As we move through this season of anticipation and hope, congregations around El Camino Real are opening their doors, lifting up music and prayer, and creating opportunities for reflection, fellowship and joy. Below is a date-ordered roundup of Advent events happening across the diocese. Within each date, listings appear alphabetically by parish.
We will continue adding to this list as more information becomes available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
WVC Performing Arts: Sounds of the Season<\/strong> St. Nicholas Festival<\/strong> Christmas Tea<\/strong> Community Grace Retreat: A Reflective Day for Advent<\/strong> Advent Lessons and Carols<\/strong> Advent Short Film and Discussion Series: Peace<\/strong> No Room at the Inn, Nativity Re-imagined: An Advent Interactive Experience<\/strong> Long Nights: An Advent Service of Light in the Midst of Darkness<\/strong> A Christmas Caroling Celebration<\/strong> Advent Lessons and Carols<\/strong> Christmas Lessons and Carols<\/strong> Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols<\/strong> Advent Short Film and Discussion Series: Special Coffee Hour for Bishop Lucinda\u2019s Visitation<\/strong> St. Mary\u2019s, Pacific Grove<\/strong> Advent Short Film and Discussion Series: Love<\/strong> Advent Prayer Study: The Character of God<\/strong>
A festive program of seasonal music hosted at St. Andrew\u2019s.
Event details:
https:\/\/www.st-andrews-saratoga.org\/events\/event-detail\/24210428–2025-12-05–wvc-performing-arts–sounds-of-the-season\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nSt. Timothy\u2019s, Mountain View<\/strong>
Parish website: https:\/\/www.sainttimothys.org\/<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
5 to 8 p.m.<\/strong>
A family friendly celebration with St. Nicholas, children\u2019s activities and seasonal fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nSaturday, December 7<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
St. Andrew\u2019s, Ben Lomond<\/strong>
Parish website: https:\/\/saintandrewsbenlomond.org\/<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
After worship, around 11 a.m.
A festive Christmas Tea in the Parish Hall. Adults, children and families are welcome, and a special visitor with a white beard may stop by.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSt. Benedict\u2019s, Los Osos<\/strong>
Parish website: https:\/\/stbenslososos.org\/<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
A full day of quiet reflection, prayer and gentle community time.
Retreat details: https:\/\/www.stbenslososos.org\/community-grace-event\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nSt. Luke\u2019s, Los Gatos<\/strong>
Parish website: https:\/\/stlukeslg.org\/<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
A beloved tradition of readings and music to prepare for Christmas.
Event information: https:\/\/stlukeslg.org\/events\/advent-lessons-carols\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nSt. Mary\u2019s, Pacific Grove<\/strong>
Parish website: https:\/\/www.stmarysbythesea.org\/<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
After worship
A 10 to 15 minute short film connected to the weekly theme, followed by conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nThursday, December 12<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
St. Philip\u2019s, Scotts Valley<\/strong>
Parish website: https:\/\/www.stphilip-sv.net\/<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
A creative and participatory offering that invites people of all ages to explore the Nativity story.
Event information: https:\/\/www.stphilip-sv.net\/nrati<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nFriday, December 13<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
St. Jude\u2019s, Cupertino<\/strong>
Parish website: https:\/\/www.saintjudes.org\/<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
5 p.m. in the Parish Hall<\/strong>
You are invited to join the Stephen Ministers of St. Andrew\u2019s, St. Luke\u2019s and St. Jude\u2019s for this special Advent service, offering light and hope in the midst of darkness. The service will be followed by a simple supper of soup, baked potato, salad, bread and dessert. Stephen Ministers will be available for questions, prayers and conversation following the service. Please bring a canned food donation to benefit Santa Maria Urban Ministry, and RSVP to Ellen Kolstee (ekolmaj@gmail.com<\/a>) so the parish can prepare enough food.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSt. Stephen\u2019s-in-the-Field, San Jos<\/strong>e
Parish website: https:\/\/ssitf.org\/<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Carols at 7 p.m. in the Church
Refreshments at 8 p.m. in the Parish Hall
An evening of joyful music and community cheer. All are welcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nSaturday, December 14<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
All Saints\u2019, Palo Alto<\/strong>
Parish website: https:\/\/www.asaints.org\/<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
A beautifully sung and prayerful service to prepare our hearts for Christmas.
Event details: https:\/\/www.asaints.org\/event-details\/lessons-and-carols<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nCalvary, Santa Cruz<\/strong>
Parish website: https:\/\/www.calvarysantacruz.org\/<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
4:30 p.m.<\/strong>
A contemplative service of scripture and music to usher in the final days of Advent.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSt. Barnabas\u2019, Arroyo Grande<\/strong>
Parish website: https:\/\/www.saintbarnabas-ag.org\/<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
5 p.m.<\/strong>
A beautiful evening of scripture and music to mark the season.
Preview last year\u2019s service here:
https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/StBarnabasAG\/posts\/pfbid0eDzn1SVx94oyJKX2T8x86ba5xvyW2B19RDrrnGdHdbhW6HgRTiUr8meEoPnZUK2Vl<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nSt. Mary\u2019s, Pacific Grove<\/strong>
Parish website: https:\/\/www.stmarysbythesea.org\/<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
After worship<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nSunday, December 21<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Parish website: https:\/\/www.stmarysbythesea.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
After worship<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nOngoing Seasonal Offerings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
St. Francis, Willow Glen<\/strong>
Parish website: https:\/\/www.stfranciswillowglen.org\/<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Wednesdays, December 3, 10 and 17 at 7 p.m., followed by Compline<\/strong>
A contemplative journey through prayer, scripture and sacred writings that explores who God is and how we are shaped by divine love.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSt. Benedict\u2019s, Los Osos<\/strong>
Parish website: https:\/\/stbenslososos.org\/<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n