Ventura, CA, welcomes the holiday season with a variety of festive events perfect for both locals and visitors. Experience the unique charm of the Holiday Street Fair & Winter Wonderland, where downtown transforms into a snowy paradise with real snow. Marvel at the Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights as illuminated boats decked out with nautical-themed displays sail through the harbor.
The Camarillo Christmas Parade adds nostalgic flair with decorated tractors and floats celebrating the area's agricultural roots. From snowy streets to dazzling light shows, Ventura offers a magical holiday experience for everyone.
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The Top Christmas Events in Ventura
- Holiday Street Fair & Winter Wonderland
- Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights
- Holiday Light Spectacular
- Yuletide Cinema
- Snow-N-Glow Holiday Festival
- Holiday Cookie Decorating Workshop
Ventura Holiday Light Displays
Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights
What to Expect:
Boat parade with creative nautical light displays
Description:
The Ventura Harbor comes alive with a dazzling display of illuminated boats during the annual Parade of Lights. Vessels of all sizes, from small dinghies to large yachts, cruise through the harbor adorned with creative nautical-themed light displays. You'll witness boats transformed into floating reindeer, sailing Santas, and seaworthy sleighs. This tradition began in 1976 as a way to celebrate the harbor's maritime heritage. Spectators can vote for their favorite boat while enjoying the rhythmic lapping of waves against the shore.
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Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights
Holiday Light Spectacular
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays synchronized to music
Description:
The Holiday Light Spectacular elevates traditional light displays with cutting-edge technology. Thousands of LED lights dance in perfect synchronization to a curated playlist of holiday tunes, creating a mesmerizing audio-visual experience. Visitors can interact with certain displays, triggering light patterns with their movements. This event showcases the evolution of holiday light displays from simple string lights to complex, computer-controlled installations. The spectacular takes place in a historic Ventura park, blending modern technology with classic landscapes.
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Ventura Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Yuletide Cinema
What to Expect:
Outdoor screenings of classic holiday films in a historic setting
Description:
Yuletide Cinema brings classic holiday films to life in the open air of Ventura's historic downtown. The event transforms a century-old building's facade into a giant movie screen, creating a unique backdrop for beloved Christmas movies. Attendees can snuggle under blankets and sip hot cocoa while watching films that have shaped holiday traditions for generations. The surrounding architecture provides a fitting ambiance, reminiscent of the golden age of cinema when many of these classic films were first released.
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Ventura Other Holiday Activities
Holiday Street Fair & Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Transforms downtown into a snowy paradise
Description:
Ventura's downtown transforms into a snowy paradise for one magical day. The Holiday Street Fair Winter Wonderland blankets Main Street with real snow, creating a rare Southern California winter scene. Visitors can build snowmen or engage in friendly snowball fights. This event harkens back to Ventura's early days when citrus growers used smudge pots to protect their crops from frost, creating a smoky winter atmosphere. The air fills with the scent of roasting chestnuts as local artisans showcase their wares along the snow-covered street.
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Holiday Street Fair & Winter Wonderland
Snow-N-Glow Holiday Festival
What to Expect:
Combines snow play areas with immersive light tunnels
Description:
The Snow n Glow Holiday Festival creates a winter playground in the heart of Ventura County. This unique event combines expansive snow play areas with immersive light tunnels, offering a blend of frosty fun and dazzling illuminations. Visitors can tube down snow-covered slopes before wandering through tunnels of twinkling lights. The festival draws inspiration from Scandinavian winter traditions, incorporating elements like glögg (mulled wine) and hygge-inspired cozy corners. The contrast of snow against the backdrop of palm trees creates a surreal Southern California winter scene.
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Holiday Cookie Decorating Workshop
What to Expect:
Focuses on traditional California mission-inspired cookie designs
Description:
The Holiday Cookie Decorating Workshop offers a sweet twist on local history by focusing on traditional California mission-inspired cookie designs. Expert bakers guide participants in creating intricate patterns reminiscent of mission tile work and adobe architecture using royal icing and edible paints. You'll learn about the culinary traditions of early California while crafting beautiful, delicious works of art. This workshop takes place in a restored Victorian-era kitchen, providing an atmospheric backdrop to this blend of history and holiday tradition.
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Holiday Cookie Decorating Workshop
Nearby Events
Camarillo Christmas Parade (Camarillo)
What to Expect:
Showcases local agriculture with farm equipment displays
Description:
The Camarillo Christmas Parade marches through the heart of this agricultural community, showcasing its farming roots. Uniquely decorated tractors and farm equipment join traditional floats, bringing the area's agricultural heritage to life. Local 4-H and FFA groups proudly display their prized animals, while marching bands fill the air with jubilant holiday tunes. This parade has been a staple of Camarillo's holiday celebrations since 1962, reflecting the town's growth from a small farming community to a thriving city.
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Oxnard Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony (Oxnard)
What to Expect:
Features a towering tree made entirely of poinsettias
Description:
Oxnard's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony stands out with its unique centerpiece: a towering tree constructed entirely of vibrant poinsettias. This living sculpture pays homage to the city's agricultural heritage, particularly its history as a major poinsettia-growing region. As the sun sets, thousands of twinkling lights illuminate the poinsettia tree, creating a breathtaking spectacle. Visitors can admire the intricate floral arrangement up close and learn about the poinsettia's journey from Mexico to becoming a holiday staple in the United States.
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Oxnard Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Santa Barbara Trolley of Lights Tour (Santa Barbara)
What to Expect:
Guided tour of historic mansions decorated for the holidays
Description:
The Santa Barbara Trolley of Lights Tour offers a glimpse into the opulent holiday traditions of the area's historic mansions. Passengers ride in a vintage trolley, winding through exclusive neighborhoods to view elaborately decorated estates. A knowledgeable guide shares stories of Santa Barbara's Gilded Age and the families who built these grand homes. The tour culminates with a stop at a beautifully preserved Victorian mansion, where visitors can explore the lavishly decorated interior and learn about turn-of-the-century holiday customs.
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Santa Barbara Trolley of Lights Tour
Christmas at Heritage Square (Oxnard)
What to Expect:
Victorian-era Christmas celebration in restored historic homes
Description:
Christmas at Heritage Square transports visitors to a Victorian-era holiday celebration. The meticulously restored 19th-century homes in Oxnard's Heritage Square open their doors, each decorated in period-appropriate holiday splendor. Costumed interpreters demonstrate traditional crafts and share stories of Christmas past. Visitors can participate in authentic Victorian parlor games or listen to carolers singing forgotten holiday tunes. This event offers a rare opportunity to experience the holidays as they were celebrated over a century ago in Southern California.
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Camarillo Old Town Glow (Camarillo)
What to Expect:
Highlights historic buildings with themed light displays
Description:
Camarillo Old Town Glow illuminates the city's historic district with themed light displays that celebrate local heritage. Each historic building along Ventura Boulevard is adorned with lights that tell a story from Camarillo's past. Visitors can stroll through the glowing streets and learn about the area's ranching history, agricultural roots, and cultural diversity. This event, which began as a small community project, has grown to become a beloved tradition that connects residents and visitors to Camarillo's rich history through the medium of light.
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Santa to the Sea Marathon (Oxnard)
What to Expect:
Holiday-themed race from Santa statue to the Pacific Ocean
Description:
The Santa to the Sea Marathon is a unique holiday race that begins at the towering Santa Claus statue in Nyeland Acres and ends at the shores of Channel Islands Harbor. Runners, many dressed in holiday attire, traverse a course that showcases Ventura County's diverse landscapes. The race supports local charities and includes a toy drive, embodying the spirit of giving. This event originated from a community effort to repurpose the 1950s Santa statue, transforming it from a roadside oddity into a symbol of holiday cheer and community engagement.
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Peppermint Lane Holiday Festival (Carpinteria)
What to Expect:
Celebrates the region's history of peppermint farming
Description:
The Peppermint Lane Holiday Festival pays homage to Ventura County's little-known history as a peppermint farming region in the early 20th century. The air is filled with the crisp scent of peppermint as visitors explore a recreated peppermint farm, complete with antique distilling equipment. Attendees can participate in peppermint stick making demonstrations or sample a variety of peppermint-flavored treats. This unique festival not only celebrates a beloved holiday flavor but also sheds light on an often-overlooked aspect of local agricultural history.
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Peppermint Lane Holiday Festival
Holiday Artisan Market (Ojai)
What to Expect:
Showcases handmade gifts inspired by California's natural beauty
Description:
The Holiday Artisan Market spotlights local craftspeople creating unique gifts inspired by California's stunning natural landscapes. Artisans offer handmade items that capture the essence of the region, from jewelry featuring Channel Islands motifs to ceramics glazed with colors reminiscent of Ventura's famous sunsets. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of traditional crafting techniques and learn about the natural materials used in the creations. This market, held in a historic downtown warehouse, connects holiday shoppers with the rich artistic traditions of the California coast.
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Simi Valley Christmas Parade (Simi Valley)
What to Expect:
Incorporates elements of the city's Western movie history
Description:
The Simi Valley Christmas Parade brings the spirit of the Old West to holiday celebrations. This unique parade incorporates elements of the city's rich Western movie history, with entries inspired by classic cowboy films once shot in the area. Horseback riders in period costumes, vintage movie props, and floats depicting famous Western film scenes join traditional holiday elements. Spectators can enjoy the clop of hooves on pavement as equestrian units pass by. The parade route winds through historic downtown Simi Valley, passing locations used in numerous Hollywood productions.