Swap snow for soft coastal sand this winter and experience the magic of December in Santa Barbara. While much of the country retreats indoors from the cold, Santa Barbara shines with sunny days, holiday events, live performances and coastal celebrations.
Seasonal tip? Explore the Santa Barbara South Coast at your leisure and choose from local accommodations offering a third night free when you book a two-night stay. With so many shows to attend and shops to enjoy, do yourself a favor and add on an extra night.
Read on for the best ways to embrace the holiday season in The American Riviera®.
SIGNATURE EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Cheer and spirited festivities deck the streets (and waters) of Santa Barbara all December long, starting with the annual Christmas Patch at Lane Farms (Nov. 27 through Dec. 23), where patrons can shop for the perfect Noble or Douglas Fir to display in their homes during the holiday season. Nov. 21 through Jan. 31, 2027. MOXI is hosting climate-friendly Seaside Sock Skating atop the museum’s rooftop.
After a six-year hiatus, the beloved Downtown Santa Barbara Holiday Parade returns to State Street on Dec. 4! Celebrate the season with festive marching bands, dance troupes, illuminated performers and more as this cherished holiday tradition makes its long-awaited comeback. The free, family-friendly festivities begin at 6:30 p.m.
Venture out to Goleta, where you’ll get the small-town (but just as festive!) holiday treatment at the Goleta Holiday Parade (Dec. 6), complete with decked-out floats, dance groups and live bands making their way down Hollister Avenue.
We’re predicting Pearl Social Cocktail Club to be the town socialite this December: With events like the elaborate Christmas-themed bar, Miracle (in operation between Nov. 13 through Dec. 31), there’s plenty of fun and intricately crafted cocktails to be had in this corner of the Funk Zone all month long.
Throughout the holiday season, Shaker Mill’s “Nightmare Before Christmas” holiday pop-up features giant Oogie Boogie and Jack Skellington inflatables, festive décor and movie-inspired cocktails like the “Ghost Dog Nog.”
See the Santa Barbara Zoo in a whole new light at IllumaNature: California Coastin’, running through Jan. 10, 2027! This reimagined nighttime experience takes guests on an illuminated journey through California’s diverse landscapes with dazzling light displays, interactive installations and immersive projections. Don’t miss a ride aboard the IllumaNature Express for an extra dose of after-dark fun.
This time of year, when the nights are chilly in many parts of the country, encouraging many to retreat inside for warmth, Santa Barbara doesn’t stay landlocked—we get into the holiday spirit at sea, too. Join the Santa Barbara Waterfront in celebrating the 39th Annual Parade of Lights in the Santa Barbara Harbor on Dec. 14, where attendees can kick off the season with a visit to Winter Wonderland at Stearns Wharf, followed by a parade of costumed kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders, a tree lighting ceremony and the grand finale: the boat parade, where over 30 vessels will circumnavigate the wharf, adorned with holiday lights and oftentimes, festive music. Want an on-the-water view of the parade? Set sail aboard Double Dolphin with the Santa Barbara Sailing Center, the Azure Seas with Celebration Cruises or hop on the Condor Express for a Parade of Lights Boat Tour — for front-row seating at one of Santa Barbara’s most coveted annual holiday events.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
The Lobero Theatre has a festive lineup of live entertainment this December, including RUDOLPH (Dec. 5-6), Santa Barbara Gay Men’s Chorus: Hard Candy (Dec. 8), Jake Shimabukuro’s Holidays in Hawaii (Dec. 10), The Milk Carton Kids’ Holiday Tour (Dec. 11), The Christmas Revels: A Victorian Celebration of the Winter Solstice (Dec. 19-20) and An Irish Christmas (Dec. 22).
Over at the Granada Theatre, enjoy an evening of classical music with Hilary Hahn, Matthias Goerne and Yekwon Sunwoo (Dec. 2), experience a beloved holiday tradition with State Street Ballet’s The Nutcracker (Dec. 18-20) or ring in 2027 with the Santa Barbara Symphony’s New Year’s Eve concert (Dec. 31).
For an intimate musical experience, head to the Music Academy of the West for two Candlelight concerts on Dec. 18. Enjoy beloved holiday classics performed by a live string quartet at Christmas Carols on Strings or experience iconic film scores at The Best of Hans Zimmer, both set against the warm glow of candlelight.
HOLIDAY SHOPPING
It’s that time of year when folks trade gifts with loved ones and share during the season of giving. Make your purchases extra special and unique by visiting the numerous artisan marketplaces that Santa Barbara has to offer or by using this roundup of Santa Barbara businesses as your gift guide. Say “yes” at The Yes Store and experience Santa Barbara’s original artists’ gift gallery. Offering one-stop shopping for arts, crafts, custom fine jewelry, blown glass, photography, ceramics, woodworking, clothing and leather goods, you’re sure to find the perfect gift for the art-lover in your life.
Shop the holiday-themed Mujeres Makers Market on Dec. 6, a community market that amplifies local businesses run by women of color, and find handmade, one-of-a-kind treasures. Explore the festive atmosphere of Paseo Nuevo Shopping Center, where you can enjoy outdoor holiday shopping amidst twinkling lights and seasonal décor.
