Wanda Buck is the 2025 Honorary Holiday Tree Lighter

Celebrating its 114^th anniversary this year, the Holiday Tree Lighting event in Santa Clara is a cherished tradition that has brought the community together for over a century. Taking place on Friday, Dec. 5 in Central Park, this event includes the special proclamation of an official "Holiday Tree Lighter". The City is proud to announce Wanda Buck as the 2025 Honorary Holiday Tree Lighter.

Wanda Buck is a long-time Santa Clara resident whose remarkable dedication to service has strengthened and inspired our community for decades. As a passionate advocate for older adults, she has served with distinction on the City’s Senior Advisory Commission, including as Chair, where her leadership advanced age-friendly City initiatives and expanded opportunities for seniors to stay active, connected, and supported. Wanda’s commitment also includes her involvement as 2nd VP and Membership Chair of the Santa Clara Women’s League, with the Santa Clara Senior Center, and with SCU’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, where she continues to promote lifelong engagement and wellbeing.

Her impact reaches far beyond senior services. Wanda has been a tireless volunteer in the Santa Clara Unified School District as both a PTA board member and a classroom volunteer from kindergarten through high school. She has also provided dedicated leadership to the Salvation Army Advisory Board, where she served as Chair, and to the Santa Clara–San José League of Women Voters as a member and volunteer. Through these roles, along with her involvement in many nonprofit and community organizations, Wanda has created a lasting legacy of generosity, civic spirit, and heartfelt service.

Don’t miss the non-stop entertainment on the Holiday Stage presented by our wonderful emcees.

2025 Entertainment Lineup

5:30 p.m.    Roberta Jones Junior Theatre Choir

5:50 p.m.    Roberta Jones Junior Theatre Choir

6:15 p.m.    Santa Clara Elite Dance Team

7 p.m.         Sean’s Music Factory (aka Teacher Sean)

7:15 p.m.    Santa Clara Nutcracker

7:30 p.m.    Green Feather Jazz Society

New this year is a Holiday Market featuring local artisans — the perfect opportunity to get some gift shopping done!

2025 Holiday Market Vendors

• Kane and Ruby (leatherwork & custom apparel)
• ADC Designs (precious metal & gemstone jewelry)
• Pastel by Ece (pet portraits, originals & limited edition)
• Color Cruiser LLC (silk fabric painting kits)
• Evolve with Mary (fine & functional art created with fire)
• The DLT Jewel Co (permanent jewelry & charm bar)
• Ceramics by Jane (ceramic mugs, plates, & vases)
• Nishimura Designs (sterling silver jewelry)
• Wildflower Apothecary (succulent arrangements & dried flowers)
• Art & Function (mixed media art)
• Tres Spa (soaps, lotions & aroma therapy)
• Made by Mocha (amigurumi crochet items & tote bags)
• KMS Studio (candles, lotions, soaps, wax melts, & room/linen sprays) 
  

2025 Food Trucks

• BBQ Kalbi (Korean BBQ)
• Luv's Brownies (brownie sundaes & beverages)
• Saigon Street Food (Banh Mi sandwiches, noodles, rice plates)
• Barya Kitchen (rice bowls, taco/combinations, banana lumpia)
• Oaxaca Tamales Express (chicken, pork, jalapeno tamales & various drinks)

• Churros El Guero (churros, hot chocolate)

The FIFA Countdown Clock is on the move! To celebrate the excitement of the World Cup, the clock will be relocated from Santa Clara University to Central Park for the Tree Lighting event. Come visit our City booth and share in the excitement of our Major Sports Events in 2026. Snap a photo with the giant FIFA clock, tell us what you’re looking forward to and learn more about what we’re planning.

• Fire Department
• Police Department
• Water & Sewer Utilities
• Public Works - Traffic Engineering
• Public Works - Environmental Services 
• Santa Clara City Library
• Silicon Valley Power
• Mission Trails
• Santa Clara Elite Dance Team

Sponsor Booths

• Stratford School
• Renewal by Anderson
• SunRun
• Santa Clara Swim Club
• Morales & Morales
• St. Justin Catholic School
• Santa Clara Westside Little League

Interested in sponsoring the event? Visit the sponsorship page to view the available packages.

Free Parking

• Central Park Pavilion Parking Lot, 909 Kiely Blvd.
• Patricia Drive, 2625 Patricia Drive.

Permit Parking

• Community Recreation Center Parking Lot, 969 Kiely Blvd.
• No drop-offs available in this lot.

ADA Parking 

• Available at all three locations (Pavilion, Community Center and Patricia Drive).

Rideshare Drop-off

• Central Park Library, 2635 Homestead Rd.

Free Speech groups include, but are not limited to religious, political, social and charitable organizations.

Free Speech applications are no longer being accepted.