Participants in Santa Barbara’s 33rd annual Parade of Lights loosely followed the theme of “Deep-Space Holidays” — but mostly it was an opportunity to gleefully go overboard with the Christmas decorations. 
The Condor Express was among the brightly decorated boats cruising the Santa Barbara Harbor. 
The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum entry included a spaceship and stars. 
Decked out in their finest space-themed and holiday décor, illuminated boats cruised around the Santa Barbara Harbor for Sunday night’s 33rd annual Parade of Lights.
The waterfront’s signature winter event included a fleet of dozens of vessels following a route from Leadbetter Beach east to the Cabrillo Arts Pavilion, then back along the shore to Stearns Wharf.
The one night-only display featured lights in the shape of green-colored spaceships, a blue-colored planet, light-up stars and more with the theme “Deep-Space Holidays.”
There was one vessel sporting festive lighting that spelled out, “Cosmic Xmas,” while another’s lights read, “Have an outta this world holiday.”
One boat in the parade was blasting the famous Star Wars theme.
Human-powered, commercial fishing, sailboats and power-driven vessels could take part in the hour-long procession.
Spectators on land had the best viewing locations at the waterfront, the breakwater, the marina, the wharf and East Beach.
After the parade, fireworks lit up the Santa Barbara sky during a brief show over West Beach.
On Sunday afternoon, families visited Santa Claus in the harbor and enjoyed 10 tons of snow and holiday music. Visitors also could take photos with Santa, and the first 300 kids received free gift bags from his helpers.
This year’s free day-long events were sponsored by the 2019 Parade of Lights Committee, the Santa Barbara Waterfront Department, Santa Barbara Harbor Merchants Association, Stearns Wharf Business Association and the Santa Barbara Yacht Club.
Click here for a full holiday event schedule in Santa Barbara County.
— Noozhawk staff writer Brooke Holland can be reached at bholland@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
