Holiday Events: Christmas, Hanukkah & Santa 2020: Milpitas

MILPITAS, CA — The holidays are nearing in Milpitas!

Christmas this year falls on a Friday, Dec. 25. Hanukkah runs Thursday, Dec. 10 through Friday, Dec. 18. And Kwanzaa is Dec. 26 to Jan. 1.

Celebrations are markedly different for 2020, to be sure. Many annual community extravaganazas were canceled in Milpitas, the South Bay and throughout beach cities this year due to the pandemic.

But festivities still abound throughout the area as towns and organizations are getting creative with drive-thrus, virtual and in-person, socially distanced events — many with limited availablity and required reservations.

Check out our annual event guide to see what's going on near you. And Happy Holidays, from Patch!

NOTE: Bookmark this page as additional events will be added when announced. Also, remember to double-check with organizers to confirm activities still are proceeding as originally planned.

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CAMPBELL:

NOV. 21 & DEC. 12: Family Holiday Photos At Ainsley House. Ainsley House living room will be decked as festive backdrop.

• Ainsley House, 300 Grant St., Campbell, CA

DEC. 4: Holiday Musical Fundraiser & Ugly Sweater Contest. Featuring local musician Jason Keiser.

• Via Zoom with Campbell Historical Museum & Ainsley House, 51 N. Central Ave., Campbell, CA

DEC 5 & 10: Virtual Visits With Santa. Includes story video & craft packet.

• Zoom via City of Campbell, CA

DEC. 5: Holiday Carol of Lights 2020: Downtown. Canceled.

• East Campbell Avenue and North 1st Street, Campbell, CA

DEC. 10: Annual Jim Brickman Holiday Concert. "Uplifting, family-friendly, holiday concert tradition."

• Online via Heritage Theatre, Campbell, CA

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CAPITOLA:

DEC. 12: Winter Magic Show with Mike the Magician. Free, family holiday fun!

• Virtual via Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Santa Cruz County, CA

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CUPERTINO:

DEC. 4-5 & 18-19: Zoom with Santa. Kid can enjoy a video chat with St. Nick.

• Online via City of Cupertino, CA

DEC. 9: Holidays in Hawai’i with Lei Nani Hula Dancers. Enjoy a virtual trip to the islands!

• On Zoom via City of Cupertino, CA

DEC. 11-13: 'Santa Stop': Quinlan Community Center. Registrants will receive candy canes & ornaments.

• Quinlan Community Center, 10185 N Stelling Road, Cupertino, CA

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DALY CITY:

NOV. 21-DEC. 20: The Great Dickens Christmas Fair & Victorian Holiday Party: Cow Palace. Canceled.

• Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Ave., Daly City, CA

NOV. 21-DEC. 24: 'Dickens Fair At Home' - Different agenda each weekend.

• Virtual via The Great Dickens Christmas Fair, Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Ave., Daly City, CA

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GILROY:

NOV.-DEC. Holiday Events & Ice Rink at Gilroy Gardens 2020. Canceled.

• Gilroy Gardens, 300 Hecker Pass Road, Gilroy, CA

DEC. 19: Wreaths Across America 2020. Volunteers needed to lay wreaths on veterans' graves.

• Gavilan Hills Cemetery & St. Mary's Cemetery (CAGHCG), 1000 First St., Gilroy, CA

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HALF MOON BAY:

NOV. 21-DEC. 23: Santa's Tree Farm. With Santa, elves' workshop & variety of u-cut trees.

• Santa's Tree Farm & Village, 78 Pilarcitos Creek Road, Half Moon Bay, CA

NOV. 27 & DEC. 4, 11 & 18: 'Night Of Lights' - Christmas tree lighting is Dec. 4.

• Mac Dutra Park, Main Street, Half Moon Bay, CA

Through DEC. 1: Puente Holiday Drive For Families & Farmworkers. Collecting food & gifts for 160 families & 320 children.

• Online via Puente, 620 North St., PO Box 554, Pescadero, CA

DEC. 11: 'Night Of Lights' Menorah Lighting. Socially distanced & masks required.

• Mac Dutra Park, Main Street, Half Moon Bay, CA

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HOLLISTER:

DEC. 31: Casa de Fruta New Year's Eve Party. Canceled.

• Casa de Fruta, 10021 Pacheco Pass Hwy., Hollister, CA

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LOS ALTOS:

NOV. 29: Festival of Lights Float Display. A revamp for 2020 as in-person parade is canceled.

• Rancho Shopping Center, 600 Rancho Shopping Center, Los Altos, CA

DEC. 3-31: Gingerbread House Exhibit. "Sweeten your holiday season!"

• Online via City of Los Altos, CA

DEC. 5: Virtual Magic & Comedy Show - Home for the Holidays.

• Virtual via Ackerly Entertainment of Silicon Valley, CA

DEC. 6-JAN. 3: Homage To The Holidays. Enjoy the community's holiday traditions.

• Online via KMVT from City of Los Altos, CA

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LOS ALTOS HILLS:

DEC. 6: Virtual Holiday Barn Lighting: Westwind. View via Facebook.

• Online from Westwind Community Barn 27210 Altamont Road, Los Altos Hills, CA

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LOS GATOS:

DEC. 4-30: Annual Fantasy of Lights Drive-Thru: Vasona Lake. "Bigger, better and brighter than ever."

• Vasona Lake County Park, 333 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos, CA

DEC. 4-23: Holiday Carriage Rides. A town tradition!

• Town Plaza, S. Santa Cruz Avenue and Montebello, Los Gatos, CA

DEC. 4: Holiday Tree Lighting & Santa. Canceled.

• Town Park Plaza, Los Gatos, CA

DEC. 5: Children's Christmas & Holidays Parade. Canceled.

• Downtown Los Gatos, CA

DEC. 5: The Garden Boutique. Perfect for holiday shopping!

• 15980 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos, CA

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MILPITAS:

NOV. 30: Holiday Tree-Lighting,Carolers & Santa. Includes countdown to tree-lighting.

• Online on YouTube via City of Milpitas, CA

DEC.: Milpitas Firefighters Toy Program. Fundraising underway. Giveaway registration has deadline.

• Via Milpitas Firefighter Toy Program, 777 S. Main St., Milpitas, CA

DEC. 5: In From the Cold, Annual HomeFirst Services Fundraiser. Supports "Cold Weather Shelter Program."

• Virtual via HomeFirst Services, 507 Valley Way, Milpitas, CA

DEC. 5: Milk & Cookies with Santa Drive-Thru. Kits are limited, so don't delay.

• Barbara Lee Senior Center, 40 N. Milpitas Blvd., Milpitas, CA

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MORGAN HILL:

DEC. 19: Wreaths Across America 2020. Volunteers needed to lay wreaths on veterans' graves.

• Mt. Hope Cemetery (CAMHCM), 314 Spring Ave., Morgan Hill, CA

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MOUNTAIN VIEW:

DEC. 5-6: Caltrain Annual Holiday Train & Toy Drive. Canceled.

• Caltrain station, Mountain View, CA

DEC. 12: Holiday Food Drive Drive-Up & Drop-Off. Aid those in need.

• Mountain View Senior Center, 266 Escuela Ave., Mountain View, CA.

DEC. 12-13: Peninsula Youth Theatre 'Princess Guide to Quarantine' - "Lighthearted take on fairytale characters."

• Zoom via Peninsula Youth Theatre, 2510-A Old Middlefield Way, Mountain View, CA

Through DEC. 20: GISSV German Holiday Market. Featuring German specialties you've come to love.

• Online via German International School of Silicon Valley, 500 Castro St., Mountain View, CA

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PALO ALTO:

NOV. 20: Holiday Virtual Tree-Lighting: Lytton Plaza. With music from Palo Alto Children’s Theatre.

• Online with Zoom or YouTube via City of Palo Alto, CA

DEC. 4: Holiday Family Sing Along. Sing & dance from home!

• Virtual via Palo Alto Players, Palo Alto, CA

DEC. 5: Festival of Trees. An outdoor & online event.

• Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden, 1431 Waverley St., Palo Alto, CA

Through DEC. 6: Palo Alto Art Center Virtual Holiday Sale. Shop & support local artists.

• Online via PaloAlto Art Center, 1313 Newell Road, Palo Alto, CA

DEC. 10-23: Jewish Repertory Theatre's 'Holiday Shorts' - "A new series of hilarious Woody-Allen-esque short plays."

• Online via Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, CA

DEC. 14: Hanukkah Online Theater: Oshman JCC. "Enjoy poignant, funny, contemporary stories of empowerment and triumph."

• Via Zoom with Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way,Palo Alto, CA

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PESCADERO:

Through DEC. 1: Puente Holiday Drive For Families & Farmworkers. Collecting food & gifts for 160 families & 320 children.

• Online via Puente, 620 North St., PO Box 554, Pescadero, CA

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SAN JOSE:

NOV. 20-JAN. 2: Victorian Candlelight Tours: Winchester Mystery House. All-new tour is rare glimpse into alleged haunted mansion.

• Winchester Mystery House, 525 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose, CA

NOV. 27-JAN. 3: Christmas In The Park - A Drive-Thru Holiday. With whimsical displays, hundreds of decorated Christmas trees & Santa!

• History Park, 635 Phelan Ave., San Jose, CA

NOV.-JAN. 2021: Kristi Yamaguchi 'Downtown Ice' Holiday Skate Rink. Canceled.

• 120 S. Market St., San Jose, CA

DEC. 5: Makers Market in the Park - An Open Air Craft Market. Start that shopping!

• Santana Row Park, 377 Santana Row, San Jose, CA

DEC. 12: Nutcracker: Short & Sweet 2020: Hammer Theatre. "A classical holiday ballet unique to our hometown."

• Livestream via Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo De San Antonio , San Jose, CA

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SANTA CLARA:

DEC. 5-6: Caltrain Annual Holiday Train & Toy Drive. Canceled.

• Caltrain station, Santa Clara, CA

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SANTA CRUZ:

NOV. 20-22: Christmas Carol 2: Scrooge Strikes Back. "This year Scrooge strikes back with one night of jingle hell carnage."

• Via Zoom with UCSC Theater Arts Department, Santa Cruz, CA

NOV. 27-29: Holiday Drive-In Movies: Beach Boardwalk. Three films & tickets on sale.

• River Parking Lot, Corner of Beach and Third Street, Santa Cruz, CA

DEC.: 'The Santa Cruz Nutcracker: Clara's Dream' - Filmed at local landmarks.

• Virtual via Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre, 2800 S. Rodeo Gulch Road, Soquel, CA

DEC. 5: Annual Holiday Home Tour. Benefits Santa Cruz Symphony & Santa Cruz County schools' music education.

• Virtual via Santa Cruz Symphony League

DEC. 12: Winter Magic Show with Mike the Magician. Free, family holiday fun!

• Virtual via Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Santa Cruz County, CA

DEC. 13: Holiday Serenade For Shelter Pets. Featuring local musicians.

• Livestreamed via Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter, 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, CA

DEC. 18-20: 'Nutcracker The Movie' Drive-In. Tickets on sale.

• Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Drive-In Theater, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz, CA

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SARATOGA:

NOV. 19-30: Yuletide Marketplace: Montalvo Arts Center. Easy one-stop for your holiday shopping!

• Online via Montalvo Arts Center, 15400 Montalvo Road, Saratoga, CA

NOV. 21-22: Holiday Photos at Montalvo. Photographer will snap pics with stunning backdrop of historic villa.

• Montalvo Arts Center, 15400 Montalvo Road, Saratoga, CA

DEC. 3: Wreath-Making Workshop: Montalvo Arts Center. Class sign-up includes needed materials.

• On Zoom via Montalvo Arts Center, 15400 Montalvo Road, Saratoga, CA

DEC. 4: Holiday Drive-Thru Food Drive. Benefits West Valley Community Services.

• City Hall Parking Lot, 13777 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga, CA

DEC. 5: Toys for Tots Drive. Help if you can as need for new toys has increased this year.

• Saratoga Area Senior Coordinating Council, 19655 Allendale Ave., Saratoga, CA

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SCOTTS VALLEY:

NOV. 28: Holiday Open House Family Passport Day. Holiday "journey" with festive fun along the way.

• Participating businesses, Scotts Valley, CA

DEC. 5-JAN. 5: Virtual "No Room at the Inn" Nativity Display. Viewing is free.

• Online via St. Philip the Apostle Episcopal Church, 5271 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, CA

DEC. 12: Winter Magic Show with Mike the Magician. Free, family holiday fun!

• Virtual via Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Santa Cruz County, CA

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SOQUEL:

DEC.: 'The Santa Cruz Nutcracker: Clara's Dream' - Filmed at local landmarks.

• Virtual via Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre, 2800 S. Rodeo Gulch Road, Soquel, CA

DEC. 12: Winter Magic Show with Mike the Magician. Free, family holiday fun!

• Virtual via Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Santa Cruz County, CA

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SUNNYVALE:

DEC. 5-6: Caltrain Annual Holiday Train & Toy Drive. Canceled.

• Caltrain station, Sunnyvale, CA

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WATSONVILLE:

NOV. 27 - DEC. 27: Holiday Lights Drive-Thru: Fairgrounds. Expected to sell out, so don't delay.

• Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave., Watsonville, CA

NOV.: Holiday In Plaza & Tree Lighting. Canceled.

• Main Street, Watsonville, CA

DEC. 6: Castro Adobe: Festivos en el Ranch. Canceled.

• Castro Adobe State Historic Park, 184 Old Adobe Road, Watsonville, CA

DEC. 12: Holidays On Ranch 2020: Castro Adobe. Canceled.

• Castro Adobe State Historic Park, 184 Old Adobe Road, Watsonville, CA

DEC. 12: Winter Magic Show with Mike the Magician. Free, family holiday fun!

• Virtual via Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Santa Cruz County, CA

Through JAN. 4: 'Ho-Ho-Hometown' Holiday Contest. The more you shop & dine, the more chances to win!

• Participating businesses & restaurants, Watsonville, CA

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WOODSIDE:

NOV. 21-JAN. 3: Garden Lights: Holidays at Filoli. Stroll the winter garden!

• Filoli, 86 Cañada Road, Woodside, CA

DEC. 5, 12 & 19: Santa Saturdays - Holidays at Filoli. Old St. Nick will be seeing visitors in Woodland Garden Court.

• Filoli, 86 Cañada Road, Woodside, CA

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FOR ENTIRE SAN FRANCISCO REGION GUIDE: Holiday Events: Christmas, Hanukkah & Santa 2020: SF Bay Area

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