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

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

Tuesday, December 24, 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
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, South Bay, Tree + Holiday Lightings, Weekend Events Guide - December 22-25, 2023
Address: 194 South Market St., San Jose, CA

Other Events on This Day

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

10:00 am   SF’s Holiday Ice Skating Session at Union Square (Christmas Eve)  $20*
*Tickets are $20 with skate rental included in the cost of admission
10:00 am   SF’s “Winter Wonderland”: Free Ice Skating & Santa on Xmas Eve  FREE*
*Free with RSVP - Ice skating sessions are between 20-30 minutes. Space is limited to first come first served. Eventbrite registrations will receive priority admission until capacity is reached. A limited amount of walk-ups may be available. Complimentary rentals (child size one through adult size 12) will be available for a $5 suggested donation to the Warriors Community Foundation
10:00 am   SF’s Winter Wonderland Free Ice Skating at Thrive City (Xmas Eve)  FREE*
*Free with RSVP if you bring your own skates - Don’t worry if you don’t have skates! Complimentary rentals (child size one through adult size 12) will be available for a $5 suggested donation to the Warriors Community Foundation in support of education and youth development to promote thriving students, schools and communities.
12:00 pm   2024 Christmas Eve Ice Skating at San Jose’s “Downtown Ice”  $21*
*$21 includes skate rentals
1:00 pm   December 24th Visits & Holiday Gift Deliveries to SF Older Adults  FREE
4:30 pm   “Enchant” 2024: Christmas Eve at the World’s Largest Christmas Light Maze  $27*
*Tickets start at $27 + fees. Prices may fluctuate with demand. Ice Skating for additional $15.
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 Eve Tree Lighting Show  FREE
5:00 pm   SF’s Free Christmas Eve Comedy Night + Xmas Cocktail Happy Hour ALL NIGHT (2024)  FREE*
*RSVP Required
6:00 pm   Taco Tuesday w/ $2 Margaritas at Westwood (SF)  FREE*
*No cover. $2 margarita with a purchase of a taco (starting at $4.75)
7:00 pm   Oakland’s Brand New “Mezcal & Mole” Comedy Night (Mondays & Tuesdays)  FREE*
*Free with RSVP. Food/drink for purchase
7:00 pm   SF’s “Laugh GPT” AI-Powered Comedy Night at The Function (7p + 8:45p)  FREE*
*RSVP Required.
7:00 pm   30% Off Tix: “Home for the Holidays on Christmas Eve” w/ SF Gay Men’s Chorus  $21*
*30% Discount - use code HOME24 - only good for the 7pm performance
8:30 pm   $6 Drive-In Movie Night in Concord & San Jose  $6*
*$6 for adults on Tuesday nights. Kids are $2
11:30 pm   Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at Sts. Peter and Paul in North Beach (SF)  FREE
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