2018 Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies - Bay Area Guide

Christmas tree lighting ceremonies are a great way to kickoff the holiday season with family and friends. Enjoy live music and make some special memories. Here is the schedule of events in the Bay Area (In order by date).
If I missed one, please post in the comments or email me at relomomsv@gmail.com.

San Jose
Christmas in the Park - Friday, November 23, 6-8pm
https://www.christmasinthepark.com/p/events/299
 
Cupertino
Quinlan Community Center - Friday, November 30, 6-8pm
https://www.facebook.com/events/616450385420914/

Menlo Park
Fremont Park - Friday, November 30, 5:30-7pm
https://www.facebook.com/events/2008184092593861/
 

Sunnyvale
Downtown Sunnyvale - Saturday, December 1, 5-7:30pm
https://sunnyvaledowntown.com/holiday-tree-lighting.html

Redwood City
Courthouse Square - Saturday, December 1, 5:30-8pm
https://www.redwoodcity.org/residents/redwood-city-events/festivals-holiday-events

Cupertino
Main Street - Saturday, December 1, 3:30-8:30pm  
http://mainstreetcupertino.com/event/holiday-main-friday-dec-2/

Los Altos
Holiday Barn Lighting at Westwind Community Barn - Sunday, December 2, 2-5pm
https://www.facebook.com/events/254369625275048/ 

Santa Clara
Central Park - Friday, December 7, 5-9pm
https://www.facebook.com/events/1083775805135087/

   

Pictures With Santa Around the Bay Area

It’s almost winter and the best way to get into the holiday spirit is with a photo with the big guy in red of course. This list will help you find the Santa that is just right for you! Don't see your favorite Santa on the list? Post in the comments or email me at relomomsv@gmail.com.

Santa at Westfield Valley Fair San Jose
Santa has flown in from the North Pole to visit all his friends. Make sure to reserve your time with Santa online to skip the line! http://bit.ly/SantaValleyFairSanJose

Santa at Bass Pro Shop San Jose
Santa's wonderland is all about holiday magic! Decorate a Santa Stocking, Paint your own Christmas drawstring bag, play with the elfs, lots of games and activities, and take a studio quality picture with Santa! All FREE. We love Bass Pro Shop, and this is going to be such a wonderful event!
November 11-December 24, 2018. http://bit.ly/SantaBassProShop

Santa at Westgate Center San Jose
The Holiday Cheer is here and Santa has arrived to Westgate Center!
November 17-December 24, 2018. http://bit.ly/SantaWestgate

Santa at Christmas in the Park San Jose
Visit Santa Claus inside the North Pole themed Santa Booth. Visits are free with your own camera, or you can also purchase a photo with a professional photographer.
November 23-Decemnber 25, 2018. http://bit.ly/SantaChristmasInThePark

Santa at Westfield Oakridge Mall San Jose
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen,Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen have escorted the Jolly Elf down from the North Pole to Westfield Oakridge. Bring your family to Macy's Court (a.k.a. Santa's Cave) to capture holiday portraits with Santa Claus. Make sure to reserve your time with Santa online to skip the line! http://bit.ly/SantaOakridge 

Santa at Stanford Shopping Mall Palo Alto
Share wishes and snap pictures with Santa. Make sure to reserve your time with Santa online to skip the line! http://bit.ly/SantaStanford

Holiday Train Rides

Whether it’s a ride on a diesel train or steam engine, in the city or in the woods, whether you’re celebrating Hanukkah or Christmas - riding a train decked out with lights is a magical holiday excursion. 

These train rides have proven to be very popular—be sure to book early, most of these train rides sell out in advance. Remember, trains don’t wait for anyone. Plan on arriving at the station at least twenty minutes before the scheduled time.

Caltrain Holiday Train
Decorated with 70,000 glittering lights, the dazzling show-train will visit nine Caltrain stations between San Francisco and Santa Clara over two nights in December, providing holiday entertainment and collecting donations of toys for local children who otherwise might not receive a gift during the holidays.
Saturday and Sunday, December 1-2, 2018.
Times: 4pm-9pm, check the schedule here. FREE.

RoaringCamp Railroads

The Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train departs from the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.  

Vintage excursion cars, adorned with thousands of colorful lights, roll through the streets of Santa Cruz as passengers lend their voices to holiday carols, sip hot spiced cider and listen to musical entertainment while Santa visits the little ones, or the young at heart! Continue the merriment with a $6 MyBoardwalk card good for attractions, arcades and games in Neptune's Kingdom.

November 23-24, December 1-2, 8-9, 15-23, 2018.

Adult - $33, Children - $28, 2 and under - free.

The Roaring Camp also offering Holiday Tree Walk - Get in the holiday spirit by bringing family and friends to ride Roaring Camp’s daytime steam train to Bear Mountain.  At the summit, guests may sip hot cider and delight in viewing a tree-lined walk of beautifully decorated holiday trees.

November 23-24, December 1-2, 8-9, 2018.

Adult - $29, Children - $23, 2 and under - free. 

If you're celebrating Hanukkah, you don't want to miss the Hanukkah Train. 

Gather at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk on the 5th night of Hanukkah for the lighting of the menorah at 6:15 pm, and then set off on an incredible 1-hour train ride on Roaring Camp’s vintage excursion cars adorned with thousands of shining lights and Hanukkah decorations.  

Sharing in Hanukkah traditions and ride the train through the streets of Santa Cruz listening to Hanukkah stories, playing dreidel and enjoying kosher refreshments provided by Chabad by the Sea.

December 3, 2018.

Adult - $33, Children - $27, 2 and under - free.

For details and tickets --> https://www.roaringcamp.com/events

Niles Canyon Railway Train of Lights
The Train of Lights offers a rare opportunity to experience a train ride through Niles Canyon at night. With one departure from Niles at dusk and a second departure from Sunol after dark, you can choose your favorite time to ride.
Trains depart from Niles at 4:30PM and Sunol at 7:30PM every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the holiday season (except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day).
Tickets are $30. For more information and tickets --> http://www.ncry.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=541047&module_id=141791

The Holiday Train at Billy Jones Railroad
Ride aboard the wildcat railroad through the enchanting Fantasy of Lights set up in Vasona Park.
Ride through large animated displays while listening to Holiday music. See the sights and sounds of an erupting volcano in the dangerously fun Dinosaur Den, cheer on Santa shooting hoops, wave at a pen of playful penguins, watch blazing Pirate Cannons and sail through tunnels of moving lights. Over 50 themed displays and a 90-foot twinkling tree will have you “oohing and aahing” throughout your adventure.
The Holiday Train will run Thursdays through Sundays from December 6th to the 23rd. 6:00 to 9:00pm.
Tickets are $5.00. Children 2 and under - free with paid adult. 
For more information and tickets --> https://bjwrr.org/the-holiday-train/

For more holiday events and festivals, check out our calendar --> http://bit.ly/ReloMomNovember18