Monthly Events Calendar

DECEMBER 2024

Paseo Nuevo Shopping Center

Kick off the holiday season at the Paseo Nuevo Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony!

Join Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse, DJ Darla Bea, Santa Claus, and the Grinch for a spectacular night under the stars… and snow! Stay for the Peppermint Parlor After-Party and take photos with Santa to celebrate the holiday season!

Pearl Social Cocktail Club

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 fourth year of this annual holiday destination that attracts Christmas lovers near and far. 

Lobero Theatre

Get into the holiday spirit with live music from The Coveralls, delicious bites, and holiday drinks to keep you warm at the Lobero Theatre for the Downtown Holiday Spirits Party. This event is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season with friends, family, and colleagues. 

El Encanto, a Belmond Hotel

A Mindful Market is a specially curated event from PALMA Colectiva and El Encanto Hotel featuring over twenty conscious brands, artisans and wellness goods. Meet at the Lily Pond and enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks at the historic property in Santa Barbara’s Riviera. Shop with intention and support creatives with a transparent and mindful approach to their crafts and product.

The Arlington Theatre

Tap and jazz take on Tchaikovsky in Dorrance Dance’s vibrant version of this beloved holiday classic. The renowned tap company boogies, slides, struts and dives through the magical story of a young girl and her fantastical Christmas adventure. 

SYV Horseback Rides

A Cowboy Christmas returns to Santa Ynez Valley for another year of unforgettable holiday activities for all ages! Bring the kids for some old-fashioned family fun including animal encounters, holiday horse & pony rides, crafts, games, an obstacle course, a giant hay bale pyramid, Ultimate Hot Cocoa Bar, Santa, and so much more!

Old Town Goleta (Hollister Avenue from Orange Ave to Kinman Ave)

The 2024 Old Town Goleta Holiday 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! 

Santa Barbara Harbor

Mark your calendars to get in the holiday spirit Santa Barbara style and head down to the Waterfront for an afternoon and evening of fun at the 38th Annual Parade of Lights! The parade will be capped off by a brief fireworks show. Best viewing locations for the boat parade and fireworks include Stearns Wharf, the breakwater, West Beach, and East Beach. 

Lil' Toot Santa Barbara

As you step onboard the festively decorated Lil Toot, you’ll be transported into a waterfront wonderland of holiday cheer. The knowledgeable and friendly crew of the Lil Toot is there to ensure your comfort and enjoyment throughout the tour. They’ll provide fascinating insights into the local history and marine life…with a sprinkle of holiday joy.

The Marjorie Luke Theatre

Revel in the holiday spirit with the Music Academy’s fabulous Sing!ers, representing grades 1 through 8. Hundreds of young voices will perform an eclectic mix of songs to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, winter, and more.

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.

Lobero Theatre

The American roots music band is known for taking the music of the Ozarks to the world. The show will be a concert full of Christmas classics you love, warm family moments of laughter, and a reminder of what this time of year is truly about.

Santa Barbara Museum of Art

Get ready to spread some festive cheer with live music on the steps of the Santa Barbara Museum Of Art with the Downtown Holiday Sing-Along with the Prime Time Band. It’s sure to be a jolly evening filled with your favorite holiday tunes performed by the talented Prime Time Band and local school ensembles. It’s the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit by singing along!

Downtown Santa Barbara | Storke Placita

Come and enjoy a festive afternoon filled with the sounds of the season at Storke Placita! The talented brass musicians from Santa Barbara City College will be performing all your favorite Christmas classics to get you in the holiday spirit. This event is sure to leave you feeling merry and bright. Don’t miss out on this special opportunity to experience the magic of Christmas through the power of music.

Santa Barbara Zoo

Walk through the Zoo and enjoy the interactive light exhibit with illuminated lanterns showcasing animal and nature scenes that represent wild places from around the world. Discover the underwater seascape, beautiful birds, interactive areas, and dozens of other animals all on the Zoo’s beautiful grounds during this larger than life immersive experience.

MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation

This winter is about to get a whole lot cooler – without the chill. Sock Skating is coming to MOXI’s rooftop. This new 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.

Lobero Theatre

Lobero Ghostlight Society presents Jane Lynch – A Swingin’ Little Christmas on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at 8 PM. Classic holiday tunes come to life as Jane Lynch, Kate Flannery, Tim Davis, and the Tony Guerrero Quintet take the stage in this hilarious and heartwarming holiday extravaganza. A delightful blend of comedy and music, ensuring a ‘swingin’ good time. 

La Cumbre Plaza

A Crimson Holiday is a collection of local artisans offering an amazing collection of handcrafted gifts for your holidays. Find new treasures from new and returning local artisans.

Blackbird | Hotel Californian

Enjoy the special selection of Banshee Wines, while being accompanied by Vice President of Wine Making Mari Wells Coyle, and enjoy an exquisite dinner from Executive Chef Travis Watson. The evening begins with a meet & greet reception on the patio, followed by a four-course dinner in Blackbird. 

This event is for ages 21+

Music Academy of the West

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Santa Barbara. Get your tickets now to discover music inspired by the winter and the holiday spirit at Music Academy of the West under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Drift Santa Barbara

Sip warming winter cocktails and cozy up with your crew by candlelight. Join Dusk Bar at Drift Santa Barbara as we slow down the shortest days of the year every night this holiday season with our Winter Solstice popup at Dusk. 

El Encanto, a Belmond Hotel

Join garden expert, Dawn O’Donnell and upgrade the classic holiday craft in wreath making, with living succulents. Native to California, succulents are a natural beauty to your home, all year long. Dawn shares historical and symbolic facts on succulents while leading guests to build the wreath with moss and pinning the succulents. The workshop ends with a care routine to ensure freshness and vitality.

Art Spot on Wheels

Let the Art Spot help bring artistic expression into your child’s life during the school break. Breaks can be a hectic time for parents and hard on families with the disruption of schedule. So join us during these times for fun, special events created with your child in mind! You can choose to join them for one day or get a discount to join all 5 days!

Rosewood Miramar Beach

 Rosewood Miramar Beach is bringing snow to the California Coast. Join them on the Event Lawn for a delightful winter escapade at Miramar Beach for a unique snow experience by the beach that you won’t want to miss! 

Finch & Fork

Gather around with your loved ones at Finch & Fork’s beautifully crafted holiday buffet on Christmas Day, with seating beginning at 1 pm! Featuring local produce from Santa Barbara family farms, this annual tradition will leave lasting, festive memories for all who join. Indulge in a spectacular raw bar, savor meats from the exquisite carving stations, and enjoy a selection of classic sides alongside exciting new favorites.

El Encanto, a Belmond Hotel

Enjoy storytelling, traditional songs, and prayer. El Encanto will provide Hanukkah candles and complimentary savory and sweet latkes featuring caviar, crème fraiche, smoked salmon, dill, and apricot preserves. Join us in the bar for cocktails or make a dinner reservation to extend your joyous evening. 

Art Spot on Wheels

Ring in the New Year with a Creative Spark! Join Art Spot on Wheels for a fun-filled evening of painting a fun disco ball on a charming wooden round! Bring your favorite drinks (BYOB) and get ready to unleash your inner artist.

Varied Solvang Locations

Solvang Julefest 2024 will include multiple holiday-themed happenings all located within the walkable California Central Coast travel destination frequently listed as one of the nation’s “most Christmassy towns,” and this year, ranked as one of “The best Christmas vacations in the U.S.” Solvang, also known as “The Danish Capital of America,” offers a getaway opportunity for travelers looking for a European-style holiday atmosphere without the transatlantic travel.

Kimpton Canary Hotel

Reminiscent of a day on the slopes, the Kimpton Canary’s Winter Chalet creates a bold seasonal space for guests and locals alike to come together and celebrate. The Winter Chalet theme extends across all Kimpton properties, and the Canary embodies the theme to bring the après ski atmosphere to life in Santa Barbara.

Riverbench Santa Barbara Tasting Room

New Year’s Eve is all about the bubbles… and who doesn’t like to indulge in a little chocolate for the holidays? Riverbench is excited to partner with Jessica Foster Confections as they pair their sparkling wine-tasting flight with four decadent chocolate truffles.

Pairing is intended for thesparkling wine lineup, but you may choose any tasting flight, including our current Pinot Noir flight.

Downtown Santa Barbara

Why choose just one place to ring in the New Year? Say hello to 2025 and celebrate in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara during the New Year’s Eve Bar Crawl. Bounce from bar to bar, each location offering exclusive drink specials to toast to the occasion. Your ticket will include more than ten different NYE parties, free welcome shot tickets at select venues, exclusive drink specials, and a pub crawl map to all participating bars, lounges, and nightclubs.

This event is for ages 21+

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