FRIDAY
6
NOVEMBER
Where to See Christmas Lights in San Jose
San Jose's lights split into three nights out: Fantasy of Lights at Vasona Lake in Los Gatos, walk-thru only on four December nights and prepaid; free Christmas in the Park downtown, daily November 27 to January 1; and Willow Glen's streets, free and best in pajamas.
Season: Late Nov–Jan 1 · Updated October 21, 2026 · refreshed weekly
- Fantasy of Lights: Vasona Lake County Park, Los Gatos — walk-thru only, four December nights, prepaid
- Christmas in the Park: Plaza de Cesar Chavez, free daily noon–10pm, November 27, 2026 – January 1, 2027
- Blinky's Drive Thru: No 2026 dates or location posted yet
- Free neighborhood lights: Willow Glen — Glen Eyrie and Glen Echo Avenues, mid-December into early January
- Tickets on sale: Fantasy of Lights: November 1, 2026, 8am, released in three phases
Fantasy of Lights: four walk-thru nights
The county's light show at Vasona Lake County Park, running since 1999, is walk-thru only this year — there are no drive-thru nights. Drone light shows run on all four nights.
Fantasy of Lights walk-thru — Los GatosVisit official site →
The route on foot at toddler pace, with family activity zones, photo spots, live entertainment and food stands along the way.
Dates
- Saturday–Sunday, December 5–6, 2026, 4–9pm
- Saturday–Sunday, December 12–13, 2026, 4–9pm
- Rain or shine
Tickets
$25 adults 13 and up, $10 youth 4–12, free ages 0–3 — but every person needs a ticket, babies included. Prepaid; entry is guaranteed only with one
Know before you go
- Tickets go on sale at parkhere.org in three phases: November 1 at 8am, November 6 at 6pm, November 9 at noon
- Free parking and shuttles run from Netflix, 121 Albright Way, Los Gatos
Who it's for
Toddlers, and anyone who wants to stop and look at a display
Skip if
You wanted the drive-thru — the county dropped it this year
Downtown: the free plaza and the ticketed drive-thru
Plaza de Cesar Chavez is the free anchor of the San Jose season, open daily from November 27, 2026 through January 1. Its ticketed drive-thru sibling, Blinky's, has no 2026 dates posted yet.
Christmas in the Park — San JoseVisit official site →
A plaza of community-decorated trees and over 40 musical and animated exhibits, with free Santa visits.
Dates
- Daily, November 27, 2026 – January 1, 2027
- Noon–10pm, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day included
Tickets
Free; donations encouraged
Know before you go
- VTA light rail to San Antonio Station puts you at the plaza
- ParkSJ city garages give the first 90 minutes free, except during special events
Who it's for
Any age and any budget — it is free, central and open every night
Blinky's Drive Thru — San Jose
Over a mile of light tunnels synced to music, run by the same nonprofit as the downtown event.
Dates
- No 2026 dates or location posted yet
Know before you go
- Proceeds fund the free downtown event
Who it's for
Families who want lights without getting out of the car
Skip if
You want to get out and walk — this one is seen from the car
Free neighborhood cruising
Willow Glen is the free option, and it is spread out rather than concentrated. The district-wide lit mini-trees run mid-December into early January.
- Glen Eyrie and Glen Echo Avenues are the classic blocks, lights arching over the road from the street trees
- Glen Brook, Carolyn and Griffith are worth the extra loop
- Small lit Charlie Brown trees fill the park strips on nearly every street
- Walk it with cocoa from Lincoln Avenue rather than driving it
- San Carlos's Christmas Tree Lane on Eucalyptus Avenue has run since 1968, if you are up the Peninsula
Upcoming holiday events in San Jose
The next 9 of 14 upcoming holiday lights events across the Bay Area, refreshed daily.
ZooLights (San Francisco Zoo & Gardens) — All‑new winter holiday lighting display illuminates the zoo.
Glowfari at Oakland Zoo displays hundreds of animal lanterns themed around California forests, San Francisco Bay, Montana, Florida Everglades, and Hawaii, for all ages.
WEDNESDAY
11
NOVEMBER
THURSDAY
12
NOVEMBER
FRIDAY
13
NOVEMBER
Holiday lights display transforms Downtown San Jose into six themed zones—Golden Christmas, Enchanted Jungle, California Garden, Mermaid Current, Cactus Mirage, White Christmas Wonderland—with food and treats.
SATURDAY
14
NOVEMBER
Holiday Lights transforms Filoli’s gardens into a glowing wonderland of lights and fireside treats.
WEDNESDAY
18
NOVEMBER
Forty‑year building lighting ceremony and holiday market at Three Embarcadero Center’s street level feature festive activities and seasonal shopping.
Annual tree lighting ceremony at Richmond Memorial Auditorium and Convention Center.
Would you like a personalized local event newsletter?
Tell us what you like, and get a free weekly email of hand-picked local events from 550+ Bay Area venues:
Festivals · Kids' classes · Craft workshops · Live music
- Personalized event feed based on your interests, city, and age groups.
- Weekly event picks delivered to your email inbox.
- Search and filter the full event catalog.
How it works
Create your free profile
About a minute. No payment required.
Tune your picks
Choose ages, interests, and nearby cities.
Get your weekly shortlist
Fifteen event picks for you.
Explore the full list
Browse the complete local catalog anytime.
FAQ
Where are the best free Christmas lights in San Jose?
Willow Glen. Start at Glen Eyrie and Glen Echo Avenues, where the lights arch over the road, then loop Glen Brook, Carolyn and Griffith. Christmas in the Park downtown is the other free one, and it runs every night.
How much is Fantasy of Lights?
$25 for adults 13 and up, $10 for kids 4–12, free for ages 0–3 — but every person needs a ticket, babies included. Tickets are prepaid and go on sale November 1, 2026 at 8am. There is no drive-thru this year.
Which one would you pick with a toddler?
A Fantasy of Lights walk-thru night, if you can get tickets — you set the pace and can turn back. Otherwise Christmas in the Park on a weeknight: free, so nobody minds if the visit lasts twenty minutes.
Is Blinky's Drive Thru the same as Christmas in the Park?
Same organization, separate event, separate ticket. The downtown plaza is free and on foot; Blinky's is a drive-thru whose proceeds fund the free one. No 2026 dates or location posted yet.