Winter Wonderland, a beloved part of Downtown San Jose's holiday season, is back with new surprises and magical experiences! Running from November 28 to January 3, 2026, Winter Wonderland joins Christmas in the Park and Downtown Ice to make downtown San Jose a hub of holiday joy, filled with lights, laughter, and festive spirit.

 

What to Expect at Winter Wonderland

This is a holiday event that everyone can enjoy!  This year, Winter Wonderland will feature multiple food options, Holiday photo opportunities, a gift market, and a festive arcade of rides and attractions for the entire community.

Continuing this year, Winter Wonderland aims to mitigate public safety concerns associated with unpermitted vendors by “curating the curbs” along Market Street.  Throughout the event, Winter Wonderland will be providing delicious food options along with your favorite novelty items. Please help us this year by supporting vendors with the “Winter Wonderland Official Vendor” signage.  Interested in being a vendor? Click here to fill out an interest form.

How Visitors can “Shop Responsibly”

In an effort to help mitigate the number of unpermitted vendors who cause on site issues like blocked walkways, overflowing garbage, public health concerns, fire and police code concerns, etc. Winter Wonderland along with Downtown Ice are “curating the curbs” this year by designated event zones, protected by partial barricades and security. The event vendor zones will be programmed with vendors who follow all applicable state and local laws & codes. The official event vendors will be easily identifiable by event-specific signage posted at each booth, identifying them as such. Event organizers are asking the public to shop responsibly by only patronizing the vendors identified as official event vendors.

Winter Wonderland features a festive arcade of rides and attractions for the entire community.  From the beautiful 60 foot tall Ferris Wheel to the colorful classic Carousel – these rides and games are fun for everyone!

Tickets to Ride

Admission to Winter Wonderland is free. Select attractions, including amusement rides, may require tickets.

Pricing

1 ticket: $1.50
20 tickets: $25.00
50 tickets: $ 50.00
All day wristbands: $35.00

Rides at Paseo

  • List Coming Soon!

Rides at Park Ave:

  • List Coming Soon!

Winter Wonderland Ride Hours

Starting November 28th, our Winter Wonderland comes alive with amusement rides at the Paseo location. Then, on December 18th, even more enchanting rides will join the celebration at Park Avenue, filling both locations with holiday sparkle and cheer!

Winter Wonderland Ride Hours

  • November 28: 4pm – 10pm

    **Free Rides from 4pm-6pm (Nov 28 only)

  • November 29: 12pm – 11pm

  • November 30, December 1 - 4: 5pm – 10pm

  • December 5, 6: 12pm – 11pm

  • December 7 - 9: 5pm – 10pm

  • December 10 - 12: 5pm – 9pm

  • December 13 - 16: 12pm - 9pm

  • December 17 - 18: 5pm – 10pm

  • December 19 – January 3: 12pm - 11pm

Hey Spartans! Get in the holiday spirit with Free Rides Night at Winter Wonderland. On December 16 from 5–7 PM, flash your SJSU student ID and ride for free—no tickets needed!

Two smiling men sitting in a yellow amusement park ride at night, with other rides and people in the background.
Children riding in colorful amusement park cars, with a girl smiling in a pink car marked with the number 1, other kids in yellow cars numbered 6, and a woman taking a photo, at night.
A young child wearing a brown beanie and a beige jacket, sitting in a small amusement park ride, smiling and waving.
A man is riding a carousel horse with a young child sitting in front of him; the carousel is decorated with multiple horse figures, blurred in motion.
Two children wearing birthday crowns riding in a yellow ride at an amusement park; they are smiling and laughing.
A young girl riding a pink bumper car at night, smiling and looking to her right. She has dark hair tied with a pink bow, and is wearing a white top. There is an amusement park setting with another child on a different ride in the background.
Nighttime scene at an amusement park with a brightly lit purple Ferris wheel, a moon in the sky, and buildings in the background with lit windows. Light trails show moving rides or vehicles.
People riding a ferris wheel at a carnival at night, dressed in animal costumes and enjoying the ride.
People riding a colorful festive rickshaw decorated with Christmas lights and ornaments. Santa Claus is waving from the front, with a crowd and city lights in the background.
Three people are taking pictures of children on a colorful amusement park ride at night. The ride has seats labeled 'Frog' and 'Hopper' with children enjoying it. Bright lights and carnival decorations are visible.
A brightly lit carnival ride spinning at night with colorful lights forming a circular pattern, with a person leaning on a barrier in the foreground and a food stand labeled 'Fresh Fries' on the right.

Vendors and Food Trucks

A rotating selection of various food trucks and booths will serve holiday treats like gourmet hot chocolate, churros, comfort foods, and international cuisine. Find them Throughout the Winter Wonderland space.

Clear Christmas ornaments featuring Spiderman design with colorful lights at a market stall.
A smiling woman holding colorful balloons in front of a toy stall with stuffed animals and toys, at night on a city street.
A young person in a gray hoodie and beige jacket holding a bubble gun, surrounded by colorful toys and masks at a market stall.

Winter Wonderland presents: Winter Market in collaboration with Culture Night Market

Shop for special gifts at the Holiday Gift Fair on Paseo de San Antonio, presented with Culture Night Market. The Winter Market will include dozens of holiday gift vendors offering unique seasonal items.

Thank you to the Environmental Services Department of the City of San Jose
for their dumpster donation. Help keep San José clean!
Please don’t litter and if you see litter, pick it up and put it in the trash.