Late November through December 2026
The holidays, locally.
Parades, tree lightings, the harbor's Parade of Lights, Nutcrackers, concerts and Santa visits on the South Coast this season, checked on each organizer's own page.
The big ones
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Nov 11 to Jan 10
IllumaNature
The seasonal nighttime attraction features illuminated California landscapes, interactive installations and a train ride.
Santa Barbara Zoo
Date checked Oct 31 on the organizer's page
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Friday Dec 4 · 5 PM
Sip & Stroll Holiday Market
The annual market combines locally made goods with wine, beer and food.
Old Mission Santa Barbara
Date checked Oct 31 on the organizer's page
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Friday Dec 4 · 6:30 PM
Downtown Santa Barbara Holiday Parade
The annual holiday parade down State Street.
State Street, concluding at Ortega Street, Santa Barbara
Date checked Oct 31 on the organizer's page
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Saturday Dec 5 · 10 AM
Holiday at the Ranch
The holiday open house features Santa, goats, tractor rides, children's crafts, vendors and food trucks.
Rancho La Patera & Stow House, Goleta
Date checked Oct 31 on the organizer's page
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Saturday Dec 5 · 10 AM
Arts & Craft Faire
Artists display, demonstrate and sell handmade work in the arts center courtyard.
Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center, Koch Courtyard
Date checked Oct 31 on the organizer's page
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Dec 5 to Dec 6
The Nutcracker
Goleta School of Ballet presents its production with performances at 3 p.m. on both dates.
Marjorie Luke Theatre, Santa Barbara
Date checked Oct 31 on the organizer's page
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Saturday Dec 5 · 6 PM
2026 Goleta Old Town Holiday Parade
The holiday parade follows Hollister Avenue through Old Town Goleta.
Hollister Avenue from Orange to Kinman, Goleta
Date checked Oct 31 on the organizer's page
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Dec 5 to Dec 6
Rudolph
State Street Ballet Academy students perform the reindeer's holiday story, with another performance December 6 at 2 p.m.
Lobero Theatre, Santa Barbara · $32 - Reserved Seating
Date checked Oct 31 on the organizer's page
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Dec 8 to Dec 21
Santa Barbara Trolley of Lights
Public trolley tours travel through decorated neighborhoods for approximately 90 minutes, with departure schedules varying by weekday.
1 Garden Street, Santa Barbara · $42/per person
Date checked Oct 31 on the organizer's page
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Thursday Dec 10 · 7:30 PM
Jake Shimabukuro’s Holidays in Hawaii
Ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro brings his holiday concert to the Lobero.
Lobero Theatre, Santa Barbara · $55
Date checked Oct 31 on the organizer's page
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Friday Dec 11
The Milk Carton Kids – Lost Cause Lover Fool HOLIDAY TOUR
The folk duo plays the Lobero with guest Vera Sola.
Lobero Theatre, Santa Barbara · $45
Date checked Oct 31 on the organizer's page
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Friday Dec 11 · 6 PM
Downtown Holiday Concert and Sing-Along
Prime Time Band performs holiday music with guest artists and audience singing.
Santa Barbara Museum of Art, State Street steps
Date checked Oct 31 on the organizer's page
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Friday Dec 11 · 7 PM
Una Noche de la Posadas
A procession with Spanish holiday songs reenacts Mary and Joseph's search for lodging.
El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park Chapel to Casa de la Guerra, Santa Barbara
Date checked Oct 31 on the organizer's page
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Dec 12 to Dec 13
Nutcracker at the Arlington
Santa Barbara Festival Ballet's annual Nutcracker, two days at the Arlington.
Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara
Date checked Oct 31 on the organizer's page
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Saturday Dec 12 · 3 PM
Holiday Concert 2026
Santa Barbara Music Club presents vocal, piano and guitar performances followed by a reception.
First United Methodist Church, Santa Barbara
Date checked Oct 31 on the organizer's page
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Saturday Dec 12 · 9 PM
Nerf Herder Holiday Special with Jeff Whalen
The holiday concert admits adults 21 and older, with limited tickets for younger guests accompanied by an adult.
SOhO Restaurant & Music Club, Santa Barbara
Date checked Oct 31 on the organizer's page
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Sunday Dec 13 · 2 PM
Santa Barbara Parade of Lights
Waterfront festivities include paddlers, children's activities, a lighted boat parade beginning at 5:30 p.m. and fireworks.
Santa Barbara Harbor & Stearns Wharf
Date checked Oct 31 on the organizer's page
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Sunday Dec 13 · 8:15 PM
Venice Holiday Concert 2026
Venice performs an all-ages holiday concert.
SOhO Restaurant & Music Club, Santa Barbara
Date checked Oct 31 on the organizer's page
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Dec 18 to Dec 20
The Nutcracker
State Street Ballet presents four performances with professional dancers, academy students and the Opera San Luis Obispo Grand Orchestra.
The Granada Theatre, Santa Barbara
Date checked Oct 31 on the organizer's page
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Friday Dec 18 · 8 PM
Chris Shiflett Hometown Holiday Hoedown
Chris Shiflett plays a 21-and-over hometown holiday show. Doors at 7, show at 8.
SOhO Restaurant & Music Club, Santa Barbara
Date checked Oct 31 on the organizer's page
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Saturday Dec 19 · 1:30 PM
The Nutcracker Tutu Suite
The performance features Goleta School of Ballet's younger divisions and Goleta Ballet Theatre.
Marjorie Luke Theatre, Santa Barbara
Date checked Oct 31 on the organizer's page
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Dec 19 to Dec 20
The Christmas Revels
A Victorian-themed Christmas show of music, dance and drama, with afternoon and evening performances.
Lobero Theatre, Santa Barbara
Date checked Oct 31 on the organizer's page
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Tuesday Dec 22 · 7:30 PM
An Irish Christmas
The production combines holiday carols, Irish dancing, musicians and storytelling.
Lobero Theatre, Santa Barbara · $43 - Section E
Date checked Oct 31 on the organizer's page
Everything else 17
Friday Nov 27
- 9 AMAnthony’s Christmas TreesEarl Warren Showgrounds, Santa Barbara
Sunday Nov 29
- 3 PMA Christmas Story - Family ComedyAlcazar Theatre, CarpinteriaKids
Friday Dec 4
- 6 PMSunset Sessions: Holiday Ugly Sweater EditionHotel Californian, Santa Barbara
Saturday Dec 5
- 10 AMWinter Wonderland TerrariumCarpinteria Arts Center
- 10:30 AMWomen's Christmas TeaCalvary Chapel Santa Barbara
- 3 PMTrinity Backstage Holiday ShowTrinity Episcopal Church, 1500 State St, Santa BarbaraKids
- 7 PMWestmont Christmas FestivalThe Granada Theatre, Santa Barbara
Sunday Dec 6
- 8:45 AMAlternative Christmas MarketTrinity Episcopal Church, 1500 State St, Santa BarbaraKids
- 3 PMWestmont Christmas FestivalThe Granada Theatre, Santa Barbara
Tuesday Dec 8
- 7 PMHard Candy (SB Gay Men’s Chorus Winter Concert)Lobero Theatre, Santa Barbara
Saturday Dec 12
- 10 AMAll Aboard for the Holidays: Festival of Trains Rolls into Santa Barbara Maritime MuseumSanta Barbara Maritime Museum
- 12 PMClassic Holiday Movies on IceIce in Paradise, Goleta · Goleta, UCSB & IV
- 1 PMSanta Barbara SantaCon Bar Crawl 2026Unbearable Skee Lodge, 12 West Haley Street, Santa Barbara
Sunday Dec 13
- See pageMaria Maldaur “Christmas at The Oasis”The Red Piano, 519 State St, Santa Barbara
- 9:30 AMChristmas Cookie Walk and Gift Basket RaffleTrinity Episcopal Church, 1500 State St, Santa Barbara
Wednesday Dec 16
- 6 PMCalvary Youth Presents: The Night Shift Before ChristmasCalvary Chapel Santa BarbaraKids
Sunday Dec 20
- 4 PMCarpinteria Arts Center - Holiday Hootenany Singalong EventCarpinteria Arts Center
No kid-friendly listings here beyond the big ones above.
For neighborhood light displays, see the Glow Map. Also: Thanksgiving weekend · New Year's Eve · This weekend
The big ones were each read on the organizer's own website on the date shown. The rest come from our weekly pull of local calendars, last run Oct 29. Plans change, so check the organizer's page before you go. Something wrong? Tell us
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