I've been coming to the Willow Glen Holiday lights for almost 10 years now, and it is pure magic...minus the crowds. It's amazing to see how all-out so many of the houses go, just about every single one has some sort of Christmas or Hanukkah display, light, or decoration. It's also amazing how much more crowded it gets every year. I used to drive it, but now I don't dare try. I'll typically park near one of the main streets and get out and walk. This is usually much more enjoyable since you aren't having to fight nonstop car and foot traffic. This year I went a little late in the season and even walking it wasn't all that enjoyable because of the groups of 15+ people together and the people running around doing a scavenger hunt, so lesson learned. This past year we parked a bit further and got to see some displays that I either haven't seen in the past or are newer, but it was nice to stroll the less crowded streets and still enjoy the holiday magic. Unlike in years past, there were even street dog vendors out this time around. Felt like I was leaving a concert or a sporting event! read more

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The wonderful people of Willow Glen produces amazing holiday displays for both Halloween and Christmas. The festivities and major decorations are very much appreciated by those who may not have the resources to partake in decorating. There are a few neighborhoods in Willow Glen you can walk through and look at beautiful displays. It is animal and kid friendly Another way to view these decorations is something called the Holiday Trolley Ride that you purchase to participate and The trolley rides through the decorated neighborhoods. (Not pet friendly) I recommend bundling up because it gets chilly at night. Don't miss out! Thank you people of Willow glen! read more

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MUST SEE! The houses at willow glen really care for Christmas cheer. There's a tractor sleigh being pull by Santa that you can ride. There are bikes; pay to ride. There's a petal bike that you can hop on with your friends and ride. SOOOoooo many houses in the neighborhood celebrating. If you love Christmas you should definitely come here. Its free to park and walk around or you can drive through for faster viewing however it does get congested with traffic. Some houses sell hot chocolate, cookies, and other treats. read more

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Come here every year. Park and walk it. Love it. Dress warm! Sometimes there are little stands set up for hot drinks which is a treat. More neighborhoods need to do this. read more

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We visited the Willow Glen Christmas lights after dinner to walk off our meal, and it quickly became more than just a walk. What we thought would be a short stroll turned into a full holiday experience, one of those nights where Christmas feels alive. We have seen many decorated streets and cul de sacs before, but Willow Glen surprised us. Multiple neighborhoods followed shared themes, with streets labeled things like Candy Cane Lane and Santa's Sleigh and Reindeer. It felt like walking through a storybook, where each street had its own chapter. The decorations were beautiful and thoughtful. Some areas felt like a small festival, with trains, horse carriages, brews on bicycles, and families everywhere enjoying the moment. Vendors selling churros, hot chocolate, hot dogs, and light up toys added to the fun. These streets truly embody Christmas, warm, joyful, and full of wonder. The highlight of the night was meeting Mrs. Santa Claus of Willow Glen. She was kind, welcoming, and full of heart. She hosted the churro truck and clearly gives so much back to the community. She felt like the soul of the neighborhood, a reminder that Christmas magic often comes from people, not just lights. Bring your family and friends and take your time walking around, or enjoy it from your car. There is so much to see and feel here. This is the kind of place that turns a simple evening into a memory, and it will definitely be an annual Christmas tradition for us. read more

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Willow Glen gets it done with the Holiday spirit. A lot of homes have decorated Christmas trees in their front yards, this year there seemed to be "block theme" one block had lit up candy canes right by the sidewalks another block arched lit up walkways. There is so much to see "especially near the Dry Creek Road area" that it's impossible too see it all walking down the streets, we drove about 5mph for one hour and saw about 8 complete blocks. (Note) be very careful when driving as a lot of the area is very dark at night and people cross the street without looking and for some reason wear dark clothing that is not reflected to lights. read more

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Happy Holidays everyone! Nice family-friendly holiday fun here. It's a neighborhood in San Jose with a few streets lined with homes all decked out with lights and decor. Some are more elaborate than others, but it's nice to see almost every home lit up on these streets. There's even a house that I believe had a band playing in their back yard. There's a good amount of cars driving along these streets, especially as Christmas approaches, so expect to move slowly. read more

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Wow! Willow Glen Holiday Lights are absolutely beautiful and worth seeing if you enjoy seeing streets filled with Christmas lights. It's not just several houses decorated, but several streets that are decked out in beautiful creative decor. Whether you feel like walking or doing a drive though, the Christmas spirit is in the air in Willow Glen and I highly recommend coming. read more

My favorite holiday tradition driving or walking through all the Willow Glen lights! I loved the whoville addition that I saw this year at a few houses! Biggest tip would be to take the time to walk around!! Definitely more memorable to walk through and makes things a little less crowded on the street :) read more

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Beautiful lights! Can get a bit crowded in the evening. Find a parking if you can and take a walk. read more

Willow Glen Holiday Lights - Festivals Near Me - San Jose, California

Nice neighborhood to see Christmas lights. I came earlier so it's not too crowded and it was nice!

Amazing holiday tradition. We take our family to see the lights in this walkable family friendly neighborhood every year. This year due to time, we forgot to, and our little daughter asked if we were going to see the lights. Due to her request we had to make a stop after Christmas. Such a fun free activity and we noticed there were more street vendors (lights and hot dogs) than in years past. read more

Willow Glen Holiday Lights - Outside - Festivals Near Me - San Jose, California

Super pretty with lots of lights and decorations to see! Went around the end of the 2nd week of December last year and the lights were all up so would plan for the same this year. Not too many cars around too and felt very safe walking around but I know it gets more packed the closer you get to the holidays so plan accordingly. The address listed on yelp will get you to the right general location and you can drive around or park and walk around the streets read more

During the holiday season, it's great to come down to Willow Glen and see the neighborhoods of Christmas Lights and decorations! It's fun to walk (or at least drive around) to see the elaborately decorated houses. It's fun. read more

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A very nice walk around the neighborhood. The decorations are so beautiful. The lighted arches makes it feel like a mini wonderland.

I can't believe I've never visited this wonderful neighborhood of lights until this year! The residents of Willow Glen come together to put on an amazing display. There are several streets completely decked out. Sure you can drive but it's best seen by parking a little bit outside of the area and walking. The decorated streets have different themes with their tunnels and it's a fun, festive atmosphere. While there are no over the top displays, with the exception of the giant reindeer which line an entire block (!!!) all homes are nicely lit. It's a must see if you love looking at lights and want to go on a Christmas stroll. Plan to spend at least an hour or so walking around. To find the general area (since there are so many streets done up) you can type Willow Glen Holiday lights to google maps and it will take you to the general area. It's fun to see the community get together and visitors were all having a great time. Traffic and some gridlock aside (pack patience and park further away so you don't get too caught up in the traffic) it's a perfect local holiday display. read more

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If you're looking to dive into the full holiday spirit without the hassle of crowded theme parks or high-ticket entry fees, the Willow Glen Holiday Lights display is an absolute MUST! This neighborhood is pure magic during the holiday season. It's like walking through a living, breathing Christmas card--every house is decked out with festive lights, giant inflatables, and whimsical decorations that bring the neighborhood to life. The best part? It's all **walkable**! No need to worry about parking or navigating through busy streets; you can easily stroll along the charming, tree-lined avenues while sipping on hot cocoa or just soaking in the sights and sounds of the season. The energy here is so spirited--families are out with their kids, couples are enjoying the glow of the lights, and the whole atmosphere is just **buzzing** with joy. There's a really lovely sense of community, too, with homeowners putting their hearts into making their displays as cheerful and creative as possible. One street even had synchronized music playing with the lights, which was *seriously* impressive! It's not just about the lights, though. The entire neighborhood radiates festive vibes, with residents waving, chatting, and creating that perfect small-town holiday charm. It's a great spot for family photos or a fun date night. And, with so many restaurants and coffee shops nearby, you can easily make a full evening out of it. If you're in the South Bay during the holiday season, Willow Glen is a *must-see*. It's one of those things that makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside while still being completely awe-inspiring. Definitely put it on your list--there's no better way to get into the holiday spirit! read more

Best free activity with your littles. Best in the south bay AFAIK. The santa and reindeers spanning many front yards are awesome.

Surprisingly good! The neighborhood is actually very big and every single house has a lot of lights. Some blocks have sets of 5 or 6 houses that coordinate to make something big like. There were lots of street vendors set up selling tacos, etc as well. Would recommend. read more

Lovely lights and some blocks had very attractive themes. Will definitely come next year.

If you are looking for a safe place to walk and enjoy holiday lights, this is it! I brought my 16 month old for a walk to tire him out on 12/25 around 5 pm and there were a lot of folks walking around. It's so fun to see the themes on the various streets and awe at the beautiful homes. We came back on 12/31 and most homes still had lights on around 6 pm. I loved the Candy Cane Lane (Carolyn Ave), the Frosty Lane (Lester Avenue), and the Tree Lane (Crescent). Though many drive, I highly recommend you park and walk around. There are a lot of people walking with kids and pets and it is well lit due to holiday lights. It's a great way to get some fresh air, walk off the heavy holiday meals, and enjoy the beautiful bay area weather. It is a short walk from the Lincoln Ave downtown restaurants and shops, so make it a date and fun adventure after grabbing a bite (I personally love Halal Amigos and Willow Glen Creamery). read more

Willow Glen Holiday Lights - Lester Avenue is Frosty Lane! - Festivals Near Me - San Jose, California

We had the best time last Christmas here. All the lights and decorations were amazing. But today when we went here for the Halloween, it was pretty far away from the Christmas lights. The decorated houses were still fantastic, the fun and the candy were both generous, and it was very kid and family friendly. But there were not many houses with decorations, a majority of houses were just dark without lights. I'm not sure if the Willow Glen neighborhood is just into the Christmas or we didn't find the right streets. read more

Wow, amazing experience. Hats off to all residents of this neighborhood. Park far away and walk through the streets.

This is a wonderful experience of lights in a safe area and neighborhood. Most houses participate and go all out with decorations. Many families walk and bring their child in a stroller like we did. Our 2.5 year old daughter had so much fun she didn't walk to leave! read more

These are definitely worth the drive if you're in San Jose. Theres so many streets that are lite up. The decor is so pretty and bright. They even have lights that look like snowflakes in the middle of the street. It was a beautiful show. read more

Oh the weather outside is frightful... but man, these Willow Glen folks know how to light up the night. Such a delight to walk around and admire all the amazing decorations. Highlight is the driveway disco dance party! read more

We went for a stroll on a cold rainy night, when no one was out, as my friend lives in Willow Glen and we thought this would be a great addition to our already awesome evening together. Obviously the weather wasn't very pleasant, but with an umbrella on hand and the streets still lined with bright and colorful decorations and lights after 9pm, we had a good time. I'd say it's a bit low-key compared to other holiday light shows I've been to (no moving parts or homes collaborating together on their props/decor to create elaborate scenes). But it was still lovely in this charming neighborhood, with fallen leaves everywhere, trees lit, giant inflatable Santas, candy canes and snowmen lining front lawns, one of the houses even had a bunch of puppies on display with festive accessories, instead of just typical reindeer ornaments. If you're looking for something uniquely spectacular, this is not it. But if you are more interested in keeping it simple, taking a walk with loved ones, and would enjoy exploring the beautiful neighborhood a bit, this is a lighthearted activity and great way to get into the holiday spirit. read more

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Willow Glen was highly recommended to me by my colleagues. This isn't my favorite spot to check out holiday lights as I've been spoiled by Christmas Tree Lane in San Carlos. However, the decor isn't half bad! The neighborhood is large so you can spend a hefty amount of time walking around. I wonder if there were more decorated houses pre-pandemic - I saw many houses who did not participate on Christmas Eve this year. My husband and I found parking easily as many folks just drove through. I'd recommend parking and walking though as drive thru traffic looked/sounded stressful! read more

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This is definitely one of the best Christmas lighting in Bay Area, there are not only one street but a few blocks are coordinated with different patterns lighting. We came here every year but still found it fascinated from the amazing lightings. You can stroll around if weather is nice, we usually just drive around in car due to limited parkings if you come on Christmas Day. read more

Willow Glen Holiday Lights - Festivals Near Me - San Jose, California

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Absolutely amazing! Love to go there every year. Each street does an amazing job with themed decorations. Appreciate all the families and Willow Glen to take the time to do this. read more

Such a magnificent and beautiful display of lights. My family had a wonderful time driving through

Wonderful. Lots of lights already on Nov 30th!! Really appreciate the efforts people put in.

Another yearly tradition during this time of the year is a visit here! I always leave more cheerful and more optimistic in humanity. I recommend parking and walking the streets and taking in the sights. I love how coordinated all the streets are with their themes, how much effort they put into it and how awesome it all looks. It does get cold, I recommend wearing layers and bringing some hot chocolate if you can. Well done Willow Glen, well done! Don't ever stop! PS - Please don't be the people in the car who go super slowly, stopping for pictures and blocking traffic. read more

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it was fun! i never expected so many houses to take into the holiday spirit, i thought the spirit slowly died down until i saw this neighborhood. Its a good place to scroll. BUT MIGHT YOU IT WILL BE COLD! SO LAYER UP! YOU WILL NOT REGRET read more

Surprisingly large area, many blocks. Not crowded after Christmas. Not too flashy. Classy. read more

Willow Glen Holiday Lights - Classy house with Christmas lights - Festivals Near Me - San Jose, California

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Driving though This Willow Glen neighborhood to see their great Christmas displays has been one of our family traditions for years. It's a coordinated multi-block light show that you can drive through or park and walk though. The folks in this neighborhood go all out and have some amazing displays. I would say that it's on par with some of the other light shows that you have to pay for. In fact we went to Blinky's Illuminated Holiday and then we came here the same night and our daughters (7 & 9) preferred the Willow Glen expereince. In fact they asked that we go back a 2nd night which we did. Kudos to the folks in this neighborhood for doing such a great job and putting up with all the extra traffic year after year. read more

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Well not sure it can get any better than this. I live North in the Peninsula and this little gem in the town of Willow Glen ( San Jose) has to be one of the best presentations around. If you get a chance to drive around or take the trolley thru this wonderland of lights, it is the best. I took a video of our time, and it was just the best!! People really go all out to make sure their homes are filled with holiday festive lights. Thank you Willow Glen! read more

Christmas Lights are celebrated by Willow Glen residents. Thank you folks for power bill ! Some are Amazingly creative. read more

Willow Glen's annual holiday lights festival has gotten more grand and festive ever year. We love that every neighborhood has its own slight theme, and the coordination among neighboring homes is admirable to say the least. This is a very fun event for family members and friends of all ages. To drive around and see all the main attractions takes about half an hour, but walking would probably take a at least 1.5 hours. Whether you're walking or driving, I recommend being mindful that these displays are in front of people's homes. It's important to be respectful of people's properties and the cleanliness of the neighborhood. read more

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RECOMMEND: Yes! I have been to see these holiday lights at least 3 times in my life. I've walked the streets and driven them before. Definitely give yourself at least half an hour (seems like the lights end at 11pm). If you go the day after Christmas as in 12/26, it's not busy at least this year 2020 when I went at 9:30-10:00pm it wasn't busy and was able to drive through the streets without any traffic. My friend went on Christmas Eve and said it was chaotic. I stopped and walked around one street, but opted for the car to cover more ground and to stay warm! There is a radio station posted with Christmas music for the Willow Glen area, but I opted to play my own Christmas music in the car. Each street has a theme such as stars, Christmas trees, arches, snowflakes, etc. Even the homes that are Jewish had blue and white lights up. read more