Home » *Top Pick*, Christmas, Holiday Festivities, Holidays, In Person, Kids & Families, New Year's Day, South Bay, Tree + Holiday Lightings, Weekend Events Guide - December 29, 2023-January 1, 2024

New Year’s (& Final) Day 2025 at San Jose’s “Christmas in the Park”

Wednesday, January 1, 2025 - 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
South Bay

Event Details

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

Christmas in the Park
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

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

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, New Year's Day, South Bay, Tree + Holiday Lightings, Weekend Events Guide - December 29, 2023-January 1, 2024
Address: 194 South Market St., San Jose, CA

Other Events on This Day

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

7:30 am   Free Admission Day at SF Botanical Garden for New Year’s Day 2025  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 (New Year’s Day)  $20*
*Tickets are $20 with skate rental included in the cost of admission
10:30 am   New Year’s Day 2025 World Naked Bike Ride + Polar Plunge (SF)  FREE
11:00 am   SF’s GLBT History Museum: Free First Wednesday  FREE*
*Free tickets are not available for reservation online on free days; all visitors will be welcomed to the museum as long as there is capacity on a first-come, first-served basis.
11:00 am   2025 New Year’s Day “Hatsumode” Japanese Shrine Visit (SF)  FREE
11:00 am   Free Admission Day at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA)  FREE
12:00 pm   New Year’s Day Ice Skating at San Jose’s “Downtown Ice”  $21*
*$21 includes skate rentals
2:00 pm   New Year’s Day Collaborative Huge Art at SF’s Ocean Beach (2024)  FREE*
*donations welcome, not required
2:30 pm   SF’s New Year’s Day 2025 Polar Bear Ice Skate (Union Square)  FREE*
*Free to watch; $25 to skate (Includes Skate Rental)
4:00 pm   Union Square’s 2024 Chanukah Festival: 25-Foot-Tall Menorah: Final Night  FREE
4:30 pm   New Year’s Day at Oakland Zoo’s “Glowfari” 2024 Lights Festival  $26.50*
*Adult admission tickets start at $26.50; The Zoo is using dynamic pricing, so ticket prices will vary based on date and time and purchase date. Buy early. Tickets do sell out in advance.
5:00 pm   SF’s “Photosynthesis” Light Show (Conservatory of Flowers)  FREE*
*Free to watch from outside the building.
5:00 pm   2024 Pier 39 New Year’s Day Christmas Tree Lighting Show  FREE
5:00 pm   PIER 39’s Free Tree Lighting Show w/ 60′ Tall Tree (2024-25)  FREE
5:00 pm   PIER 39’s “The Festival of Lights” Hanukkah Celebration (2024-25)  FREE
5:01 pm   SF City Hall Lights Up Gold for New Year’s Day (2025)  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   “Comedians with Criminal Records” Live in SF (7p + 8:45p)  FREE*
*Free with RSVP for first 50 people. Donations appreciatied
7:00 pm   Black Hammer’s Free “Hopped Up” Trivia Night (Every Wednesday)  FREE
7:00 pm   SF’s Free NEW YEAR’S DAY (Jan 1) Comedy Night + Happy Hour ALL NIGHT (2025)  FREE*
*Free with RSVP
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+
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