Home » *Top Pick*, Christmas, Holiday Festivities, Holidays, In Person, Kids & Families, South Bay, Tree + Holiday Lightings, Weekend Events Guide - November 23-26, 2023

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

Friday, November 29, 2024 - 6:00 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 Parks 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 absolutely 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 1pm 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, South Bay, Tree + Holiday Lightings, Weekend Events Guide - November 23-26, 2023
Address: 194 South Market St., San Jose, CA

Other Events on This Day

Friday, November 29, 2024

6:30 am   Free Ferry Ride Day: SF <-> Richmond Rides Free on Black Friday (2024)  FREE*
*Free rides every Friday on San Francisco Richmond Ferries from November 1 to end of 2024. No reservations required but seats are first come first served
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   Thanksgiving Weekend: 12 Free Guided SF Walking Tours on Black Friday (2024)  FREE*
*Although the tour itself is free, the afternoon Japanese Tea Garden tour may require separate admission charge to the gardens.
10:00 am   Black Friday at SF’s 40th Annual Great Dickens Christmas Fair  $45*
*General Admission is $45; special discounts available
10:00 am   SF’s Civil War Era Fort’s New Film Series (July – Dec. 2024)  FREE
10:00 am   2024 “IlluminOdyssey” Dazzling Winter Lights (Nov. 16-Jan. 26)  $27.95*
*$27.95 Adults; $23.95 Children, Students & Seniors
11:00 am   Free Museum Days at SF’s Contemporary Jewish Museum: Thanksgiving Weekend 2024 (Nov. 29-Dec. 1)  FREE*
*Book free tickets at thecjm.org
11:00 am   “Pay-What-You-Can” Taco Day at SF’s Tato (Every Friday)  FREE*
*Every Friday pay anywhere from $0 up to $10. When a customer pays the full price of $10, TATO will give a free meal to someone in need in The City. Please note promotion might end at any time
11:00 am   75% Off: Black Friday at SF’s Buffalo Exchange (Nov. 29-30)  FREE
12:00 pm   Black Friday at San Jose’s Holiday Ice Rink “Downtown Ice”  $21*
*$21 includes skate rentals
4:00 pm   Fan Expo San Francisco at Moscone Center (Nov. 29-Dec. 1)  $35
4:00 pm   The Dog Friday Art Show & Exhibition w/ Live Music (Berkeley)  FREE*
*Free to browse.
4:00 pm   Santa Rosa Winter Lights Tree Lighting Celebration (2024)  FREE
4:30 pm   Black Friday “Glowfari” 2024 Lights Festival at Oakland Zoo  $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.
4:30 pm   Ghirardelli Square’s 2024 Holiday Lighting Ceremony  FREE
5:00 pm   $1 Drink Fridays: “Battle of the Decades” DJ Party (North Beach)  FREE*
*Free admission with RSVP on Eventbrite
5:00 pm   2 for 1 Deal: Black Friday Paint & Shop w/ Live Music (SF)  $36.52*
*Free entry but you can get 2 for 1 Black Friday deal for Paint Night for only $36.52
5:00 pm   SF City Hall Lights Up for Thanksgiving 2024 (Nov. 28-29)  FREE
5:00 pm   “Miracle” Christmas-Themed Pop Up Cocktail Bar: Opening Night (SF)  FREE
6:00 pm   2024 Festival of Lights Parade (Niles)  FREE
7:00 pm   “Rush Hour Comedy Night” w/ SFs Best Black & Asian Comedians (The Function)  FREE*
*RSVP Required
All Day   SF’s Black Friday Ice Skating Dance Party w/ WiLD 94.9 at Union Square  $20*
*$20 adult tix (includes skate rental)
7:00 pm   Laugh GPT: SF’s First AI-Powered Stand-up Comedy Show (2024)  FREE*
*Use secret code HUMAN for comp tickets, otherwise, $10 off with secret code FUNCHEAP
7:00 pm   SF’s HellaSecret “Crazy Funny Asians” Friday Night Comedy Showcase (7p + 8:45p)  FREE*
*Free tickets, but RSVP Required. Donations ($5-$10) greatly appreciated. Otherwise, $15 adv / $20 door tickets also available
7:00 pm   FREE: Oakland’s HellaSecret Comedy & Cocktail Night 2024 (7p + 9p Shows)  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   A Season of Winter Wonder at Chabot Space & Science Center (Nov. 29 – Jan. 5)  FREE*
*Some events are free, some included with admission and some are paid tickets
7:30 pm   “Amadeus” Film w/ Live Orchestra from San Francisco Symphony (Nov. 29-30)  $99
7:30 pm   Multi-Platinum Recording Artist “G-Eazy” Live at the Fox Theater (Oakland)  FREE*
*WIN
8:00 pm   “The Stoner Comedy Jam” Friday Nights (SF)  FREE*
*Free with RSVP (21+ with Valid ID) - One item minimum purchase per person required
8:00 pm   SF’s 17-Year Run “Secret Improv Society” (Fridays & Saturdays)  $20*
*Normally $25, use secret code FUNCHEAP for $5 off tickets
10:15 pm   SF’s Free Late Night “Crazy Funny Asians” 10pm Comedy Show (Fri & Sat)  FREE*
*Free tickets, but RSVP Required. Donations ($5-$10) greatly appreciated. Otherwise, $25 door tickets also available
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