One of Santa Barbara’s signature holiday events – the 37th Annual Parade of Lights — will set sail on Sunday, Dec. 10 at Santa Barbara’s Waterfront.

The free festivities begin at 3 p.m. with a Winter Wonderland on the city pier featuring 12 tons of snow, goodie bags, holiday elves, and a visit from Santa.

The Serengeti boat is bedecked with lighted dolphin figures that appear to be leaping out from the water over the vessel during a nighttime holiday parade.
The Serengeti, a power vessel, joins a Santa Barbara Parade of Lights. Credit: Courtesy photo

The parade competition starts at 3:30 p.m. with the Human-Powered category. Dozens of standup paddlers and kayakers dressed in jolly attire will paddle through the harbor and around Stearns Wharf spreading holiday cheer.

At 5 p.m., a holiday tree lighting ceremony, complete with seasonal tunes sung by Dos Pueblos Jazz Choir, will be held next to the Sea Center on Stearns Wharf.

The Parade of Lights starts at 5:30 p.m., when some 30 illuminated watercraft, decorated to reflect this year’s theme Holiday Disco Extravaganza, set sail from Leadbetter Beach down the coast to the Cabrillo Arts Pavilion, then back along the coast to Stearns Wharf.

The parade will be capped off by a brief fireworks show. Best viewing locations for the boat parade and fireworks include Stearns Wharf, the breakwater, West Beach, and East Beach.

Registration for the competition is now open and is free to enter. Participants can enter one of five categories: human-powered, power, sail, commercial fishing, or commercial other. There will be thousands of dollars in prizes.

Entry forms can be picked up at the Harbor Market, Harbor Fuel Dock, or Waterfront offices, or click here to enter online.

This year’s event is sponsored by the 2023 Parade of Lights Committee, Santa Barbara Waterfront Department, Santa Barbara Harbor Merchants Association, Stearns Wharf Business Association, and Santa Barbara Yacht Club. 

Visit SantaBarbaraCA.gov/ParadeofLights for additional details.