Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in silicon valley, CA

I'm a new-ish Holiday Dad, and this year marks my first real opportunity to immerse my daughter in the local holiday celebrations and know that she'll get something out of it. Of course there are holiday events all up and down the Peninsula and in the Silicon Valley this month, but for today's List Day at Savvy Source we are charged with presenting a list of local traditions, and not just fly-by-night holiday cheer-makers. So here are a few that we'll be checking out this year.

The Gryphon Carolers present their annual holiday concert at Spangenberg on December 19th at 8pm. It's a little late for the very littlest ones, but worthwhile staying up for. You have to get your carols from somewhere? Why not from the group that's been doing it for years and years and years and years?

Christmas Tree Lane lights up December 13th and runs from 5pm to 11pm every night until New Year's. A local tradition for something like 66 years this neighborhood event dazzles visitors from all over the Bay.

The Holiday Train will be pulling into Redwood City on Saturday December 6th at 6:15pm, Menlo Park at 7:05pm and into Mountain View on Sunday December 7th at 7:20pm. Santa, singing, and trains! My daughter is going to bounce herself silly in excitement.

The Holiday Traditions seasonal kickoff at Filoli in Redwood City is extremely popular. Shopping, lunch buffets, evening dinners, holiday music, and the Children's Party (sold out) are huge draws. It's too bad about the Children's Party being sold out, but getting a little shopping done this week while carolers entertain me and the kid is not a bad idea.

The Hometown Holidays Celebration in Redwood City is happening again this Saturday, December 6th, starting at 10am. It's one of the few opportunities we have during the holidays to see some actual snow here on the Peninsula (oh, and it's full of fun holiday events like ice carving, tamale tasting, and tree decorating, all leading up to the arrival of the Holiday Train!)