San Jose’s Christmas in the Park returns to Plaza de César Chávez downtown on Friday, Nov. 27. It will be open daily from noon to 10 p.m. through Jan. 1, 2027, according to the event’s official site. Admission is free.
The organizers list more than 40 animated displays, more than 600 decorated trees and a 50-foot walk-in tree. Free photos with Santa run Nov. 28 through Dec. 24.
Key dates
- Nov. 21: Setup Saturday
- Nov. 23–25: Community Tree Decorating Days
- Nov. 27: Opening day
- Nov. 28, 6–7 p.m.: Opening Night Ceremony
- Dec. 3: SJSU Night
- Dec. 6 and Dec. 19, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.: Paws at the Park, the event’s pet-friendly days
- Dec. 13 and Dec. 27, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.: Special Inclusion Sundays, which are sensory-friendly
- Jan. 1: Last day
A downtown tradition that depends on donations
The organizers trace the event to displays created by Don Lima in the 1950s. It has been held at the plaza since the early 1980s. The site says more than 90% of its budget comes from community fundraising.
In April 2025, San José Spotlight reported that the City Council had approved a three-year contract with the nonprofit Christmas In The Park Inc. that runs through 2027. The city provides about $500,000 a year in in-kind support. Spotlight reported that the event draws about 700,000 visitors and brings in about $20 million a year for the city and downtown businesses. At that time, the nonprofit was facing a $250,000 deficit on an annual budget of about $1.75 million.
For more holiday plans, see BART and Caltrain holiday schedules.