Special Events in Santa Clara

January
Quilt National
Held in early January
Location: Museum of Quilts and Textiles
408-971-0323
The San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles hosts Quilt National, the only West Coast venue for this innovative and inventive modern-day salon for contemporary quilt art.

San Jose International Auto Show
Held in early January
Location: San Jose McEnery Convention Center
An annual exhibition of over 350 vehicles from more than 36 manufacturers. See the latest offerings from the auto industry as well as factory concepts, specialty vehicles, race cars and accessory arcade.

Spectator Sports
Held late January - mid February
Location: Kids Park
A week of favorite sports. Decorate a colorful pennant, make a football pin, or play a game of indoor hockey. Ready, set, go for a week of fun and fitness.

February
Spectator Sports
Held late January - mid February
Location: Kids Park
A week of favorite sports. Decorate a colorful pennant, make a football pin, or play a game of indoor hockey. Ready, set, go for a week of Fun and fitness.

April
Post Street Mardi Gras
Held in April
Location: Post Street, San Jose
408- 885-9283
One of the West Coast's largest Mardi Gras Celebration is located in downtown San Jose. "The Post St. Mardi Gras". Experience a cross between New Orleans and San Jose bringing music, dance, theatrics, food and costumes with a "New Orleans Bourbon Street" ambience that only San Jose's historical Post Street can provide.

July
Summer Festival
Held in early July
Location: Bus Barn Theatre
Bus Barn Stage Company's annual adventurous summer festival, where they present seldom seen one person shows, premiere staged reading of new plays, and explore concert productions of rare musicals.

October
Arab Film Festival
Held in mid October
Location: Park Avenue, San Jose
415-564-1100
This is the Bay Area's largest event spotlighting a variety of films and videos reflecting different aspects of the Arab world.

November
Christmas in the Park
Held in late November
Location: Caesar Chavez Park
Celebrate 25 years of holiday magic on November 26, when Christmas in the Park and the Annual City Tree Lighting takes place in downtown San Jose's Plaza de Cesar Chavez at 5:30pm.

Winter Wonderland
Held in late November - early January
Location: Downtown San Jose
The 60 foot tall classic Ferris Wheel and the colorful, old-fashioned Carousel make this a must-do tradition for the family year after year. The festive lights of the Winter Wonderland brighten up downtown from the San Jose Repertory Plaza, the Fairmont Paseo, to the corner of San Carlos and First St.

Gingerbread Contest Exhibition
Held late November - early January
Location: Coyote Museum
650-340-7573
Let your imagination run wild with your gingerbread creations! Everyone is invited to participate: Individuals of all ages, families, youth groups, schools, businesses and clubs.