« Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Reveals Top Things to be Thankful For in 2010 | Home | Celebrating the Holidays in a Santa Barbara Vacation Rental »
Santa Barbara Holiday Events to get you into the Holiday Mood in a Santa Barbara Vacation Rental
By Santa Barbara Local | November 29, 2010
A Santa Barbara vacation rental is one of the most enchanting places to arrange a stress-free holiday, especially if you let our concierge services elves work their magic. True, we don’t have much snow (the hills to the east get an occasional dusting, but it’s barely visible from downtown). Visitors are often pleasantly surprised at how charming twinkle lights look when they’re artfully draped through swishy-sounding palm fronds, and few folks ever forget the sight of the parade of Christmas boat lights. No matter what your interests, there are many enchanting activities for folks of all ages and interests.
November 21-December 31, 2010 — Winterfest Celebration in Solvang
The quaint town of Solvang hosts a month of events, pageantry, and millions of lights in their traditional Danish Christmas Village. Call for information. Phone: (805) 688-6144
November 28-December 19, 2010 — Trinity Episcopal Church Advent Organ Series
The church is offering Sunday concerts for the four weeks of Advent from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Phone: (805) 965-7419
December 1, 4, 11, 2010 — 16th Annual La Arcada Court Christmas Walk
Listen to strolling carolers and live, local music. Eat fresh popped popcorn and lots of holiday goodies. Get your picture taken with Santa on Dec. 1st from 5:00-7:00 p.m. and December 4th and 11th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Bring the whole family for holiday fun and merriment. Phone: (805) 966-6634
December 3, 2010 — 58th Annual Holiday Parade – Miracle on State Street
Beginning at 6:30 p.m., spectators line downtown Santa Barbara to cheer high-stepping marching bands, fabulous holiday floats, spectacular performance groups, local personalities, and of course, Santa Clause. The holiday prince and fairy officially light up the night with the lighting of the large Christmas tree at State & Victoria streets. Phone: (805) 962-2098 ext. 23
December 4, 2010 — Rudolph ballet
Rudolph is the story of a young reindeer with a blinking red nose. This children’s ballet is performed by the students of Gustafson Dance, featuring dancers from the State Street Ballet Young Dancers, the apprentice company to State Street Ballet. It is taking place at the Lobero Theatre at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Phone: (805) 963-0761
December 5, 2010 — Brinkerhoff Holiday Block Party
Come celebrate holiday cheer in traditional Victorian fashion at this “block party” in the historic Landmark District of Brinkerhoff Avenue between Cota and Haley streets 1:00-4:00 p.m. Tour Victorian homes and get an inside view of what Santa Barbara was like 150 years ago. Phone: (805) 966-3979
December 5, 2010 — Snow Leopard Festival and Sledding at the Zoo
It’s a winter wonderland beneath palm trees overlooking the Pacific Ocean at the Sledding at the Zoo & Snow Leopard Festival. More than 75 tons of snow are imported to create sledding runs and a children’s play area, and are placed in exhibits for snow leopards, elephants, gorillas, lions, otters and other animals – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 500 Niños Drive. Phone: (805) 962-5339
December 9, 2010 — A Very Mariachi Divas Christmas Show
Visit the Chumash Casino Resort to see a very special Christmas show of the Mariachi Divas, a unique cultural ensemble that have created an exciting, original style of music called “ranchengue,” a fusion of ranchera and meringue. Phone: (800) 585-3737
December 10, 2010 — Art From Scrap Holiday Open House and Celebration
Join us for an evening of merriment and ornament making. Enjoy mulled wine and appetizers. Shop at our Reuse Store for holiday gifts. Take a last look at the Retro Muse exhibition and meet the artists at Art From Scrap 5:00-7:00 p.m. Phone: (805) 884-0459
December 10-12, 2010 — Santa Barbara High School A Capella Choir and Madrigals Holiday Concerts
The Santa Barbara High School Madrigals and A Capella Choir, will be performing beautiful, traditional Christmas/holiday music from around the world daily at 7:00 p.m. at Saint Anthony’s Chapel on the grounds of San Roque School. Phone: (805) 868-9101
December 10-23, 2010 — Trolley of Lights Tour
A 90-minute trip in a trolley around Santa Barbara shows off the best of the area’s holiday lights. Tours leave from Wheel Fun Rentals at 22 State Street, nightly at 6:30 pm. Reservations are required. Phone: (805) 965-0353
December 11-12, 2010 — Miracle on 34th Street, the Musical
Based on the 1947 Academy Award winning film, now re-imagined as a musical, this delightful, family-friendly production restores our belief in the spirit of the season and features traditional holiday songs we all know and love at the Granada Theatre. Phone: (805) 899-2222
December 12, 2010 — Annual Parade of Lights
Beginning at 3:00 p.m. with a Santa’s village event at the City Pier, then a visit from Santa with holiday music and 10 tons of snow for kids to play in. Judges, along with thousands of spectators, will cheer on 30-50 boats decorated to the theme of “Silver Bells & Winter Swells.” A fireworks display will follow the boat parade. Phone: (805) 963-0611.
December 12, 2010 — Una Noche de las Posadas
Las Posadas (The Inns) is the time-honored reenactment of Joseph and Mary’s search for shelter in Bethlehem. Join in this rich cultural tradition, experiencing first-hand the way in which Santa Barbara’s earliest Spanish and Mexican residents celebrated Christmas with song and food. Takes place at El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park & Casa de la Guerra at 7:00 p.m. Phone: (805) 965-0093
December 12-13, 2010 — The Nutcracker at the Arlington
Santa Barbara Festival Ballet brings you the Nutcracker, supported by a live, full symphony orchestra. The performances feature all the surprises of the traditional Nutcracker with giant mice doing battle with toy soldiers, dancing snowflakes and waltzing flowers. Phone: (805) 963-4408
December 17, 2010 — Community Christmas Carol Sing-along & Wassail Party
Celebrate the season at Trinity Episcopal Church by joining voices in singing favorites and new carols interspersed with the poetry of Diane Wyman at the Community Christmas Carol sing-along & Wassail Party. A holiday favorite for twenty-seven years. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Phone: (805) 965-7419
December 18, 2010 — All Wrapped Up: The Art of Giving (Holiday Gift Workshop)
This one-day workshop at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. offers a unique art experience for children to gain inspiration from three original works of art in the museum’s collection and create hand-made cards, prints, ornaments, and more. Students will draw, paint, print, collage and sculpt artful gifts to share with friends and family. Phone: (805) 884-6441
December 18, 2010 — California Christmas Bird Counts, Santa Barbara County
Birders all over the country are tromping into the wilds to help with the annual National Audubon and Cornell Lab of Ornithology Christmas bird count. Participants are assigned to teams based on their bird identification skill level and endurance. Compilers and participants can sign up to be an Audubon California Volunteer. Phone: Rob Denholtz at (805) 684-4060
December 18-19, 2010 — The Christmas Revels: In Celebration of the Winter Solstice
Santa Barbara Revels annual theatrical holiday production celebrates the Winter Solstice, featuring the music, dance, stories and traditions of Victorian England. At the Lobero Theatre – Saturday 3:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m., Sunday 3:00 p.m. Phone: (805) 963-0761
December 18-19, 2010 — West Coast Ballet Presents “Nutcracker”
This eternal Christmas story will come to life complete with falling snow, dancing sweets, magical dolls, waltzing flowers, fighting mice and, of course, the Sugar Plum Fairy. The intimate setting of the Center Stage Theater provides the perfect opportunity to fully appreciate the lavish costumes and special effects for which West Coast Ballet is known, making this production a “Gem” of a Nutcracker. Phone: (805) 963-0408
December 18-19, 2010 — La Pastorela
La Pastorela is Santa Barbara’s oldest and most beautiful Christmas tradition. Dramatizing the epic battle between good and evil, the play invokes elements of spectacle, comedy and fantasy. This version of the Pastorela is conducted in Spanish. Phone: (805) 965-0093
December 19, 2010 — The Nutcracker – State St. Ballet
Share the holiday magic of adventure, fantasy, romance, and the triumph of good over evil. Set to music by Tchaikovsky and performed in the opulent setting of The Granada, the Nutcracker’s story enchants as never before. Join us for this traditional holiday favorite featuring State Street Ballet with the students of Gustafson Dance. Phone: (805) 899-2222
December 31, 2010 — New Year’s Pops Concert – Santa Barbara Symphony
Richard Kaufman, Pop’s Concert Conductor Extraordinaire, returns to Santa Barbara to conduct the Santa Barbara Symphony’s New Year’s Eve Pops Concert, “Night on the Red Carpet.” It’s the movies, it’s the music, it’s the greatest movie music ever on The Granada stage. Phone: (805) 899-2222
There are many, many other exciting holiday events occurring in the area. What are some of your favorites? Don’t see anything here tempting enough to lure you out of your Santa Barbara vacation rental? Check back soon. Next month we’ll be covering mouthwatering holiday food and drink events.
Related posts:
- Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Guide to the Local Art Scene
- Local Area Guide for Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Guests: Insider Santa Barbara Travel Tips
- Santa Barbara’s Mouthwatering Food Festivals
- Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals Helps You Wine Like a Local
- Enjoy Local Live Music Venues During Your Stay at a Santa Barbara Vacation Rental
Topics: Holidays and Santa Barabra Vacation Rentals, Holidays in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Family-Friendly Vacation, Santa Barbara Romantic Getaway, Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals, Santa Barbara Vacation Tips, Uncategorized, Vacation Rentals California | No Comments »