In Downtown San Jose, there is no time of the year quite like the weeks between Thanksgivings and New Year’s. For the better part of the month, from Christmas in the Park, the Downtown Ice Rink , the Holiday Parade and of course Ballet San Jose’s version of ” The Nutcracker.

The Park
Christmas in the Park has been around since 1950s. It’s been in Plaza de Cesar Chavez for about three decades. It remains the best family fun during the holidays. For more information , visit www.winterwonderlandsj.com

The Parade
It may be ranked as one of the best holiday parades in the country, now in its 29th year, is still a homegrown event. The parade steps off at 8:30am on Dec 5th from HP Pavilion and includes big ballons, marching bands, floats, dance groups, cartoon favorites and sports mascots like Lou Seal from San Francisco Giants. For more information, go to www.holidayparade.com

The Rink
Downtown Ice – the rink at the circle of Palms between the Fairmont Hotel and San Jose Museum of Art – has become one of the focal points of downtown during holidays. Opening ceremony scheduled for Mon at 5pm and Kristi Yamaguchi will be on hand to skate . For more information, visit www.sjdowntown.com/downtownice