Santa Barbara Christmas Lights 2024-2025

Santa Barbara invites everyone to celebrate Christmas in California style. We've collected the best Christmas lights in Santa Barbara to help you decide your next holiday destination. Take your loved ones and get ready to walk down the festive streets while enjoying the sparkles of the night sky.

Annual Parade of Lights (December 8, 2024)

If you are a boat parade lover, this Santa Barbara Christmas lights event has all the chances to steal your heart. Being by far one of the season's stand-outs, the Parade of Lights gathers many locals and tourists to watch over 20 festively decked-out boats around Santa Barbara Harbor. The event begins at 3 pm on the City Pier, with Winter Wonderland full of snow, goodie bags, and a visit by Santa himself. The parade starts its journey at 5:30 pm, sailing the Santa Barbara Coastline. In the end, there is a 5-minute fireworks display that sparkles the night sky, which helps you get into the holiday spirit. All event activities are free.

Santa Barbara Trolley of Light (December 8–21, 2024)

Another way to make this Christmas season unforgettable is to book a seat on a festively decorated trolley heading through Santa Barbara's most festive neighborhoods. The Santa Barbara Trolley of Lights tour started in 1999 and quickly became one of the most favorite family traditions. 8-10 trolleys run each night for 14 days to help you immerse yourself in this holiday atmosphere.

Trolley of Light operates from December 8 to December 21. Weekday tours will be held from Monday to Friday, with check-in beginning at 6 pm. On weekends, Saturday and Sunday, tours will offer two check-in times: 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm.

Santa Barbara ZooLights (November 13, 2024–January 12, 2025, on select days)

ZooLights at the Santa Barbara Zoo is another fantastic option for Christmas lights lovers. ZooLights lanterns will be glowing brightly through the holiday season. Visitors can stroll through the gleaming glow of handcrafted lanterns depicting nature scenes and illuminated interactive displays. During this nightly event, the animals settle down for bedtime, and certain areas of the Zoo will be inaccessible. Various food options and adult beverages will be available for attendees. Still, guests are welcome to bring their food. Ticket prices range from $20 to $34, depending on peak or non-peak dates, and parking is $11 per vehicle, free for Santa Barbara Zoo Members.

Santa Barbara Holiday Light Tour (December 2024)

Santa Barbara resident Harley Hahn started publishing a free, self-guided holiday light tour in 2009 and continues to help people find the best Christmas lights in Santa Barbara. This tour starts at State and Carrillo streets, including Santa Barbara's tree light display in front of Ralphs on West Carrillo Street, downtown Santa Barbara, the Westside area, and nearby neighborhoods. If you have time to watch only one spot, head to the area near Las Positas Road and Veronica Springs Road. It has two remarkable displays on Veronica Springs Lane and in front of Hillside House. If you have more time and don't want to rush, you can enjoy the whole route, which can take you about an hour and a half.

You can read more about the Christmas Lights displays across California here.