It was a BIG event with many vendors and food trucks. People seemed happy and most tables had many…read morecustomers so I assume the merchandise was good. For a middle aged, Middle Eastern. Woman like me, I felt out of place... Really out of place. The little things they were selling didn't have any meaning for me, the thousands of stickers left me wondering: what did I miss!!! So I would say the even was great for younger people who are knowledgeable of Asian anime industry. After all, it was a lovely stroll followed by a dinner on Murphy Street.

nice event wine festival and musical performances…read moreEnjoyed a lot with friends and colleagues

Literally, my only complaint is how busy it gets (especially for parking) and hard to walk on the…read moresidewalks it is. But just being able to walk down with family or friends and admire all the beautiful lighting and decorated homes is such a vibe!

Crowded and it's really only one block that's decorated. The surrounding blocks are normal. Highly…read morerecommend coming earlier in the evening to avoid the super crowds and park a couple blocks over to walk. I can't believe they let people sell the lighted balloons here, like Christmas in the Park. It's $20 / balloon, fyi you can buy 10 of those balloons on Amazon for the same price. But tis the season? Almost every house on the ONE block is super decorated and babies/kids love it. It's a good little stop by.

I've been coming to the Willow Glen Holiday lights for almost 10 years now, and it is pure…read moremagic...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!

We visited the Willow Glen Christmas lights after dinner to walk off our meal, and it quickly…read morebecame 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.

Took my niece and nephew here and my nephew kept screaming "best day ever" while running around, so…read moreI'd say this place is a resounding success! We went at around 9 pm on July 4th and there was still a lot of people but not enough to dampen the experience thankfully. Tickets are easy to grab online and there is ample parking available because it's in the great mall. When we first walked in we were greeted with lots and lots of foam. Foam in the air like its snowing, and foam on the ground. My nephew was so excited and kept running through it excitedly which was cute. We were also told the last show of the day was about to start so we luckily caught it. Loved watching all 3 performers - aerial, juggling, and hoops. From there we just walked around and saw as much as we could. The little rooms they have with different decorations and aesthetics are great for pictures and selfies. There are so many good photo ops that I basically spent an hour being the munchkins personal photographer :) was a great time

Saw this event on my feed on Facebook and brought my daughters over. They both absolutely love it!…read more There is so much magic on this exhibit! It was just beautiful! It is so fun to see them laughing and skipping and jumping around. It really melts my heart. Yeah. Lots of photo ops for all of us. The exhibit also had a small acrobatic performance and a show that a transformer changed into the robot from the car. This was not communicated. We figured out when it was too late. Wish these timeline were either on their website for informed when people checked in. The flowers are beautiful to look at but it had the plastic smell. Also there are some rooms that we just can't breathe with so much chemicals..: hence one star off

Cute event and opportunity to launch water lanterns and reflect. Check in is smooth and there are a…read moregood number of food vendors for the event. Things that can be improved are: More guidance towards timing of when to decorate your lantern and a provided template. They bring people on stage to share, but maybe there should be an anonymous reading as well. I personally think the event is better in fall because the crowds in summer were too noisy for the performances and meditation. Bring your own picnic blanket and water!

This was my first year to attend. There were so many people that I must have been the only one…read morethat didn't know about this event before!! We got there later in the evening and the place was packed, couldn't find a place to park and had to walk a bit of a distance. We found the place to check in and got a small package with everything we needed to make our water lantern. All the grassy areas were full, so we found a place to sit and draw on the embankment in front of the fence that lines the water. We loved the games that were in the kit, my partner was called as he was a winner of the scavenger hunt! We joined everyone to put our lantern into the water. We were one of the first. When we returned to our vantage point, we could view a current of people and lights heading to the water, melodic music was playing in the background, and the beauty of the night sky created the perfect setting. It was a lovely event for couples, families, friends and groups to enjoy a delightful evening in a very large community. Things to note: ~Get there early for easy parking and a good seat on the grass ~Bring a blanket to sit on ~Bring extra markers as they only give you one color in your kit ~Meet your neighbors and enter the scavenger hunt! You may win a fun prize

Love it! Great lots of Greek food, atmosphere. Greek program was great with singing, dancing!read more

Greek Flavor and Hospitality Done Right…read more The 2025 San Jose Greek Festival at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church once again proves why it's one of the Bay Area's most anticipated annual events. This isn't just a church fundraiser--it's a cultural celebration packed with unforgettable food, warm hospitality, and a sense of joyful community you can't fake. Let's talk about the food, which was firing on all cylinders this year. YiaYia's Kitchen, located inside the church's basketball arena, brought a full-court press of Greek comfort food. The lamb shank with orzo was fall-off-the-bone fantastic, the Pastitsio and Mousaka hit every creamy, cinnamon-laced note, and the vegetarian stuffed tomatoes and bell peppers were fragrant, filling, and a welcome lighter option. Whether you dined solo or at a communal table, there was no shortage of generous portions and smiling faces. And, of course, FABULOUS DESERTS! But the biggest buzz this year? The new Saganaki stand--and let me just say: OPA! This was more than just flaming cheese (which was fantastic, by the way--crispy edges, gooey center, splash of lemon). What made it truly special was the assortment of pita dips served alongside. There was a spicy feta (tirokafteri), a cool eggplant melitzanosalata, and a robust hummus that balanced the richness of the cheese. The dips elevated the stand from snack stop to gourmet tasting corner. Unfortunately, by late Sunday, the dips had sold out--a testament to their popularity--but thankfully, festival organizers had enough extra tzatziki on hand to keep everyone happy. And that tzatziki deserves its own round of applause. It's been hit or miss in past years, especially on the final day--but not this year! Creamy, garlicky, and fully stocked all weekend long. It paired beautifully with everything: dolmathes, souvlaki, or just scooped up with a corner of warm pita. Service across the board was efficient and friendly, even with a few long lines. Credit goes to the army of volunteers--young and old--who make this three-day marathon hum. Whether it was someone clearing trays, pouring Greek wine in the tent, or dancing in costume for the crowd, every person seemed genuinely proud to be there. That kind of hospitality is what sets this festival apart. The best in the Bay Area! Opa! Also worth noting: desserts were excellent (get the galaktoboureko early before it disappears), the beer and wine locations were lively without being chaotic. And, the air-conditioned and shaded dining areas were a welcome addition during peak sun. Especially on Saturday, with temperatures approaching 100 degrees F. By the time the last bouzouki strummed its notes Sunday night, the festival had once again fed thousands--body and soul. If you missed it, put it on your calendar now. The weekend after Memorial Day. The San Jose Greek Festival isn't just a great event. It's an embrace from a community that knows how to cook, how to host, and how to share its culture with open arms.

First time visiting the San Jose Jazz Festival. It was a hot & muggy day in August. It was pretty…read moreneat to see various stages where each group of musicians were playing. So depending on your style, you could sit and listen to some smooth jazz, RB Jazz, etc. Also, you could walk around and browse the merchandise or food vendors to determine what to eat while still being in earshot to hear some music going on. Bring your own chair, otherwise, you will have to stand.

This is a festival I look forward to attending every year & for the past 12 years (except last year…read morewhen cancelled). The number of stages this year was minimized, yet I still found plenty of fabulous music to listen to. I love that I am able to see some of my favorite artists as well as being introduced to musicians I am unfamiliar with. What I especially appreciate is the diversity of the crowd and how everyone there seems really happy. I always meet totally cool people. Thank you to the San Jose Summer Jazz Fest organizers for all your efforts to make this a spectacular event!

Highly recommend checking out the obon festival. This is an all hands on deck community event to…read morehost locals and those who just want a taste and feel of culture! Enjoy the amazing musical performances, yummy food/snacks, and carnival games (led by the local Boy Scout troops) fun will be had by all!

First time to this festival and learned that it is tiny compared to the festival that in San…read moreFrancisco Japantown which takes up about 6 blocks. Food stalls are all in one area located next to the Japanese Buddhist church annex. Overall I enjoyed seeing friends and the sunshine compared to the overcast skies where I live.

Great vendors! Great music! Great weather! Well attended event!…read more Had a blast at Cambell's Oktoberfest and was impressed by all of the local vendors and business owners who were celebrating in showcasing their businesses with the community. Such a smart way to highlight the hard-working business owners in in the neighborhood. Parking is a little tricky, so be prepared to circle a few times to find a spot or come early. Hats off to the downtown Cambell Chamber of Commerce for throwing such a wonderful event.

We had a great time at this event! There are plenty of food and drink options, not only from the…read morevendors but the local business too! We did wish that they had more seating throughout the event. Lots of different local musicians playing on different stages. There is a 5/10k race prior to the start of the event. We signed up for this race and enjoyed our run. The course is out and back and was run on a paved trail. They provided snacks prior to the start of the race and Square Pizza Guys were handing out free pizza sqaures after the race. We will definitely attend these events next year!

TLDR: Nice stroll for adults, good rides for kids. Overall worth checking out at least once…read more Good for an hour distraction, plus lots of restaurants nearby. Ambiance (4/5): * Lots of lit and decorated Xmas trees. * Heavier on the high schoolers than I expected, mostly around the churro vendor at the end. * Overall a pleasant setup. This is my second time going. I'll likely go back again in future seasons. Service (2/5): * Website and/or phone number given says you can text and get a reply with an answer to a question. I never received a reply. Offerings: * Lots of rides for kids 3 ft or taller. Four rides for kids under 3 ft. * Alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages available. Good looking churros for sale.

It was nice to get out and get some fresh air and hang out with family. Unfortunately, the…read moreambiance wasn't up to normal par. The big tree was a little disappointing and the trees on the outside weren't lit up, so they were difficult to see. My next opinion carries two thoughts. I was so happy to share Christmas in the Park with my 7-year-old nephew and my sister who lives in Southern CA. We were all super excited. Then at once we came upon a tree with a photo of the cutest child. Then I noticed wings on the tree. Actually, I noticed the wings first and then the child's photo. Initially I was like, oh, that's cool to put angel wings on the tree. Then I saw the photo and my heart sank. My niece who was closer was able to read that the child had passed away. It totally ruined my vibe. Was this appropriate for a festive park? That entire section had photos of people who had passed away. So, here's the other thought on my opinion. I saw a picture of an adult female and then I thought, "What a wonderful way to memorialize her for the season." I had missed emotions, but I would have preferred to overlook this section altogether. For years we would come and my small child would get this plastic Rudolph that would be on a stick. I probably got him that thing 3-years in a row. I was hoping to grab one for my nephew this year...ha ha, it's been over twenty years, and they didn't have any of the plastic blow ups for sale, but they did have hot chocolate. I'm not sure if the vendor now is the same as the one over twenty years ago, but this hot chocolate was clearly Swiss Miss or Nestle. It was basic, but the exciting part were the toppings... we had whipped cream, sprinkles, a candy cane and a little plastic snowman's head. We got the large, which was totally unnecessary and not just because of the $11 cost. Noticeably missing were the snow machines throughout the park, but my nephew was probably too young to enjoy it anyway. Also parking around the perimeter is impossible because they block all the parking. You can circle around to find a park or do what we did and just park in the lot next to the skating rink, which is across the street. I believe it was $2 per 20 minutes. Here's What I Think... If you've never been, check it out. It's nice to see the efforts the children and organizations put into decorating their trees. For me, it'll be another few years before I go back.