Saratoga Holiday Event Guide 2021: Christmas Parades & Santa

SARATOGA, CA — Get out your calendars! Time to start planning as holiday festivities gear up in Saratoga and throughout the South Bay and nearby beach towns.

Christmas this year falls on a Saturday, Dec. 25. Hanukkah 2021 came a bit early, beginning Sunday, Nov. 28 at sundown, and runs through Monday, Dec. 6.

Peruse Patch's annual holiday guide, find nearby events and select the outings that appeal to you and yours. Many events kick off soon, while several require advance bookings, and space may be limited.

Do note: Always confirm with organizers that the listed activities are proceeding as planned when posted.

And to all of our readers, wishing you the happiest of holidays, from Patch!
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APTOS:

DEC. 11-12: Holiday Sale. Shop for holidays & support local state parks and beaches.

DEC. 18-19: Nutcracker Performance - Santa Cruz Dance Guild. Four showtimes & tickets on sale.

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CAMPBELL:

DEC. 2-19: Ainsley House Holiday Teas & Tours. A museum fundraiser with boutique, tea & more.

DEC. 3-4: Storytime With Santa: Community Center. Book your spot soon! Space is limited.

DEC. 4: Meet, Greet & Photos With Santa: Ainsley House. Limited spots available.

DEC. 8: CBD Sip & Shop Holiday Party. "Holiday madness stressing you out?"

DEC. 17-18: Academy of Classical Ballet's 'A Winter Wonderland' - Festive holiday ballet for the whole family.
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CAPITOLA

NOV. 26-DEC. 24: Santa Photos & Jolly Tuesdays: Capitola Mall. Reservations underway!
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CUPERTINO:

DEC. 3: Tree Lighting, Holiday Movie & Santa. Admission is free, but registration required.

DEC. 4: Breakfast With Santa: Quinlan Community Center. Likely to sell out, but wat list will be started.
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FELTON:

DEC. 4: Tea Party. At Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.

DEC. 4-JAN. 2: Toy Train Days - Weekends. Free. "All aboard for our Christmas Toy Train event!"

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GILROY:

NOV. 26-DEC. 31: Gilroy Gardens Holidays, Lights, Shows, Ice Rink & Santa. Extravaganza is back for 2021.

NOV. 26-DEC. 19: 'A Nice Family Christmas' with South Valley Civic Theatre: Limelight. Follow story of young newspaper reporter on brink of being fired on Christmas Eve.

DEC. 4: Holiday Parade, Tree Lighting & Santa. The downtown tradition returns!
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HALF MOON BAY:

NOV. 20-DEC. 23: Santa’s Tree Farm & U-Cut Christmas Trees. With six types of trees, plus weekends include train rides & Mrs. Claus Kitchen.

DEC. 3, 10 & 17: 'Nights Of Lights' -Tree Lighting, Parade & Santa. With different events each Friday.
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LA HONDA:

DEC. 5: La Honda Christmas Market. Benefits La Honda Volunteer Fire Brigade.
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LOS ALTOS:

DEC. 3: Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony & Santa. With performances by Mountain View High School Madrigals & Los Altos High School Volare.
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LOS GATOS:

DEC. 3: Tree Lighting & Santa: Town Plaza Park. With free, COVID-safe photos with Santa after lighting.

DEC. 4-30: 'Fantasy Of Lights' Walk-Thru & Drive-Thru: Vasona Lake County Park. Always a sell-out, so book soon!

DEC. 4: Children's Christmas/Holidays Parade. Canceled.

DEC. 4: 'Holiday Promenade' Street Fest. Includes Los Gatos Ballet, Los Gatos Youth Theatre, LGHS band, R.J. Fisher band & more.

DEC. 9-23: Holiday Carriage Rides. "Feel the romance of Christmas past."

DEC. 17-19: Los Gatos Ballet's 2021 Nutcracker. A holiday tradition!
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MILPITAS:

NOV.-DEC.: Firefighters Toy Program - Holiday Drive. Sign up to contribute, or put your family on donation list.

DEC. 4: Milk & Cookies With Santa. Multiple sessions & registration required.
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MONTEREY:

DEC. 3-19: 5th Annual Christmas on the Wharf. Three, jam-packed weekends of festivities.

DEC. 31: First Night Monterey. Ring in the New Year!

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MORGAN HILL:

DEC. 4: Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting. Celebrate return of Santa & his Magic Ship!
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SAN JOSE:

NOV. 19-JAN. 9, 2022: 'Downtown Ice' Holiday Skating Rink. "Skate under the stars and palm trees in Downtown San Jose!"

NOV. 26-JAN. 9: Blinky's Illuminated Holiday Drive-Thru. "Mile of smiles" with synchronized light show & favorite tunes.

DEC. 5: Hanukkah Menorahs & Miracles: Children's Discovery Museum. With scavenger hunt, story time, dreidel games & candle lighting.

DEC. 5: Chanukah Concert & Menorah Lighting: Santana Row. With fan-fave Israeli rock band, The Peatot.

DEC. 7: Hammer Theatre Center's Cool Yule. Jazz concert with festive & familiar holiday songs.

DEC. 11: Symphony San Jose Chorale 'Carols In The California' - "Traditional sing-along of your favorite carols with choir & brass ensemble."

DEC. 11: Hammer Theatre's Mariachi Sol de Mexico's "A Merry-Achi Christmas." Fusion of traditional holiday spirit with colors& traditions of Mexican and American Christmas songs & carols.

DEC. 30: A Magical Cirque Christmas: Performing Arts Center. "Magic of Christmas with dazzling performers and breathtaking cirque artists... holiday music performed live."

DEC. 31: Noon Year’s Eve Party! (Family Event) 3Below Theaters. Includes film, games and prizes, & dessert buffet with sparkling cider.

DEC. 31: New Year’s Eve Party & Moulin Rouge Sing-Along: 3Below Theaters & Café. "Come dressed to impress in costumes to match the movie, cocktail attire, OR fancy PJs/loungewear!"
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SANTA CLARA:

NOV. 26-DEC. 9: California's Great America WinterFest & Ice Skating. Seasonal extravaganza is back!

DEC. 4: Caltrain Holiday Train & Toy Drive. Community tradition returns for 2021!

DEC. 19: Choral Project's 'Winter's Gifts: Stars' Holiday Concert. Featuring award- winning, Silicon Valley-based choir & San Jose Chamber orchestra.
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SANTA CRUZ:

NOV. 26-DEC. 23: Holiday Lights Train: Roaring Camp Railroads. Book soon. always a sell-out.

NOV. 26-JAN. 2: Beach Boardwalk Winter Wonderland. "Get in the holiday spirit – celebrate the season at the beach!"

DEC. 3: Holiday Bazaar First Friday at 17th Ave. Studios. Free to the public.

DEC. 4: Winter Art Market. At Tannery Arts Center with live music & food truck.

DEC. 11: West Cliff Holiday Outdoor Market. At Lighthouse Point.

DEC. 11: Winter Open House at the Museum. Free with cookies, cider & crafts.

DEC. 11: Holiday Living History Event. Family fun at Wilder Ranch State Park.

DEC. 11-12: Holiday Sale. Shop for holidays & support local state parks and beaches.

DEC. 18-19: The Nutcracker: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. With Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre & live orchestra.

DEC. 18-19: The Santa Cruz Chorale presents Christmas with the Chorale. Experience the joy of Christmas music!
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SARATOGA:

NOV. 26-DEC. 31: 'Spirit Of Holidays Around World' Exhibit: Saratoga History Museum. New exhibit runs through year-end. Reception includes entertainment.

DEC. 12: San Jose Wind Symphony Presents “A Holiday Gift for You!” Tickets are free.

DEC. 17-19: Los Gatos Ballet's 2021 Nutcracker. A holiday tradition!

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SCOTTS VALLEY:

DEC. 1-19: Holiday Paint & Sip, Kids' Fun & Classes Bruno's. Events include Ugly Sweater Party & children's cookie house decorating.

DEC. 3-4: "No Room at the Inn" Fundraiser. Elaborate display of nativity sets from around the world at St Philip's.
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SOQUEL:

DEC. 4-5: Annual Art In The Cellars Holiday Festival. Festive event at Bargetto Winery.
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SUNNYVALE:

NOV. 19-JAN. 2: Winter Ice Skating Rink. Back for 2021 with such events as Learn to Curl & Robots on Ice.

DEC. 4: Caltrain Holiday Train & Toy Drive. Community tradition returns for 2021!

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WATSONVILLE:

NOV. 19-DEC. 26: Holiday Lights Drive-Thru: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Tickets on sale. Two dates planned for walk-thru fundraiser.

DEC. 10: First Annual Festivus. Supports Agricultural History Project and Museum of Watsonville.

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SEE ENTIRE SF BAY AREA EVENT GUIDE: SF Bay Area Holiday Guide 2021: Christmas Parades & Santa Stops & More

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HEADING OUT FOR THE HOLIDAYS?

• Orange County Holiday Events 2021
• San Diego County Holiday Events 2021
• Riverside County Holiday Events 2021