Big change for one of Los Gatos’s favorite holiday traditions. For the first time in its 27-year history, Fantasy of Lights at Vasona Lake County Park will be walk-through only. There is no drive-through this year. The event also shrinks to four nights, and every guest needs a ticket bought in advance (The Mercury News).
Add it to your calendar
The most important date is Sunday, November 1, at 8 a.m. That is when Phase 1 tickets go on sale. Every guest needs a reserved ticket, so set a reminder.
Remind me: tickets on sale Nov. 1, 8 a.m.
Event nights, 4 to 9 p.m. Tap a night to add it to your Google Calendar:
Saturday, December 5Sunday, December 6Saturday, December 12Sunday, December 13
2026 at a glance
- Dates: Saturday, Dec. 5; Sunday, Dec. 6; Saturday, Dec. 12; and Sunday, Dec. 13, from 4 to 9 p.m. each night (NBC Bay Area).
- Format: walk-through only. Cars are not allowed (The Mercury News).
- Tickets: sold per person, not per car. Adults (13 and up) are $25, youth (4 to 12) are $10, and children 3 and under are free but still need a ticket (Hoodline).
- Ticket release: Phase 1 on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 8 a.m.; Phase 2 on Friday, Nov. 6 at 6 p.m.; Phase 3 on Monday, Nov. 9 at noon. Buy at the Santa Clara County Parks Fantasy of Lights page (Hoodline).
- Parking: free parking and a shuttle from Netflix headquarters, 121 Albright Way. Parking at Vasona has been eliminated for most visitors (Hoodline).
- What’s new: drone light shows on each of the four nights, expanded family areas, live entertainment and more food vendors (Hoodline).
- Special needs: the county asks guests with special needs to email parkinfo@prk.sccgov.org before the event so arrangements can be made (The Mercury News).
What it costs a family now
Last year a car of up to 12 people drove through for $30. This year a family of two adults and two children pays $70 to walk, up from $50 at last year’s walk-through prices (The Mercury News).
Why the county made the change
County Parks Director Todd Lofgren said the event lost $948,537 last year. Fewer nights and a walkers-only format cut overtime staffing and setup costs. The county will sell 40,000 tickets and give 4,000 free tickets to low-income families through a social-services lottery (The Mercury News).
Not everyone is happy. Los Gatos Mayor Rob Moore, who has gone every year since childhood, asked county parks to reconsider. Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga said “nothing is ever set in stone” and that the county wants public input (The Mercury News).
Make it a Los Gatos holiday weekend
Opening night falls on the same day as the 70th Annual Children’s Christmas & Holidays Parade, Saturday, Dec. 5, at 11 a.m. downtown (Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation). You can watch the parade in the morning and walk the lights that evening.
For more of what is happening in town this season, see my Los Gatos neighborhood guide.
Your Los Gatos neighbor in real estate
I’m Annette Seaborn, a Coldwell Banker Realty REALTOR® who has served Los Gatos and Monte Sereno for more than 25 years. If you’re thinking about buying or selling a luxury home, call or text me at (408) 859-5881 or email aseaborn@cbnorcal.com. DRE 01348743.
Event details come from the sources linked above and may change. Please check the Santa Clara County Parks page before you go.
