Holiday Events at Almaden Community Center

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Holiday Events at Almaden Community CenterThe holidays are just around the corner, and so are a couple of Almaden’s favorite family holiday events at Almaden Community Center – Breakfast with Santa and the North Pole Party!

Breakfast with Santa
The Breakfast with Santa event at the Almaden Community Center is an annual tradition where families can meet and take photos with Santa, enjoy a hearty holiday breakfast and participate in arts and crafts. It is being held on December 14, from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. This event requires registration. Cost: $18.

North Pole Party
The North Pole party at the Almaden Community Center is a special holiday event for little kids (ages 4-6), being held on December 17, from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm. The little tots will find themselves in a winter wonderland with holiday treats, music and art activities. Cost: $25.

For more information about holiday events at Almaden Community Center or to register, click here or call: 408-268-1133

Almaden Valley Art and Wine Festival 2019

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Almaden Valley Art and Wine Festival 2019Almaden Valley is buzzing with excitement. One of the community’s biggest events, the 43rd Annual Almaden Valley Art and Wine Festival 2019 unfolds this weekend. On Sunday, September 15th, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the serenely beautiful Almaden Lake Park will be a beehive of activity, buzzing with families, performers, artists and wine enthusiasts.

Neighborhood artists will showcase their work, local vineyards will host sampling booths serving boutique wines, and patrons will be able to enjoy the pristine surroundings of Almaden Lake Park, sipping wine, listening to music or watching performances.

This year’s performers include Team M Taekwondo, Aerial Tumbling and Acrogymnastics, Almaden Spirit Athletics, Willow Glen High School Spirit Squad and Leland High School Dance team, besides the various local music bands.

There will be food trucks serving a variety of cuisines, with the new addition this year being Indian cuisine. There will also be a Kids’ Fun Zone, with a rock-climbing wall, bounce houses, arts and crafts, face painting, and a children’s stage. Performers in this arena will be Shaolin Kungfu Martial Arts, Little Gym and Leland Robotics.

The Almaden Art and Wine Festival is organized by the Almaden Valley Women’s Club, a non-profit organization in Almaden. They provide grants and aid to a wide range of organizations as well as some local schools. So, come and enjoy this beautiful fall festival with your family and friends.

At a glance:
When: Sunday, September 15, 2019, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Where: Almaden Valley Lake Park

For more details, visit: https://www.almadenwomen.org

4th of July 2019 at Almaden Lake Park

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4th of July 2019

If you are in the South Bay this 4th of July 2019, head over to Almaden Lake Park for a dazzling display of fireworks. The 6th Annual Family Fun Festival and Fireworks show at Almaden Lake Park continues to grow in fervor, with a host of family friendly activities culminating in a fabulous fireworks show reflected over the beautiful lake.

The event starts at 3:00 pm when the gates to the park open, and ends around 9:30 pm. The fireworks display is slated to begin right after sundown. Besides the fireworks, this event also celebrates veterans and the US armed forces. There are food trucks, bands playing live music, and a table for writing letters to soldiers, which is a great favorite with the kids.

Almaden Lake Park is undoubtedly the best place to be to celebrate Independence Day and to watch fireworks. Please remember, for safety reasons, the use of fireworks at a personal level in the city of San Jose is otherwise banned.

San Jose Water Lantern Festival

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Water Lantern FestivalBook your spots today for the San Jose Water Lantern Festival! Don’t miss this mesmerizing visual experience, which will stay with you for a lifetime.

At: The Almaden Lake Park
On: Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28, 2019
Time: 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Decorate your lanterns with messages of hopes and dreams, set them afloat, and watch them light up the waters of the beautiful Almaden Lake Park. The Water Lantern Festival, being held this weekend at the Almaden Lake Park, will be a dazzling spectacle that you can enjoy with your entire family.

The festivities begin at 5:00 pm, when you can enter the venue (from the Winfield Blvd. entrance) and enjoy music and snacks from food trucks. During this time, you can also decorate your lanterns (provided at the entrance) prior to setting them afloat. The lantern launch is slated to begin at 8:00.

Tickets include the festival entry pass, a floatable lantern, and a commemorative bag. Remember to carry a folding chair, bug spray, camera and some cash for the food vendors.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit: https://www.waterlanternfestival.com/sanjose.php

Almaden Halloween Haunts

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Pumpkin patches, haunted houses, costume parties and great neighborhoods for trick-or-treating. It’s Halloween, and Almaden Valley is abuzz with festive spirit. Here’s what is haunting the neighborhoods this week.

Castillero’s Cobra Crypt: This year, Almaden’s Castillero Middle School’s Drama Department has started a new Halloween tradition. It’s hosting the “Cobra Crypt”, a week-long Halloween fest that includes a pumpkin patch, haunted house, carnival, games and a variety of activities. The fest is every day from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm till October 31st. Tickets are $5. This is Castillero Drama’s biggest fundraiser, and by all neighborhood accounts, not to be missed.

Halloween Britannia Arms AlmadenThe Simpson’s Halloween at the Britannia Arms: On October 30th, at 7:30 pm at the Britannia Arms, you can enjoy a Simpson’s themed Halloween event. There will be a costume contest, Simpson’s trivia, special food and drinks, and more.

Neighborhood trick-or-treats: Almaden Valley boasts some of the best trick or treating neighborhoods in San Jose. Attractive areas include Chateau Drive and the Country Club neighborhood, the Pierce Ranch neighborhood, and the Graystone neighborhood, among others. The biggest attraction might be at Little Falls Drive in the Country Club neighborhood, which draws huge crowds for the spooky haunted house display at the end of the street. Venturing there is well worth it, and give yourselves ample time to park and stroll through the streets.

Happy Halloween!

Almaden Art and Wine Festival 2018

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Almaden Art and Wine Festival 2018Almaden Valley’s most exciting annual event is here: The 42nd Almaden Art and Wine Festival is being held at Almaden Lake Park this Sunday, Sept. 16, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

The setting itself is incredibly beautiful with dazzling white tents against the backdrop of Almaden Lake, bright yellow sunflowers, people in colorful attire strolling and sipping wine, musicians playing and artists showcasing their work.

The festival is organized by the Almaden Valley Women’s Club (AVWC) and provides a platform to local artists to display and sell their work and to local musicians with an audience to showcase their talent. It also gives family run and specialty wineries an opportunity to introduce their products through wine-tasting.

The Almaden Art and Wine Festival is an important local fund-raiser. The proceeds from the festival go towards supporting a host of local non-profits serving the areas of education, teens and women.

At the festival, there is entertainment for all ages. Kids have a 25 ft. rock wall and rappelling area, slides, bounce houses and a special stage for kid’s entertainment. Adults have a variety of local bands and performers on the main stage.

It’s an event not to be missed, so stroll in, sip some wine and prepare to be entertained.

For more information, visit: https://www.almadenwomen.org/

4th of July 2018 in Almaden Valley – Fireworks, Parade and More!

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4th of July 2018 in Almaden Valley4th of July in Almaden Valley is traditionally an exciting day of festivities and fun-filled family events. This year promises no less!

Montevideo Neighborhood Parade and ‘4 on the 4th’ Run/Walk

The Montevideo neighborhood celebrates the 50th year of its annual Independence Day Parade. This is certainly one of the most festive neighborhood celebrations in the South Bay. Events begin in the morning with the ‘4 on the 4th’ Run/Walk through the neighborhood, and then the unique parade with colorful floats.

The parade begins and ends at the Montevideo Improvement Association (MIA) Clubhouse, looping through Camden Avenue, Puerto Vallarta Drive, Vera Cruz Drive, Monteverde Drive and Montellano Drive. Both the parade and the run/walk are open to all.

For more details, visit: https://montevideoneighborhood.wordpress.com/fourth-of-july/

Annual Family Fun Festival and Fireworks Show at Almaden Lake Park

The spectacular display of fireworks at the annual Family Fun Festival and Fireworks Show at Almaden Lake Park on the 4th of July is a must watch! Festivities begin at 3:00 pm with various activities for families. There will be a fireworks safety demo and a booth to write thank-you letters to soldiers. There will also be food trucks and booths by various local organizations including the Kiwanis Club of Almaden Valley, which will be serving all-American hot dogs, the entire proceeds of which will go back into charitable activities serving the community.

The fireworks show kicks off at about 9:00 pm. The event is free to all, so bring your family and friends. Please note that alcohol, pets, barbecues and personal fireworks are not allowed.

The Almaden Lake Park 4th of July celebration is the destination to enjoy a stunning and safe fireworks display. Don’t miss it!

For more information, visit: http://www.sjd10.com/4th-of-july-annual-event-.html

Almaden Valley Art and Wine Festival 2017

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Almaden Valley Art and Wine Festival 2017It’s the end of summer, and the grand event that Almaden residents await is finally here… The Almaden Valley Art and Wine Festival 2017!

On September 17, 2017, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Almaden Lake Park will be decked out and playing host to festivities featuring a wide variety of arts and crafts from local artists. To complement these festivities, you can savor wine and spirits from seven local wineries and breweries.

The festival, now in its 41st year, also brings to you live music, entertainment, and fun-filled activities for the entire family. There are over 80 vendor booths and a fun zone to keep kids occupied. Admission is free and all proceeds are donated to charity.

So, mark your calendars for the Almaden Valley Art and Wine Festival. It’s an event not to be missed!

4th of July 2017 in Almaden Valley

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4th of July 2017 in Almaden Valley is right around the corner, and Almaden certainly celebrates in style! Here are the highlights of some exciting events happening in Almaden this Independence Day.

4th of July 2017 in Almaden ValleyMontevideo Neighborhood Parade and Run/Walk

The Montevideo neighborhood of Almaden Valley celebrates the 4th of July with its unique annual float parade, run/walk, and barbecue and pool party at the Montevideo Cabana Club. The festivities open at 8:00 am with the 4-on-the-4th Run/Walk (participation fee – $5).

The parade begins at 11:00 am and the theme this year is “School Memories”. It starts and ends at the Montevideo Improvement Association (MIA) Clubhouse at the corner of Camden Avenue and Monteval Lane, and will pass through the following streets: Camden Avenue, Puerto Vallarta Drive, Vera Cruz Drive, Monteverde Drive and Montellano Drive.

The Fourth of July Parade within Montevideo is one of the most vibrant neighborhood celebrations in the South Bay. In addition to the public parade and run/walk, the Montevideo Cabana Club will also host a private barbecue and pool party for its members and guests.

For more details, visit: http://blog.miahomeowners.com.

4th of July Fireworks at the Almaden Lake Park

The Almaden Lake Park will come alive again this 4th of July 2017 with its spectacular annual fireworks display. Thousands of Almaden residents throng to this beautiful lake to see this dazzling show.

The event begins at 3:00 pm with entertainment by the radio station KRTY, local band Snarky Cats, and magician Pete E Magic. Activities for children include various arts and crafts, a fireworks safety demo, and writing a letter to a soldier. There are food trucks and booths by various local eateries.

The fireworks show kicks off after dusk, at about 9:00 pm. The event is free to all. A couple of tips: Come early to grab a spot, and carpool with neighbors to avoid parking hassles. Alcohol, pets, barbecues and personal fireworks are not allowed.

For more information, visit the sponsor website: http://www.krty.com/2017/06/27/almaden-lake-park-4th-of-july.

More Almaden Valley Winter Holiday Events

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Here are a couple more Almaden Valley winter holiday events to enjoy in the days ahead…

Almaden Valley Winter Holiday Events Celtic RoseCeltic Rose: Rare Holiday Gems – An Afternoon of Celtic Holiday Music

The holidays are well and truly upon us. And what better way to enjoy a cold December afternoon in Almaden than with some ‘Rare Holiday Gems’? Celtic Rose: Rare Holiday Gems is a performance of holiday songs played to the accompaniment of the lute, the recorder, drums and the guitar.

Celtic music is the music of the people settled in the Celtic regions of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Cornwall, among others. The music has a lyrical quality to it and uses a variety of traditional instruments. Performed by Doris Williams and Caroline Garbarino, “Rare Holiday Gems” will take place at the Almaden Library on Saturday, December 17 at 3.00 pm. For more information, visit: https://events.sjpl.org/event/celtic_rose_rare_holiday_gems_9874

Almaden Valley Winter Holiday Events Leland DramaLeland Drama Presents: Comic Shorts

The holidays would certainly be incomplete without a healthy shot of laughter! Head to the Leland High School Cafeteria this week for a hearty laugh with Comic Shorts. This winter production by the Leland High Drama Club is a montage of short comedy scenes, including:

  • Bobby’s Brain (by Bruce Kane), directed by Braeden Thomson: When Bobby meets the girl of his dreams, things go haywire in his brain and uproarious situations arise.
  • Who’s on First, directed by Quentin Thorne: This hilarious scene, inspired by Abbott and Costello’s famous series, will surely leave you in splits.
  • A Very Memorable Family Reunion, directed by Aidan Bates: A boy meets his fiancé’s family but has a shock in store for himself!
  • Comedy 101, directed by Porter Aman: An instructor is dressed in a chicken suit and the students tell terrible jokes…meet colorful characters like Blueberry Bob and Terry Terry.
  • The Ultimate Student Presidential Election, directed by Melissa Webb: When two students compete for the post of President, the results are hilarious!

Performances take place December 15 & 16 at 6.00 pm. For more information, visit: http://www.lelanddrama.org/