The holiday season is getting an early start in the South Bay. A historic Campbell home is dressed up like your favorite Christmas movies, the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds are hosting a craft show, and Discovery Meadow is lighting up after dark. If you’re starting from Almaden Valley, you can make a day of it close to home. For a change of scenery, there’s a waterfront tea festival in San Francisco and a free makers market in Oakland.

1. Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show in San Jose

Friday–Sunday, November 13–15 · Expo Hall, Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Road

If your holiday shopping list includes someone who already has everything, start here. Browse handmade jewelry, glasswork, wood art, photography, and specialty foods from independent makers. The show runs 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sunday. The fairgrounds lists general admission at $9, Sunday admission at $5, and free admission for children 12 and under. On-site parking is $20 per vehicle, card only. Fairgrounds details and tickets

2. Hollywood Holiday at the Ainsley House in Campbell

Saturday–Sunday, November 14–15, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. · 300 Grant Street, Campbell

The rooms of this historic home take their cues from holiday movies including Elf, The Polar Express, and It’s a Wonderful Life. Walk through at your own pace, then browse the holiday boutique for ornaments and gifts. Admission is $12 for adults ages 18–64, $10 for seniors, and $8 for ages 7–17. On Sunday, make a morning of it at the Downtown Campbell Farmers’ Market before heading to the house. Ainsley House tour information · Downtown Campbell calendar

3. San Jose Holiday Lights at Discovery Meadow

Opening weekend, November 13–15, 4:30–10:30 p.m. nightly · Discovery Meadow, downtown San Jose

Save this one for after dark. The ticketed walk-through festival has six themed areas with illuminated sculptures and plenty of spots for family photos. If your weekend fills up, the lights are scheduled to run nightly through January 1, 2027. Organizer listing and ticket information

4. The Wizard of Oz in Mountain View

Saturday, November 14, at 2 and 7:30 p.m. · Sunday, November 15, at 1 p.m. · Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts

Peninsula Youth Theatre’s production follows Dorothy down the yellow brick road with songs from the classic film. The show runs about 90 minutes, and the Sunday matinee makes it an easy afternoon outing with kids. Additional public performances are scheduled for November 21–22. Showtimes and tickets

5. San Francisco International Tea Festival

Saturday–Sunday, November 14–15, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. · Ferry Building, second-floor Grand Hall

Taste teas from more than 30 international vendors and compare what you like before buying a bag to take home. Admission includes unlimited tastings and a porcelain tasting cup. This is the pick for a leisurely waterfront day with a friend. Ferry Building event details and tickets

6. Coraline’s Whimsi-Goth Fest in Oakland

Saturday, November 14, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. · 1911 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

This free, all-ages market takes its inspiration from Coraline. More than 70 vendors are expected, with vintage finds, jewelry, art, and spooky collectibles alongside DJs and a photo booth. It’s a fun stop if you’re in the mood for a market with a little Halloween left in it. Event listing

Three dates to save for later in November

• November 21 · North Pole Nights opens at Gilroy Gardens. Expect holiday lights, ice skating, live shows, and Santa visits on select dates through December 31. Gilroy Gardens announcement
• November 27 · Christmas in the Park opens in downtown San Jose. Opening night starts at 6 p.m. at Plaza de San José. Christmas in the Park
• November 27–28 · SJMADE Holiday Fair in Santa Clara. More than 350 makers and small businesses are slated to fill the Santa Clara Convention Center from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Admission and parking are free. SJMADE Holiday Fair details

If you’re staying near Almaden Valley, my pick is Sunday morning at the Campbell Farmers’ Market, followed by the Ainsley House and a stop at Discovery Meadow after dark. For ticketed events, check the organizer’s page for availability before you head out.The holiday season is getting an early start in the South Bay. A historic Campbell home is dressed up like your favorite Christmas movies, the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds are hosting a craft show, and Discovery Meadow is lighting up after dark. If you’re starting from Almaden Valley, you can make a day of it close to home. For a change of scenery, there’s a waterfront tea festival in San Francisco and a free makers market in Oakland.

1. Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show in San Jose

Friday–Sunday, November 13–15 · Expo Hall, Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Road

If your holiday shopping list includes someone who already has everything, start here. Browse handmade jewelry, glasswork, wood art, photography, and specialty foods from independent makers. The show runs 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sunday. The fairgrounds lists general admission at $9, Sunday admission at $5, and free admission for children 12 and under. On-site parking is $20 per vehicle, card only. Fairgrounds details and tickets

2. Hollywood Holiday at the Ainsley House in Campbell

Saturday–Sunday, November 14–15, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. · 300 Grant Street, Campbell

The rooms of this historic home take their cues from holiday movies including Elf, The Polar Express, and It’s a Wonderful Life. Walk through at your own pace, then browse the holiday boutique for ornaments and gifts. Admission is $12 for adults ages 18–64, $10 for seniors, and $8 for ages 7–17. On Sunday, make a morning of it at the Downtown Campbell Farmers’ Market before heading to the house. Ainsley House tour information · Downtown Campbell calendar

3. San Jose Holiday Lights at Discovery Meadow

Opening weekend, November 13–15, 4:30–10:30 p.m. nightly · Discovery Meadow, downtown San Jose

Save this one for after dark. The ticketed walk-through festival has six themed areas with illuminated sculptures and plenty of spots for family photos. If your weekend fills up, the lights are scheduled to run nightly through January 1, 2027. Organizer listing and ticket information

4. The Wizard of Oz in Mountain View

Saturday, November 14, at 2 and 7:30 p.m. · Sunday, November 15, at 1 p.m. · Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts

Peninsula Youth Theatre’s production follows Dorothy down the yellow brick road with songs from the classic film. The show runs about 90 minutes, and the Sunday matinee makes it an easy afternoon outing with kids. Additional public performances are scheduled for November 21–22. Showtimes and tickets

5. San Francisco International Tea Festival

Saturday–Sunday, November 14–15, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. · Ferry Building, second-floor Grand Hall

Taste teas from more than 30 international vendors and compare what you like before buying a bag to take home. Admission includes unlimited tastings and a porcelain tasting cup. This is the pick for a leisurely waterfront day with a friend. Ferry Building event details and tickets

6. Coraline’s Whimsi-Goth Fest in Oakland

Saturday, November 14, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. · 1911 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

This free, all-ages market takes its inspiration from Coraline. More than 70 vendors are expected, with vintage finds, jewelry, art, and spooky collectibles alongside DJs and a photo booth. It’s a fun stop if you’re in the mood for a market with a little Halloween left in it. Event listing

Three dates to save for later in November

• November 21 · North Pole Nights opens at Gilroy Gardens. Expect holiday lights, ice skating, live shows, and Santa visits on select dates through December 31. Gilroy Gardens announcement
• November 27 · Christmas in the Park opens in downtown San Jose. Opening night starts at 6 p.m. at Plaza de San José. Christmas in the Park
• November 27–28 · SJMADE Holiday Fair in Santa Clara. More than 350 makers and small businesses are slated to fill the Santa Clara Convention Center from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Admission and parking are free. SJMADE Holiday Fair details

If you’re staying near Almaden Valley, my pick is Sunday morning at the Campbell Farmers’ Market, followed by the Ainsley House and a stop at Discovery Meadow after dark. For ticketed events, check the organizer’s page for availability before you head out.