Verified Christmas event · San Jose, CA
Holiday Spectacular 2026
Symphony San Jose's holiday concert with choirs, ballet and a sing-along, plus Santa and gingerbread cookie decorating an hour before each show.
- Verified by the organizer
- Dec 12 and 13
- All ages
- From $35
Tickets are sold by Symphony San Jose. Rally Takes the Train doesn't sell tickets or take a cut.
Verified- Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13, 20262:30 pm matinees, 7:30 pm Saturday evening
- California Theatre345 S 1st St, San Jose
- From $35Prices change with demand
- For all agesAbout 1 hour 50 minutes
About this event
Symphony San Jose plays three Holiday Spectacular concerts at the California Theatre, conducted by Elena Sharkova. The Symphony San Jose Chorale, Cantabile Youth Singers and New Ballet join the orchestra, with Sal Pizarro narrating. The program includes Sleigh Ride, music from The Nutcracker, Jingle Bells, an audience sing-along, Twelve Days of Silicon Valley and All I Want for Christmas Is You.
Pre-concert festivities start one hour before each concert: kids can meet Santa, take pictures and share their Christmas wishes, decorate a gingerbread cookie with royal icing and sprinkles, and color. The concert runs about 1 hour 50 minutes with an intermission.
Parent tip: Arrive an hour early so kids can see Santa and decorate a cookie before the music starts. For younger children, the 2:30 pm matinees end around 4:20 pm, and the Saturday matinee has the HOLIDAYJOY discount.
What kids can do
On site
- Setting
- Indoors, California Theatre
- Pre-concert
- 1 hour before each show
- Running time
- About 1 hr 50 min with intermission
- Tickets
- Symphony San Jose, selling fast
- Public transit
- Nearby, says the organizer
- Verified
- By the organizer,
Dates
- Saturday, December 12, 20262:30 pm and 7:30 pm
- Sunday, December 13, 20262:30 pm
Pre-concert festivities with Santa and cookie decorating start about one hour before each concert. Each concert runs about 1 hour 50 minutes with an intermission.
Prices
| Single tickets, from | $35 |
|---|
Symphony San Jose says single tickets start at $35, fees included, and prices change with demand; the organizer quotes $35 to $115. For the Saturday, December 12 matinee, promo code HOLIDAYJOY takes 25% off (not valid in Zone 5).
Where it is
- California Theatre
345 S 1st St
San Jose, CA 95113
Directions to California Theatre (opens in a new tab)
The California Theatre has transit nearby. The organizer reports restrooms, changing stations, food and drinks for sale, a wheelchair-accessible entrance, accessible seating and a quiet area.
Good to know
Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Accessible paths and seating
- Accessible restrooms
- Sensory-friendly hours or a quiet area
On stage
- Elena Sharkova, conductor
- Symphony San Jose
- Symphony San Jose Chorale
- Cantabile Youth Singers
- New Ballet
- Sal Pizarro, narrator
- Santa
Follow Symphony San Jose
Questions
When is the Holiday Spectacular in 2026?
Saturday, December 12 at 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm, and Sunday, December 13 at 2:30 pm.
Where is it?
The California Theatre, 345 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113.
How much are tickets?
Single tickets start at $35, fees included, and prices change with demand. Symphony San Jose quotes $35 to $115. Code HOLIDAYJOY takes 25% off the Saturday matinee, except Zone 5.
When can kids meet Santa?
At the pre-concert festivities, which start one hour before each concert. There is also gingerbread cookie decorating and coloring.
How long is the concert?
About 1 hour 50 minutes, with an intermission.
Verified by Symphony San Jose
The details on this page came from the organizer on November 13, 2026, and the organizer has committed to providing safe Christmas magic for kids. How verification works
More near San Jose
Organize a Christmas event for kids? Verify it for free and get a page like this one.