Lighting up the holidays in the West Valley
Looking for something to do over the holidays? The West Valley has got you covered.
From tree lightings to parades to carriage rides, look no further than Los Gatos and Saratoga for holiday fun.
Los Gatos in Lights
Los Gatos’s annual – and free – winter celebration is set for Friday, Dec. 6, 5-7 p.m., in Town Plaza Park. The event will feature a visit from Santa, a tree lighting at 6 p.m., snow flurries, a light show and more. Visit losgatosca.gov/lginlights to learn more.
Fantasy of Lights
The popular Fantasy of Lights returns to Vasona Lake County Park for the holidays.
The display will be open for walk-throughs Dec. 7-8 , 4-9 p.m. Prepaid tickets starting at $17 are required for entry.
The drive-through will run Dec. 10-Jan. 5, with the exception of Dec. 25 and 31 and Jan. 1. Prepaid tickets start at $32.34 per vehicle at parks.santaclaracounty.gov/FantasyofLights.
Holiday tree lighting
The Los Gatos History Club will host the annual lighting of the grand fir tree in Town Plaza Park on Friday, Dec. 2. The history club has been part of this tradition since it first donated and planted the tree in 1923. Visit historyclublosgatos.org/event-details/holiday-tree-lighting for more information.
Carriage rides
After making its debut during Los Gatos in Lights on Dec. 6, a cable car-style trolley will be available for rides, photo opportunities and giveaways through the holiday season.
On Dec. 13-15, participants can ride the trolley on a hop on, hop off tour of the town, with a special appearance from Santa. Visit losgatoschamber.com/events to learn more.
Santa visits Old Town
From Dec. 12-15, Santa will be available to greet children at his workshop in Old Town Los Gatos. Along with giveaways and entertainment, volunteers will be available to take photos of children with Santa. Visit losgatoschamber.com/events to learn more.
Holiday market
On Dec. 14-15 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. both days, stop by the civic center lawn on Main Street in Los Gatos to check out the Kiwanis Club’s holiday market. Entertainment, refreshments and works by local artists will be available. Proceeds will benefit local youth. Visit losgatoschamber.com/events to learn more.
Children’s parade
On Saturday, Dec. 7, the town’s annual children’s holiday parade will make its way along North Santa Cruz Avenue and Main Street in Los Gatos.
For its 68th year, the parade will draw crowds from around the Bay Area for a lineup that includes local officials like the Los Gatos and Monte Sereno council members as well as characters like Butters the Pet Therapy Duck. Visit https://www.lgsrecreation.org/parade for more information on the parade lineup.
Saratoga tree lighting
The holiday tree lighting in the Saratoga Village is set for Friday, Nov. 29, at 5:30 p.m. Restaurants and businesses in the Village will have extended hours, horse-drawn carriages will be available for rides and local choirs will perform. For more information, visit saratoga.ca.us/Calendar.aspx?EID=2264.
Candy Cane Village
Visitors can stop by a Candy Cane Village in Saratoga on Friday, Nov. 29 at 3 p.m. to kick off the holiday festivities before the tree lighting.
Photos with Santa, live music, arts and crafts tables and more will be available at 14460 Big Basin Way. LED balloons and hot cocoa will be available for purchase. For more information, visit saratoga.ca.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=141
Holiday Wine Stroll
Saratoga’s Holiday Wine Stroll happens just after the city’s holiday tree lighting on Friday, Nov. 29. Starting at 6 p.m., the stroll will feature tastings from wineries like Left Bend and Savannah Chanelle Vineyards .
Tickets start at $60 at eventbrite.com.
Celebration of Light
Hosted by the city of Saratoga and the Saratoga Ministerial Association, this year’s Celebration of Light is on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 6 p.m. in Blaney Plaza. The city and the ministerial association will celebrate the city’s diversity with light, “a symbol of hope, joy, and faith across cultures.” For more information, visit saratoga.ca.us/Calendar.aspx?EID=2265.