Last updated: November 11, 2024
Spread the joy of the holidays in Visitacion Valley! Our guide highlights all the festive events and activities. From Visitacion Valley aficionados to curious newcomers, our guide showcases the best of the holiday season.
One of the must-see attractions is the Union Square Holiday Market, featuring local artisans and unique gifts amidst the festive atmosphere. With twinkling lights and seasonal treats, the Union Square Ice Rink and Winter Walk offers a picturesque setting for skating and leisurely strolls. And the Enchant San Jose is something you definitely don't want to miss, with its dazzling light displays and enchanting holiday maze. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Have suggestions or corrections? Contact us!
Visitacion Valley Holiday Light Displays
Glowfari – Oakland Zoo
- What to Expect
- Family-friendly light festival with conservation themes.
- Description
- Glowfari at the Oakland Zoo features hundreds of larger-than-life animal lanterns, each telling the story of wildlife conservation. The event includes new themes, interactive zones, and festive light displays throughout the zoo.
- Where
- Oakland | More Info : Glowfari – Oakland Zoo
Enchant San Jose
- What to Expect
- Interactive light maze with a captivating original story.
- Description
- Enchant San Jose features an all-new World's Largest Christmas Light Maze, Reindeer Games, where you search for Santa's sleigh bells. Enjoy ice skating, seasonal food, and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus amidst breathtaking light sculptures and festive attractions.
- Where
- San Jose | More Info : Enchant San Jose
Christmas in the Park
- What to Expect
- Stunning holiday light installations and community art create a vibrant outdoor celebration.
- Description
- This annual event transforms downtown San Jose into a festive landscape adorned with lights, decorations, and holiday displays. Residents and visitors stroll through a winter-themed setting featuring beautifully crafted exhibits, twinkling lights, and seasonal attractions. Families gather for live entertainment, food vendors, and activities that create a joyful atmosphere throughout the park.
- Where
- San Jose | More Info : Christmas in the Park
Visitacion Valley Holiday Shows and Entertainment
My Very First Nutcracker
- What to Expect
- One-act ballet performance featuring historic San Jose landmarks.
- Description
- My Very First Nutcracker is a special one-act presentation of the San Jose Nutcracker, ideal for families with toddlers, preschoolers, and young children. This joyful holiday production features a festive holiday party where Uncle Nikola reveals his fascinating gifts. Kids will marvel at the historic San Jose Electric Light Tower rising magically above the streets of San Jose and cheer for adorable mice and toy soldiers who compete to win the magic crown. Introduce your family to the magic of classical ballet!
- Where
- San Jose | More Info : My Very First Nutcracker
Marin Ballet’s Nutcracker
- What to Expect
- World-class ballet performance with elaborate Victorian costumes and sets.
- Description
- Marin Ballet's Nutcracker brings Clara's whimsical Christmas Eve dreams to life through classical ballet, clever storytelling, and heroic characters. Choreographed by Performance Director Julia Adam, the production features the artistry of 125 dancers in lavish Victorian costumes and sets, culminating in an airborne surprise at the final curtain.
- Where
- San Rafael | More Info : Marin Ballet’s Nutcracker
Visitacion Valley Other Holiday Activities
Glow: Discover the Art of Light
- What to Expect
- Interactive light art installations and exhibits.
- Description
- Explore the intersection of art and science with luminous installations, interactive exhibits, and immersive light experiences featuring works by international artists.
- Where
- San Francisco | More Info : Glow: Discover the Art of Light
Union Square Holiday Market
- What to Expect
- Unique blend of holiday festivities and ice skating with special themed events.
- Description
- The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square, presented by Kaiser Permanente, offers outdoor ice skating and holiday festivities in downtown San Francisco. The rink features special events like Drag Queens on Ice, Silent Skate, and Polar Bear Skate, as well as free Learn to Skate lessons for beginners.
- Where
- San Francisco | More Info : Union Square Holiday Market
Holidays at Filoli
- What to Expect
- Exclusive holiday experiences in a historic estate setting.
- Description
- Celebrate the holiday season at Filoli with beautifully adorned gardens, historic house tours, and exclusive experiences like the Ballroom Signature Lounge and Private Fire Pit Experiences. Enjoy daytime delights with warm drinks and hearty lunches, and immerse yourself in the evening's dazzling displays and natural beauty.
- Where
- Woodside | More Info : Holidays at Filoli
Union Square Ice Rink and Winter Walk
- What to Expect
- Free ice skating lessons for beginners.
- Description
- The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square, presented by Kaiser Permanente, offers outdoor ice skating and holiday festivities in downtown San Francisco. Special events include Drag on Ice, Silent Skate, and Polar Bear Skate. Skaters with little to no experience can participate in free Learn to Skate lessons every weekend.
- Where
- San Francisco | More Info : Union Square Ice Rink and Winter Walk