Home » *Top Pick*, Christmas, Holiday Festivities, Holidays, In Person, Kids & Families, New Year's Eve, NYE - Family Friendly, NYE - Free, South Bay, Tree + Holiday Lightings

New Year’s Eve at San Jose’s “Christmas in the Park”

Wednesday, December 31, 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

Event Details

San Jose’s 2025 “Christmas in the Park” (Nov. 28 – 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 Plaza De Cesar Chavez is transformed into a holiday fantasy. Walk through the enchanted forest of decorated trees with over 40 musical and animated exhibits, glittering lights, and the 60-foot Community Giving Tree. Some of the original displays are housed in one of the largest exhibits, the Lima Train, which includes a melting snowman, caroling mice, and elf woodcrafters. Step inside the 50-foot Christmas tree, enjoy free photos with Santa, nightly entertainment, and holiday refreshments.

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. Daily entertainment kicks off on opening night.

2025 Dates & Details

  • Christmas in the Park’s opening night is on Friday, November 28, 2025 at 6pm
  • Christmas in the Park is open from Nov. 28, 2025 – Jan. 1, 2026, from noon to 10 pm (according to the FAQ)
  • Plaza de Cesar Chavez, Downtown San Jose, 1 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose, CA
  • 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.

Santa returns November 28, 2025

What you should know:

  • Santa visits are free!
  • You may use your own camera.
  • Our volunteers can help take your photo.

Santa is in the new Santa House in the center of Plaza de Cesar Chavez, next to the giant tree.

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 Eve, NYE - Family Friendly, NYE - Free, South Bay, Tree + Holiday Lightings
Address: 194 South Market St., San Jose, CA

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

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
9:30 am   Free Kwanzaa & “Noon Year’s Eve” 2025/2026 at SF’s Thrive City (Chase Center)  FREE*
*0
10:00 am   NYE “IlluminOdyssey” Interactive Winter Light Experience  $27.95*
*$27.95 Adults; $23.95 Children, Students & Seniors
10:00 am   20th Anniv. of SF’s 12 ft. Tall “Sugar Castle” (Nov. 26-Jan. 2)  FREE
11:00 am   San Jose’s NYE “Skate Under the Palms” Ice Skating  $21*
*$21 includes skate rentals
11:00 am   Free Admission Day at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA)  FREE
11:30 am   Downtown Pleasant Hill “Noon” Year’s Eve Festivities (2025)  FREE
12:00 pm   2025 Macy’s Holiday Windows & Adorable Puppies & Kittens: Final Day | Union Square  FREE
4:30 pm   $1 Wing Wednesdays at Underdogs Cantina (SoMa)  FREE*
*No admission charge. Wings are $1 each.
4:30 pm   New Year’s Eve at Oakland Zoo’s “Glowfari” 2025 Lights Festival  $30.75*
*Adult admission tickets start at $30.75; 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 2025 Macy’s Union Square Great Christmas Tree Dazzles  FREE
5:00 pm   SF’s Epic “Photosynthesis” Light Show | Conservatory of Flowers  FREE*
*Free to watch from outside the building.
5:00 pm   PIER 39’s Dazzling 60′ Tree New Year’s Eve Lighting Show  FREE
5:00 pm   NYE at “Lightscape”: Immersive Holiday Light Trail (Golden Gate Park)  $32*
*Adult tix start at $32
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
All Day   SF’s Holiday Ice Skating Session at Union Square (New Year’s Eve)  $22
7:00 pm   NYE 2025/26 at SF’s Iconic Mabuhay Gardens: Comedy Countdown + After Party  $15*
*Super Early Bird tickets start at $15 w/ FUNCHEAP secret code (normally $20) and then rise as we get closer to the event
7:00 pm   SF’s New Year’s Eve Comedy Bash 2025/26 at The Function (w/ Free After Party)  $15*
*$5 off with secret code FUNCHEAP. Ticket prices rise as we get closer to NYE
7:00 pm   “Hook-Up Horror Stories” Stand-Up Comedy Show (SF)  FREE*
*Free with RSVP
8:00 pm   “Swedish House Mafia” Epic NYE Show at SF’s Pier 80  $99.95
8:30 pm   10th Annual HellaFunNYE Comedy Explosion and Free After Party  $18.91*
*use code 'Funcheap' for discount off tickets - super early Bird tickets start at 18.91 with Funcheap discount (normally 23.18)
8:45 pm   SF’s 8:45pm New Year’s Eve Comedy Bash 2025/26 at The Function (w/ Free After Party + Midnight Toast)  $15*
*$5 off with secret code FUNCHEAP. Ticket prices rise as we get closer to NYE
9:00 pm   Yoi Toki “Future Funk” NYE Bash w/ Vantage (Rickshaw Stop)  $23.18*
*Limited early bird discount
10:00 pm   No Scrubs: New Years Eve 90s Hip Hop and R&B Dance Party  $17.85*
*Super Early Bird tickets are 17.85 with code FUNCHEAP (40% discount) - normally $28.52
11:59 pm   San Francisco New Year’s Eve Fireworks at Midnight (2025/2026)  FREE
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