North Pole Nights returns to Gilroy Gardens on Nov. 21

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park is bringing back North Pole Nights from Nov. 21 through Dec. 31, with Santa visits, ice skating, live shows, holiday food and a New Year's Eve fireworks finale. The seasonal event adds limited-capacity dining experiences and premium ticket options for families planning a holiday visit.

Why it matters: - North Pole Nights gives Gilroy Gardens a major holiday draw across select dates from Nov. 21 through Dec. 31. - The event combines entertainment, dining and Santa-themed activities into one seasonal outing for families. - A New Year's Eve fireworks show extends the celebration into 2027.

What happened: - Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park said North Pole Nights returns Nov. 21 and runs on select dates through Dec. 31, 2026. - The event includes visits with Santa, ice skating, live musical shows, festive food and drinks, and light displays across the park. - Gilroy Gardens said the celebration will end with a New Year's Eve event on Dec. 31 that begins at 4:00 p.m. and leads to fireworks at midnight.

The details: - Guests can skate under the stars, ride Rudy’s Road Trip and ride Tinsel’s Groove Train through the redwoods. - Children can visit Santa in his Workshop for a greeting and photo opportunity. - Holiday wishes can be sent to the North Pole at post office stations around the park. - Pop-up performances will appear throughout the park with music, laughter and surprises. - The Magic of Santa, a live musical production, will play several times each evening at the Lakeside Amphitheater. - Holiday displays will feature hundreds of thousands of lights. - The 100-foot North Pole Light Tunnel will pair synchronized lights with music. - Seasonal food and drinks will include Hot Chocolate, Apple Pumpkin Spice Funnel Cake, Peppermint Soft-Serve, and specialty mocktails and cocktails. - Discounted tickets and Premium Memberships are available online at Gilroy Gardens.

Between the lines: - The holiday lineup blends standard theme-park attractions with limited-time experiences designed to drive repeat visits. - The park is leaning on add-on dining events to create higher-value reservations and planned attendance. - The light tunnel and evening musical programming suggest the park is positioning North Pole Nights as a nighttime destination as much as a family daytime event.

What's next: - Lunch with Santa will run Dec. 12 and 13 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and includes storytime, a Christmas craft and lunch with Santa. - Adults will pay $29.99 plus sales tax for Lunch with Santa, while children 12 and under eat free with a paying adult. - Reservations are required for Lunch with Santa, and separate park admission or Premium Membership is required. - The all-you-can-eat Holiday Feast will be offered Dec. 19 and 20 with seatings at 5:00, 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. - The Holiday Feast costs $29.99 plus sales tax for adults, with free dining for children 12 and under with a paying adult. - Reservations are required for the Holiday Feast, and regular park admission must be purchased separately. - Gilroy Gardens is encouraging guests to plan ahead and reserve limited-time dining experiences early.

The bottom line: - North Pole Nights is Gilroy Gardens’ biggest holiday package of the year, built around family traditions, timed dining events and a New Year’s finale.