In December 2025, Fantasy of Lights at Vasona Lake County Park ran 23 nights. In December 2026 it runs four. After 27 years with a drive-through, Santa Clara County Parks will hold the event as a walk-only show on Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6, and Saturday and Sunday, December 12 and 13, from 4 to 9 p.m.
The format itself isn't the biggest change. The walk-through used to be the part of Fantasy of Lights that sold out every year, and now it is the entire event. Last December you could pick almost any evening. This year your evening depends on what you do with three ticket releases in early November.
The Two Nights That Always Sold Out Are Now the Whole Show
For years the walk-through was a small extra. In 2025 the drive-through ran 21 nights, from December 9 through December 30, closed on Christmas Day, from 6 to 10 p.m. The walk-through had two nights, December 6 and 7, and the county marked them sold out. In its December 2025 coverage, the Mercury News reported that the walk-through had grown to two nights and regularly sold all 19,000 of its tickets.
According to Hoodline's summary of the county's plans, the county will sell 40,000 tickets across the four 2026 nights and give away another 4,000 for free. The sold tickets work out to about 10,000 per night. The old walk-through nights sold about 9,500 each. So nightly capacity is almost the same as the format that already sold out. What's new is that everyone who used to come by car over three weeks of drive-through nights is now trying for those same four nights.
| 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Drive-through nights | 21 | None for general attendees |
| Walk-through nights | 2, sold out | 4 |
| Walk-through adult ticket, 13+ | $17 | $25 |
| Walk-through youth ticket, 4–12 | $8 | $10 |
| Ages 3 and under | Free | Free, but a ticket is still required |
| Drive-through price | $30 per car, up to 12 passengers | Not offered |
Hoodline worked out what that means for a family of four. Admission goes from $50 at last year's walk-through prices to $70 this year. Last year the same family could also drive through for $30 on any of 21 nights. Every person attending, including babies and toddlers, needs a ticket, and the county says entry is guaranteed only with one bought in advance.
Why the County Made the Change
The Mercury News reported on October 19 that the county cited high costs for switching to a walkers-only event with fewer days and higher prices. Hoodline's account of that reporting gives the numbers. County Parks Director Todd Lofgren said the event lost $948,537 in 2025, $792,160 in 2024 and $796,818 in 2023, and that the shorter walk-only version should come close to breaking even. Most of the savings come from needing fewer staff over fewer days.
The drive-through also caused problems outside the park. The Mercury News' 2025 coverage described repeated traffic jams on Blossom Hill Road, Lark Avenue and University Avenue, with some visitors waiting an hour or more. The county had already added timed reservations in 2016 to spread cars across more days and time slots.
Not everyone supports the change. Hoodline reported that Los Gatos Mayor Rob Moore, who has gone to the event every year since he was a child, has asked county parks officials to reconsider. The county's event page still lists the four walk-only dates.
The Ticket Calendar
With four nights and a fixed number of tickets, the November release dates matter more than the December show dates. The county is selling tickets at parkhere.org in three phases:
- Phase 1: Sunday, November 1, at 8 a.m.
- Phase 2: Friday, November 6, at 6 p.m.
- Phase 3: Monday, November 9, at noon. It falls during the workday, so it's worth blocking time on your calendar.
Prices are the same in every phase: $25 for ages 13 and up, $10 for ages 4 to 12, and free for ages 3 and under, though the youngest still need a ticket. The event runs rain or shine, so buying for a Saturday in December means you're going whatever the weather does.
The 4,000 free tickets aren't part of these phases. Hoodline reported that they go to low-income families through a county social services lottery.
Getting There Without Parking at Vasona
Without cars inside the park, parking moves too. The county lists free parking and shuttles at Netflix, 121 Albright Way in Los Gatos, for the event at Vasona Lake County Park, 333 Blossom Hill Road. Hoodline reported that most visitors can no longer park at Vasona itself. The county already used this setup for the 2025 walk-through. That year there was no event parking at Vasona and very little street parking, and attendees were sent to the Netflix lot and a shuttle that ran all evening.
Hoodline describes the route as about 0.9 miles past more than 50 large lit figures, from Santas to dinosaurs and penguins. The county is adding drone light shows on all four nights, weather permitting, along with more family activity areas, photo spots, live entertainment and food options around the park. The new format is built for a slower walk, and comfortable shoes and warm layers make more sense now than they did when you sat in the car with the heater on.
If you need an accessibility accommodation, the county asks you to email [email protected] at least 48 hours before the event.
If Your Dates Don't Line Up
Fantasy of Lights is done for the year after December 13, but there are still options nearby, some right next to Vasona.
- Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad Holiday Night Train and Carousel. The railroad's schedule lists December 14 through 23 and December 26 and 27, from 6 to 9 p.m. Train tickets are $10, the carousel is $6, a combo is $15, and children under 2 ride free with a paid adult. Parking is at Oak Meadow Park, where a Town parking fee may apply, with overflow along University Avenue. The county's page lists the run through December 28, so check the railroad's page before you plan for that last night.
- Christmas in the Park, downtown San Jose. It's at Plaza de Cesar Chavez from November 27 through January 1, open daily from noon to 10 p.m., with free admission.
- San Jose Holiday Lights. It runs November 13 through January 1 at 330 W. San Carlos St., open daily from 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. with last entry at 10. Children's tickets are $10 on some Monday through Thursday school nights before December 18.
- SJMADE Holiday Fair. It's indoors at the Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Pkwy., on November 27 and 28 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with more than 350 makers expected. Admission and parking are free, and this is the first year the fair has an eki stamp station.
On Saturday, November 7, Martial Cottle Park holds a dedication for Phase 1 of the Cottle and Lester Historic Ranch and the Perimeter Trail. The county says it's the first time the ranch has been open to the public. Plans include ranch tours, roping and milking activities, and a scavenger hunt on the newest section of trail. You'll see the historic buildings from outside only.
If you live near Vasona and have questions about life in Los Gatos and the rest of the South Bay this season, from holiday traffic to what's opening down the street, Amy Thomas is happy to talk it through. Let's Connect.
