Participating Solvang Locations
It’s time for Solvang’s annual Julefest celebration extraordinaire! Held in one of the “Most Magical Christmas Towns and Villages Across the World” (according to Oprah Daily), Solvang Julefest is a month+ of lights, celebratory events, and holiday cheer, which runs November 28, 2025 – January 4, 2026. Join in for lots of family fun, seasonal music, holiday shopping, culinary delights, wine & beer, and more. Skål!
Insider Tip: Don’t miss the Tree Lighting weekend, December 5-7 2025, filled with holiday experiences the whole family will enjoy!
Finch & Fork
A cut of beef that’s worth the wait! Feast on 24oz tomahawk, truffle butter and marble potatoes.
La Paloma Cafe
Shuck, sip, and chill! Fresh oysters, tasty drinks, and good vibes—Oyster Hour is the perfect way to kick back and ease into the evening at Paloma every Wednesday from 4pm – 6pm in the bar.
04 Wine & Paint
Pali Wine Co. Wine Garden
Enjoy a guided painting session paired with your favorite wines by Pali Wine Co.! Tickets include supplies and painting instructions, along with exclusive drink specials for participating painters.
Old Mission Santa Barbara
Sip & Stroll is a local holiday market at Old Mission Santa Barbara. Tucked away in a private courtyard of the Santa Barbara Mission, Sip & Stroll is a great way to let loose and complete your shopping this holiday season. Enjoy sips from local wineries/breweries and grab a bite to eat while you shop local artisans vendors. Unlimited food and drink are included with your admission.
Old Town Goleta (Hollister Avenue from Orange Ave to Kinman Ave)
The Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club is excited to announce the return of the annual holiday parade in Old Town Goleta! This parade is a cherished tradition that unites our community in the spirit of the holidays.
With festive floats, lively musical performances, dynamic dance groups, and cheerful participants, this event promises to be a highlight of the year for both residents and visitors!
The Arlington Theatre
Grammy-winning Americana star Molly Tuttle returns with a fresh all-female quintet, bringing bold reinvention and masterful musicianship to the stage. A two-time International Bluegrass Music Association Guitar Player of the Year, Tuttle blends expressive vocals with astounding flatpicking guitar skills praised by Rolling Stone and The New Yorker. Joined by special guests Kaitlin Butts and Meels, this 2025 tour promises tight harmonies, inventive arrangements, and roots music at its finest — a can’t-miss night for bluegrass and Americana fans alike.
Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara
In partnership with London’s National Theatre, ETC presents The Importance of Being Earnest, a one-night screening of the National’s production of Oscar Wilde’s most popular play. This joyful and flamboyant reimagining of a classic play is a hilarious story of identity, impersonation and romance.
Wake Campus
Unleash your creativity in SBCC’s free eight-week Painting in Acrylic class, designed for adults 55 and older. Guided by instructor Aaron Baldon, an MFA graduate with years of professional experience as an Art Director and freelance artist, students will explore color theory, composition, and design principles while creating a series of vibrant, individual paintings. This hands-on course encourages experimentation, enhances visual focus, and helps participants build artistic skills in a supportive, community-focused environment.
The Arlington Theatre
Ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro returns with his signature aloha spirit for Holidays in Hawai‘i, a festive concert blending beloved favorites and vibrant holiday classics. Joined by Jackson Waldhoff and Justin Kawika Young, Shimabukuro invites audiences to celebrate the season with joyful melodies and heartfelt unity. This magical evening promises to transport you and your loved ones to a world where music and the spirit of aloha come together for an unforgettable holiday experience.
Third Window Brewing Co.
Climb aboard the Holiday Trolley of Lights for a festive 90-minute tour through Santa Barbara’s most dazzling holiday light displays! The trolley departs promptly at 5:30 p.m. from Third Window Brewing, with an optional pre-trolley happy hour from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Enjoy a cheerful evening complete with snacks and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available on board.
Please note that this event is 21+. Guests planning to drink are encouraged to use a rideshare or arrange for pickup after the event.
Lobero Theatre
This Christmas, the Santa Barbara Master Chorale and Dr. David Lozano Torres present The Light So Shines — a theatrical concert experience where drama and music intertwine to tell a story of hope, joy, and divine light. At the heart of the evening is Gerald Finzi’s luminous In Terra Pax, surrounded by inspiring works by Sarah Quartel, Dan Forrest, Mack Wilberg, and Mark Hayes. Beloved carols such as Angels We Have Heard on High, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, and Deck the Hall help guide the unfolding narrative, brought to life by actors, soloists, and chamber orchestra. A stirring and heartwarming holiday experience for the whole family.
Lobero Theatre
HR Entertainment presents Christmas Mariachi Festival featuring El Mariachi Estrella de Mexico. Enjoy an evening of Christmas posada, carols, songs, actors, folkloric ballet – featuring the largest mariachi in the world! Founded in June 2008 in the city of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico by the Alfaro Brothers, the group has gone on to tour nationally, performing at the Degollado Theater along with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Jalisco, major festivals, and eventually becoming the Official Mariachi of the program “Lujan en Vivo.”
Santa Barbara Harbor
Celebrate the 39th Annual Santa Barbara Parade of Lights at the waterfront on Sunday, December 14! Festivities kick off with a Winter Wonderland on the City Pier from 3–5 PM, featuring 10 tons of snow, holiday elves, goodie bags, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
The Human-Powered Parade begins at 2 PM, with kayakers and paddleboarders looping the Harbor and Stearns Wharf in festive attire. Then, at 5:30 PM, around 30 illuminated boats will light up the coastline from Leadbetter Beach to the Cabrillo Pavilion before returning to Stearns Wharf.
The evening wraps up with a fireworks show at approximately 7 PM. Best viewing spots include Stearns Wharf, the breakwater, West Beach, and East Beach.
Plow & Angel Speakeasy
Step into the Speakeasy at Plow & Angel, decked in over 6,000 ornaments, and celebrate the holidays with the 12 Days of Cocktails series. Each evening features a new handcrafted seasonal cocktail inspired by the magic of the season. The perfect blend of cozy ambiance and festive spirit, it’s an experience best enjoyed fireside in one of Montecito’s most enchanting hideaways.
16 ZooLights
Santa Barbara Zoo
See the Zoo in a whole new light! ZooLights is back with all-new light displays. Enjoy this immersive holiday experience featuring thousands of handcrafted silk-covered lanterns aglow with more than 50,000 LED bulbs. Walk through the Zoo and enjoy the illuminated lanterns showcasing animal and nature scenes that represent wild places from around the world. Proceeds from this event directly benefit animal care and conservation science at the Santa Barbara Zoo.
Candle Bar 111
Bring in any candle vessel and give it a second life. Refills are just $2.75 per ounce, and you’ll get to pick your fragrance from our full Candle Bar lineup. No appointment needed, just drop in anytime during the day.
Be sure your vessels are clean and free of leftover wax before bringing them in. Need help? Check out the quick cleaning guide.
Reduce waste, restock your favorites, or try something totally new.
18 ZooLights Adult Nights
Santa Barbara Zoo
Walk through the Zoo’s beautiful grounds at night and enjoy illuminated lanterns showcasing animal and nature scenes representing wild places around the world. Enjoy beverage tastings from local vendors and live music, then strike a pose at the festive photo booth – all part of the dazzling ZooLights experience made for adults only. Must be 21+ to attend.
Granada Theatre
State Street Ballet returns to the Granada Theatre this holiday season with its beloved production of The Nutcracker. A treasured Santa Barbara tradition, this year’s performances feature live accompaniment by the Opera San Luis Obispo Orchestra, conducted by Brian Asher Alhadeff, and a cast of more than 100 local students, over 20 pre-professional trainees, and 20 international professional company members—marking the company’s largest cast of the season.
El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park
Farmer and the Flea is an open-air monthly artisan market featuring local goods. Enjoy live music, local and small business vendors, food and beverage and great vibes. The Farmer & the Flea brings artisans and makers, chefs, farmers and bakers to downtown Santa Barbara. It’s a bona fide good time for all!
Pearl Social Cocktail Club
When the local speakeasy decides to step aside for a flamboyant limited engagement, you might want to have a look. Pearl Social Cocktail Club once again goes on hiatus in November until January to bring you Santa Barbara’s original Miracle® at Pearl Social Cocktail Club. This Funk Zone cocktail bar has just announced dates for the fifth year of this annual holiday destination that attracts Christmas lovers near and far. Fans can expect the unexpected as Miracle unveils an all-new, over-the-top experience.
Lobero Theatre
Kerry Irish Productions Inc. presents An Irish Christmas on Monday, December 22, 2025 at 7:30 PM. Enjoy all the holiday carols you know and love, plus a spectacular high-energy display of Irish dancing at its very best. A celebration of family and community showcasing some of the great Irish holiday traditions, featuring award-winning dancers from Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, and Celtic Wings.
Lane Farms
Get into the holiday spirit and shop for the perfect, or perfectly imperfect, Christmas tree at Lane Farms Christmas Patch.
Browse through their vast inventory and select from fresh Noble Fir, Nordman, or Douglas Fir trees. While there, test your puzzle skills by going through the challenging corn maze, made for adults and kids of any age. On your way out, grab fresh fruits at the produce stand to make a yummy holiday pie.
24 Carolers
Rosewood Miramar Beach
Experience the delightful sounds of the season with live carolers in the Manor House of Rosewood Miramar Beach. Join them for an evening filled with classic holiday melodies that will fill the air with warmth and joy. Gather with family and friends as the carolers create a magical atmosphere perfect for making cherished memories.
Occurring December 24th and 25th.
Finch & Fork
Gather your loved ones and celebrate Christmas Day with a festive Holiday Buffet at Finch & Fork! Enjoy a beautifully curated dining experience featuring a lavish raw bar, carving stations, comforting classic sides, soups, salads, and an array of decadent desserts. Set in the warm, welcoming atmosphere of downtown Santa Barbara’s favorite neighborhood restaurant, Finch & Fork’s Christmas Holiday Buffet is the perfect way to savor the season together.
Reservations are strongly encouraged. Beverages are served additionally.
MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation
This winter is about to get a whole lot cooler – without the chill. Sock Skating is returning to MOXI’s rooftop. This seasonal exhibit will allow kids and adults to kick off their shoes to enjoy frictionless fun by sliding across a specialty tile floor reminiscent of ice, without the chill.
MOXI is adapting to climate-friendly fun with iceless skating and activities designed to engage the next generation of climate crusaders. Sock skating is included with museum admission. (Don’t forget your socks!)
Lobero Theatre
Join Jim Brickman and friends this Christmas season for an unforgettable concert experience filled with music, laughter & heartwarming stories. Audiences can expect a captivating blend of timeless holiday classics, along with Brickman’s biggest hits like “The Gift,” “Love of my Life,” “Destiny,” “Valentine” and joyfully unexpected surprises.
The Set
Spend your weekends by the beach with a relaxed and flavorful brunch at The Set. Their menu features shareable starters, classic brunch favorites, fresh salads, and hearty hand-helds, all prepared with coastal California flair. Pair your meal with a classic mimosa or elevate the experience with their Beachside Bubbly Flight, served with a seasonal juice tasting. Whether you’re gathering with friends, enjoying a leisurely date, or simply soaking up the ocean breeze, brunch at The Set is the perfect way to savor the weekend. Complimentary self-parking included with reservations.
Terra
Terra offers a daily happy hour where you can indulge for a taste of local and organic California fare such as their Farmers Cheese and Charcuterie Board and Goleta Guacamole & House-Made Chips. Try organic botanical cocktails or enjoy discounted draft beer and wines by the glass. Sip and savor indoor at Terra lobby bar, by the fireplace or on the garden lawn by the outdoor firepit.
Casa del Herrero
Every Tuesday, artists and Casa members are invited to experience the vibrant beauty of Casa del Herrero’s gardens in a uniquely inspiring way. Whether you’re a painter, sketch artist, or simply someone who finds peace in nature, this is an opportunity to connect with the landscape, soak in the surroundings and let your creativity blossom.
Pack a picnic, bring your favorite art supplies, and spend the day surrounded by the stunning views of their sixteen distinct gardens. Take a leisurely stroll, find a quiet spot that speaks to you, or simply sit and let the garden’s beauty spark your imagination.
Santa Barbara Sailing Center/Double Dolphin Cruises
Cast off into 2026 along the California coastline. With bottomless champagne and Riviera views, the long-awaited New Year’s Eve Champagne sail will ensure you start your 2026 in style aboard The Double Dolphin.
Each ticket includes a reusable nautical Govino glass and bottomless champagne.
Maureen has been around the industry for a lifetime. Her business is based on the core values and ethics taught to her at a very young age: integrity, honesty, and great communication.
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