Community Corner

Los Gatos 2011 Holiday Event Guide

Know events we're missing? Add them in the comments!

Below you'll find all the Los Gatos holiday events we've been able to compile around town. If you know of an event we're missing, please add it to the comments.

NOV. AND UP TO DEC. 24

NOW THROUGH JAN. 2

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The three-hour public parking lots downtown have had their time limits extended to four hours until Jan. 2, 2012. Street parking limitations remain the same as posted. Take advantage of this great way to park and enjoy Los Gatos during the holiday season.

NOW THROUGH DEC. 23

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NOW THROUGH DEC. 29

The, 46 E. Main St., is collecting food donations for the Second Harvest Food Drive this holiday season. Barrels will be in front of the hotel and donations can be dropped off until Dec. 29. Details: Karen Bisbee, 408-354-6446.

NOW THROUGH DEC. 31

The 13th annual Fantasy of Lights show continues every evening 6-10 p.m. through Saturday, Dec. 31, including holidays, at Vasona Lake County Park, 333 Blossom Hill Rd. The event consists of a 1.5-mile drive-through holiday lights and display entertainment extravaganza. According to organizers, the show is the premier holiday lights spectacular in Northern California. Details: 408-355-2201.

DEC. 1 THROUGH DEC. 23

The Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad presents The Holiday Train 6-9 p.m., Thursday through Sunday, starting Dec. 1 through Dec. 23 at Oak Meadow Park, 233 Blossom Hill Rd. The train rides through Vasona Lake County Park allowing a view of the Fantasy of Lights show. Details: 408-395-7433.

NOW THROUGH DEC. 20

The seventh Festival of Trees at Kings Court Shopping Center noon-4 p.m. Local schools and community organizations will be decorating Christmas trees. Vote for your favorite tree inside the shops and restaurants at the center. One ballot per person will be counted. Prizes! Get photos with Santa, too, $10 per photo! Details: www.kingscourtlg.com.

DEC. 21

The Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation 55-Plus Program sponsors a free "Holiday Sing Along" 12:30-3 p.m. Meet in the Large Hall of the Adult Recreation Center for an old-fashioned community sing along. Hot cider and cookies will be provided. Everyone welcome! Bring the grandkids! No RSVP required.

DEC. 23

Congregation Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, hosts a family Hanukkah service with its junior choir at 7:30 a.m. in the Temple's sanctuary. Presiding over the service will be Rabbis Melanie Aron and Joel Fleekop and Cantor Felder-Levy. Rabbi Aron will share a story. Bring your Chaukah menorah and candles to celebrate the fourth night of Chanukah. Details: 358-1751.

DEC. 28

The Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation 55-Plus Program presents the free movie National Lampoons Christmas Vacation at 1 p.m., at the Los Gatos Adult Recreation Center, 208 East Main St. Deck the halls with boughs of laughter—the
Griswolds are back! Hapless Clark (Chevy Chase), exasperated Ellen and their changing kids gear up for Christmas in this Vacation installment that became a holiday classic. As usual, all the good intentions in the world can’t save them from disaster.

COMPLETED EVENTS

DEC. 2

First day of Holiday Carriage Rides, 7 p.m. To make reservations visit www.losgatoschamber.com and click on the picture of a carriage. 

DEC. 3

, made up of fourth-graders, will have barrels for toy donations along Los Gatos Children's Christmas and Holidays Parade route on N. Santa Cruz Ave.

Peacock Tree Farm donates 50 percent of proceeds to the Loma Prieta Public Education Fund, 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m. 17950 Mountain Charlie Rd.  Make getting your Christmas tree be a fun family outing. Free apple cider, hot chocolate and other holiday treats. 

DEC. 3-4

Holiday craft faire sponsored by , 10 a.m. Loma Prieta Community Center, 23800 Summit Road. Details: 408-353-1123.

An alternative gift fair will be held 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Los Gatos United Methodist Church, 111 Church St. Several charities are participating. Details: Karen Noe, 408.354.4730, or karen.noe@lgumc.org.

Pet Food Express, 15466 Los Gatos Blvd., is offering photos with Santa, noon-4 p.m. Cost is $10 for one photo and $15 for two. All proceeds go to Unconditional Love Animal Rescue.

DEC. 4

, 35 N. Santa Cruz Ave., is hosting a member of the U.S. Marine Corp for its annual Toys For Tots campaign. Stop by on Sunday, Dec. 4, 1-5 p.m., and drop off an unwrapped toy that will help make the holidays happy for a child. Details: Powell's Sweet Shoppe, 408-395-5200.

DEC. 8

Holiday Mixer at Montalvo Arts Center, 15400 Montalvo Rd., Saratoga, 5:30-7 p.m. Reservations strongly requested and carpooling suggested. Details: 408-354-9300.

DEC. 10

Holiday Open House and Festival of Trees Kick-off event, 12 noon-4 p.m. at Kings Court Shopping Center. Live entertainment, balloon animals, face painting, photos with Santa Claus. Details: Lindsey Bolls, 408-551-2249.

Yelp’s One Warm Coat Donation + Shopping Day takes place 1-5 p.m. at various town businesses. The public can drop off gently used or new coats to , 10 N. Santa Cruz Ave. Participants will receive a Yelp wristband, which allows them discounts at many Los Gatos businesses, including, lingerie, jewelry store and . Coats will go directly to Sacred Heart Community Service, a San Jose non-profit dedicated to fighting poverty in the area. 

The seventh Festival of Trees at Kings Court Shopping Center noon-4 p.m. Local schools and community organizations will be decorating Christmas trees. Vote for your favorite tree inside the shops and restaurants at the center. One ballot per person will be counted. Prizes! Get photos with Santa, too, $10 per photo! Details: www.kingscourtlg.com.

DEC. 10

Santa Paws ... Bring your canine and feline friends to 1-4 p.m. for a keepsake photo with Santa Claus. Photos are $20. Proceeds benefit Humane Society of Silicon Valley.

Pet Food Express, 15466 Los Gatos Blvd. is offering photos with Santa, noon-4 p.m. Cost is $10 for one photo and $15 for two. All proceeds go to Unconditional Love Animal Rescue

DEC. 10-11

, and and Vineyards present "A Mountain Holiday With the Summit Wineries," Dec. 10-11, 12 noon-5 p.m. Sample food and wine for your holiday gift-giving and celebrations. Special wine prices and handmade gifts by local artists. Visit each winery for a different holiday experience. 

DEC. 11

California Pops Orchestra presents "Christmas Fantastique" at 3 p.m., Dec. 11, at , 16330 Los Gatos Blvd. Details: www.calpops.org.

Celebrate the Jewish Community Center's annual community-wide Hanukah festival 12 noon-4 p.m., co-sponsored this year by the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley. Hanukah Palooza is one of Silicon Valley's largest Hanukah events, a perennial favorite of families with preschool and school-age children. Kids enjoy the crafts, bounce houses and games, while the entire family can enjoy the food, music and holiday vendors. Hanukah Palooza even includes a family-oriented concert by Octopretzel. This event is free and open to members and non-members. Details: Diana Schnabel at diana@svjcc.org or 408-357-7402.

DEC. 15

Make your personal Judaica more meaningful by creating it yourself! Join the Center for Jewish Life and Learning for an art workshop at the Jewish Community Center, 7-9 p.m. Participants will explore one of the major themes of Hanukkah: lights. Inspired by the series at the Contemporary Jewish Museum. Details: APJCC Center for Jewish Life and Learning, 408-357-7411 or cjll@svjcc.org.

DEC. 17

Holiday live entertainment in , noon-3 p.m.

DEC. 18

Santa and his elves will be in the Los Gatos Town Plaza Park 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 18. No fee for sitting on Santa's Lap. This wonderful Santa takes the time to talk individually with each each child. Bring your camera to capture the moment, there will not be a photographer at the park. Event sponsored by Details: 408-354-8700.

DEC. 19

The Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation 55-Plus Program sponsors a free Mountain Program Holiday Party and Gift Exchange, at 10:15 a.m. Participants will meet at the Loma Prieta Community Center at 10:15 and carpool to “Hazlwood” and the home of Robert and Barbara Knipe, for a pre-holiday celebration potluck. The Knipes have transformed their property into an almost dream-like event center. For the potluck, plates, napkins, utensils, cups, drinks, and cold-cut platter will be provided. Participants are invited to bring either salad or dessert—and a gift (no more than $5) to exchange. Details: Lynnette Vega, 650-747-0605, or
email lahondalynnette@earthlink.net.


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