Central California stretches from the Pacific Coast to the Sierras. Within that broad expanse of real estate, San Jose creates a winter wonderland each year in a climate that has no snow. There is also the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park that transforms itself into 17th century England for a Christmas Eve extravaganza. Each has put their own personal stamp on what have become cherished Christmas Eve events.
For four weeks each December, the Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park in downtown San Jose is transformed into a holiday fantasy land. What started in 1950 with a collection of animated characters in front of a business in San Jose has turned into a display with over 60 animated exhibits, twinkling lights and San Jose’s 60-foot Giving Tree.
Exhibits include some of the circa 1950 displays set up in the Lima train, named after Don Lima who started it all. These displays include mice singing Christmas carols, elves at work and a melting snowman. Other displays include a Victorian Village, animated figures performing the Nutcracker and the Santa House. Kids can have their picture taken with Santa Claus and tell him all their dreams and wishes.
This volunteer effort brings almost half a million visitors to downtown San Jose during the holiday season. Christmas in the Park is open every day from 9 a.m. to midnight. On Christmas Eve, it is a tradition for many Catholics to go to the Christmas in the Park display and then walk across the street to the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Jose for midnight Mass.
Christmas In the Park
Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park
1300 Senter Road
San Jose, CA 95112
408-794-6206
christmasinthepark.com
It does seem a bit unusual to have an ice rink sitting underneath palm trees, but this contrast aptly reflects the diversity of San Jose's population. It also reflects the city’s love of all things that go into an old-fashioned Christmas, including snow and ice.
In this central California city, snow is a rarity. If any of the white flakes manage to fall, it is a news-breaking event. Downtown Ice, which operates each year from mid-November to the middle of January, is a large ice skating rink set up in the Circle of Palms on Market Street near the downtown Fairmont Hotel.
Downtown Ice attracts roughly 40,000 skaters over the season. Attendees to events at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center make the two-block walk to have a little fun after work hours.
Downtown Ice is a favorite Christmas Eve tradition for many that live in San Jose. The rink is open until midnight most days, including Christmas Eve, and it is a way for those of many faiths to celebrate the holiday season.
Since 1927, the grand Dining Room of the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park has been the setting for a sixteenth century style of dinner theater. Based on the story “A Christmas at Bracebridge Hall” by Washington Irving, guests are wined and dined and entertained by a cast of singers, actors and jugglers. The entertainers and workers are in attire fashionable during Shakespeare’s day. Guests are also encouraged to come in period dress. Even the menu reads like a page from one of the Bard’s plays.
The Bracebridge Dinner started out as a Christmas Eve tradition and remains so. The popularity of the event prompted the owners to hold several dinners during the Christmas season. Guests can choose to buy tickets only or hotel packages, including one or two nights stay at the Ahwahnee Hotel, the Wawona Hotel or the Yosemite Lodge at the Falls.
The Bracebridge Dinner at Yosemite
DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc.
9001 Village Drive
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
801-559-5000
bracebridgedinners.com
