SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) — The South Bay is welcoming a brand new holiday light display, the DOCA Festival, for the 2025 holiday season.
The DOCA Festival of Holiday Lights officially opened to the public on Friday night and is set to run through Jan. 4, 2026.
The festival features five glowing acres, six magical zones and more than 40 handmade attractions to explore.
It bills itself as a holiday experience made for the community, by the community.
“We came up with one simple question: how can we bring stories, art and families together to have an immersive experience? And here we are,” Co-founder Wan Zhao said.
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Larger than life characters stand tall in Discovery Meadow in downtown, creating a different holiday experience for families in San Jose.
“The vision of DOCA Festival is very simple, see the world through our inner-children.,” Co-founder Yixin said. “From stories, art and curiosity, we want to make people reconnect.”
Local kids helped bring the idea to life though an art contest that was held to help design some of the artwork here, and the festival team made physical structures within the festival.
“It’s very magical to see that happen and see the kids’ creativity shine,” Zhao said. “I feel like that’s really reminds me to bring my inner-child out.”
Friday was the opening night for the festival, with Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years events planned throughout the holiday season.
“We created the San Jose Holiday Lights for the city and for the Bay Area families to come, explore, get together and create some memorable moments together that can last,” Zhao said.
Another traditional holiday light display also opens in the South Bay as well this weekend.
Christmas in the Park’s Blinky’s Drive Thru is now open to the public as well at the Santa Clara County fairgrounds.
The walk-thru Christmas in the Park opens just down the street on Nov. 28.
Check the websites for specific details on ticket prices, and requirements.
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