Quick answer
Thanksgiving Day (Thu., Nov. 26): the Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot, with the 5K and 10K starting at 8:30 a.m. in downtown San Jose.
Day after Thanksgiving (Fri., Nov. 27): Christmas in the Park opens at Plaza de César Chávez. It is free and runs daily, noon to 10 p.m., through Jan. 1.
All season: San Jose Holiday Lights (Nov. 13 to Jan. 1, 330 W. San Carlos St.) and the Downtown Ice rink at Circle of Palms Plaza. The rink’s 2026–27 dates were not posted when I checked, so confirm before you go.
If you live in San Jose, you already know that Thanksgiving week is when downtown quietly turns into the best version of itself. The streets fill with runners on Thursday morning, the lights come on over Plaza de César Chávez the day after, and by the weekend there are families skating under a ring of palm trees as if that were the most normal thing in the world. If you are searching for things to do in San Jose for Thanksgiving, this is your guide!
I wrote this for people who actually live here: the neighbors who want a tradition that does not involve a flight, the new homeowners hosting for the first time, and the families who need something to do with a full house between the turkey and the pie. Everything below was checked against official event pages and local listings as of October 22, 2026.
Thanksgiving 2026 in San Jose at a glance
When: Thu., Nov. 26. 5K and 10K start 8:30 a.m.; Kids Fun Run (ages 2–7) 10:15 a.m.
Cost: Paid registration; early pricing ended Oct. 30
Where: Start: W. Santa Clara St. at N. 1st St., downtown
When: Fri., Nov. 27 through Fri., Jan. 1. Daily noon–10 p.m.
Cost: Free
Where: Plaza de César Chávez, Market St. between San Fernando and San Carlos
Opening Night ceremony
When: Sat., Nov. 28, 6–7 p.m. (per the park’s events calendar)
Cost: Free
Where: Plaza de César Chávez
When: Nov. 13 through Jan. 1. Daily 4:30–10:30 p.m.
Cost: Confirm ticketing with organizer
Where: 330 W. San Carlos St.
Downtown Ice (Skate Under the Palms)
When: 2026–27 dates not posted yet. Last season opened the day before Thanksgiving.
Cost: Last season: $21 including skates
Where: Circle of Palms Plaza, 120 S. Market St.
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet
When: Sat., Nov. 14
Cost: Ticketed
Where: Center for the Performing Arts
Merry Mozart (Symphony San Jose)
When: Dec. 5–6
Cost: Ticketed
Where: California Theatre
Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot
The Silicon Valley Turkey Trot is the single biggest reason downtown San Jose feels like a block party on Thanksgiving morning. It is produced by the Silicon Valley Leadership Group Foundation, and the organizers describe it as the largest Thanksgiving Day race in America. The course runs through downtown San Jose, and the race materials call it flat and fast, which is good news if you are more “jog and chat” than “chase a personal best.”
What is on the 2026 menu
5K run/walk and 10K run on Thursday, November 26, with a start time of 8:30 a.m.
Kids Fun Run for ages 2 to 7, scheduled for later that morning, around 10:15 a.m.
Virtual options (5K, 10K and a virtual kids run) for anyone who would rather run their own route. The listing runs through December 6.
CEO/Executive 5K tiers (Gold, Silver and Bronze) if your company wants to sponsor a team and give back at the same time.
The elite 5K closed registration back in August, but the regular 5K, 10K and kids events were still open when I checked. Early pricing ended on October 30, so look at the registration page for the current rate. Registration has typically included a long-sleeved tech shirt, a timed bib, post-race refreshments and access to the post-race festival. Group pricing is available through the race’s registration platform if you are signing up a family, a team or a neighborhood.
Where the money goes
All proceeds benefit four local nonprofits: Healthier Kids Foundation, HomeFirst, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley and Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County. For many of my neighbors that is the real draw. You are burning off a few calories before dinner, and you are also helping to fill pantries and house people in the same county where you live.
My practical tips for race morning
Plan for road closures. Race courses close streets. If you are driving in from Willow Glen, Almaden, Evergreen or anywhere else, give yourself extra time and look at the official course map before you leave.
Use transit if you can. Holiday schedules for VTA and Caltrain are often reduced on Thanksgiving, so check the day-of timetable before you commit.
Dress in layers. A late-November morning in San Jose can start chilly and warm up fast. Something you can tie around your waist is your friend.
Do the math on dinner. If you are hosting, set the bird’s timeline around a late-morning return. A run first and an oven second is a perfectly good Thanksgiving, but only if somebody has the potatoes handled.
Cheering counts. You do not have to run. The sidelines of a big downtown race are one of the friendliest places in the city that morning.
Black Friday weekend: Christmas in the Park
If the Turkey Trot is the starting gun for Thanksgiving, Christmas in the Park is the opening scene of the holidays. It has been a San Jose tradition since 1980, and it is run as a nonprofit, which is why it is, and the organizers say always will be, free to enter. The setting is the two-acre Plaza de César Chávez in the heart of downtown, on Market Street between San Fernando and San Carlos.
What you will see
Picture a walk-through forest of decorated trees, more than 40 animated and musical exhibits, and a towering Christmas tree you can actually step inside. Some of the original displays live in the Lima Train exhibit, which has become a kind of local landmark. Visits with Santa are free, and the official calendar lists photos with Santa every night from opening night through Christmas Eve. There is entertainment on the Jingle Bell Stage nightly, where more than 100 local groups, including school choirs, bands and dance troupes, perform over the course of the season.
2026 dates and special days
The park’s homepage lists the 2026 season as November 27, 2026 through January 1, 2027, open every day from noon to 10 p.m., including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. One small wrinkle: the same site’s events calendar lists the official Opening Night Ceremony, the community tree lighting, on Saturday, November 28 from 6 to 7 p.m. If you want to catch the ceremony specifically, plan for the 28th. If you just want to walk the park, Friday the 27th is the day it opens its gates.
Nov. 23–25: Community Tree Decorating Days (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.), the volunteer days before opening
Nov. 27: Park opens (noon to 10 p.m. daily through Jan. 1)
Nov. 28: Opening Night Ceremony, 6–7 p.m.; free Santa photos begin and run nightly through Dec. 24
Dec. 3: SJSU Night, 6–10 p.m.
Dec. 6 and Dec. 19: Pet-Friendly Days, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Dec. 13 and Dec. 27: Special Inclusion Sundays with sensory-friendly hours, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dec. 19: San Jose Saxophone Christmas, 2–3 p.m. (a long-running local concert)
Two of those dates deserve a special mention. The Pet-Friendly Days mean you can bring the dog to see the lights, which is rare for a downtown event of this size. And the Special Inclusion Sundays offer sensory-friendly hours for children and adults with special needs, a thoughtful touch that I would love to see more events copy.
Winter Wonderland is a separate thing
A quick clarification, because it confuses a lot of visitors. The carnival rides that line Paseo de San Antonio are called Winter Wonderland, and the park’s own FAQ notes that this is a private business. Ticketing and hours are separate from the free Christmas in the Park walk-through, so budget accordingly if you have kids who will ask for both.
Downtown Ice: skating under the palm trees
Downtown Ice, branded as Skate Under the Palms, is a wonderful the part of the San Jose holiday season. It is a program of the San Jose Downtown Association, it has run since 1994, and its claim to fame is that the rink wraps in and around a circle of 32 palm trees. It sits at Circle of Palms Plaza, 120 S. Market Street, between the San Jose Museum of Art and the Signia by Hilton hotel.
This year’s event information
Opening: last season the rink opened on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, the day before Thanksgiving.
Price: admission was $21 and included skate rental. Event listings also noted 90 minutes of free parking at the time.
Thanksgiving Day: the rink operated on Thanksgiving itself last year, which makes it one of the few big outings available that evening.
Season length: last year’s season was extended into early February with new sponsor support, tied to Super Bowl weekend events in the South Bay. That was a special circumstance, so please do not assume a repeat.
Last season’s published hours were shorter on weekday evenings, longer on weekends, and longest during the winter break from about December 19 through January 3. Treat all of that as a pattern rather than a promise, and check the rink’s official site and Instagram for the 2026–27 schedule, tickets and weather updates before you head over.
Skating tips for locals
Book ahead for peak nights. Weekends and the winter break fill up, and timed sessions are common at outdoor rinks.
Go on a weeknight if you can. Quieter evenings are easier for first-time skaters and little ones.
Wear socks you like. You are renting skates. Thin socks and cold toes are the most common regret.
Pair it with dinner downtown. San Pedro Square, SoFA and the blocks around Santana Row all make easy before-or-after stops.
More ways to see the lights and catch a show
San Jose Holiday Lights
San Jose Holiday Lights returns for 2026 at 330 W. San Carlos Street, running November 13 through January 1 from 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. nightly. It is billed as a walk through six themed zones: a Golden Christmas, an Enchanted Jungle, a California Garden, Mermaid Current, a Cactus Mirage and a White Christmas Wonderland, with food and sweet treats on site.
On stage
If your family prefers a seat to a skate, the city’s official holiday calendar lists Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet at the Center for the Performing Arts on November 14, and Symphony San Jose’s Merry Mozart at the California Theatre on December 5 and 6. Visit San Jose’s holiday page keeps a longer list that updates as venues add shows.
Three easy plans for Thanksgiving week
Plan 1: The run-then-feast Thanksgiving
Register for the 5K, walk it with the family, and be home by late morning. Put the sides together while the bird rests. After dinner, if everyone is up for a short outing, ask whether Downtown Ice is operating that evening. Last year it was, and a lap around a rink is a gentle way to digest.
Plan 2: The Black Friday evening with kids
Go to Christmas in the Park at dusk, when the lights are brightest and the lines for Santa are usually more manageable than on weekends. Let the kids pick one extra: a Winter Wonderland ride or a skating session. Choosing one keeps the evening from turning into a negotiation.
Plan 3: Small Business Saturday date night
Small Business Saturday falls on November 28 this year. Spend the afternoon shopping local, whether that is downtown, Santana Row’s independent shops or Lincoln Avenue in Willow Glen, then walk over to Plaza de César Chávez for the 6 p.m. Opening Night Ceremony. It is free, it is festive, and it is the closest thing San Jose has to a Hallmark scene.
Getting around downtown without losing your mind
Downtown San Jose gets busy between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. The San Jose Downtown Association has described the stretch from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day as the busiest of the year for the area. That is wonderful for the neighborhood and a little tricky for parking.
Park once and walk. Christmas in the Park, the Circle of Palms rink and Paseo de San Antonio are all within a short walk of each other. Choose one garage and stay put.
Try transit and rideshare. VTA light rail serves downtown, and Diridon Station (Caltrain) is a walk or short ride away. Always check holiday timetables, which are often reduced on Thanksgiving Day.
Arrive early on weekends. Evenings and weekends are the busiest. A weekday visit or an early-evening arrival gives you more room to breathe.
Check street closures for the Turkey Trot. Streets around W. Santa Clara and N. 1st will be affected on race morning.
Hosting, dining out and giving back
Not everyone cooks, and not everyone wants to. Many restaurants around downtown and Santana Row offer special Thanksgiving menus or prix fixe dinners, and the best ones book weeks ahead, so make that reservation now rather than the week of. If you are hosting for the first time, my one piece of advice is to simplify. Choose two things you want to nail, buy the rest, and enjoy your guests.
If you would like to give back this season, the Turkey Trot’s beneficiaries are a good place to start. Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, Healthier Kids Foundation and HomeFirst all serve neighbors here in Santa Clara County. Christmas in the Park also runs a community campaign where local families and businesses can adopt a tree for the display, and it relies on thousands of volunteer hours each year.
Why these traditions are part of why people love living here
I spend my days helping people find homes in the South Bay, and I notice something every November. People who move here from somewhere else often tell me they were not sure they would feel rooted in Silicon Valley, and then they walk through Christmas in the Park with a cup of cocoa and something clicks. I moved to the Bay Area myself in 2012, so I know that feeling well.
If downtown’s energy appeals to you, it is worth knowing how close some of the best neighborhoods are to it. Naglee Park, Rose Garden, Japantown, Willow Glen and the SoFA district all offer different versions of city living with the plaza and the rink within reach. Every household is different, and I am always honest when a neighborhood is not the right fit. If you are curious about what a move might look like for you, I am happy to talk it through with no pressure.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best things to do in San Jose for Thanksgiving 2026?
The standout options are the Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning (Thursday, November 26), Christmas in the Park at Plaza de César Chávez starting Friday, November 27, the San Jose Holiday Lights display at 330 W. San Carlos Street, and ice skating at Downtown Ice once the 2026–27 season opens. Holiday performances, such as the Nutcracker on November 14 and Merry Mozart on December 5 and 6, round out the season.
When is the 2026 Silicon Valley Turkey Trot and where does it start?
The race is on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, 2026. The 5K and 10K start at 8:30 a.m., and the Kids Fun Run for ages 2 to 7 follows at around 10:15 a.m. The start line is in downtown San Jose at West Santa Clara Street and North 1st Street. Proceeds benefit four local nonprofits.
Is Christmas in the Park in San Jose free, and when does it open in 2026?
Yes, admission is free. The park’s homepage lists the 2026 season as November 27, 2026 through January 1, 2027, open daily from noon to 10 p.m. The events calendar lists the Opening Night Ceremony and tree lighting on Saturday, November 28 from 6 to 7 p.m. It is held at Plaza de César Chávez in downtown San Jose.
When does Downtown Ice open in San Jose in 2026?
As of October 22, 2026, I could not find a posted 2026–27 opening date. Last season the rink opened on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, November 26, 2025, at $21 including skates. Check the official Skate Under the Palms site or the rink’s social channels for the current schedule.
Is anything open in San Jose on Thanksgiving Day itself?
Yes. The Turkey Trot is the main Thanksgiving Day event, and Downtown Ice operated on Thanksgiving last season, so it is worth checking for this year. Christmas in the Park opens the following day. Many restaurants also serve Thanksgiving dinner, but most need reservations well in advance.
Is there anything for kids?
Quite a lot. The Turkey Trot has a Kids Fun Run for ages 2 to 7, Christmas in the Park offers free photos with Santa nightly from opening night through Christmas Eve, and the park hosts Special Inclusion Sundays with sensory-friendly hours on December 13 and 27. Downtown Ice and the Winter Wonderland rides are also popular with families.
Can I bring my dog to Christmas in the Park?
On designated Pet-Friendly Days, yes. The 2026 calendar lists December 6 and December 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Confirm details on the park’s events page before you go.
Where can I see Christmas lights in San Jose?
Start with Christmas in the Park at Plaza de César Chávez, which is free, and San Jose Holiday Lights at 330 W. San Carlos Street, open nightly from 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. from November 13 through January 1. Santana Row also decorates for the season, and many neighborhoods put on their own displays.
What is the easiest way to get downtown on Thanksgiving weekend?
Choose one parking garage near the plaza and walk, or take VTA light rail or Caltrain and check each agency’s holiday schedule first. The Turkey Trot will affect streets around the start line on Thanksgiving morning, so allow extra time.
Sources and where to confirm details
Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot: official site (svturkeytrot.com) and RunSignup registration page; event listing on Patch (San Jose).
Christmas in the Park: christmasinthepark.com (homepage, FAQ and events calendar); San Jose events listing at sanjose.org.
Downtown Ice / Skate Under the Palms: 2025–26 season details from Funcheap SF listings and NBC Bay Area (Oct. 28, 2025); San Jose Downtown Association.
San Jose Holiday Lights 2026 and holiday event calendar: sanjose.org/holiday and sanjose.org/events.
Small Business Saturday date: Wikipedia entry for Small Business Saturday.
Event details change. Please confirm dates, hours and prices with each organizer before you go.
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