As the holiday season draws near, you may be wondering how to get into the Christmas spirit, especially as this holiday grows increasingly plagued by consumerism and excess.
But look no further, this is your complete guide to the most festive places and activities in the San Jose area, with budgeting in mind.
Christmas in the Park
One of the top items on your holiday bucket list should be San Jose’s famous Christmas in the Park. There are tons of festive displays, decorated trees, performances, and refreshments you can enjoy.
Next to Christmas in the Park are even more fun winter activities. The Downtown Ice rink is a fun place to ice skate, and there are also rides such as a Ferris wheel. While it’s free to enter this area and view the performances or displays, keep in mind that food, rides, and ice skating can cost quite a bit.
To enjoy this event on a budget, you can grab some hot chocolate or other refreshments from outside and just walk around, take pictures, and relish the festive atmosphere. This San Jose classic is open for over a month, with the dates ranging from Nov. 28 to Jan. 1.
Willow Glen
A simple way to enjoy Christmas without spending any money is looking at holiday lights. One neighborhood that boasts large and intricate displays of Christmas lights is Willow Glen. Some streets even have a coordinated theme, such as Christmas trees or candy canes. Whether driving or walking, the lights are a perfect way to enjoy the holiday season.
Fantasy of Lights
Another great holiday activity is the Fantasy of Lights at Vasona Lake County Park. This attraction is a 1.5-mile route decorated with whimsical Christmas lights that you can either walk or drive through, although days for walking can be very limited.
The lights are actually quite unique compared to most Christmas displays. For example, there is an entire section devoted to dinosaurs, complete with an erupting volcano and dinosaur sound effects.
Keep in mind that this is a very popular activity, so buy your tickets early. The drive-thru tickets are $30 per car, so it is best to go in a group of five to seven people (or however many will fit in your car). The available dates range from Dec. 9 to Dec. 30, with the exception of Christmas Day.
Bethlehem Reenactment
If you would like to experience the more historical side of Christmas, Santa Clara First Baptist Church hosts a Bethlehem reenactment, depicting what life was like during that time period.
Regardless of your beliefs, this is a unique Christmas event that allows you to experience the past. It has an interactive marketplace where you can try or learn about some historical crafts and activities. There are also cute farm animals!
The best part is that this unique event is completely free. This year, it will be taking place from Dec. 11 to Dec. 15.
As you can see, San Jose and the surrounding area is home to a bunch of festivities that are sure to make your December enjoyable without costing a fortune.
What other activities do you like to do during the holiday season? Let us know @HerCampusSJSU!