33rd Annual Santa Barbara Parade of Lights

Beginning at 3 p.m. families can visit Santa’s Village on the City Pier in Santa Barbara Harbor. There will be holiday elves handing out goody bags for the first 300 children, 10 tons of snow, and holiday music. Of course, no Santa’s Village would be complete without the man himself—Santa Claus will be in attendance, so bring your camera to take a free family photo!

At 5 p.m. a tree-lighting ceremony will be held on the shoreward finger of Stearns Wharf next to the Sea Center. Then, at 5:30 p.m., around 30 illuminated water craft, bedecked to this year’s theme, “Deep-Space Holidays” will light up the night as they make their way from Ledbetter Beach down the coast to the Cabrillo Arts Pavilion, then back along the coast to Stearns Wharf.  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, and East Beach.

Registration for the competition is now open and, as always, it’s free to enter! Participants can enter one of five categories: human-powered, power, sail, commercial fishing, or commercial other. Pick up your entry form at the Harbor Market, Harbor Fuel Dock, Waterfront offices, or go online.

This year’s event is sponsored by the 2019 Parade of Lights Committee, City of Santa Barbara Waterfront Department, Santa Barbara Harbor Merchants Association, Stearns Wharf Business Association, and Santa Barbara Yacht Club.

So 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 33rd Annual Parade of Lights on Sunday, December 8th. Visit www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov/ParadeofLights for additional details.