With COVID-19 making our world an uncertain one, we know for sure that Christmas in the Park will be happening in 2020 - but not as you know it. Since the early 1950's when the display was originally set-up on the front lawn of the Lima Family Mortuary through it's placement on the front lawn of City Hall during the 1970's and where it has been since 1980, in downtown San Jose's Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park, the Christmas in the Park display is a tradition for our community. It will remain a tradition in 2020, but for safety reasons, for this year only, it will pivot to a drive thru holiday experience at History Park in San Jose.
You will still see all of the whimsical displays, hundreds of decorated Christmas trees and even some new features that will add to your enjoyment of the event. You can still grab a hot chocolate, a churro and enjoy a bag of kettle corn, but you will be enjoying them in the comfort of your own car as you weave through History Park in San Jose. The setting for our event in 2020, History Park is an amazing venue. Through 32 original and reproduction homes, businesses and landmarks, History Park reveals Santa Clara Valley’s past. The 14-acre site offers the "charm and ambiance of times gone by" and creates a perfect site for our event. In case you are wondering, you will also still be able to see Santa!
Due to the change and other COVID-19 issues, our non-profit is projecting a severe loss in revenue for 2020. Sponsorships, concessions, ride revenue and the majority of vendor booth fees will be drastically reduced or disappear all together. In order to make up for the projected shortfall, and to make certain we can be around for a triumphant return to our traditional event in 2021, we must move to a paid admission model for our event in 2020. Later this year you will be able to visit this website and reserve your ticket to attend our event. Fees have not yet been finalized but you can expect to pay between $5 and $15 per car to attend. We are also working on having some reservation required free admission dates and an option where families can sponsor other families to attend.
We understand that not everyone will like this change, but it is necessary for us and for the safety of our guests and we hope that you understand. We have prepared some answers to frequently asked questions and you can find them
here.