Find the must-see holiday events in Santa Maria! Explore our guide for all the top festive highlights. For Santa Maria devotees and casual visitors, our guide is your ticket to festive fun.
One of the highlights of the season is the Solvang Julefest, a celebration that immerses attendees in Danish traditions and holiday cheer. Experience the warmth of community as the Solvang Tree Lighting Ceremony brightens the night with twinkling lights and joyful gatherings. And the Solvang Julefest Parade is something you definitely don’t want to miss, showcasing festive floats and local talent in a cheerful parade. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Santa Maria
- Solvang Julefest (Solvang)
- Solvang Julefest Parade (Solvang)
- Solvang Tree Lighting Ceremony (Solvang)
- Holiday Boat Parade (Marina del Rey)
- Solvang Maker’s Market (Solvang)
- Winter Village (Santa Ana)
- Light & Music Show (Solvang)
- Solvang Christmas Tree Burn (Solvang)
- Winter Lights (Santa Ana)
- Photos with Santa / Santa’s Village (Solvang)
See these and even more events listed below!
Santa Maria Holiday Light Displays
Solvang Tree Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Holiday tree lighting with dancers and ballerinas.
Description:
The Solvang Tree Lighting Ceremony is a special event where the City of Solvang lights its city tree, accompanied by holiday dancers, ballerinas, and music performances. This ceremony marks the beginning of the holiday season and features the illumination of the Solvang Christmas Tree closer to 6:30 PM.
Where: Solvang | More Info: Solvang Tree Lighting Ceremony
Light & Music Show
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and music show with two variations.
Description:
Every evening during Solvang Julefest, Solvang Park comes alive with a 10-minute light and music display on the hour, featuring two show variations: traditional holiday music at 5 PM, 7 PM, and 9 PM, and a more modern holiday soundtrack at 6 PM and 8 PM.
Where: Solvang | More Info: Light & Music Show
Solvang Trolley Christmas Light Tour
What to Expect:
Holiday trolley tour with hot chocolate.
Description:
Explore the enchanting Christmas lights of the Santa Ynez Valley on a festive trolley tour, featuring fresh hot chocolate and a delightful experience.
Where: Solvang | More Info: Solvang Trolley Christmas Light Tour
Holiday Boat Parade
What to Expect:
Colorfully lit boats and live music performances.
Description:
The Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade features beautifully decorated boats, fireworks, and live music, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere along the marina.
Where: Marina del Rey | More Info: Holiday Boat Parade
Fontana Tree-Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Live entertainment and refreshments with a surprise visit from the North Pole.
Description:
The Fontana Tree-Lighting Ceremony is a family-friendly event at City Hall featuring live entertainment, refreshments, and a surprise visit from the North Pole.
Where: Fontana | More Info: Fontana Tree-Lighting Ceremony
Santa Maria Holiday Markets and Shopping
Solvang Julefest
What to Expect:
Traditional European-style holiday market with local artisans and seasonal treats.
Description:
Solvang Julefest is a month-long holiday celebration featuring daily light and music shows, a city-wide Nisser Adventure scavenger hunt, and traditional European-style Makers Markets. The event includes the Solvang Tree Lighting Ceremony, a festive parade, and opportunities to meet Santa Claus. It also offers candlelight tours and a family-friendly Copenhagen Countdown to welcome the New Year.
Where: Solvang | More Info: Solvang Julefest
Solvang Maker’s Market
What to Expect:
Traditional European-style market with local artisans and seasonal treats.
Description:
The Solvang Julefest Maker’s Market is an open-air Christmas market featuring local artisans offering one-of-a-kind holiday gift ideas and seasonal treats, inspired by traditional European night markets.
Where: Solvang | More Info: Solvang Maker’s Market
Santa Maria Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Solvang Julefest Parade
What to Expect:
Family-friendly parade with marching bands and horses.
Description:
The Solvang Julefest Parade features marching bands, horses, classic cars, and more parade floats and entries traveling along Solvang’s main streets, bringing Danish coziness to the holiday season.
Where: Solvang | More Info: Solvang Julefest Parade
Central City Swing Band Performance
What to Expect:
Free jazz concert by a 17-piece band.
Description:
The Central City Swing Band will perform a free concert featuring a 17-piece jazz band, bringing lively music to the audience.
Where: Santa Maria | More Info: Central City Swing Band Performance
Winter Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays showcasing physics and illumination.
Description:
Winter Lights is a family-friendly holiday musical at Discovery Cube Orange County, featuring original songs, unique characters, and interactive light displays that blend science and holiday spirit.
Where: Santa Ana | More Info: Winter Lights
Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico
What to Expect:
Traditional Mexican holiday celebration with mariachi and dance.
Description:
Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar and Ballet Folklorico del Rio Grande present Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico, a vibrant show weaving cherished Mexican traditions into a heartwarming story of the season. The event features the joyous rhythms of mariachi and colorful Mexican dance, capturing the spirit of Posadas, the majesty of the Reyes Magos, and the thrill of breaking piñatas.
Where: Rancho Cucamonga | More Info: Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico
Stargazer’s Presents Tibbies’ Holiday Follies
What to Expect:
Nostalgic holiday variety show with tap dancing and vocal arrangements.
Description:
Celebrating its 31st Christmas season, Stargazer Productions presents Tibbies' Holiday Follies, featuring tap dancing "Toy Soldiers," breathtaking vocal arrangements, dazzling costumes, and hilarious holiday parodies. This show is inspired by classic TV specials and brings a sense of nostalgia, family, togetherness, and Christmas spirit to all.
Where: Rancho Cucamonga | More Info: Stargazer’s Presents Tibbies’ Holiday Follies
Santa Maria Other Holiday Activities
Solvang Christmas Tree Burn
What to Expect:
Large-scale fire safety demonstration with community involvement.
Description:
The Solvang Christmas Tree Burn is a significant fire safety demonstration supervised by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, featuring live entertainment and refreshments, where residents' Christmas trees are safely disposed of.
Where: Solvang | More Info: Solvang Christmas Tree Burn
Nisser Adventure
What to Expect:
City-wide hunt for hidden Danish gnomes.
Description:
Join a city-wide hunt for the mischievous Solvang Nisser, who have hidden themselves throughout Downtown Solvang. Participants can find clues at the Solvang Visitor Center to track down these Danish gnomes.
Where: Solvang | More Info: Nisser Adventure
Photos with Santa / Santa’s Village
What to Expect:
Free photos with Santa.
Description:
Meet Mr. Claus at Santa's Village in Solvang Park, where you can take free photos with Santa and bring your Christmas lists.
Where: Solvang | More Info: Photos with Santa / Santa’s Village
Candlelight Tours
What to Expect:
Costumed guides lead participants through Solvang's streets with LED candles.
Description:
Join a guided candlelight tour through downtown Solvang, led by a costumed guide, and learn about Danish traditions and Solvang history while holding an LED candle.
Where: Solvang | More Info: Candlelight Tours
Winter Village
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with ice skating and local activities.
Description:
The Santa Ana Winter Village is a month-long event featuring ice skating, a holiday light show, food vendors, and family-friendly activities. It includes special events like a tree lighting ceremony, breakfast with Santa, and a toy giveaway.
Where: Santa Ana | More Info: Winter Village
Festival of Winter
What to Expect:
Snow sledding and interactive activities for all ages.
Description:
The Festival of Winter at Miller Park Amphitheater features train rides, rides and attractions, live entertainment, photo opportunities with Santa, and a variety of vendors and activity booths. It also includes snow sledding and a Tot Lot for kids to experience snow for the first time.
Where: Fontana | More Info: Festival of Winter
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Orcutt (6 miles)
- Lompoc (22 miles)
- San Luis Obispo (26 miles)
- Atascadero (39 miles)