Christmas in the Park 2015 San Jose’s Free Event Celebrates 35 Years

By REALTOR® Michelle Carr Crowe

Christmas in the Park 2015, a Silicon Valley, Calif. tradition in downtown San Jose, celebrates its thirty-fifth year of "Joy and Magic" in 2015. Prior funding shortfalls looked to be the Grinch to end the event after 2011. Thanks to a multitude of supporters and volunteers, the clear winners are the thousands of Santa Clara County residents who return annually to the outdoor Christmas fantasyland.

From the majestic Community Giving Tree and thousands of glittering lights to the 60+ animated displays and nightly "snow" storms” (e.g. bubbles) Christmas in the Park 2015 is a great way to start, enjoy or end the Christmas holiday season. Along with visits with Santa Claus, the event features a variety of nightly entertainment, including local choirs and musical groups.

In addition to viewing and photographing the animated displays, including a nativity scene, another enjoyable tradition is spotting the Christmas trees local schools, nonprofits and service groups sponsor and decorate. The themes for the trees temporarily planted throughout Plaza De Cesar Chavez Park vary from recycling to robotics.

Be sure to stop by my own tree entitled, "Home for the Holidays" at space 700 between Danny the Dragon, the Community Stage and the Information Booth. Take a photo with yourself and my tree and post it to my facebook page to be entered into a drawing for several fun prizes.

Free and open to the public, the event begins the day after Thanksgiving and completes its run on January 3, 2015.

Opportunities to meet with Santa Claus are available as well.

It's estimated that if every family who visited Christmas in the Park donated just one dollar each, funding would continue easily for the following year. Consider "liking" Downtown Christmas in the Park on FaceBook and donating a dollar (or more) to support one of San Jose's most beloved holiday traditions.

When visiting Christmas in the Park, consider traveling by Light Rail to avoid dealing with traffic and parking challenges.

Christmas in the Park is located at Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park, at South Market Street near San Carlos in San Jose. The organization can be reached at (408) 995-6635 or visit online at www.christmasinthepark.com.

Nearby Christmas in the Park is the Circle of Palms Ice Skating Rink, next to the airmont Hotel. Tickets for the separate carnival-style rides are available for purchase.

The City of San José, Department of Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services, works closely with Christmas in the Park's Board of Directors in providing staff assistance for the event. Board members and community volunteers donate more than 257,000 hours and raise funds year-round to support the event.

Thank you for reading "Christmas in the Park 2015 San Jose’s Free Event Celebrates 35 Years".