Several holiday festivities kick off this weekend in Santa Barbara County, with rain in the forecast.
Light showers are expected starting Thursday and into Friday morning, National Weather Service meteorologist Kristen Stewart told Noozhawk.
The storm could bring 1 to 2 inches of rain to the Central Coast and up to 4 inches of rain in the Santa Ynez Valley, according to the latest forecasts.
Some parades and events may be rescheduled while others will continue “rain or shine.”
The Goleta Old Town Holiday Parade is scheduled to move forward with the event, according to parade organizers. If the parade will be canceled, organizers will decide whether or not to cancel it by 3 p.m. Saturday, the day of the event.
The National Weather Service predicts a 70% chance of rain in Goleta on Saturday night.
Santa Maria’s Parade of Lights is scheduled for 5:20 p.m. Saturday, and there is a 40% chance of rain in the city, according to the National Weather Service.
In case of rain, the parade may be canceled at 10 a.m. the day of the event, and parade organizers will let attendees know via a KCOY-TV announcement and via email, according to parade organizers.
Solvang’s Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place Friday rain or shine, and the Julefest Parade on Saturday also will take place rain or shine, organizers said. The National Weather Service forecasts a 30% chance of rain Saturday in Solvang.
The parade will run from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and will start on the west side of Mission Drive. This year’s theme is “Hyggelig a Cozy Christmas.”
Los Olivos will hold its Olde Fashioned Christmas on Saturday, rain or shine.
Goleta’s Holiday Parade is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday along Hollister Avenue from Orange Avenue to Kinman Avenue.
On the South Coast, showers are likely late Saturday night into Sunday morning, mostly from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.
— Noozhawk staff writer Grace Kitayama can be reached at {encode=”gkitayama@noozhawk.com” title=”gkitayama@noozhawk.com”}. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.