Downtown San Jose will be filled with Santa Clauses on Sunday morning as the Santa Run Silicon Valley returns for its 12th year. But you’ll have to get up pretty early this year to see all the guys and gals dressed as jolly ol’ St. Nick, or maybe an elf or a reindeer.
In previous years, the 5K run/walk has taken place in the afternoon with the finish line at Christmas in the Park, allowing runners to come in as the late fall sun is setting. This year’s race will still finish at San Jose’s beloved holiday display, but it’ll start at 8 a.m. With fewer people on the road in the weekend morning, that should mean fewer traffic backups downtown and on The Alameda, which is the race’s main street.
There still will be a costume contest with judging at 7:15 a.m. at the starting line at West Santa Clara Street and Almaden Avenue, and the Reindeer Dash for kids 2 to 7 will take off near the finish line 9:30 a.m.
You can still register for either the in-person or virtual races, which support Christmas in the Park and Downtown Streets Team, at www.santarunsv.com.
ANOTHER NUTTY WEEKEND: We’re in for another round of “The Nutcracker” this year after San Jose Dance Theater produced its 58th annual production of the beloved holiday classic last weekend at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts — the longest-running show in the city.
This weekend, New Ballet brings “The San Jose Nutcracker,” its very local version, back to the grand California Theatre. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan — who has made a point this year of appearing at openings for groups like Opera San Jose and Symphony San Jose — will join New Ballet founder and Director Dalia Rawson to talk about the important role performing arts have to play on San Jose’s post-COVID downtown recovery at the 7 p.m. opening night show Dec. 16.
Ellis Broderick performs as Clara in New Ballet’s production of “The San Jose Nutcracker” in 2022. She’ll be one of five dancers performing the role at this year’s show, which opens Dec. 16, 2023 at the California Theatre. (Chris Ellis Photography/New Ballet)
If you haven’t seen “The San Jose Nutcracker,” it’s a real treat — changing up some of the familiar characters and settings with others related to both Silicon Valley — like Nikolas Tesla — and the Valley of Heart’s Delight, like San Jose’s iconic Electric Light Tower, Gilroy garlic and Casa de Fruta. Seven performances are scheduled through Dec. 23, including a shortened version, “My Very First Nutcracker,” for young audiences at 11 a.m. Dec. 17. Tickets are available at newballet.com/nutcracker.
One word of warning, though, with Christmas in the Park, Downtown Ice and the Winter Wonderland carnival rides all going on, driving and parking in downtown San Jose in the evening can be a mess. If you’re driving, give yourself plenty of time to arrive and find an open spot — garages on Third and Fourth streets are a bit more of a walk but tend to have more parking available — so you don’t get to your destination in a Grinch-like mood. You can get real-time garage capacity updates at www.parksj.org. And consider taking ride-share option or VTA light rail, which will drop you off within a block of all the downtown attractions.
DON’T FORGET THE TOYS: Instagram sensation San Jose Foos is doing more good this holiday season with the third annual San Jose Toy Drive distribution taking place this weekend. And it’s bigger and better than ever before, with a goal of giving out 30,000 toys this Friday through Sunday at the Santa Clara County Convention Center to registered families.
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The effort, which has grown from 5,000 toys in the first year and 15,000 toys last year, is partnered with San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s office, the Marines Toys for Tots program, the San Jose Giants and the Fairgrounds. Of course, you can still donate to the cause, too. Go to www.sanjosetoydrive.com for more details.
And if you’re in Santa Clara, TPS Motorsports owner Mike Mak is holding his annual toy and canned food drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 17 at the 2705 Lafayette St. location. The goal is to collect 3,000 toys and 1,500 cans of food, which will go to Bay Area charities including Family Giving Tree, Catholic Charities, Bill Wilson Center and the Chinatown Community Children’s Center. Monetary donations also will be accepted.
