Looking for holiday activities the whole family can enjoy? Here are 6 socially distanced holiday activities to check out this week.
Shine Bright Cupertino Light Tour
Neighbors have thoughtfully decorated their homes with holiday décor for all of Cupertino to enjoy. Over 20 homes are featured on the tour that starts at the City of Cupertino Holiday Tree.
The best touring times are early nighttime and it’s recommended to not tour too late, as many lights are turned off after 10 p.m.
It is a driving tour so drive carefully and be mindful of the homeowners and their neighbors. If you get out of your car be sure to social distance and wear a mask.
Download and follow along with the tour map here.
The Mattos Family Orchard in San Jose
The Mattos family of San Jose has decorated their 30,000 square-foot orchard for over 35 years. Each year the display grows, and this year they’ve gained national attention for their impressive holiday light display.
On Wednesday, December 16th the Mattos Orchard’s light display was featured on ABC’s “The Great Christmas Light Fight”.
The show features families decorating their homes to the extreme for Christmas. Families and neighborhoods across America compete to win a cash prize and the coveted “Light Fight” trophy.
“Being on the great Christmas light fight was pretty amazing,” Mattosa told ABC 11.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be in the audience a few times in the past; for it to be my chance to be on it was pretty incredible. The experience that night is one my whole family, my kids will never forget.”
If you haven’t seen it yet, be sure to visit the Mattos Orchard this holiday season or watch their episode on ABC.
Christmas in the Park at History Park in San Jose
Enjoy the annual Christmas in the Park holiday event in a new form this year. Due to COVID-19 concerns, this has been moved from Plaza de Cesar Chavez to drive through experience at History Park in San Jose.
You will still see all of the whimsical displays, hundreds of decorated Christmas trees and even some new features that will add to your enjoyment of the event. Through 32 original and reproduction homes, businesses and landmarks, History Park reveals Santa Clara Valley’s past. The 14-acre site offers the “charm and ambiance of times gone by” and creates a perfect site for our event. In case you are wondering, you will also still be able to see Santa!
Reservations are required and must be made online in advance.
Click here to make a reservation.
Light the Holiday Nights
Although San Jose’s Christmas in the Park has moved this year to facilitate a drive-thru experience, locals can still enjoy a walk through an illuminated winter wonderland in downtown’s Plaza de Cesar Chavez. The park is filled with lighted trees and a 26-foot-tall stylized holiday tree perched atop the stage on the north end of the park.
This event is free and open to the public, reservations are not required. For more information about the event, click here.
Watch the San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker Online
As the holidays look a little different this year, the San Francisco Ballet wants you to be able to keep your traditions (or start new ones) alive with Nutcracker Online.
Now through December 31st watch the San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker in HD, tour the virtual opera house, send downloadable holiday snaps to your friends and family, enjoy historical highlights of San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker, and learn steps from the choreography.
Tickets are $49 and allow for 48-hour access to all of the interactive and virtual experiences the San Francisco Ballet has to offer.
Click here for more information and to purchase a ticket.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with the Opera San Jose
Opera San Jose presents THE PARTING GLASS, a free New Year’s Eve live stream event.
Conceived of and curated by resident bass-baritone Nathan Stark, and directed by Resident Director Tara Branham, THE PARTING GLASS is a free, New Year’s Eve program of drinking songs, inspired by music from across the globe.
Click here for more information and to reserve your free General Admission pass. VIP Experiences are available for an added cost.
Have a favorite event not listed here? Tell us about it!