Category: Family

2021 Christmas in the Park | Downtown San Jose

A much beloved holiday tradition in San Jose that takes place in downtown across the street from the Tech Museum and the Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice.

Enjoy free entertainment, holiday displays and Christmas trees decorated by community groups and businesses in the area. Highlights include free pictures with Santa and entertainment every night.

Fri, Nov 26, 2021 to Sun, Jan 2, 2022 | Noon to midnight.

Cost: Free!  But bring cash for hot chocolate and other goodies, plus WinterWonderland.

Christmas in the Park at Downtown San Jose

Christmas in the Park is across the street from the Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown San Jose outdoor ice rink and The Tech Interactive.

Visits with Santa

Santa visits are free, so be sure to bring your own camera for picture opportunities.  Santa’s area will be a festive, outdoor setting located near the park’s North end.

Dates/Times
November 26 – December 24, 2021
Check the Christmas in Park calendar for daily times.  Santa is scheduled to hang out every day from 6:30 pm – 9 pm.

Santa is vaccinated, but will be practicing social distancing per county recommendations. Masks are not required, but are recommended.
More information [LINK]

Movie Nights

Come to the park each Saturday night for Family Movie Night. All movies start at 6 pm.
Christmas in the Park at Downtown San Jose Movie Nights

Zoom Santa

This is a free experience offered by Christmas in the Park and Zoom Santa. Dates and times available from November 27 – December 23, 2021
RSVP/More Information [LINK]

Blinky’s Holiday Hunt

Blinky’s Holiday Hunt is an on-site scavenger hunt through Christmas in the Park.

Locate the items around the park, complete the form and you will be entered to win a prize package.  More details at Christmas in the Park [LINK]

View our complete holiday calendar of special family events, Santa visits, Nutcracker ballets and more at CelebrateFamily.us Holidays [LINK]

September Fun and Facts for Families

Special events, new movies, events that are popular with the CelebrateFamily.us community, here is a summary of six things to know for this month.

Home Depot Kids Workshop Day

September 4, 2021 9 am – 11

JC Penney Kids Zone Day

September 11, 2021. This month’s project is a Teacher Appreciation Gift.

Free Amazon Prime Games for September

Tools Up!
Knockout City
Sam & Max Hit the Road
Candleman The Complete Journey
Puzzle Agent
Secret Files 2: Puritas Cordis
Unmemory

Each month Prime members can download select PC games for free!  Claim by Claim by October 1, 2021.  There is also free game content and in-game loot available. [LINK]

Free and Discount Days at the Museum

Computer History Museum – Free  | MoU | 9/4/2021 | Link
Contemporary Jewish Museum – Free | MoU | 9/4/2021 | Link
de Young Museum – Free Admission | MoU | 9/4/2021 | Link
de Young Museum – Free Admission Bay Area Residents | 9/4/2021 | Link
Legion of Honor – Free  | MoU | 9/4/2021 | Link
Legion of Honor Museum – Free for Bay Area Residents | 9/4/2021 | Link
Oakland Museum of California – Free Admission | MoU | 9/4/2021 | Link
Tech Museum – Free Admission | MoU | 9/4/2021 | Link
Computer History Museum – Free Admission | MoU | 9/5/2021 | Link
Contemporary Jewish Museum – Free Admission | MoU | 9/5/2021 | Link
de Young Museum – Free Admission | MoU | 9/5/2021 | Link
Legion of Honor – Free Admission | MoU | 9/5/2021 | Link
Oakland Museum of California – Free Admission | 9/5/2021 | Link
Oakland Museum of California – Free Admission | MoU | 9/5/2021 | Link
Tech Museum – Free Admission | MoU | 9/5/2021 | Link
de Young Museum – Free Admission (1st Tuesday) | 9/7/2021 | Link
Legion of Honor Museum – Free Admission 1st Tuesday | 9/7/2021 | Link
de Young Museum – Free Admission Bay Area Residents | 9/11/2021 | Link
Legion of Honor Museum – Free  Bay Area Residents | 9/11/2021 | Link
Legion of Honor Museum – Free Admission Bay Area Residents | 9/18/2021 | Link
Legion of Honor Museum – Free Admission Bay Area Residents | 9/25/2021 | Link

New Movies This Month

Spirit Untamed PG | 8/31/2021 | VOD and DVD/Blu-Ray Release Date
Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins PG 13 | 9/2/2021 | Buy to watch at home.
Jungle Cruise PG-13 | 9/2/2021 | Buy to watch at home.
Cinderella PG | 9/3/2021 | Prime Video
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings PG 13 | 9/3/2021 | In theaters
The Boss Baby: Family Business PG | 9/14/2021 | On Blu Ray and DVD
Straight Outta Nowhere: Scooby-Doo! Meets Courage the Cowardly Dog | 9/14/2021 | VOD and DVD/Blu-Ray Release Date
Dear Evan Hansen PG 13 | 9/24/2021 | In theaters

CelebrateFamily.us - Kid friendly fun in the SF Bay areaCelebrateFamily.us Best Bet: It is better to purchase a movie from Amazon (during early access) that to rent from Disney+ (as soon as the movie is released).

Unless I read the terms wrong, if you rent the movie ($30) you can watch the movie as long as you have Disney+.  But if you buy from Amazon, you own the movie and can watch whenever.

Special Events This Month

Monster Jam 9/3 – 9/5 [LINK]
Highland Games 9/4-9/5  [LINK]
Nor Cal Ren Faire [LINK]
Gold Over America Tour Starring Simone Biles 9/26 – 9/28 [LINK]
Oakland A Fireworks Games 9/24 [LINK]
Museum Day 9/18 [LINK]

Free Bowling on National Bowling Day

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Celebrate National Bowling Day on August 14, 2021.

Free Bowling with Coupon from GoBowling.com

GoBowling has a coupon for a free game of bowling – every day from August 14 – August 31 (at select locations).

Visit GoBowling.com to find the locations. Register at their site for more coupons and to be kept up to date on promotions. You can also click on their link and send coupon links to friends. Enjoy.

Fine Print: One game each day from Aug 14 -31, 2021. Hours are 9:30 am to 5 pm, if lanes are available. Max amount of coupon is $8. Does not include shoe rental.

Link to send coupons to friends: http://gobowling.com/nbd

Link to find local centers that will accept the coupon. https://gobowling.com/Find-A-Center

National Bowling Day Specials at AMF/Bowlero/Bowlmor

Become an MVB Rewards Member and celebrate National Bowling Day all weekend long from Friday, August 13 to Sunday, August 15 with a special $12 All-You-Can-Bowl coupon for up to 4 guests!

MVB Rewards members that are opted in to receive email, will receive their coupon before National Bowling Day so you can celebrate on the lanes with us!

MVB Rewards is free to join.

Find more fun on the CelebrateFamily.us calendar.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Great Wolf Lodge: 2021 $84 Night Flash Sale

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Great Wolf Lodge is having a sale on select rooms starting at $84 per night.

The sale does not include the newest lodge here in the Bay area, but it does include the Great Wolf Lodge in Southern California (and other US locations).

Here are details and CelebrateFamily.us Best Bets.

How To Book Your Rooms

  • You must book your stay on Aug 4th, online using code 84Flex (or 84DEGREES) or by phone using the same discount code. [LINK]
  • Dates for the promotion are 09/06/2021 – 12/16/2021, Monday – Thursday stays. A limited number of rooms available for each date.
  • May not be valid during holiday and blackout periods or combined with any other discount or promotional offers.
  • Offer based on 4 guests per room and may be terminated at any time without notice.

CelebrateFamily.us Best Bet

  • Great way to enjoy the staff in-service days, Fall Break and other days that Bay area kids have off from school.
  • Pair the discount with an in-room birthday celebration. Great Wolf Lodge offers birthday celebrations/packages that range from basic to ultimate with cake, pizza, balloons and more. Check out the birthday packages on the deals/packages page.
  • Add the Flex Package (approx $15) to your  stay and avoid additional cancellation fees if you need to cancel your trip up until midnight two days prior to your arrival date.
  • Set your alarm for 10 pm (Pacific) on August 3 and book online. Guest can book online beginning at midnight CST 8/4/2021 or call customer service beginning at 5 am (Pacific) on August 4, 2021.
  • The sale dates include dates during the Great Wolf Lodge’s annual Howl-O-Ween and Snowland seasonal celebrations.

How much of a deal is this? Admission to the water park and several other activities are included (free) to visitors staying at a Great Wolf Lodge.

Also admission to the water park is free the day you check in and and the day you check out.

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San Francisco Frozen Film Festival

S.F. Frozen Film Festival (SFFFF) is July 14 – 18 this year and it will be virtual so families can enjoy streaming the indie films for only $20.  [LINK]

According to reps at the festival there are several kid-friendly/family/teen films and animations which are suitable for kids, as well as skate and surf films that will appeal to teens.

    • Journey with Mr  Mr, a film inspired by a Jean Tardieu program:  As the landscapes unfold behind the train’s window, thoughts roam freely and the mind wanders : Mister and Mister discourse.
    • That’s My Boy!: A kid tries to pull off an epic heist, but things quickly spin out of control…
    • Cinderella Swing:  At the Brothers Grimm high school, where all the teens from the Kingdom of Once Upon a Time go, it’s prom time. During the prom Prince Charming is kidnapped by a giant, and Cinderella goes to his rescue. Get ready to be surprised.

Get an all festival pass to see all the films for $20.00 suggested donation or give what you can. [LINK]

S.F. Frozen Film Festival Youth Programs: Voices from the Heart

SFFFF’s Youth Program is focused on engaging and helping youth become exposed to the visual arts, and learn about pathways in media as a career.

In addition to the film festival, SFFFF holds annual music and art performances, as well as youth programming and awards presentations.
Get more information about their youth education program at https://www.frozenfilmfestival.com/youth-film-program.

SF Frozen Film Festival General Information

Dates: July 14-18, 2021
Program: You can download the program (as a pdf file) which includes descriptions about the films.  [LINK]
Cost: $20 or pay what you can. LINK

Descriptions and information about Youth (teen) films included in the festival this year are on page 13 of the pdf program.  Congratulations to the film makers featured in the film festival. The teens range in age from 15 to 21.

CelebrateFamily.us Best Bet: 1) The films are shorts. Watch the films first before sharing with your kids. 2) Use the youth films as a springboard for talking points with your kids/tweens/teens.