With the holiday season came the time for holiday cheer and and festivities. As finals season approached and the weather was crisp and the air was fresh, finally acceptable to casually walk around downtown in, I knew the one thing I wanted to do to kick off my favorite season.

I forced my boyfriend to take me to Christmas in the Park on Friday night because I just needed to start off my birthday weekend with a nice walk through a forest of unique and lit up Christmas trees, as I drank the best hot chocolate I believe I’ve ever had. Hot chocolate —not even coffee. It’s sweet and warm to the brisk air, and its topped with a candy cane that gives me the perfect amount of holiday flavor, a nice dollop of whipped cream, sprinkles, and a cute little decorative snowman.

Every year Christmas in the Park is held in Plaza de Cesar Chavez in downtown San Jose, and every year residents and visitors of the community flock to the literal mazes of Christmas trees and sweet, delicious hot chocolate. It’s the perfect date night, family night, even a great night to fly solo. The holiday cheer and spirit is in the air, and everyone is too busy smiling at the trees decorated by girl scouts and the children having the time of their lives, to feel even the slightest bit in a mood.

I got my prized hot chocolate with one of my favorite people and it was a good night. 10/10 would recommend the Christmas in the Park hot chocolate, everyone I’ve turned it onto has agreed it just hits different.