Home » *Top Pick*, Christmas, Holiday Festivities, Holidays, In Person, Kids & Families, South Bay, Tree + Holiday Lightings, Weekend Events Guide - December 22-25, 2023

Christmas Day at San Jose’s 2024 “Christmas in the Park”

Wednesday, December 25, 2024 - 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free, but donations are accepted

Plaza de Cesar Chavez | 194 South Market St., San Jose, CA

Event Details

San Jose’s 2024 “Christmas in the Park” (Nov. 29 – Jan. 1)

Christmas in the Park is an annual holiday tradition that takes place in the heart of Downtown San José at the Plaza de Cesar Chavez. For over 45 years, this whimsical walk-thru event has brought people from all over the Bay Area together during the holidays. It is a place of community.
Each year the two-acre park is transformed into a holiday fantasy with over 40 musical and animated exhibits, glittering lights and the 65-foot illuminated Community Giving Tree. Some of the original displays housed in one of the largest exhibits, the Lima Train, include a melting snowman, caroling mice and elf woodcrafters. Guests enter a winter wonderland of lights, songs and local entertainment while strolling through an enchanted forest of trees decorated by San José schools, community groups and businesses.

Christmas in the Park is a non-profit organization supported by fundraising efforts and the community. It is and always will be free. Children (young and old) can visit with Santa, watch nightly entertainment and enjoy holiday themed food and refreshments from our vendors.

2024 Dates & Details

  • Christmas in the Park’s opening night is on Friday, November 29 at 6pm
  • Christmas in the Park is open from Nov. 29 – Jan. 1 from 12 noon -10 pm
  • Address: Plaza de Cesar Chavez, Downtown San Jose, 1 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose, CA 95113
  • Admission is FREE

Opening Night Tree Lighting Ceremony November 29 at 6pm
We thank PG&E for being the sponsor of our 65ft tree in the center of Plaza de Cesar Chavez.
Join us for our traditional tree lighting ceremony starting at 6pm.

Sunday, December 1, 10am to 2pm – Paws in the Park
We thank SAGE Veterinary Centers for sponsoring Paws in the Park.
– Pet visits with Santa
– Pet costume contest at 1 pm on the Jingle Bell Stage
– Pet resource fair in the Park Tavern from 10 to 2pm

Saturday, December 7, 4pm to 9pm – SJSU Spartan Day
– Visit the Spartan Table by the stage for give-aways
– Performances by SJSU entertainers from 5pm to 9pm

Sunday, December 8, 10am to 2pm – Accessible Sunday
Made possible by a generous gift from Valeta and TJ Rodgers
– A free event by invitation only for families with different needs

Saturday, December 14
– Toys for Tots Stuff the Bus, with generous support

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.


Cost: FREE*
*Free, but donations are accepted
Categories: *Top Pick*, Christmas, Holiday Festivities, Holidays, In Person, Kids & Families, South Bay, Tree + Holiday Lightings, Weekend Events Guide - December 22-25, 2023
Address: 194 South Market St., San Jose, CA

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

7:30 am   Free Admission Day for Christmas at San Francisco Botanical Garden (2024)  FREE*
*Free on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and daily from 7:30-9 am
9:00 am   Japanese Tea Garden’s Free Admission Hour (Golden Gate Park)  FREE*
*Free from 9-10am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; otherwise non-resident admission is $12 - $16 depending on the season. San Francisco residents are always free with valid ID
10:00 am   SF’s Holiday Ice Skating Session at Union Square (Christmas Day)  $20*
*Tickets are $20 with skate rental included in the cost of admission
10:00 am   Christmas Pary & Casual Eatery (SoMa)  FREE*
*Free always
11:00 am   December 25th Visits & Holiday Gift Deliveries to SF Older Adults  FREE
11:00 am   Free Admission Day at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA)  FREE
12:00 pm   Christmas Day Community Potluck (SF)  FREE*
*Free event. All are welcome! Bring a dish to share for the potluck!
12:00 pm   Christmas Day Community Potluck at St Francis Lutheran Church (SF)  FREE*
*Free event. All are welcome! Please bring a dish to share w/ others for the potluck. Food, drinks, music and prizes.
1:00 pm   6 Days Free Holiday Movies “Fiddler On The Roof” (Orinda)  FREE
2:00 pm   2024 Christmas Day Ice Skating at San Jose’s “Downtown Ice”  $21*
*$21 includes skate rentals
3:00 pm   Christmas Concert + Free Int’l Vegetarian Dinner (San Leandro)  FREE
4:30 pm   “Enchant” 2024: World’s Largest Christmas Light Maze in San Jose (Christmas Day)  $27*
*Tickets start at $27 + fees. Prices may fluctuate with demand. Ice Skating for additional $15.
5:00 pm   Chanukah Kosher Chinese Dinner + Game Night (Petaluma)  $25
5:00 pm   SF’s Epic “Photosynthesis” Light Show (Conservatory of Flowers)  FREE*
*Free to watch from outside the building.
5:00 pm   2024 Pier 39 Christmas Tree Lighting Show  FREE
6:00 pm   “Wiener Wednesday” Free Hot Dog Night at Rye (SF)  FREE*
*Every Wednesday, Free Hot Dogs with every Hornitos Cocktail purchase
7:00 pm   Black Hammer’s Free “Hopped Up” Trivia Night (Every Wednesday)  FREE
7:00 pm   “Comedians with Criminal Records” Live in SF (7p + 8:45p)  FREE*
*Free with RSVP for first 50 people. Donations appreciatied
7:00 pm   FREE Oakland “HellaSecret” Comedy Show (Wednesday Nights)  FREE*
*Limited free tickets with code FUNCHEAP (donations appreciated). Otherwise use code FUNCHEAP5 for $5 off early bird and general admission tickets
7:30 pm   “Wolfman Jeff Trivia” Night at SF’s Willkommen Beer Garden (Every Wednesday)  FREE
8:00 pm   $2 Taco Night + Happy Hour Comedy at Skylark (SF)  FREE*
*RSVP Required. 2 drink minimum. 21+
9:00 pm   Karla LaVey’s 25th Annual “Black X Mass” (SF)  $13*
*pay at door, includes free snacks and giveaways
3:30 am   Union Square’s 2024 Chanukah Festival: 25-Foot-Tall Menorah (Dec. 25-Jan 2)  FREE
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