Anticipating holiday joy in Santa Barbara? Our guide will lead you to all the festive events! From lifelong residents to holiday visitors, our guide is your ticket to Santa Barbara's festive magic.
As the holidays draw near, witness the stunning boat decorations at the Parade of Lights that will illuminate the waterfront. Experience the enchanting lights and friendly atmosphere as you stroll through the La Arcada Christmas Walk, featuring beautifully adorned storefronts. And the Santa Barbara Trolley of Lights Tours is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a cozy ride through the city’s most dazzling displays. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Santa Barbara
- Parade of Lights
- La Arcada Christmas Walk
- Santa Barbara Trolley of Lights Tours
- Festival of Trees
- Christmas at the Mission
- State Street Christmas Parade
- Santa Barbara Zoo Snow Leopard Festival
- Holiday Marketplace at Paseo Nuevo
- Winter Wonderland at the Santa Barbara Zoo
- Christmas Revels
Santa Barbara Holiday Light Displays
Parade of Lights
What to Expect:
Boat parade with decorated vessels
Description:
Santa Barbara's harbor transforms into a floating spectacle as illuminated boats glide across the water. Captains and crews compete for the most creatively adorned vessels, showcasing themes from whimsical to elegant. You can watch the parade from Stearns Wharf, a historic pier dating back to 1872. The gentle lapping of waves accompanies the dazzling display, creating a uniquely coastal holiday experience. Visitors can vote for their favorite boat designs via a mobile app, actively participating in this nautical tradition.
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Santa Barbara Trolley of Lights Tours
What to Expect:
Guided tour of city's best light displays
Description:
Santa Barbara's iconic red trolleys take on a festive role, whisking passengers through the city's most brilliantly decorated neighborhoods. Expert guides share local lore and point out hidden displays you might otherwise miss. The tour winds through the historic Riviera neighborhood, offering panoramic views of the illuminated cityscape below. Passengers can sip on complimentary hot cocoa while learning about Santa Barbara's holiday traditions dating back to the Spanish colonial era.
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Santa Barbara Trolley of Lights Tours
Santa Barbara Holiday Markets and Shopping
La Arcada Christmas Walk
What to Expect:
Intimate, European-style shopping experience
Description:
La Arcada's charming courtyards and passageways come alive during this annual event. Twinkling lights adorn the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, creating an old-world atmosphere. Local artisans and boutiques showcase their wares, offering unique gifts not found in typical stores. Stroll through the historic district, established in the 1920s, and admire the whimsical turtle fountain. Live music drifts through the air as you explore the hidden gems of this tucked-away shopping haven.
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Holiday Marketplace at Paseo Nuevo
What to Expect:
Open-air market in a Spanish-style shopping center
Description:
Paseo Nuevo's courtyards and walkways transform into a bustling holiday marketplace. Local artisans and vendors display their handcrafted wares, from jewelry to gourmet foods. The center's Spanish Colonial Revival architecture provides a picturesque backdrop for holiday shopping. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of traditional crafts, gaining insight into the artisanal process. The marketplace continues a tradition of open-air markets that have been part of Santa Barbara's culture since its early days as a Spanish settlement.
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Holiday Marketplace at Paseo Nuevo
Santa Barbara Holiday Giving Opportunities
Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Elaborately decorated trees for charity
Description:
The Festival of Trees transforms the Earl Warren Showgrounds into a forest of creativity. Local businesses and organizations showcase their ingenuity with uniquely themed trees, each a work of art. Visitors can bid on their favorite trees, with proceeds benefiting local charities. The event harkens back to 16th-century Germany, where the tradition of decorating trees first began. Children can participate in hands-on ornament-making workshops, creating lasting memories and keepsakes.
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Santa Barbara Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas Revels
What to Expect:
Interactive performance blending music, dance, and storytelling
Description:
The Christmas Revels brings together professional and amateur performers for a lively celebration of the winter solstice. This participatory event encourages audience members to join in songs and dances from various cultures and time periods. The performance weaves together music, storytelling, and pageantry, creating a rich tapestry of holiday traditions. You can learn a simple folk dance during the show, becoming part of the performance. The Revels tradition, which began in 1971, aims to connect communities through shared cultural experiences.
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Santa Barbara Symphony Holiday Pops Concert
What to Expect:
Symphony orchestra performing holiday favorites with guest vocalists
Description:
The Santa Barbara Symphony's Holiday Pops Concert elevates familiar tunes to new heights. World-class musicians breathe fresh life into beloved carols and seasonal classics, accompanied by guest vocalists and local choirs. The concert showcases the symphony's versatility, seamlessly blending orchestral arrangements with popular holiday hits. Held in the historic Granada Theatre, built in 1924, the event combines architectural splendor with acoustic excellence. Audience members can sing along to a selection of well-known songs, joining their voices with the professional performers on stage.
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Santa Barbara Symphony Holiday Pops Concert
Santa Barbara Other Holiday Activities
Christmas at the Mission
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration at a historic mission
Description:
The Santa Barbara Mission, founded in 1786, opens its doors for a special evening of holiday traditions. Candlelight illuminates the adobe walls, casting a warm glow on centuries-old frescoes. Gregorian chants echo through the chapel, transporting visitors to another era. You can explore the mission's gardens, adorned with native plants and twinkling lights. This event offers a rare opportunity to experience the holidays as early California settlers might have, blending Spanish, Chumash, and Mexican traditions.
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State Street Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Downtown parade with marching bands and floats
Description:
State Street bursts with energy as the annual Christmas parade marches through the heart of Santa Barbara. Elaborately decorated floats showcase local businesses and organizations, while high school marching bands fill the air with jubilant tunes. Spectators line the historic thoroughfare, which has been the city's main street since its founding in 1850. Children can catch candy tossed from passing floats, a beloved parade tradition. The event culminates with the arrival of Santa Claus, signaling the official start of the holiday season in Santa Barbara.
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Santa Barbara Zoo Snow Leopard Festival
What to Expect:
Conservation-focused event highlighting snow leopards
Description:
The Santa Barbara Zoo's Snow Leopard Festival shines a spotlight on these elusive big cats. Visitors can observe the zoo's snow leopards up close and learn about conservation efforts to protect their wild counterparts. Interactive exhibits demonstrate how these animals adapt to their high-altitude habitats. Children can participate in "paw painting," creating art inspired by snow leopard tracks. The festival also educates guests about the zoo's involvement in the Species Survival Plan, a program aimed at ensuring the long-term survival of endangered species.
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Santa Barbara Zoo Snow Leopard Festival
Winter Wonderland at the Santa Barbara Zoo
What to Expect:
Zoo animals enjoying holiday-themed enrichment activities
Description:
The Santa Barbara Zoo's Winter Wonderland event offers a unique perspective on how animals celebrate the season. Zookeepers provide special holiday-themed enrichment activities for the animals, stimulating their natural behaviors in festive ways. Visitors can watch penguins frolic in artificial snow or big cats pounce on gift-wrapped treats. The event highlights the zoo's commitment to animal welfare, a focus since its founding in 1963. Children can participate in a scavenger hunt, searching for hidden "presents" throughout the zoo grounds.
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Winter Wonderland at the Santa Barbara Zoo
Nearby Events
Solvang Julefest (Solvang)
What to Expect:
Danish-inspired Christmas celebration
Description:
Solvang's Julefest brings a slice of Denmark to California's Central Coast. The town's windmills and half-timbered buildings provide a storybook backdrop for this month-long celebration. Visitors can join the Nisse (Danish gnome) scavenger hunt, searching for hidden figures throughout the village. The aroma of freshly baked aebleskiver (Danish pancake balls) wafts through the air. Founded by Danish-Americans in 1911, Solvang continues to honor its heritage with this vibrant cultural festival.