San Jose Holiday Lights opens November 13 at Discovery Meadow in Guadalupe River Park and Gardens and runs nightly through January 1. The walk-through festival operates from 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. at 330 W San Carlos Street and brings six themed light areas, more than 40 illuminated attractions, and free public spaces near the entrance.
The zones include Golden Christmas with a 60-foot Santa Tree and glowing reindeer, Enchanted Jungle with towering dinosaurs and California wildlife, California Garden filled with luminous flowers and butterflies, a new Mermaid area featuring a giant mermaid, sea creatures, and a pink octopus, Cactus Mirage with illuminated cacti, Quetzalcoatl, and La Catrina, and White Christmas Wonderland of ice tunnels and snowflakes. Nine young artists ages 4 to 8 have had their drawings turned into glowing sculptures through the Doca Dream Lab program. Radiant Canvas places large illuminated works by local artists outside the ticketed area, and outdoor short films curated by Doca Film Festival screen throughout the grounds.
A Holiday Lounge near the main entrance stays open to the public without a festival ticket and offers hot cocoa, cider, beer, and wine. Food trucks and local vendors operate on site. Special days include Ugly Christmas Sweater Days on November 20–21, SJSU Night on December 3 with $15 admission for students with ID, Santa Photo Days on December 11–12, and Cosplay Days on December 18–19. School-night specials drop admission for kids ages 4–12 to $10 on select Monday–Thursday evenings before December 18.
Weekday general admission runs $25 for ages 13–64 and $19 for children 4–12 and seniors 65+. Weekend and holiday rates rise to $29 and $23. Children 3 and under enter free. Group tickets for 20 or more start at $23.88 per person.
Tickets and full details are available at sjhl.us.
