North Pole Nights, Gilroy Gardens' holiday event, returns on select evenings starting Saturday, Nov. 21. The park and the Gilroy Inn's holiday guide both say it runs on select evenings through Dec. 31, and the Gilroy Inn notes it is not every night. A single-day admission ticket or a Premium Membership gets you in.
Dates
The Kids Out and About San Jose calendar lists these dates: Nov. 21, 22 and 27 to 29; Dec. 4 to 6, 11 to 13, 18 to 23, and 26 to 30. That calendar lists 5 to 10 p.m., but hours may vary by date, so check the park's calendar before you go.
What's included
- A 100-foot animated, musical Tunnel of Lights and light displays throughout the park.
- North Pole Village, across the Candy Cane Lane bridge, with Santa's elves and a North Pole Post Office for letters to Santa.
- An ice rink in the village. The park says skaters who bring their own skates and sign a waiver skate free.
- Shows including The Magic of Santa, a musical with Santa, Mrs. Claus and new characters such as Rudy the Polar Bear and Tinsel the Tree, plus a late-night-talk-show spoof called North Pole Tonight.
- Train ride Tinsel's Groove Train through the park's redwood forest, and Rudy's Road Trip.
Food and special meals
There are three bars serving cocktails, mocktails and hot drinks: Skitter's Cozy Cabin, Live Tonight Bar and Merry & Mischief Bar. Lunch with Santa runs Dec. 12 and 13 from 1 to 3 p.m., and a Holiday Feast is Dec. 19 and 20 with 5, 6 and 7 p.m. seatings. The park says kids under 12 eat free at both.
Closed rides
The Rainbow Garden Round Boat Ride, the Paddle Boats and the Sky Trail Monorail are closed during North Pole Nights. The park is on Hecker Pass Highway in Gilroy. Dress warm; the Gilroy Inn guide warns that December evenings get cold after sunset.