There’s snow place like Santana Row. | Photo via @writemeli
It’s time for your close-up, San Jose. 📸
Whether you’re sending holiday cards to the family, or looking to put a new portrait over the fireplace — we wanted to provide you with 11 local backdropsto greet this holiday season with a smile.
🎄 Seasonal snapshots
Many of our local celebrations are the perfect setting for your seasonal aesthetic — including Christmas in the Park and Great America’s Winterfest. They don’t kick off until next week,but in the meantime, head to Santana Row for glimmering lights, a large Christmas tree + an upscale feel for your photos.
🍂 Park panoramics
Let nature be your backdrop at several parks offering gorgeous fall foliage during this normally drab time of year. Head to either Almaden Lake Park or Vasona Park for serene views of the water. Fool the family into thinking you’re a globetrotter with the bridges of the Japanese Friendship Garden or the rock garden at Hakone Estates and Gardens.
🏙️ Simply San Jose
Show off your local love at spots like the Sonic Runway or Plaza de Cesar Chavez. Get creative with colors at the red + green freight trains in History Park, or get a seasonal scare at the Winchester Mystery House during their “Holidays at the House” — which begins next week.
Share your season’s greetings with us and send in your holiday photos for a chance to be featured in a future newsletter.
Creative Control | Wednesday, Nov. 16 | 6:30-10 p.m. | San Pedro Social, 163 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose | Free | Network with other Bay Area creatives while you enjoy cocktails, music, and a special performance by local artists.
Emmet Cohen | Wednesday, Nov. 16 | 7 p.m. | Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose | $25-$35 | Catch this American pianist and composer as part of San Jose Jazz’s Black Cab music series.
Thursday, Nov. 17
Into the Woods | Thursday, Nov. 17-Sunday, Nov. 20 | 7:30 p.m. | Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose | $10-$20 | Every wish has an unexpected consequence in this Sondheim classic.
San Jose Bachata Nights | Thursday, Nov. 17-Thursday, Dec. 28 | 9-12 p.m. | On One Studios, 422 N. Capitol Ave., San Jose | $15-$25 | Experience this dance party equipped with lighting, smoke machines, and state-of-the-art sound equipment.
Friday, Nov. 18
Gravity Night Market | Friday, Nov. 18 | 5-10 p.m. | Original Gravity Public House, 66 First St., San Jose | Free | Grab a beer (and some duck fat fries) while shopping from local vendors + small businesses.
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Construction on Adobe’s newest Downtown tower has accelerated — abridge that will connect its headquarters with the new towerhas been placed above W. San Fernando Street. Adobe hopes to move into the new building in early 2023, with the bridge expected to be completed sometime next year. 🏗️ (The Mercury News)
Community
Today from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., the Downtown Farmers’ Market will celebrate the end of its season with local music, Thanksgiving photo ops, and holiday craft vendors. Don’t miss its last market located on S. First Street between San Carlos + San Salvador streets. 🥕
Try This
There’s still time to sign up for the 18th Annual Silicon Valley Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 24 — with the 5K/10K races beginning at 8:30 a.m. The last opportunity to sign up will be 8 a.m. the day of. Not participating? Be aware of street closures that morning. 👟
Featured
Attention foodies... The Mercury News gathered a list of must-visit eateries around the South Bay, spotlighting some San Jose favorites — including La Vic’s orange sauce, Duc Huong’s banh mis, and Peter’s Bakery’s Burnt Almond Cake. More validation that our city’s food scene is superior. 🍽️ (The Mercury News)
We’re on a winning streak... Two individuals from Santa Clara + Sunnyvalematched all five numbers in Monday’s Fantasy 5 drawing — winning $247,684 each. Lucky for them, California is one of nine states that doesn’t impose taxes on lottery winnings. 💰 (East Bay Times)
DYK
Did you know this is your last chance to share yourBlack Friday deals with our SJtoday readers? Promote your business with us by submitting a deal to be included in our Fri., Nov. 25 newsletter. Pricing varies by market + must be submitted by today, Wed., Nov. 16.
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Psst — Thanksgiving is next Thursday, Nov. 24. If you’re planning to serve turkey, don’t forget that a meat thermometer is essential to avoiding a potential case of food poisoning. Try this waterproof digital meat thermometer with 53,000+ five star reviews or splurge on this smart meat thermometer that connects to your phone via Bluetooth.*
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Enchant, the world’s largest holiday-themed light event, will come to PayPal Park next Friday, Nov. 25, and run through Sunday, Jan. 1.
The main attraction of the 10-acre light spectacular is a walk-through maze featuring over 4 million lights, complimented with a holiday story. ☃️
Other exciting features to expect:
An ice skating trail through its ‘frozen Enchant river’
An 100-ft tall Christmas tree
Artisan vendors, specialty crafts, and boutique stores
A 21+ ‘Polar Bar,’ complete with ice sculptures
Tickets are available now, starting at $25 for children ages 3-17 and $44 for adults — grab them before they sell out. 🎟️
THE WRAP
Today’s issue was written by Alyson.
Editor’s pick: As much as I love traditional Thanksgiving food, I’ve been interested to know what other families + friends eat for their feasts. My partner does teppanyaki every year with her family, and this year, I might be digging into Chinese duck over turkey. Let me know, what will you be cooking/eating?
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