The South Bay packs a lot of holiday tradition into a few weeks, and Campbell sits right in the middle of it. Here is the 2026 calendar, from Thanksgiving morning to New Year's Day.
Thanksgiving Day: Silicon Valley Turkey Trot, November 26
Start the holiday with the Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot in downtown San Jose. The 5K and 10K start at 8:30 a.m. at West Santa Clara Street and North First Street, and the kids' fun run starts at 10:15 a.m. Proceeds go to local nonprofits. Register at svturkeytrot.com.
Christmas in the Park: November 27 to January 1
San Jose's free Christmas in the Park opens at Plaza de Cesar Chavez the day after Thanksgiving and runs daily from noon to 10 p.m. through New Year's Day, with decorated trees, more than 40 animated displays, and Santa. Details: christmasinthepark.com.
Small Business Saturday in Downtown Campbell: November 28
Shop local on Campbell Avenue, where downtown shops and restaurants offer deals, specials, and pop-ups. See downtowncampbell.com.
The December 5 double-header
Saturday, December 5 has two of the area's best-loved traditions, and you can do both.
11 a.m.: the 70th annual Los Gatos Children's Christmas and Holidays Parade on North Santa Cruz Avenue and Main Street, rain or shine. Arrive early, since downtown streets close for most of the day. Details: lgsrecreation.org.
4 to 7 p.m.: the Carol of Lights in downtown Campbell, a free winter festival with Santa, a petting zoo, donkey rides, carolers, and the lighting of the Roosevelt Tree. Details: downtowncampbell.com.
Staying at the Carlyle Hotel
The Carlyle Hotel is a 38-room, Queen Anne-inspired boutique hotel in Campbell, 100% family-owned and female-operated. It is about five minutes from downtown Campbell, ten from downtown Los Gatos, and fifteen from downtown San Jose. Book direct at carlyle-hotel.com.
A past Christmas in the Park exhibit in San Jose. Illustrative photograph; not a photograph of the 2026 events. Photo: Christmas in the Park exhibit 1 by Oleg Alexandrov, via Wikimedia Commons. Original photograph and this image adaptation licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized; website renditions may be cropped and converted for display. This license applies only to the photograph.
