Celebrate the Holidays in Santa Barbara
We all have beloved holiday traditions, whether that’s cooking a fantastic feast, going to see your hometown lights show, or ordering takeout food to have on the couch. No matter how you celebrate the holidays, it’s always nice to take some time away from work and enjoy precious time with friends and family.
Have you ever thought about going on vacation for the holidays? It can be the perfect way to get family together who live in different states and start a whole new tradition! If you haven’t been to Santa Barbara for the holidays before, we’d love to show you what you’re missing!
When most people think of spending time in Santa Barbara, they think of long, sunny summer days. But the fall and winter are quite beautiful here, too! It may not be a white Christmas (temps here typically don’t fall below the 40s), but the holidays here are stunning nonetheless.
Already thinking about the exciting ways you can spend a holiday in Santa Barbara? Great! We’re here to help.
Follow along with our Santa Barbara holiday guide so you can have the best time ever!
Want to stay up-to-date with all the latest news from Wanderlust?
In this blog:
- Halloween on the Coast
- We'd Be Grateful to Host You for Thanksgiving!
- Spend Christmas in California
- Book Your Holiday Stay in Santa Barbara Directly with Wanderlust Vacation Rentals!
Halloween on the Coast
Perhaps you’re someone who loves to get spooked. Santa Barbara is a fantastic place to spend your Halloween weekend! One of our favorite Halloween events is “Boo at the Zoo,” where you can bring the whole family to trick or treat alongside all your favorite zoo animals! There are also bounce houses, train rides, live entertainment, and more, so parents, you’ll also have a blast.
Another fall event we always recommend to families is a day at Lane Farms Pumpkin Patch. With a corn maze, hayrides, farm animals, and pumpkin picking, it’s the perfect autumnal retreat!
If you want to leave the kids home and enjoy a more adult-oriented Halloween celebration, check out the Haunted Ball at Sunstone. What could be more fun than attending a spooky Halloween ball?! Dance the night away with the other ghosts and ghouls in town and enjoy delicious California wine from Sunstone Winery.
We’d Be Grateful to Host You for Thanksgiving!
Folks traveling later in the year for Thanksgiving are in for a treat, too. Fall weather in Santa Barbara is absolutely gorgeous!
If you’re the type of person who likes to run for their dinner, don’t miss the Thanksgiving 4-Miler. You can get your run in early and then feast later on! Here are more details on the race:
- When: Thursday, November 27, 2025 (Thanksgiving Day), 9:05 a.m. start
- Where: Thunderbird Park, Santa Barbara, CA
- Tickets/Admission: $40 registration (includes race shirt while supplies last)
Thanksgiving Dinner in Santa Barbara
Our Wanderlust vacation rentals are fantastic for cooking your own turkey dinner, but it's totally understandable if you want to let someone else do the work for the day. There are plenty of restaurants in Santa Barbara where you can eat an absolutely delicious Thanksgiving meal! Both Costa Kitchen and The Set are great options if you want to dine out for Turkey Day.
Spend Christmas in California
Last but not least is Christmas! We’d be remiss to discuss celebrating the holidays in California without mentioning the top local Christmas events. A California Christmas won’t bring snow, but it sure will bring some festive cheer! There are plenty of entertaining ways to celebrate Christmas while you’re on vacation.
These are our favorite Christmas events in Santa Barbara:
For a theatrical show: Swan Lake by International Ballet Stars
Get in the festive spirit by attending Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake! The elegant dancers and iconic score will deliver a performance you’ll remember for a long time.
- Date: December 5th, 2025
- Time: 7 PM
- Price: $40-$111
A holiday parade: Goleta Holiday Parade
The Goleta Holiday Parade in Old Town Goleta is a cherished tradition! You’ll be transported back to Christmas parades of your youth at this delightful event. Plus, if you’re staying in one of our Goleta rentals, it’ll be close by.
- Date: December 6th, 2025
- Time: 6 PM-9 PM
- Price: Free
Live music: Jake Shimabukuro’s Holidays in Hawai’i
Ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro brings a dose of Hawaii to California with his concert. He performs Christmas classics along with traditional Hawaiian music, making for an incredible evening!
- Date: December 10th, 2025
- Time: 7:30 PM
Cultural Festivities:
Christmas Mariachi Festival featuring El Mariachi Estrella de Mexico
At the Christmas Mariachi Festival, you’ll enjoy an evening of Christmas posada, carols, songs, actors, and folkloric ballet, all featuring the largest mariachi in the world. What could be more exciting than that?
- Date: December 13th, 2025
- Time: 7 PM-9 PM
An Irish Christmas
This Irish Christmas show has all the carols you know and love, plus high-energy Irish dancing that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
- Date: December 22nd, 2025
- Time: 7:30 PM-9:30 PM
- Price: $42-$82
Book Your Holiday Stay in Santa Barbara Directly with Wanderlust Vacation Rentals!
We’re so glad you decided to check out our guide to the holidays in Santa Barbara! Now you have all the information you need to have the best trip yet.
The final step on your journey here is choosing the best accommodations. Lucky for you, you’re already in the right place! Wanderlust Vacation Rentals offers the best accommodations in Santa Barbara and surrounding areas. And they’re the ideal home base for your holiday getaway!
Whether you’re searching for an oceanfront home to take in the incredible views, a pet-friendly home so the whole family can come along, or want to explore a luxury option like a home from the Paraiso Collection, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect fit for you when you book your stay with us. Ready to have the best holiday yet? Browse our available Santa Barbara vacation rentals now and book your stay directly with Wanderlust vacation rentals!
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