Green Halloween Brings Eco-Friendly Fun to Happy Hollow Park & Zoo

San Jose families have a perfect opportunity to celebrate the spooky season sustainably with Green Halloween at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo on October 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This annual event turns the zoo into a hub of Halloween excitement, where visitors can watch animals engage with themed enrichments like pumpkins filled with treats. Happy Hollow offers a welcoming space for all ages to enjoy the festivities while supporting local wildlife conservation efforts.

The day features a variety of activities designed for young explorers, including critter shows, hands-on crafts with a creepy twist, interactive games, and close-up animal encounters. Decomposing decor adds to the eerie yet educational vibe, teaching attendees about natural cycles in an engaging way. Families can participate fully, with everything included in general admission, making it an easy outing for parents looking to create memorable experiences without extra hassle.

What sets Green Halloween apart is its focus on environmental responsibility, aligning with Happy Hollow's status as a certified green facility. The event encourages reusable costumes and highlights ways to make holidays more planet-friendly, inspiring attendees to adopt similar practices at home. This approach not only entertains but also fosters a sense of community stewardship, showing how San Jose leads in blending fun with sustainability.

Tickets range from $15 to $18, with a $3 discount for those arriving in costume, rewarding creativity and participation. Members enjoy free entry, adding value for regular visitors. As San Jose continues to prioritize green initiatives, events like this strengthen the city's appeal as a family-oriented destination that values both entertainment and the environment.

Family Fun Takes Center Stage at Kids Day in the Park

San Jose welcomes a vibrant celebration of music and creativity this weekend with Kids Day in the Park at Plaza de César Chávez. Families can look forward to live performances from Lisa Loeb and The Hollow Trees, who join forces for a special set drawn from their new album, That’s What It’s All About. This collaboration mixes Loeb's storytelling style with the folk energy of The Hollow Trees, offering tunes that honor family traditions and classic songs. The event promises an engaging afternoon where attendees sing and dance together in the heart of the city.

Adding to the lineup, the Alphabet Rockers deliver their signature mix of melodies and meaningful lyrics. Founded in Oakland in 2007 by Kaitlin McGaw and Tommy Soulati Shepherd, this group has earned a Grammy for Best Children's Music Album along with other nominations. Their music spans animated series and global audiences, bringing positive vibes that resonate with kids and parents alike. Seeing them perform in San Jose highlights the Bay Area's rich talent pool and creates lasting memories for local families.

Beyond the stage, the festival includes plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained. Face painting stations spark imagination, while bouncy houses provide energetic playtime. Exhibits showcase interactive displays, and food trucks serve up tasty options for all ages. Held at 1 Paseo de San Antonio, this free gathering on September 20 turns Plaza de César Chávez into a family-friendly entertainment hub. For mor info and tickets, click here.

San Pedro Saturdays Brings Creativity to Life in Downtown San Jose

The next San Pedro Saturdays is a fresh outdoor event dedicated to stationery, handmade crafts, and artistic expression. Set for July 26 from noon to 5 p.m., this gathering transforms Stationery Depot at 60 N. San Pedro Street into a hub for local talent. More than 20 artists, makers, and illustrators will display their notebooks, washi tapes, stickers, greeting cards, and notepads, offering visitors a chance to find one-of-a-kind items that spark joy and inspiration.

Attendees can dive into hands-on activities that make the day interactive and memorable. Options include crafting watercolor patterns and letterpress printing greeting cards with Love Through Letterpress and Sherry’s Palette, where supplies come free and each person takes home a card. Other highlights feature designing personalized postcards at Yours Truly, Mary Anne, swapping stickers at the MOMENT Trading Post, and decorating bookmarks or journals at a DIY station. A coloring area at Sueños adds flair with designs inspired by flowers, butterflies, and cultural icons, ensuring something for every age group.

Special touches elevate the experience, such as an exclusive Stationery Depot sticker sheet giveaway for the first 300 guests, created by Hungry Whales. Partnerships with organizations like SJMADE, the City of San Jose, and San Pedro Square support this community-driven initiative. Free parking for 90 minutes in nearby garages, including the Market & San Pedro Square Garage, makes it easy to join in.

Events like San Pedro Saturdays strengthen the bonds in Downtown San Jose by spotlighting local creators and encouraging shared creativity. They draw people together to celebrate the city's artistic side and build lasting connections.

Danny the Dragon Roars Back: A Refreshed Adventure at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo

San Jose families have a timeless favorite returning with a modern twist as Happy Hollow Park & Zoo reopens the Danny the Dragon ride after a thorough nine-month renovation. This beloved attraction, originally built in 1958, now features an updated journey through five themed lands that mirror the park's diverse habitats. Riders will glide along the half-mile track, exploring areas like a farm, jungle, and land of enchantment, all designed to create an immersive storyline that sparks wonder for visitors of all ages.

Over $600,000 was raised by donors to the Happy Hollow Foundation (I'm proud to be one of them). City staff dedicated nearly a year of skilled work to bring the vision to life, replacing the original fluorescent tunnel and storybook theme with something more engaging for today's guests. This marks the ride's first scenery refresh in 64 years, blending nostalgia with contemporary appeal to draw in new generations.

Since Happy Hollow opened in 1961, attractions like Danny the Dragon have created lasting memories, with parents and grandparents sharing stories of their own childhood rides. Now, this revitalized ride stands ready to welcome guests. The official ribbon cutting was yesterday and Danny the Dragon is now ready for visitors to enjoy immediately.