Ventura and Santa Barbara Christmas lights 2026

Pinedale, Timberdale, Clearwood and Cedardale Rds, off Countrywood Dr west of Moorpark High, Moorpark · Neighborhood · ~40 mi from downtown LA

Typically December, nightly 5–10pm

Dozens of homes in this neighborhood decorate with bright lights and figures, with neighbors trying to outdo each other.

Tip: Slow drive or stroll; enter from Countrywood Drive.

America's Teaching Zoo, Moorpark College (Campus Rd), Moorpark · Ticketed event · ~38 mi from downtown LA

Typically late November to just before Christmas, evenings (2025 ran Nov 26–Dec 23)

A holiday lights evening at the Moorpark College teaching zoo, where students train and care for the animals.

Summerwood Ave at Cochran St (Auburn Lane community), Simi Valley · Neighborhood · ~30 mi from downtown LA

Typically December, nightly

Thousands of lights are strung from house to house across the streets of the whole neighborhood, and nearly every home decorates. Santa usually visits one Saturday evening in mid-December.

Tip: Park at Phoenix Ranch School (4974 Cochran St) and walk in.

Highland Rd at Sinaloa Rd, south of Royal Ave, Simi Valley · Neighborhood · ~34 mi from downtown LA

Typically December, evenings

A single yard filled with 100 to 200 lit figurines and characters, a favorite with small kids.

Via Patricia at Via Ricardo, Dos Vientos, Newbury Park · Neighborhood · ~43 mi from downtown LA

Typically December, nightly

A 50,000-light display in Dos Vientos synchronized to music you can play on 89.7 FM in your car. It came back in 2025 after a break.

Tip: Pull over, tune to 89.7 FM, and watch from the car.

1062 Sheffield Pl, Thousand Oaks · Neighborhood · ~37 mi from downtown LA

Typically Dec 1–Jan 1, 5:30–10pm

A homeowner-run show, now in its sixth season, synchronized to music on 87.9 FM.

Tip: The site warns that newer cars can lag on FM audio, so a portable radio helps keep the music in sync.

Baywater Pl, Thousand Oaks · Neighborhood · ~35 mi from downtown LA

Typically December, evenings

A home light show synchronized to music on 87.9 FM that collects donations for Manna Conejo Valley Food Bank.

Brisbaine Ave, Newbury Park · Neighborhood · ~41 mi from downtown LA

Typically December, nightly 5–10pm

Synchronized lights set to music on 100.5 FM.

Mapleleaf Ave at Madrid St, Newbury Park · Neighborhood · ~40 mi from downtown LA

Typically December, evenings

An animated display with music on 97.7 FM. Yew Drive, Bernadine Street and Holloway Street nearby also have bright displays, so you can make a short Newbury Park loop.

Yew Dr (Borchard Rd to Carob St, then left on Yew), Newbury Park · Neighborhood · ~40 mi from downtown LA

Typically December, evenings

Several homes on the street put up colorful displays, making it a good short street to walk.

4903 Pathfinder Ave, Westlake Village · Neighborhood · ~32 mi from downtown LA

Typically Fri–Sun in December, 5:30–8:30pm

A publicly promoted display with lights, music and faux snow that collects donations for Manna Food Bank.

Tip: It runs only on weekend nights, so check before you drive over.

Gemini St, Waverly Ave and Saturn St, south of Dunnigan St (off Arneill Rd), Camarillo · Neighborhood · ~47 mi from downtown LA

Typically December, evenings

Camarillo's best-known light streets, with cartoon characters, trains, Santas, snowmen and lots of lights.

Tip: Take Arneill Rd to Dunnigan St and head east to Gemini. The blocks are compact, so it works well on foot.

F & G Streets between 5th St and Palm St, Henry T. Oxnard Historic District, Oxnard · Drive-through · ~55 mi from downtown LA

Typically early to late December, nightly 6–10pm (2025 ran Dec 7–27)

One of Ventura County's largest residential displays: the historic homes on F and G Streets are decorated entirely by residents.

Tip: Downtown Oxnard runs it as a drive-through. Expect slow traffic on weekends close to Christmas.

Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard · Boat parade · ~56 mi from downtown LA

2026 date announced: Saturday Dec 12, 2026, 7–9pm (60th annual)

The 60th annual parade of lighted boats, with a tropical 'Aloha Afloat' theme for 2026.

Tip: Arrive early to get a harborside spot. The harbor says more details are still to come.

Ventura Harbor Village, 1583 Spinnaker Dr, Ventura · Boat parade · ~60 mi from downtown LA

Fri–Sat Dec 18–19, 2026; festivities from 4pm, parade 6:30pm, ends about 8pm (50th annual)

Decorated boats cruise the harbor both nights, followed by fireworks. The village lawn has a carnival with rides and games, plus a DJ and faux snow.

Tip: Free parking along Spinnaker Dr and at the Dolphin lot (about a 5-minute walk), and a free shuttle runs from the Harbor Blvd & Schooner Dr lot and Portside Ventura. Paid lots fill early.

Downtown Ventura (Main St near Mission San Buenaventura), Ventura · Tree lighting · ~62 mi from downtown LA

Typically the first Friday of December, 5 to 8pm (2025: Fri Dec 5)

Free downtown tree lighting evening. The Winter Wine Walk and Holiday Street Fair usually fills Main Street the next day.

Main Street, downtown, Santa Paula · Event · ~51 mi from downtown LA

Typically the Friday after Thanksgiving, 7 to 8:30pm (2025: Fri Nov 28, 75th annual)

Evening parade with nearly 50 lighted floats and vehicles down historic Main Street, one of the oldest holiday parades in Ventura County.

Downtown Fillmore (Central Ave), Fillmore · Tree lighting · ~45 mi from downtown LA

Typically the Sunday after Thanksgiving, 5 to 8pm (2025: Sun Nov 30)

Small-town tree lighting with an evening market downtown. The Fillmore and Western holiday trains no longer run.

Port Hueneme City Hall, 250 N Ventura Rd, Port Hueneme · Tree lighting · ~55 mi from downtown LA

Typically an early-December weeknight, 5:30 to 7pm (2025: Tue Dec 2)

Free city tree lighting at City Hall.

Santa Barbara Harbor & Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara · Boat parade · ~86 mi from downtown LA

2026 date announced: Sunday Dec 13, 2026, 2–7:30pm (40th annual); lighted boats 5:30pm, fireworks about 7pm

About 30 lighted boats parade from Leadbetter Beach to the Cabrillo Pavilion and back to Stearns Wharf, with a short fireworks show. Earlier in the afternoon there is a costumed paddleboard and kayak parade (2pm) and a Winter Wonderland with snow and Santa on the City Pier (3–5pm).

Tip: Good viewing spots are Stearns Wharf, the breakwater, West Beach and East Beach. Stearns Wharf closes to cars at 3:30pm.

Downtown Solvang and Solvang Park (Copenhagen Dr), Solvang · Event · ~115 mi from downtown LA

Nov 27, 2026–Jan 3, 2027; tree lighting Fri Dec 4, parade Sat Dec 5; light and music show on the hour 5–9pm nightly

The Danish village decorates its downtown in lights for the season. Solvang Park hosts a 10-minute light and music show every hour from 5 to 9pm, and the season also brings a tree lighting, a parade, Wednesday makers' markets and photos with Santa.

Tip: Time your stroll for the top of the hour to catch the Solvang Park show. Tree lighting and parade weekend is the busiest.

Upper Village Green, San Ysidro Rd and E Valley Rd, Montecito · Tree lighting · ~84 mi from downtown LA

Typically the first Saturday of December, 5pm (2025: Sat Dec 6)

Quiet remembrance tree lighting on the Upper Village green. All Saints-by-the-Sea also holds a free Christmas festival and tree lighting nearby on Eucalyptus Lane.

Hollister Ave from Orange Ave to Kinman Ave, Goleta · Event · ~94 mi from downtown LA

Typically the first Saturday of December, 6pm (2025: Sat Dec 6)

Nighttime parade through Old Town Goleta on Hollister Avenue with lighted entries.

H St and Ocean Ave downtown; tree at Centennial Square, Lompoc · Event · ~133 mi from downtown LA

Typically the first Friday of December, 6pm (2025: Fri Dec 5)

Kid-focused nighttime parade with lighted floats and school bands, starting at Pine Ave and H St, ending with Santa and the community tree lighting at Centennial Square.

City Hall courtyard, Cook St and Broadway, Santa Maria · Tree lighting · ~139 mi from downtown LA

Typically the first Friday of December, from about 5pm (2025: Fri Dec 5)

The city lights a 24-foot tree in the City Hall courtyard, with a children's choir, crafts, cookies, cocoa and photos with Santa.

Broadway, from Stowell Rd to Santa Maria Town Center, Santa Maria · Event · ~139 mi from downtown LA

Typically the first Saturday of December, about 5:20pm (2025: Sat Dec 6)

Rotary-hosted lighted parade on Broadway with marching bands, community floats and Santa.

River View Park, 151 Sycamore Dr, Buellton · Ticketed event · ~119 mi from downtown LA

Typically Friday to Sunday nights in December, 5 to 8:30pm (2025: Dec 5-7, 12-14, 19-21)

A walk-through light festival in the botanic garden at River View Park. It is a short drive from Solvang's Julefest.