Los Gatos 2013 Holiday Event Guide

THROUGH DEC. 24

Free unlimited valet parking in lot No. 4 off North Santa Cruz Avenue between Grays Lane and Elm Street 9 a.m.–9 p.m. most days.

THROUGH DEC. 29

The Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad Fantasy of Lights Holiday Train runs 6-9 p.m. at Oak Meadow Park, 233 Blossom Hill Rd. Thursday through Sunday evenings, weather permitting. Open for a bonus night on Wednesday, Dec. 18, closed Dec. 24-25. Please note that not all of Vasona lights may be viewed from the train. Suggested route to avoid traffic: Los Gatos Boulevard to Blossom Hill Road. "Over the highway and through the light, The Holiday Train will be on the right!" Details: 408-395-7433.

THROUGH DEC. 31

Fantasy of Lights Drive-thru Holiday Lights show, presented by the Santa Clara County Department of Parks and Recreation, returns for the 15th year at Vasona Lake Park, 333 Blossom Hill Rd., in Los Gatos, 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29 through Monday, Dec. 31, 2013. Details:  408-355-2201, or visit: www.parkhere.org

DEC. 27

The 10th Avenue Band Holiday Dance, Los Gatos Adult Recreation Center, 208 E Main St., includes swing music, listening and dancing, light refreshments and door prizes 7-9 p.m. Donation of $5 is suggested. Details: 408-354-1514.

COMPLETED EVENTS:

NOV. 29

Chanukah Family Shabbat Service at 7:30 p.m. in Congregation Shir Hadash's sanctuary, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane. Join Rabbis Melanie Aron, Josh Lobel, and Lisa Levenberg and Cantor Devorah Felder-Levy and the Junior Choir in celebration of Chanukah. The Junior Choir will be performing an original Chanukah play written by Elizabeth Herman, called This Light Tonight. Bring your chanukiyot and candles to help light up the sanctuary on this third night of Chanukah. Spin the dreidel and enjoy Sufganiyot (jelly-filled donuts) at the Oneg following the service. Everyone is welcome! Details: 408-358-1751.

DEC. 4

Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce Holiday Business after hours mixer 5:30-7 p.m. at El Camino Hospital Los Gatos, 815 Pollard Rd. Please join West Valley business professional in a relaxed business networking atmosphere. Prizes, hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. Everyone pays $5 for this holiday event. Details:  408-354-9300, or chamber@losgatoschamber.com.

DEC. 6

Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Town Plaza Park, corner of Main Street and Santa Cruz Avenue, at 5 p.m., lighting of tree at 6 p.m. Santa arrives at 6:01 p.m. Hosted by the Los Gatos Community Foundation and the Town of Los Gatos.

DEC. 6, 7, 8

Los Gatos Ballet and the San Jose Dance Theatre present "The Nutcracker" at the Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd., in San Jose. The production also features guest artists Sarah Van Patten and Carlos Quenedit of San Francisco Ballet, as well as a live orchestra conducted by Scott Krijnen. Buy tickets by clicking here. Details: 408-286-9905.

DEC. 7

57th Los Gatos Children's Christmas and Holidays Parade starts at 11 a.m. Hosted by Los Gatos Lions Club and the Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation Department, annual processional travels down North Santa Cruz Avenue and Main Street, rain or shine. With almost 250 entries last year, event attracts nearly 20,000 people each year, with about 7,000 participants and an attendance of about 12,000.

Limos and Latkes at the JCC event for youth in grades 6-8, 6-10 p.m., 14855 Oka Rd. Come join the Jewish Community Center and BBYO as they take rides in limos around the South Bay while on a crazy scavenger hunt. Participants tell the driver where they want to go to find their Hanukkah items. The night ends with a latke party with teens from across the Bay Area. Tickets are $35. Click here to register or call BBYO, 650-223-8602. Details: Jason Goldstein, 408-357-7497, or jason@svjcc.org.

DEC. 7-8

A Mountain Holiday with the Summit Wineries. Five wineries will have gifts for sale, music, food 12-5 p.m. Enjoy the holidays with The Summit Wineries, five wineries along Summit Road in Los Gatos. It’s a festive weekend, with gifts for sale by local artisans, live music, food, wine, special prices for the holidays, holiday decorations. Each winery offers a different holiday experience, so visit each. Details: 408-353-2186.

Loma Prieta Winery, 26985 Loma Prieta Way, invites you to their Pinotage Wine Club Pick-Up Party 12-5 p.m. Three-pack verticals in gold gift boxes available. Details: 408-353-2950, or info@lomaprietawinery.com.

DEC. 7

Holiday Treats and Trains, 11:15 a.m.-7 p.m., start your day with a hosted lunch at the Crows Nest in Santa Cruz with a choice of seafood special, chicken marsala or spice-rubbed top sirloin. Nature’s beauty and the joy of the season meet as you shop for nature-themed gifts at the Holiday Gift and Craft Faire at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Enjoy crafters and artisans, unique gifts, hot beverages, baked goods and holiday cheer! Visit the Nature Center and Store. Board the Santa Cruz Holiday Light Train and tour vintage excursion cars, adorned with thousands of colorful lights, roll through the streets of Santa Cruz as passengers lend their voices to holiday carols, sip hot spiced cider and listen to musical entertainment. The bus will leave from Campbell Recreation Center Level 2: Moderate activity. Details: 408-354-1514.

DEC. 7-8

The Loma Prieta Holiday Art and Craft Fair takes place 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Loma Prieta Community Center, 23800 Summit Rd. There will be lots of vendors, great gift ideas, good food, Santa, and family activities. Details: Rachelle Lopp, 408-353-8987.

DEC. 8

Presentation Center, 19480 Bear Creek Rd., invites the whole family to a Merry Mountain Christmas! Open to the public free of charge, 1-4 p.m. Carriage rides, trails and paths to explore, Christmas music, refreshments. Activities for the kids, visit with Santa, face painting, cookie decorating and more. Details: Holly Curley, 408-354-2346, ext. 203, or marketing@presentationcenter.org.

DEC. 7-17

King's Court Shopping Center presents its annual Festival of Trees kick-off event noon-4 p.m., corner of Los Gatos Boulevard and Blossom Hill Road, giving the public a chance to vote for their favorite Christmas trees presented by more than a dozen Los Gatos organizations. Enjoy live entertainment, face painting, balloon animals and photos with Santa in the courtyard for $10. Voting will take place Dec. 7-17. Winners will be announced on the Kings Court website on Dec. 19, the top three trees will win a cash donation. Details: kingscourtlg.com.

DEC. 18

Los Gatos Saratoga Recreation invites the community to its free "Holiday Sing-A-Along" at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18 at the Los Gatos Adult Recreation Center, 208 E. Main St. The event is a great opportunity to share love, friendship and music. Songbooks will be distributed and participants can sing from their seats or steal the stage with a solo. Cookies, cider and coffee will be served. Bring the grandkids! A $5 donation per person is recommended. Details: 408-354-8700.
DEC. 5, 12, 19 ONLY

The Los Gatos Visitors Bureau, a partnership between the Town of Los Gatos and Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce, teams up with downtown merchants to extend holiday shopping hours until 9 p.m. at more than 50 downtown Los Gatos stores for its "Holiday Shopping Stroll." 
 Gatos. 

DEC. 8, 15, 22

Santa in the Los Gatos Town Plaza, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., St. Nicholas and his elves arrive! No fee for sitting on Santa's lap. A $5 per person donation is recommended. This wonderful Santa takes the time to talk individually with each child. Bring your camera to capture the moment. There will not be a photographer at the park. Details: 408-354-8700.

Santa "Paws", 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Children and four-footed friends are invited to sit on Santa's lap at Town Plaza Park. Details: 408-354-8700.

THROUGH DEC. 23

2013 Los Gatos Holiday Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides begin at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29 through Monday, Dec. 23 at the southwest corner of Town Plaza Park, corner of West Main Street and Santa Cruz Avenue, in downtown Los Gatos. Group package is $100, six seats available, four adults maximum; sweetheart carriage is $85, a private, romantic ride for two adults only; individual tickets are $25 for ages 11 and up, $10 for ages 3 to 10 and free to toddlers (under 3 years old) on lap. Rain or shine. Details: 408-354-9300.

THROUGH MOST OF DECEMBER

Santa Visits Your Home! You hear jingle bells coming up your sidewalk, the door opens, little Dean and Olive can't believe their eyes, it's Santa! And not just any Santa, for many local children, he is THE Santa (the same wonderful Santa for the past 10 years). Make sure your camera is charged as Santa sits by your family tree with an elf by his side and your child on his knee. Yes, there will be time for family group shots, too. Limit of six people sitting on Santa's lap per 10-15 minute visit. We can book a double visit if you have more than six that will be sitting on Santa's lap. A map may be requested upon registration. In-person registration ONLY. If the scheduled visit dates don't work for your family party or work gathering and you would like to arrange a special time for an additional fee, e-mail: janet@lgsrecreation.org

—This list will be updated as more events are added and are completed. If you know of any events, please add them to the comments. Thank you.

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