Holiday excitement fills the air as the leaves change, the vineyards ripen, and the Bay Area begins to celebrate the festive season ahead. Harvest markets, vineyard tours, craft fairs, light extravaganzas, wine strolls, and more make our beautiful autumn feel especially warm and cozy.
Grab your friends and family and celebrate at one of many delightful events near you:
Fall Restaurant Week | San Francisco | Nov. 1-9
Celebrate the flavors of San Francisco’s unique and diverse neighborhoods through special prix-fixe menus for brunch, lunch or dinner. For more information and to see the list of participating restaurants, click here.
Water Lantern Festival | San Jose | Nov. 8-9
This awe-inspiring event on Lake Almaden brings people of all ages together to light up the water with lanterns filled with letters of love, hope, and dreams. Watch your unique lantern float across the water and join thousands of others as you reflect, share your dreams, and celebrate life together. For ticket info, click here.
22nd Annual Holiday Stroll | Los Altos | Nov. 14
Kick off the holidays in charming Downtown Los Altos with music and fun for the whole family! Find unique gifts, enjoy sparkling lights, strolling carolers, and shopping specials. Get details here.
Veterans Day Run | Morgan Hill | Nov. 16
Honor our nation’s heroes by joining Operation Freedom Paws for the Morgan Hill Annual Veterans Day 5K/10K Walk/Run and 1-mile Children’s Run. Support a life-changing cause that matches service dogs with veterans and others living with disabilities. Register before the race here.
Filoli Holiday Lights | Woodside | Nov. 22—Jan. 11, 2026
Immerse yourself in a dazzling landscape of twinkling lights as Filoli transforms into the spectacular Night Garden during the holiday season. Enjoy fireside mulled wine, handcrafted cocktails, and seasonal treats as music and holiday cheer fill the crisp night air. All ages welcome! Explore other holiday adventures, including wreath-making, holiday teas, Gilded, and Thistlewyck here. Book your adventures now; tickets go quickly!
***** Happy Thanksgiving! Nov. 27 ******
Silicon Valley Turkey Trot | San Jose | Nov. 27
Lace up your running shoes and join the largest Thanksgiving Day run in America! This flat and fast course flows through Downtown San Jose and benefits four local charities. All fitness levels welcome! Click here to register.
Holiday Wine Stroll | Saratoga | Nov. 28
Enjoy an enchanting evening strolling through historic Saratoga Village, sipping tastings from some of the best local wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountains. A tree-lighting ceremony kicks off the evening, followed by live music, free horse-drawn carriage rides, shopping, tasty nibbles, and holiday cheer for the whole family. Purchase tickets in advance.
Holiday Lights Train & Holiday Tree Walk | Santa Cruz/Felton | Beginning Nov. 28-29
Take a special holiday outing with the family on a train! Hop aboard the Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train (vintage excursion cars adorned with thousands of colorful lights) and sip hot apple cider, sing along to Christmas carols, and soak up the holiday glow throughout this delightful seaside neighborhood. Or, bring the family to the Redwood Forest Steam Train in Felton for a ride through the wintry redwoods to Bear Mountain to greet Santa Claus! Visit roaringcamp.com for tickets and info.
Festival of Lights Parade | Los Altos | Nov. 30
A Los Altos tradition since 1977, this beloved parade lights up the charming downtown with illuminated floats, twinkling costumed characters, local high school marching bands, and finally: Santa in his sleigh! Visit losaltosparade.org for more info.
