Excitement is building for the holidays in Santa Maria! Use our guide to discover all the festive fun. For Santa Maria natives and visitors alike, this guide reveals the city's holiday magic.
Kick off your season with the charming Santa Maria Christmas Parade of Lights, showcasing a dazzling array of illuminated floats and joyful tunes. Next, immerse yourself in the quaint traditions and lively performances during the Old Town Orcutt Christmas Parade. And the Solvang Danish Christmas Parade is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring enchanting Danish cultural displays and holiday cheer. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Santa Maria
See these and even more events listed below!Santa Maria Holiday Light Displays
Santa Maria Christmas Parade of Lights
What to Expect:
Illuminated floats and vehicles
Description:
The Santa Maria Christmas Parade of Lights transforms the city's streets into a dazzling spectacle. Illuminated floats and vehicles glide through the night, creating a river of light that captivates onlookers. Visitors can join the crowd lining Broadway to catch a glimpse of the radiant procession. This beloved tradition dates back to 1995, growing from a small community gathering to a major regional attraction. The parade showcases the creativity of local businesses and organizations, with each entry vying to outshine the others in a friendly competition of holiday spirit.
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Santa Maria Christmas Parade of Lights
Santa Maria Valley Holiday Lighting Celebration
What to Expect:
Community-wide simultaneous lighting
Description:
The Santa Maria Valley Holiday Lighting Celebration unites the entire community in a synchronized illumination spectacle. At the stroke of a designated hour, thousands of lights across the valley burst into brilliance, creating a breathtaking panorama. This event symbolizes the valley's agricultural heritage, with many displays featuring motifs of local crops and farming traditions. Visitors can participate in the countdown and witness the transformation of the landscape from darkness to light. The celebration has grown from a small town event to a regional phenomenon, drawing spectators from across the Central Coast.
Website:
Santa Maria Valley Holiday Lighting Celebration
Nearby Events
Old Town Orcutt Christmas Parade (Orcutt)
What to Expect:
Small-town charm with vintage flair
Description:
Old Town Orcutt's Christmas Parade embraces small-town charm with a vintage twist. Classic cars and horse-drawn carriages roll down the historic streets, transporting spectators to a bygone era. You'll feel the warmth of community spirit as local groups and families participate in this cherished event. The parade pays homage to Orcutt's oil boom heritage, with many entries featuring nods to the town's industrial past. Visitors can explore the quaint shops along the parade route, many of which offer special holiday treats and discounts during the festivities.
Website:
Old Town Orcutt Christmas Parade
Solvang Danish Christmas Parade (Solvang)
What to Expect:
Danish cultural elements
Description:
Solvang's Danish Christmas Parade infuses traditional holiday cheer with Scandinavian flair. Participants don authentic Danish costumes, adding a unique cultural dimension to the procession. The aroma of freshly baked aebleskiver wafts through the air, tempting spectators with this beloved Danish treat. Founded by Danish-Americans in 1911, Solvang continues to honor its heritage through events like this parade. Visitors can marvel at the town's distinctive Danish architecture, which serves as a picturesque backdrop for the holiday celebrations.
Website:
Solvang Danish Christmas Parade
Los Olivos Olde Fashioned Christmas (Los Olivos)
What to Expect:
Victorian-era holiday experience
Description:
Los Olivos Olde Fashioned Christmas transports visitors to a Victorian-era holiday celebration. The town's historic buildings serve as a backdrop for period-costumed carolers and street performers. Visitors can take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the charming streets, experiencing the holidays as they were celebrated in the late 19th century. This event pays tribute to Los Olivos' founding in 1887, showcasing the town's rich history and architectural heritage. The celebration highlights traditional crafts and games, offering a glimpse into the simpler pleasures of Christmases past.
Website:
Los Olivos Olde Fashioned Christmas
Pismo Beach Holiday Harmony (Pismo Beach)
What to Expect:
Beachside holiday celebrations
Description:
Pismo Beach Holiday Harmony blends coastal charm with yuletide cheer. Palm trees adorned with twinkling lights line the shore, creating a unique California Christmas atmosphere. The event features sand sculpture contests with holiday themes, allowing visitors to witness incredible artistic creations. Pismo Beach's history as a popular vacation destination since the early 1900s adds a nostalgic touch to the celebrations. The sound of waves crashing mingles with holiday music, creating a soothing backdrop for the festivities.
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Cambria Christmas Market (Cambria)
What to Expect:
German-inspired outdoor market
Description:
The Cambria Christmas Market brings a slice of European tradition to the California coast. Inspired by German Weihnachtsmärkte, this outdoor market features wooden stalls selling handcrafted gifts and traditional foods. Visitors can sip on glühwein while browsing unique holiday wares. The market pays homage to Cambria's diverse cultural influences, including its early German settlers. Thousands of twinkling lights create an intimate atmosphere, transforming the grounds of the Cambria Pines Lodge into a cozy winter village.
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Christmas at the Ranch (Nipomo)
What to Expect:
Western-themed holiday experience
Description:
Christmas at the Ranch in Nipomo offers a distinctly Californian take on holiday traditions. This working ranch opens its gates for a Western-themed celebration, complete with cowboy Santas and holiday hay rides. Visitors can try their hand at roping a wooden reindeer or decorating cowboy boots for the holidays. The event honors the ranching heritage of the Santa Maria Valley, which dates back to the Spanish land grants of the 1800s. The scent of barbecued tri-tip, a local specialty, fills the air, adding a savory note to the festivities.
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Paso Robles Vine Street Victorian Christmas Showcase (Paso Robles)
What to Expect:
Living history Christmas experience
Description:
Paso Robles' Vine Street Victorian Christmas Showcase turns back the clock to the 19th century. Residents of this historic neighborhood transform their homes into living exhibits of Victorian Christmas traditions. Visitors can watch as costumed performers reenact holiday scenes from the era. This event celebrates Paso Robles' incorporation in 1889 and its subsequent growth as a resort town. The showcase illuminates the street with the warm glow of gas lamps, creating an authentic atmosphere of a bygone Christmas.
Website:
Paso Robles Vine Street Victorian Christmas Showcase
Lompoc Valley Christmas Parade (Lompoc)
What to Expect:
Flower-themed holiday floats
Description:
The Lompoc Valley Christmas Parade blooms with holiday spirit, featuring flower-themed floats that pay tribute to the area's floral industry. Local farms and organizations showcase their creativity with vibrant displays of winter blooms and holiday greenery. Visitors can admire the intricate floral designs as they pass by on the parade route. This event highlights Lompoc's nickname as the "Flower Seed Capital of the World," a title earned in the early 20th century. The parade combines the beauty of nature with the joy of the season, creating a unique spectacle.
Website:
Lompoc Valley Christmas Parade