California's Great America Oktoberfest
2024-10-25 12:00 - 22:00, 2024-10-26 12:00 - 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | California's Great America, 4701 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA, 95054
Experience the excitement of Germany’s iconic Oktoberfest right here at California's Great America! This latest addition to the park's incredible lineup of fall events features authentic German food, drinks, lively music, and fun-filled entertainment for all ages. Plus, with the park’s top rides open during the festivities, Oktoberfest promises to be a can’t-miss event for the entire family.
More information at California's Great America.

Ice Skating in San Jose | Downtown Ice
2024-11-21 12:00 - 2025-01-20 10:00 | Circle of Palms Plaza, 120 S Market Street, San Jose, 95113
Downtown Ice, a cherished San Jose tradition since 1994, returns for the 2024-2025 season from November 21, 2024, through January 20, 2025. Located at 120 S. Market Street in the Circle of Palms Plaza—nestled between the San Jose Museum of Art and the Signia by Hilton Hotel—the rink offers a festive skating experience for all ages.
Admission is $21, including skate rental, with 90-minute sessions starting every two hours. Due to limited capacity, advance booking is recommended to secure your preferred time slot. Tickets can be purchased online through the official website.
For parking, visit ParkSJ.org to find free 90-minute parking options and view real-time availability. Additional amenities, such as gloves, socks, and skate aids, are available on-site for a fee. For the latest updates on weather conditions and rink information, follow Downtown Ice on Instagram @sjdowntownice.

Polar Play Days
2024-11-23 10:00 - 17:00, 2024-11-24 10:00 - 17:00, 2024-11-25 10:00 - 17:00, 2024-11-26 10:00 - 17:00, 2024-11-27 10:00 - 17:00, 2024-11-29 10:00 - 17:00, 2024-12-01 10:00 - 17:00, 2024-12-03 10:00 - 17:00 and 4 more dates | The Tech Interactive, 201 S. Market St., San Jose, CA, 95113
Polar Play Days at The Tech Interactive is a festive, family-friendly event running from November 23, 2024, to January 5, 2025. This exciting celebration combines the magic of winter with engaging science-themed activities, making it an ideal destination for holiday fun.
Visitors can explore various hands-on experiments and creative activities designed to inspire curiosity and joy during the holiday season. Highlights include the Sock Skating Rink, where kids can enjoy skating in their socks from December 21 to January 5, and the Merry Makerspace, offering craft sessions for creating custom holiday decorations and gifts.
Special events like Winter WonderLabs on December 7-8 and 14-15 feature interactive science demonstrations, including building candy structures and crafting light-up snowflakes. Additional activities include exploring NASA's ICESat-2 satellite technology, making biodegradable holiday garlands, and learning about the science of auroras.
With its blend of entertainment and education, Polar Play Days promises a unique winter experience that delights visitors of all ages while fostering a love for science and creativity.
For more information, click here.

Menagerie Holiday Oddities & Curiosities Market
2024-11-30 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-12-07 11:00 - 17:00 | Winchester Mystery House, 525 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose, CA, 95128
Prepare for a holiday season like no other! The 6th Annual Menagerie Holiday Oddities & Curiosities Market returns to the Winchester Mystery House from November 30 to December 28, running every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Each week offers themed shows with a fresh lineup of vendors showcasing unique gifts, including taxidermy, dark art, fine jewelry, and other strange and wonderful finds.
The events also feature captivating performances, interactive workshops, guest speakers, scavenger hunts, tarot readings, giveaways, and more. Admission is required, with tickets available for market access alone or as part of a package with a mansion tour.
Holiday Mansion Tours
Experience the Winchester Mystery House like never before with festive Victorian décor, holiday traditions, and music. From November 23, 2024 to January 1, 2025, enjoy daily tours through this eccentric mansion.
Tour Duration: 1 Hour, 5 Minutes
Children under 5 are free with a paid adult ticket.
For more information, click here.

Hayes Mansion's "Be Merry, Be Our Guest"
2024-12-02 09:00 - 21:00, 2024-12-03 09:00 - 21:00, 2024-12-04 09:00 - 21:00, 2024-12-05 09:00 - 21:00, 2024-12-06 09:00 - 21:00, 2024-12-07 09:00 - 21:00 | Hayes Mansion, 200 Edenvale Avenue, San Jose, CA, 95136
Celebrate the holiday season at Hayes Mansion's "Be Merry, Be Our Guest" event from December 2 to December 31, 2024. Open daily from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM in the Plaza Lounge, guests can enjoy complimentary hot chocolate, apple cider, festive decorations, and holiday music. Gingerbread kits are available for purchase to create lasting memories. Additionally, there's a holiday toy drive in partnership with Sacred Heart Community Service, offering an opportunity to spread joy to those in need.
For more information, visit Hayes Mansion website.

Spirit of the Row
2024-12-03 18:00 - 20:00 | Santana Row Park, 377 Santana Row, San Jose, CA, 95128, United States
Spirit of the Row is a festive holiday event held at Santana Row every Tuesday in December leading up to Christmas from 6-8 PM. This vibrant celebration features a diverse lineup of local community entertainment on the main stage in Santana Row Park.
Each evening offers a unique mix of entertainment, including performances by groups like New Ballet's "The San Jose Nutcracker", Children's Musical Theatre, local dance studios, and holiday vocalists.

Spirit of The Row Entertainment Line-Up: Located in Santana Row Park between Left Bank and EMC Seafood
Tuesday, December 3rd Featuring:
New Ballet, "The San Jose Nutcracker"
Pasquale Esposito, World Renown Italian Tenor
Children’s Musical Theatre short-performance of A Christmas Carol
Almaden Spirit Athletics Dance Teams
Audez- Volare Dance Studio
Sarah Bylsma Holiday Vocalist
Get Down Dance Studio
Santa Clara Elite Dance Team
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Tuesday, December 10th Featuring:

San Jose Dance Theatre, The Nutcracker
Archbishop Mitty High School, The Royals Dance Ensemble
Harker Performing Arts
Lisa Performing Arts
Sarah Bylsma Holiday Vocalist
Alliana Lili Yang Soprano Prodigy
Melissa Marielle Holiday Vocalist
Dance Expressions
St. Francis High School Pom Squads
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Tuesday, December 17th Featuring:

New Ballet, "The San Jose Nutcracker"
Nor Cal Dance Arts
Sarah Bylsma Holiday Vocalist
PNC Music Co.
Presentation High School Bella Voce
Grupo Folklorico, Los Laureles
Fantasy Dance
West Valley Dance Co
Presentation High School Dance Team

The event provides a festive atmosphere with additional activities like balloon artists and community celebrations. For more information, visit Santana Row.

Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley
2024-12-04 20:00 - 21:00, 2024-12-05 20:00 - 21:00, 2024-12-06 20:00 - 21:00 | Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto, CA, 94301
TheatreWorks invites audiences to celebrate the holidays with Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, a delightful sequel to Pride and Prejudice. Blending Jane Austen’s Regency-era charm with a touch of modern humor, this seasonal comedy brings the Bennet sisters together at the Darcy’s Pemberley estate. Amid carols and confections, bookish Mary Bennet steps into the spotlight—will a surprise guest spark a new chapter in her story?
Before the show, enjoy a behind-the-scenes discussion with TheatreWorks Artistic Director Giovanna Sardelli, scenic designer Andrea Bechert, and costume designer Cathleen Edwards. This free event takes place on Thursday, December 5, 2024, from 6:30 to 7:15 PM, in the theatre at the back left corner of the house.
Prepare for a festive evening filled with wit, romance, and holiday spirit! For more information, visit TheatreWorks.

A Christmas Carol
2024-12-05 20:00 - 22:00 | Montalvo Arts Center, 15400 Montalvo Rd, Saratoga, CA, 95070
Silicon Valley Shakespeare brings its enchanting production of A Christmas Carol back to the Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga, CA, running from December 5 to 21, 2024. Evening performances begin at 8 PM, with matinees at 2 PM on December 8 and 21.
Set against the stunning backdrop of Montalvo's 175-acre estate, this immersive, walking production takes audiences through the historic Villa, charming courtyards, and scenic pathways, creating a magical holiday experience. Attendees should be prepared to walk approximately 1,000 steps during the performance.
For those with mobility concerns, a seated performance will be offered at 2 PM on Sunday, December 8. An ASL-interpreted show will be available on Thursday, December 12.
Tickets range from $42 to $75, with a limited capacity of just 60 theatergoers per performance. The event will proceed rain or shine, with adjustments to the route in case of inclement weather.
Visit Silicon Valley Shakespeare for tickets and additional details.

The Original San Jose Nutcracker
2024-12-06 13:00 - 15:00 | San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Boulevard, San Jose, CA, CA, 95113
The San Jose Nutcracker, presented by the San Jose Dance Theatre, is a beloved holiday ballet that has captivated audiences for over 59 years. Scheduled for December 6-8 and 13-15, 2024, this enchanting production transports viewers into a magical world filled with brave toy soldiers, mesmerizing snowflakes, and elegant waltzing flowers. The performance features a thrilling battle between courageous soldiers and mischievous mice, all set against the backdrop of a stunning 60-foot Christmas tree. Accompanied by the Cambrian Symphony, the show promises an unforgettable experience at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts.
San Jose Dance Theatre is breaking new ground with its first-ever Nutcracker Family Pride Night on December 13th, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. This special performance celebrates inclusivity and community by blending the classic Nutcracker tradition with a modern, pride-affirming twist. Highlights include a special pre-show meet-and-greet featuring professional drag artist No One, returning as the beloved Mother Cupcake. Attendees can expect a unique theatrical experience that honors both the classic ballet and the vibrant LGBTQ+ community. The performance promises to be a heartwarming celebration of holiday magic, artistic expression, and community spirit. Ticket Tip: Use the discount code PRIDE when reserving seats to support this groundbreaking event
For families with young children, a special abbreviated version titled "Once Upon A Nutcracker" will be performed on December 6 at 10:30 AM, making it an ideal introduction to the classic tale. With its rich tradition and festive spirit, the San Jose Nutcracker is sure to ignite imaginations and create cherished holiday memories.
Visit San Jose Dance Theater for schedules and ticket purchases!

Holiday Tree Celebration | Los Altos
2024-12-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Los Altos, Main and State Streets, Los Altos, CA, 94022, United States
The Los Altos Village Association invites you to the Holiday Tree Celebration on Friday, December 6th from 6-8 pm at Veterans Community Plaza, located at the corner of Main and State Streets in Downtown Los Altos.
Celebrate the holiday season with music and performances from local students. Stay for the arrival of Santa Claus, who will be available for pictures until 8 pm. Don’t forget to bring your own camera!
For more information, click here.
