Community Corner
Patch’s Local Holiday Event Guide
Your guide to fun holiday events taking place around Milpitas between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.
‘Tis the season! The holiday events calendar in Milpitas has already started filling up.
Here is your friendly Patch guide to all things holiday-related going on around Milpitas between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.
Check back frequently – we’ll continue to add new events to this list as we come across them!
Find out what's happening in Milpitaswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Know of a holiday event going on around town that we missed? E-mail it to Milpitas Patch Editor Jennifer van der Kleut at JVDKreporting@gmail.com, and we’ll add it to the list.
Don’t forget to visit our 2011 Holiday Guide for even more holiday articles about recipes, crafts, safety tips, gift ideas, shopping guides and more.
Find out what's happening in Milpitaswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Happy Holidays from Patch!
Where/When: Thursday, Nov. 24 at 9 a.m. , 1500 Country Club Dr., Milpitas.
What: Don’t feel like cooking this year, but still want to enjoy a hot, gourmet meal with friends or family? Head on over to the Summitpointe Golf Course for a Thanksgiving Brunch!
Price: $29.99 adults, $15.99 children.
PHOTOS WITH SANTA AND FREE GIFT WRAPPING
Where/When: Great Mall, Entrance 2, 447 Great Mall Dr., Milpitas. Now through Dec. 24. Click the above link for details and hours.
What: It's practically a rite of passage for families with kids - visiting Santa Claus at the mall so the kids can sit on his lap and tell him what they want for Christmas, and posing for the photo that is sure to go on all your holiday cards this year. And, if you do any Christmas shopping while you're at the mall, be sure to take advantage of the mall's complimentary gift wrapping service before you leave! The service is available weekends starting Nov. 26, and daily the week leading up to Christmas Day.
Pricing: Inquire from the mall regarding prices of photos with Santa. Gift wrapping service is free.
Where/When: Departures from Niles Station, 37001 Mission Blvd. in Fremont, at 4:15 and 6:15 p.m.; and Sunol Depot, 6 Kilkare Road in Sunol, at 4:30 and 7 p.m. Thanksgiving through New Year's.
What: A holiday tradition in the East Bay! Take a magical trip on the Train of Lights as the twinkling train winds through Niles Canyon for a 75-minute round-trip ride between Fremont and Sunol.
Price: Individual tickets are $25-40 each. For $600, you can rent out the entire caboose for a private event. A portion of proceeds benefits the Western Railway Heritage Museum.
Where/When: Plaza de Caesar Chavez Park, Market Street, San Jose. Open Friday, Nov. 24, through Jan. 1.
What: This one may not be in Milpitas, but it’s definitely a beloved south bay tradition! Christmas in the Park is a family-friendly, walk-through winter wonderland. Bring the kids, buy a cup of hot cocoa and wander row after row of beautifully decorated holiday trees, animated holiday characters and lights, lights and more lights.
Price: Free!
CITY OF MILPITAS’ 24TH ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
Where/When: / Civic Center Plaza, 457 E. Calaveras Blvd. Thursday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m.
What: Come celebrate the “Sounds from the Season” and kick off the most wonderful time of the year with a celebration of music and a Tree Lighting that will surely put you in the holiday spirit. Spend your evening enjoying the festivities and join the City and community for this beloved annual event.
Price: Free!
FESTIVAL OF TREES GALA & SILENT AUCTION
Where/When: , 455 E. Calaveras Blvd. Thursday, Dec. 1, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
What: A fancy holiday event, for a good cause! Enjoy an evening with keynote speaker, San Francisco 49ers and four-time SuperBowl champion, Eric Wright, as beautifully decorated holiday trees, wreaths and gift packages, donated by members of the local business community, are auctioned off to benefit the Milpitas Parks and Recreation Foundation’s grant and scholarship programs. “Chance” drawings will also take place throughout the evening. Champagne and hors d’oeuvres will be served. The event is black tie-optional and open only to those 21 years and older. NOTE: The earlier part of the evening, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., is by invitation only. Following the City’s tree lighting ceremony, the event is open to the public, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Bidding on silent auction items will be open until 8:15 p.m.
Price: Free; donations and auction purchases encouraged.
Where/When: , 1300 Edsel Dr., Milpitas. Friday, Dec. 2 at 2:30 p.m.
What: Get a little holiday shopping done, while supporting a local school at the same time! Join Randall Elementary for its Holiday Boutique, featuring a wide variety of vendors selling gifts from jewelry to fragrances to holiday décor, plus everything in between. Proceeds benefit the Randall Elementary PTA. Want to be a vendor? Visit www.randallpta.org for information.
Price: Free admission. Be sure to bring cash for purchases, as not all vendors accept other forms of payment.
Where/When: , Jones Hall, 355 Dixon Road, Milpitas. Saturday, Dec. 3, 8-9:30 a.m.
What: This annual breakfast, a 50-year old tradition in Milpitas, is co-sponsored by the Sunnyhills United Methodist Church (SUMC) and Sunnyhills Neighborhood Association. All Milpitas residents and business owners are invited to attend.
Price: Free, donations requested.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Where/When: at , 940 Great Mall Dr., Milpitas. Sunday, Dec. 4, 8-10 a.m.
What: Join the Milpitas Firefighters Local #1699 and Dave & Buster’s for this family holiday event! You’ll be able to start off the holiday season with a delicious breakfast and be visited by a very special guest – none other than Santa Claus himself! You can also help spread the holiday spirit by bringing a “new” unwrapped toy or nonperishable food item to be donated to the Milpitas Firefighter’s annual holiday toy and food drive. Those donating items will receive a free photo with Santa. Each paying child will receive a goodie bag, raffle ticket and more.
Price: $10 per child up to 13 years old, $8 per adult age 14 and up. Santa photos are not included in the ticket price, but can be taken for free with the donation of a new, unwrapped toy. Tickets can be purchased in advance at any of the following locations: Fire Station #1 at 777 S. Main St.; Fire Prevention at , 455 E. Calaveras Blvd.; or at the event, if space permits.
Where/When: , 275 Dempsey Rd, Milpitas. Thursday, Dec. 8 at 5 p.m.
What: A holiday get-together, networking opportunity and worthwhile cause, all in one! Bring your business cards and promote your business with other local businesspeople. Bring your clients, favorite vendors and favorite business associates too! There will be door prizes and a 50/50 drawing. Please bring a food donation for the Milpitas Food Pantry or an unwrapped new toy for the Milpitas Firefighters #1699 collection for Toys for Tots. This event is hosyed by the Milpitas Chamber Connections Club. RSVP to the Milpitas Chamber of Commerce at 408-262-2613 or info@milpitaschamber.com.
Price: Free with above-mentioned donation.
Where/When: , 457 E. Calaveras Blvd. Thursday, Dec. 8. 5:30-8:30 p.m.
What: Need to finish your holiday shopping, without the kids? Or just need some to run errands, or finish up a few things around the house? The Parks and Recreation Department may just have the answer to your holiday quandary—the Gingerbread & Jingle party for kids! Drop the kids off for a few hours, and they’ll be treated to a fun evening of gingerbread house decorating, meeting new friends, holiday music and a delicious dinner. For ages 5-12.
Price: $25 per child, with a $5 discount per sibling. Register by calling 408-586-3210. Walk-ins available only if space permits.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Where/When: , 1500 Country Club Dr., Milpitas. NOTE DATE CHANGE: Saturday, Dec. 10, 9-11 a.m.
What: Join Summitpointe Golf Club and Catholic Charities for this fun, family-friendly, holiday event. Enjoy a delicious breakfast and a visit by a very special guest - Santa Claus himself! Help spread the holiday cheer by donating a new, unwrapped toy or nonperishable food item to be donated to Catholic Charities' holiday toy and food drive. Those donating items will receive a free photo with Santa!
Price: $8 per child 13 years and under, $10 per adult 14 years and up. Photo prices not included in ticket price, but an above-mentioned donation will get you a free photo with Santa.
SIMON KIDGIT'S CLUB BREAKFAST WITH SANTA / HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
Where/When: The Great Mall, 447 Great Mall Dr., Milpitas. Saturday, Dec. 10, 8:30-10:30 a.m.
What: Food, fun, games ane activities, hosted by Radio Disney - not to mention a visit from the man himself, Santa Claus! RSVPs requested in advance by calling 408-956-2033.
Price: Free for current Simon Kidgit's Club members. Not a member? Sign up online or at the event for $5 for a year's membership.
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