The county is gearing up to celebrate the winter holidays with free tree lightings, parades, and festive events with some starting as soon as the calendar hits December.
Santa Barbara
Stearns Wharf Tree Lighting
Stearns Wharf is hosting a tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 5 from 4-6 p.m. This is just one of many tree lighting ceremonies throughout the month and county.
A 25-foot Christmas tree will be lit up alongside music and performances from Dos Pueblos High School choir.
Additionally, there will be a festive sweater contest for both humans and pets, and people can take photos with classic cars.
Arlington Theatre Tree Lighting
Also on Dec. 5, the 39-foot white fir tree by the Arlington Theatre will have its ceremony for the annual holiday tree lighting at 1317 State St. from 6-8 p.m.
Holiday Sing-Along At Santa Barbara Museum of Art
On Friday, Dec. 12, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art will host a holiday sing-along with the Prime Time Band on the museum’s steps at 1130 State St. from 6-8 p.m.
Big Brass Holiday Concert
On Saturday, Dec. 13, Stroke Placita on the 700 block of State Street will host the Big Brass Holiday Concert at noon until 2 p.m.
Santa Barbara Parade of Lights
On Sunday, Dec. 14, 30 lit-up boats will sail from Leadbetter Beach to Stearns Wharf beginning at 5:30 p.m. for the 39th annual Santa Barbara Parade of Lights.
Before the boat parade, kayakers and paddlers will put on a “human-powered parade” at 2 p.m., and the city pier will transform into a Winter Wonderland.
Following the parade, a fireworks show will light up the night at 7 p.m.
Milpas Street Holiday Parade
The annual Milpas Street Holiday Parade will not be taking place due to fears related to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, according to a statement from the parade organizers, Santa Barbara Eastside Society.
In past years, the parade has taken place around the second week of December. In 2024, it took place on Dec. 14.
ZooLights at Santa Barbara Zoo
The Santa Barbara Zoo has also already transformed into its annual festive light exhibit, ZooLights, that will go until Jan. 11.
Attendees can visit the zoo to see the light displays from 4:30-8:30 p.m. daily, with the purchase of a zoo admission ticket. Ticket prices range from $22 to $36, not including parking fees. Purchase tickets here.
Montecito
Coast Village Tree Lighting
On Thursday, Dec. 4, Coast Village Road’s tree lighting ceremony will take place from 4-6 p.m. There will be performances from the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony Quartet.
Rosewood Miramar’s Merry Miramar
The Rosewood Miramar is hosting its Merry Miramar on Friday, Dec. 5, from 5-7 p.m. with a holiday concert, a fake snowfall and an appearance from Santa Claus and his reindeer. There will also be children’s activities and live entertainment. The activities support Toys for Tots Santa Barbara.
All Saints Church Christmas Tree Lighting Festival
All Saints By-the-Sea Episcopal Church will kick off the holiday season with its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Festival from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at 83 Eucalyptus Lane in Montecito.
The free, family-friendly event centers on the lighting of the community Christmas tree and features classic holiday cheer for all ages.
Festivities include a visit from Saint Nicholas, a petting zoo, balloon animals, crafts, a cake walk, hot chocolate and traditional carol singing by the church choir.
Food and treats will be available from a taco truck, Lindsay’s Little Bakery, and a coffee cart, along with a Christmas cactus sale and a photo booth for capturing memories.
Goleta
Goleta Holiday Parade
On Saturday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m., Old Town Goleta will be lit up with holiday lights as the annual Goleta Holiday Parade goes along Hollister Avenue from Orange Avenue to Kinman Avenue.
Holiday at the Ranch
Earlier on Saturday, Dec. 6, “the real” Santa Claus and his “rein-goats” will be at Rancho La Patera and Stow House for people to enjoy Holiday at the Ranch. There will be tractor rides, a ranch yard, local craft vendors and children’s craft activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Santa Ynez Valley
Festive events are in no short supply for the picturesque Danish village in Solvang, a perfect backdrop for the holidays.
Christmas Matters Holiday Carolers
Now until Dec. 20 from 5-8 p.m. the Christmas Matters Holiday Carolers will perform in downtown Solvang.
Julefest Tree Lighting
Solvang is hosting its own Julefest tree lighting ceremony on Friday, Dec. 5, at 5 p.m. at 1630 Mission Drive. There will be a dance and music performances and a snow show.
Solvang Julefest Parade
The following day, the Solvang Julefest Parade will go through Solvang’s streets on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Event-goers can expect to see marching bands, dancers, classic vehicles and floats with more than 400 participants.
Santa Paws Photo Opportunity
The next weekend, on Saturday, Dec. 13, residents can bring their dogs to Solvang Park at 1630 Mission Drive to take photos with Therapy Dogs of America at their Santa Paws photo booth beginning at 10 a.m.
Copenhagen Countdown New Year’s Eve
Ring in the new year on Denmark time with Solvang’s Copenhagen Countdown New Year’s Eve celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 31, from 2-4 p.m. Eventgoers will ring in 2026 at 3 p.m., midnight in Denmark.
Olde Fashioned Christmas
The Los Olivos Chamber of Commerce is hosting an Olde Fashioned Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 2-7 p.m.
Community members can walk through town to enjoy festive music and shop local businesses. In the afternoon, there will be a cookie and ornament decorating party complete with photos with Santa and letter writing to the North Pole in the park.
Holiday Lights Festival
Additionally, the Santa Ynez Valley Botanical Garden is hosting its Holiday Lights Festival for the first three weeks of December.
With ticket purchase, attendees can visit the festive area complete with a visit with Santa, the Holiday Market Place, play in fake snow, and eat food from food trucks from 5:30-9 p.m.
Tickets for adults are priced at $32.97, and children under 12 tickets are $17. Purchase tickets here.
Santa Maria Valley
City Hall Courtyard Tree Lighting
On Friday, Dec. 5, a Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place at the Santa Maria City Hall Courtyard at 4:30 p.m.
Event-goers can take a photo with Santa, enjoy festive snacks and make crafts.
Rotary Club of Santa Maria and Nipomo Christmas Parade
A Christmas Parade through downtown will take place on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 5:20 p.m. rain or shine. The parade is put on by the Rotary Clubs of Santa Maria and Nipomo.
The parade will bring some road closures and traffic detours alongside Broadway from Enos Drive almost to Main Street, according to Mark van de Kamp, Santa Maria spokesperson.
A map of the parade and street closures can be found here.
Orcutt
Animals, parade floats, cars, bands and a “special guest Santa” will be the main stars of the Old Town Orcutt Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 12 p.m.
The parade is organized by members of the Orcutt Lions Community Foundation and volunteers.
The 2025 parade will have a new route in an effort to relieve parade related traffic.
Free shuttles will also be available from Pioneer Park to Old Town Orcutt from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to parade organizers.
For parade route and shuttle information click here.
Lompoc Valley
Children’s Christmas Season Parade
On Friday, Dec. 5, Lompoc Valley will celebrate with its annual Children’s Christmas Season Parade from 6-8:30 p.m.
This year, the theme is “A Hometown Christmas” and floats will drive down H Street. Afterwards, a Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place at Centennial Square.
Eventgoers can enjoy free hot cocoa, cookies and visit with Santa.
Did we miss anything? Let us know about holiday events at news@noozhawk.com.
