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Holiday Virtual Recreation Center Activities
Are you ready to get into the holiday spirit? From drive-through events, enjoying the ballet online, to counting down to the New Year with some virtual fun - and much more, below are safe activities to enjoy while staying safe against COVID-19.
Drive Through Festive Neighborhoods
Grab your kiddos (or whoever you live with – even your dog!) and take some time to check out some of these festive neighborhood displays:
| event Links | General Information |
|---|---|
| Christmas in the Park |
Dec. 27, 2020 - Jan. 3, 2021 San José History Park 635 Phelan Ave., San José, CA 95112$10 from 4-5 p.m. and $20 from 5-9 p.m. per vehicle (one household only) purchase tickets required. |
| Candy Cane Lane | 1000 Carolyn Ave., San José, CA 95125 |
| Fantasy of Lights |
Dec. 14-30, 2020 Vasona Lake County Park 333 Blossom Hill Rd., Los Gatos, CA 95032 $20 per vehicle (one household only) purchase tickets required. |
| Mattos Orchard Lights | 1545 Stone Creek Dr., San José, CA 95132 |
| The Olsen Christmas Light Display |
595 Amboy Dr., San José, CA 95136 |
| Willow Glen Holiday Lights | Willow Glen Neighborhood, San José, CA 95125 |
Free Holiday Activities
Below are FREE holiday family friendly activities and programs to enjoy with loved ones:
| Activity Link | General Information |
|---|---|
| Christmas Drive-Through Toy Giveaway |
Dec. 19 - 21, 2020 Martha’s Kitchen 5,000 wrapped toys are available for children ages 0-14. Santa will be on hand to help in the distribution. Pick-up is done by the first letter of parents’ last name:
|
| Free Video Calls with Santa |
From now through December 23, T-Mobile is gifting everyone (including non-customers!) the chance to schedule a free video call with Santa via SantaCalling.com! Those interested can head here to sign up for a slot (note: the service is in high demand; new time slots open daily at 9 a.m. P.T./12 p.m. ET). After each call, T-Mobile will also send participants a keepsake video of their chat with Santa. |
| Kwanzaa Kuumba Makers Festival | This virtual festival features the beautiful Mexican traditions of Las Posadas, a re-enactment of Mary and Joseph seeking refuge for the birth of the baby Jesus, among other celebrations. |
| The Official Santa Cam | Yankee Candle created the TheOfficialSantaCam.com for children and parents to access anytime up until December 24. This cam spotlights Santa's busy life at the North Pole as he builds toys, reads letters, and prepares for his big adventure come Christmas eve. |
| Fun Holiday Backgrounds | Yankee Candle has also curated a selection of holiday-themed video backgrounds to download that are nothing short of magical. |
| Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Winter Activities |
Nov. 23, 2020 - Jan. 3, 2021 All festivities are outdoors with enhanced safety and health protocols, in accordance with state and local guidelines. Face masks and physical distancing are required. |
| Virtual Festival of Winter Holiday Celebrations | On the first day of Kwanzaa, families can celebrate with the California African American Museum by practicing the sixth principle of the holiday, Kuumba, a commitment to creativity. During this virtual series of family workshops artists from the community show how to make one-of-a-kind creations using common household materials. |
More Holiday Activities
Splurging on holiday activities can be good for the soul. Below are activities that give you a bang for your buck right in time for the holidays:
| Activity Link | General Information |
|---|---|
| Online: Holiday Magic at the Disney Parks |
Dec. 20, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. Purchased tickets required. Behind-the-scenes peek at the spooky thrills and merry madness of creating their new book Holiday Magic at the Disney Parks. Purchase tickets required |
| Saving Scrooge: A Holiday Haunt |
Dec. 18, 2020 - Jan. 10, 2021 $15-18 In this virtual fantasy escape game, players must show Scrooge the meaning of Christmas, but he’s putting up a fight. The live game blends traditional escape room puzzles with interactive theatrical elements. |
| Westfield Valley Fair Kids Market |
Purchased tickets required. Children are invited into a whimsical environment where they’ll learn how to manage a budget and shop for their friends and family—all on their own. A kid-sized entertaining & educational experience for our littlest shoppers, Kids Market teaches kids the joys of gift shopping and giving. |
New Year Activities
2020 is finally DONE! Looking to ring in the New Year from the safety of your home? Our Happy Hollow Park and Zoo along with other virtual celebrations invite you to celebrate the start of 2021.
| Activity Links | General Information |
|---|---|
| Happy Hollow Noon Year's Eve | A Noon Year's Eve like never before! Tune in to Happy Hollow's social media at 11:30 a.m. on December 31 for a special surprise with Danny the Dragon and friends! |
| Children's Discovery Museum New Year's Eve | This night may belong to the adults, but the day belongs to the kids! Celebrate the arrival of 2015 with your whole family. Participate in our “countdown to noon across time zones” with family hugs, a noisy celebration, and the Museum’s version of the famous Ball Drop in Times Square! |
| Virtual Balloon Drop New Year Celebration |
Purchased tickets required. Oakland's Chabot Space & Science Center celebrates the "noon year" with STEM activities and a festive balloon drop. Kids can ring in the New Year without staying up past bedtime at this virtual event. |
For more activities, visit our the City of San José Virtual Recreation Center.