classics to life as you explore winding lanes filled with artisans and merchants. You can participate in traditional parlor games or watch a lively music hall show. The fair pays homage to Dickens' influence on modern Christmas traditions, including his popularization of the phrase "Merry Christmas" through his novel A Christmas Carol.
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WinterFest at California's Great America (Santa Clara)
What to Expect:
Holiday-themed amusement park experience
Description:
California's Great America amusement park undergoes a dramatic transformation for WinterFest. Millions of lights illuminate the park's iconic rides, creating a dazzling nighttime spectacle. Visitors can ice skate around the park's signature Carousel Columbia, the world's tallest double-decker carousel. Throughout the event, special holiday-themed shows and characters entertain guests. The park's history dates back to 1976 when it opened as one of the first major theme parks in Northern California.
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WinterFest at California's Great America
Fantasy of Lights (Los Gatos)
What to Expect:
Drive-through light show in Vasona Lake County Park
Description:
Fantasy of Lights illuminates Vasona Lake County Park with a spectacular drive-through experience. Visitors cruise through a 1.5-mile route lined with over 50 animated and musical displays. The event originated in 1998 as a way to showcase holiday displays from the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. One standout feature is the 90-foot twinkling tree that reflects off the lake's surface. You can tune your car radio to a special station that synchronizes holiday music with the light displays.
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San Jose Holiday Parade (San Jose)
What to Expect:
One of the largest holiday parades in Northern California
Description:
The San Jose Holiday Parade marches through downtown, bringing together diverse communities in a vibrant celebration. Towering helium balloons, elaborate floats, and marching bands fill the streets with color and music. The parade showcases Silicon Valley's innovative spirit with tech-themed entries alongside traditional holiday elements. Spectators can catch a glimpse of the 45-foot-tall "Tom Turkey" float, a parade staple since 1982. This event has been a San Jose tradition for over three decades, evolving from a small community gathering to a major regional attraction.
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Santana Row Tree Lighting Ceremony (San Jose)
What to Expect:
Upscale shopping district's holiday kickoff event
Description:
Santana Row's Tree Lighting Ceremony marks the start of the holiday season in this chic shopping and dining district. A towering 40-foot tree bursts into light, accompanied by a shower of faux snow. Live performances by local choirs and dance troupes entertain the crowd. Visitors can sample complimentary treats from Santana Row's gourmet eateries during the event. The ceremony takes place in the heart of Silicon Valley's premier mixed-use development, which opened in 2002 and was designed to evoke a European-style promenade.
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Santana Row Tree Lighting Ceremony
Santa Run Silicon Valley (San Jose)
What to Expect:
Charity run with participants dressed as Santa Claus
Description:
Santa Run Silicon Valley floods downtown San Jose with a sea of red-suited runners. This unique 5K race sees thousands of participants donning Santa costumes, creating a surreal spectacle. The event supports local charities, embodying the giving spirit of the season. Runners receive a complete five-piece Santa suit with their registration, ensuring a uniform look for this quirky race. The run passes by several of San Jose's historic landmarks, including the 19th-century St. Joseph Cathedral Basilica.
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Los Altos Festival of Lights Parade (Los Altos)
What to Expect:
Nighttime parade in a charming small-town setting
Description:
The Los Altos Festival of Lights Parade illuminates the quaint downtown streets of this Silicon Valley community. Floats adorned with thousands of twinkling lights create a moving river of color through the historic district. The parade has been a local tradition since 1977, growing from a small procession to a beloved regional event. Spectators can warm up with cups of hot cider sold by local Boy Scout troops along the parade route. The event showcases Los Altos' unique blend of small-town charm and high-tech innovation.
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Los Altos Festival of Lights Parade
Mountain View Community Tree Lighting Celebration (Mountain View)
What to Expect:
Tech-influenced holiday celebration in the heart of Silicon Valley
Description:
Mountain View's Community Tree Lighting Celebration blends holiday traditions with Silicon Valley innovation. The event takes place in Civic Center Plaza, surrounded by the offices of tech giants. A local robotics team assists in lighting the tree, showcasing the city's technological prowess. Visitors can enjoy performances by community groups, including a special appearance by the Mountain View Handbell Ensemble. The celebration highlights Mountain View's evolution from an agricultural town to a global tech hub while maintaining its community spirit.
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Mountain View Community Tree Lighting Celebration
Nights of Lights (San Mateo)
What to Expect:
Historic downtown transformed into a holiday wonderland
Description:
Nights of Lights bathes downtown Los Gatos in a warm glow, transforming the historic district into a captivating holiday scene. The event harks back to the town's early days as a Victorian resort destination. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about the architecture and history of the illuminated buildings, some dating back to the 1880s. Local shops stay open late, offering special holiday treats and showcasing window displays that compete for the coveted "Best Decorated" title.
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Yuletide at the Winchester Mystery House (San Jose)
What to Expect:
Holiday tour of a famously eccentric mansion
Description:
Yuletide at the Winchester Mystery House offers a rare glimpse into how the enigmatic Sarah Winchester might have celebrated the holidays. The mansion's 160 rooms are adorned with Victorian-era decorations, creating a stark contrast to its usual eerie atmosphere. Visitors can explore the bizarrely constructed home, including the "door to nowhere" and staircases that lead to ceilings, all while learning about 19th-century holiday traditions. The tour culminates in the Grand Ballroom, where a towering tree showcases authentic Victorian ornaments.
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Yuletide at the Winchester Mystery House
Los Gatos Children's Christmas/Holidays Parade (Los Gatos)
What to Expect:
Family-focused daytime parade with a small-town feel
Description:
The Los Gatos Children's Christmas and Holidays Parade brings small-town charm to the heart of Silicon Valley. This daytime procession features local school marching bands, dance troupes, and community organizations. The parade route winds through the town's historic downtown, lined with Victorian-era buildings. Young spectators can participate in the "Decorate Your Bike" contest, joining the parade on festively adorned bicycles. This event has been a Los Gatos tradition for over 60 years, reflecting the town's commitment to preserving its close-knit community spirit.
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Los Gatos Children's Christmas/Holidays Parade
Christmas Tree Lane (Palo Alto)
What to Expect:
Neighborhood-wide holiday light display
Description:
Christmas Tree Lane transforms Fulton Street in Palo Alto into a dazzling corridor of light and color. This neighborhood tradition began in 1940 when residents decided to create a unified holiday display. Today, every home on the street participates, creating a spectacular half-mile stretch of decorated houses and yards. Visitors can stroll down the middle of the closed street, taking in the intricate displays. Each year, a different local artist is commissioned to design the street's signature wooden Christmas tree cutouts.
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Menlo Park Holiday Tree Lighting (Menlo Park)
What to Expect:
Small-town celebration in the shadow of tech giants
Description:
Menlo Park's Holiday Tree Lighting brings together residents of this tech-industry hub for a night of community celebration. The event takes place in Fremont Park, just blocks away from the headquarters of major social media companies. Local school choirs perform as the crowd anticipates the illumination of the city's holiday tree. Visitors can participate in a community art project, creating ornaments that represent Menlo Park's diverse population and rich history, from its days as a railroad town to its current status as a tech powerhouse.
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Menlo Park Holiday Tree Lighting
Redwood City Hometown Holidays (Redwood City)
What to Expect:
Snow in Silicon Valley and a parade of 300 Santas
Description:
Redwood City's Hometown Holidays brings a touch of winter wonder to the typically mild Bay Area. The event features 40 tons of imported snow, allowing children to sled and build snowmen in the heart of Silicon Valley. A highlight is the Parade of 300 Santas, where hundreds of red-suited volunteers march through downtown. Visitors can explore the city's historic courthouse, built in 1910 and festively lit for the occasion. The celebration showcases Redwood City's transformation from a lumber port to a diverse, family-friendly community.
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Redwood City Hometown Holidays
San Mateo on Ice (San Mateo)
What to Expect:
Outdoor ice skating rink in a mild climate
Description:
San Mateo on Ice brings winter sports to the Bay Area's mild climate. An outdoor ice rink is set up in Central Park, surrounded by palm trees for a uniquely Californian winter experience. Skaters glide across the ice as music fills the air, creating a lively atmosphere. The event includes special themed nights, such as "Disco on Ice" and "Superhero Skate." San Mateo on Ice reflects the city's history of innovation, as it was one of the first Bay Area communities to embrace this type of seasonal attraction.
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Holidays at Filoli (Woodside)
What to Expect:
Elegant holiday displays in a historic country estate
Description:
Holidays at Filoli transforms this early 20th-century country estate into a refined celebration of the season. The Georgian revival mansion and its 16 acres of formal gardens are adorned with tasteful decorations that complement the property's architectural beauty. Visitors can explore rooms decked out in period-appropriate holiday finery, each telling a story of how the estate's former residents celebrated. The event highlights Filoli's significance in California history, from its origins as a gold rush-era estate to its role in the early days of Silicon Valley.
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Santa Clara Holiday Tree Lighting (Santa Clara)
What to Expect:
Tech-meets-tradition celebration in the heart of Silicon Valley
Description:
Santa Clara's Holiday Tree Lighting blends the city's rich history with its high-tech present. The event takes place in Central Park, near the site of the original Santa Clara Mission founded in 1777. A local tech company provides a cutting-edge light show to accompany the tree lighting. Visitors can participate in a virtual reality Santa's workshop experience, showcasing Santa Clara's position at the forefront of technological innovation. The celebration highlights the city's evolution from a Spanish colonial outpost to a key player in the global tech industry.
Website:
Santa Clara Holiday Tree Lighting