November is full of exciting and festive events of all sorts. From live comedy at the Improv to an Instagram-worthy Sonic Runway, you sure don’t want to miss out on all the fun! Make this month an eventful one before the holiday season arrives.
Featured Photo: Courtesy of Sonic Runway FB
Fall Hiking Through an Open Preserve
November 1
The air turning crisper and the leaves turning shades of gold, red and burgundy makes November one of the best months of the year to get out and enjoy nature. Take your pick from 250 hiking trails — many of which are free, low-impact and open daily — which are under management by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space. The trails wind through preserves covering over 70,000 acres of diverse and scenic landscapes: from bay wetlands to redwood forests and coastal grasslands. Midpen also offers guided hiking and volunteer-driven habitat restoration projects.
More info: openspace.org
Downtown Ice
November 17–January 15, 2024
A popular winter tradition returns to the Circle of Palms plaza in downtown San Jose — an ice skating rink originally founded by Kristi Yamaguchi back in the mid-1990s (the plaza was used as a roller skating rink in 2022). The reinstated ice rink is under new management, so lace up your skates and be prepared to make your ice capades debut!
More info: sjdowntownice.com
"Elf" in Concert
November 17–18
Travel through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, past the sea of twirly-swirly gumdrops and all the way to the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts to see Elf in Concert. The beloved and hysterical holiday movie is set to John Debney’s classic live score, making the experience of watching the hijinks of a human-sized elf even more charming.
More info: sanjosetheaters.org
Los Altos Festival of Lights Parade
November 26
Since 1977, the Los Altos Festival of Lights Parade has celebrated the beginning of the holiday season in downtown Los Altos with colorful floats, local high school marching bands and costumed characters — all lit up with thousands of lights. Of course, no holiday parade would be complete without Santa and his reindeer!
More info: losaltosparade.org
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
November 28–December 3
The Broadway version of this classic and beloved Christmas story comes to San Jose. Featuring the hit songs “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas,” the Grinch eventually discovers there’s more to Christmas than he bargained for in this heart-warming holiday classic.
More info: broadwaysanjose.com
Looking for more things to do in the area?
Visit our What to Do in Northern California page!
