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<\/p>\nHundreds of thousands of twinkling lights have transformed Gilroy Gardens into a winter wonderland, drawing families eager to experience the park\u2019s North Pole Nights. Closed today and Christmas, the\u00a0 celebration resumes Friday, 1pm to 9 pm, continuing on those days through Dec. 30, then on New Year\u2019s Eve from 4pm to midnight.<\/p>\n
Visitors can enjoy live musical shows and sip hot chocolate while strolling through the illuminated gardens.<\/p>\n
For many families, the extended evening hours make North Pole Nights a special departure from the park\u2019s typical closing time.<\/p>\n
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Santa Claus greeted families this week at Gilroy Gardens. Gilroy Gardens photo.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the year it\u2019s closed at 5pm, so it\u2019s a real treat for us during the holiday season to come and see the lights,\u201d said Daniel Navarro, a Gilroy resident visiting with his family. \u201cIn the Christmas time we come and it elevates the whole feeling of Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n
The event particularly resonates with longtime park visitors who remember its origins as Bonfante Gardens.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was amazing,\u201d said Julie Wheeler, of Gilroy, reminiscing about visiting the park during the North Pole Nights event in previous years. \u201cSo we had to come back this year.\u201d<\/p>\n
David Colon, 32, who has frequented the park since childhood, praised the authentic setting. \u201cI love anything in this whole park,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen it comes to these trees, they\u2019re actually real trees.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nancy Mahrouk said the attention to detail was evident.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe gardens did an amazing job with the decoration of the lights, and we can tell how much effort was put into that,\u201d she said. \u201cIt really does feel like a little wintery town, and it\u2019s beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n