Best Ventura County Christmas Events in 2026 To Enjoy The Season

Last Updated: September 26, 2026. We check dates against official event organizers whenever possible. Events without confirmed 2026 dates are marked TBD.

Looking for the best Ventura County Christmas events in 2026? From waterfront boat parades and neighborhood Christmas lights to holiday markets, tree lightings, live performances and visits with Santa, communities across Ventura County offer plenty of ways to celebrate the season.

As Ventura County residents, we update this guide each year to help you find holiday events throughout Camarillo, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and Ventura. Whenever possible, we verify 2026 dates and details directly with event organizers and mark events that are still awaiting confirmed information.

Whether you’re planning a festive date night, a family outing or simply looking for Christmas lights and seasonal activities close to home, you’ll find our favorite Christmas events in Ventura County below. Start with the at-a-glance calendar to see what’s happening by date, then scroll down for details about each event.

Important Note: Please visit the attractions’ websites before visiting for the latest information and specific guidelines for each listed attraction.  Information may change after it is posted on our website.

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Best Ventura County Christmas Events at a Glance

Event dates and details are subject to change. We recommend confirming information with the event organizer before visiting.

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Christmas Events Camarillo

Camarillo – Christmas Parade

The Camarillo Christmas Parade is an annual festive event that brings joy and excitement to the streets of Camarillo. Grab your chairs or blankets and find a spot along the parade route to enjoy a spectacular procession full of holiday cheer. 

After the parade, head to Santa’s Village to indulge in holiday shopping and explore vendor booths. Treat yourself to some delicious snacks from the food vendors as you stroll through the booths and participate in engaging activities. And, of course, make sure to queue up for a memorable photo with Santa himself. This free event brings the community together for festive celebrations, crafts, inflatable fun, and more!

Date: December 12, 2026
Time: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Location: Community Center Park – 1605 E. Burnley St., Camarillo
Website: Camarillo Christmas Parade & Santa’s Village

Camarillo Old Town Glow Holiday Walk

Celebrate the start of the holiday season with an evening stroll through Old Town Camarillo during the Camarillo Old Town Glow Holiday Walk. Local businesses will be dressed up for the season, offering holiday drinks and treats while competing in a festive lighting contest. Visitors can vote for their favorite display while enjoying Christmas carolers, music and holiday entertainment along the boulevard.

Santa is scheduled to make an appearance from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., along with a certain famously grumpy green holiday character. Guests can also enter a festive costume contest and participate in holiday giveaways.

General admission tickets are available for all ages, while guests 21 and older can purchase an all-inclusive ticket that adds more than 15 tastings of wine, beer and spirits from participating Old Town businesses. Children under 14 can attend free with a paid adult, although all attendees must be registered for the event.

Date: December 5, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Location: Old Town Camarillo along Ventura Boulevard
Website: Old Town Glow Holiday Walk

Camarillo Old Town Glow Pop-Up Holiday Village

Turn a Southern California evening into a winter celebration at the Camarillo Old Town Glow Pop-Up Holiday Village. The event features more than 30 tons of real snow, a holiday train ride, photos with Santa, live music, a festive costume contest, food and family activities.

The front Vendor Village is free to visit and includes more than 30 holiday vendors, food trucks, Christmas carolers and free face painting. Admission is required for the Holiday Snow Village area, with advance tickets priced at $15 per person. Santa photos are scheduled from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and the event takes place rain or shine.

Date: December 12, 2026
Time: 4:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
Location: Studio Channel Islands Art Center, 2222 Ventura Blvd., Camarillo
Website: Old Town Glow Pop-Up Holiday Village

Christmas Events Moorpark

Moorpark – Christmas on the Farm

Enjoy a little bit of Christmas at Underwood Farms with sleigh rides, a holiday train, arts & crafts, animal shows, and a holiday store.

Admission to Underwood Family Farms Christmas on the Farm includes:

• Cookie toss
• Animal Center
• Holiday Photo Ops
• Tractor-Drawn Wagon Rides
• Holiday Store
• Combine & Harvester Slides
• Pick Your Own Fields (pickings an additional fee)
• Letters for Santa
• Animal Shows  (select dates)
• Reindeer! – (select dates)
• Visits with Santa – (select dates) 
Santa visits are included with admission! Make sure to bring your camera. 

In Addition:
• Holiday Arts & Crafts
• Christmas Duck Racing
• Spin the Wheel
• Christmas Tattoos
• Ring a Tree
• Elf Training
• California Sleigh Rides with our Draft Horses
• The Holiday Train
• Bee & Cow Trains
• Gem Mining
• Electric Tractors
• Baby Goat Experience
• Feeding & Petting Animals

Dates: November 27–December 24, 2026
Times: 9 a.m.–5 p.m., closing at noon on Christmas Eve.
Santa appears on weekends and Nov. 27 through Dec. 20, 11–4.
Location: 3370 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark, CA, 93021 
Admission: Check the website for pricing and details by day
https://underwoodfamilyfarms.com/christmas-on-the-farm/

Moorpark Holiday on High Street

Celebrate the holiday season in downtown Moorpark at Holiday on High Street, a free community celebration held along the city’s historic High Street. The annual event traditionally brings together holiday entertainment, food and craft vendors, children’s activities, festive music, and seasonal attractions for an evening of family fun.

Past celebrations have included a snow play area, photos with Santa, and a combined Christmas tree and menorah lighting ceremony. The City of Moorpark has confirmed that Holiday on High Street will return Saturday, December 5, 2026, with additional details and the 2026 schedule expected to be announced closer to the event.

Date: December 5, 2026
Time: To be announced
Location: Historic High Street, Moorpark

Moorpark – Neighborhood Christmas Lights Display

Drive out to Pinedale Road in Moorpark, California, to see a neighborhood come together to put forth some of the best neighborhood Christmas lights you’ll see displayed anywhere. Catch a glimpse of what you’ll see from one of our visits on the YouTube video below.

Christmas Events Ojai

Holiday Lights in Libbey – Ojai

Kick off the holiday season in downtown Ojai at Holiday Lights in Libbey, a Winter Wonderland celebration centered around Fountain Plaza in Libbey Park. The event brings the community together for an afternoon and evening of holiday music, seasonal activities and festive cheer.

The celebration runs from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., making it an easy way to spend a late-November afternoon in Ojai before enjoying the holiday lights after dark. The event also serves as a festive lead-in to Ojai’s Holiday Stroll & Faire, which follows in early December.

Date: November 21, 2026
Time: 3:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
Location: Libbey Park, 210 S. Signal Street, Ojai
Website: Holiday Lights in Libbey

Ojai Holiday Stroll & Faire

Spend a festive day exploring downtown Ojai during the Ojai Holiday Stroll & Faire. Begin at the Holiday Vendor Faire in Libbey Park, where visitors can browse locally made arts and crafts while enjoying carolers, live music, cider tastings and seasonal baked goods.

Pick up a Holiday Stroll Walking Map and follow it through Ojai’s historic downtown, where more than 20 participating shops are expected to offer holiday treats and small surprises such as hot chocolate, cookies, cider and other tastings. Visitors can also collect stamps from participating merchants for a chance to win gift certificates, locally made products and other prizes.

The event offers an easy way to combine holiday shopping with a walk through downtown Ojai, making it a good choice for visitors looking for a more relaxed, small-town Christmas experience.

Date: December 5, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Location: Libbey Park and Downtown Ojai
Website: Holiday Stroll & Faire

Christmas Events Oxnard

Oxnard – Oxnard Christmas Parade

Get ready for a festive extravaganza at the Oxnard Christmas Parade! With 2300 participants in 100 entries, including lively marching bands, impressive equestrian units, local school groups, dazzling floats, and even a special appearance by Santa himself, this yearly spectacle is not to be missed. As the Parade route winds through A, 5th, and C Streets in Downtown Oxnard, a crowd of 8,000 enthusiastic guests gathers to enjoy the sights and sounds. This year’s parade will ignite the holiday spirit in all who attend.

Date: December 5, 2026
Time: 10 am – 12 pm
Location: Downtown Oxnard – A, 5^th and C Streets
Admission: Free

Oxnard Tamale Festival

Celebrate the holiday season with food, music and community spirit at the Oxnard Tamale Festival in downtown Oxnard. This free, family-friendly event draws thousands of visitors each year and features a wide variety of tamales and other foods, arts and crafts vendors, live music, and a kids zone.

The festival takes place at Plaza Park directly along the route of the annual Oxnard Christmas Parade, making it easy to combine both events into one festive day downtown. Admission to the Tamale Festival is free.

Date: December 5, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Location: Plaza Park, 500 S. C Street, Oxnard
Website: Oxnard Tamale Festival

Oxnard – Christmas Tree Lane – Historic Downtown Oxnard

Take an evening drive or stroll through one of Ventura County’s best-known neighborhood holiday light displays at Christmas Tree Lane in Historic Downtown Oxnard. Residents of the Henry T. Oxnard National Historic District decorate their homes with colorful lights, Christmas figures and festive displays, creating a long-running local holiday tradition.

The lights are scheduled to shine December 6 through December 26, 2026, according to Ventura County Coast. Visitors can enjoy the display free of charge, making Christmas Tree Lane an easy addition to an evening exploring downtown Oxnard.

In recent years, viewing hours have typically been 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with the display centered along F and G Streets between 5th Street and Palm Drive. Downtown Oxnard has not yet published its full 2026 holiday schedule, so visitors should verify final hours before heading out.

Date: December 6–26, 2026
Time: Typically 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Location: F and G Streets between 5th Street and Palm Drive, Oxnard

Oxnard – Channel Islands Harbor 60th Annual Parade of Lights

Celebrate the holiday season along the waterfront at the 60th Annual Channel Islands Harbor Parade of Lights. On Saturday, December 12, decorated boats will cruise through the harbor covered in colorful holiday lights and festive displays.

For 2026, the parade will feature a Hawaiian or tropical theme, giving the traditional Christmas boat parade an island-inspired twist. Visitors can expect illuminated boats, music, and plenty of festive scenery along the harbor during the two-hour event.

The Parade of Lights is one of Channel Islands Harbor’s signature annual celebrations and is a particularly fun option for families or couples looking for a coastal Christmas event in Ventura County. Arrive early to find parking and secure a good waterfront viewing spot.

Date: December 12, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
Location: Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard
Website: Channel Islands Parade of Lights

Oxnard – Channel Islands Harbor Reindeer Paddle

Get into the holiday spirit on the water during the 2nd Annual Reindeer Paddle at Channel Islands Harbor. Kayakers and paddleboarders are invited to dress in festive holiday attire and paddle through the harbor while spreading a little seasonal cheer.

The family-friendly event is part of Channel Islands Harbor’s lineup of community holiday celebrations and offers a fun alternative to the traditional Christmas parade or festival. Whether you join the paddle or watch the festively dressed participants from shore, it should make for a colorful start to the December holiday season.

Additional event details, including the specific launch location, are expected to be announced closer to the event.

Date: December 6, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Location: Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard
Website: Channel Islands Reindeer Paddle

Oxnard – Ventura County Ballet – The Nutcracker

Celebrate the holiday season with Ventura County Ballet’s 28th Annual production of The Nutcracker. The classic story of Clara’s magical journey comes to life with elaborate costumes, hand-painted sets, local dancers and professional guest artists performing to Tchaikovsky’s beloved score.

A standout feature of this production is the live accompaniment by the Opera San Luis Obispo Grand Orchestra, making it Ventura County’s only current Nutcracker presentation performed with a full professional orchestra. Audiences can expect familiar scenes including the holiday party, the battle with the Rat Queen and the Land of Sweets.

Tickets are available online through Ventura County Ballet’s website, with performances scheduled for Saturday, December 5 at 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 6 at 2:00 p.m.

Date: December 5–6, 2026
Time: Saturday at 3:00 p.m.; Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
Location: Oxnard Performing Arts Center, Oxnard
Website: Ventura County Ballet

Christmas Events Port Hueneme

Port Hueneme Holiday Tree Lighting

Kick off the holiday season with the City of Port Hueneme’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration. The community will gather on Tuesday, December 1, with the evening beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the official tree lighting taking place at 6:00 p.m. sharp.

Visitors who have attended in previous years should note that the 2026 celebration will be simpler than past editions. The city has announced that Santa will not attend and that there will be no additional activities at this specific event. Parking is limited, so arriving early is recommended.

Date: December 1, 2026
Time: Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m.; tree lighting at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Port Hueneme City Hall, 250 N. Ventura Road, Port Hueneme

Christmas Events Santa Paula

Santa Paula – Santa Paula Holiday Parade

Celebrate the holiday season with the annual Santa Paula Holiday Parade in downtown Santa Paula! Join in the festivities and kick off the season with a festive Christmas parade. 

The city also has a free Pancake Breakfast with Santa on December 5 and Santa Tours December 15–18.

Date: November 28, 2026
Time: Starts at 10 am
Location: Santa Paula Main Street

Christmas Events Simi Valley

Simi Valley – An American Christmas at the Reagan Presidential Library

The Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley will host its popular “An American Christmas” exhibit from November 14, 2026, to January 3, 2027, featuring 26 trees representing American history, along with Menorahs and holiday lunches/dinners for special events. Expect to see festive decor, cultural snapshots from different eras, and potentially Santa photos, with tickets available online for the exhibit and specific holiday meals

Dates: November 14, 2026 – January 3, 2027
Location: 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley, CA
Website: An American Christmas

Simi Valley – Strathearn Historical Park Holiday Open House

Stepping onto the 6 1/2 acres at Holiday Open House is like stepping into a Hallmark Christmas Card!  Several of our historic homes will be decorated and open for you to tour.  These include a Colony House built in 1888, the Simi Adobe built by the Spanish in about 1801, and the magnificent two-story home built by the Strathearns in 1892.  During the Holiday Open House, tours of the buildings are free.  The kids will love the face painter, and Santa and Mrs. Claus are available for individual and family photos.

Date: 2026 Dates TBD
Location: 137 Strathearn Pl., Simi Valley, CA
Website: www.simihistory.com or https://www.facebook.com/Strathearnpark

Christmas Events Thousand Oaks

Holidays in the Village – Thousand Oaks

Experience the atmosphere of a European Christmas market at Holidays in the Village, returning to Thousand Oaks for two days in 2026. The outdoor marketplace features around 60 artisan vendors offering handcrafted gifts, along with European-inspired foods, baked goods and seasonal drinks including mulled wine, specialty brews, hot chocolate and Kinderpunsch.

Families can visit Kris Kringle’s Village, where activities include visits with Kris Kringle and the Grinch, a village train, Ferris wheel, face painting, crafts and a scavenger hunt. Visitors can also enjoy seasonal entertainment and the Festive Garden while browsing the marketplace.

Admission is free, with food, drinks and shopping available for purchase. The event is presented by the Rotary Club of Westlake Village, with proceeds supporting local charities.

Date: December 5–6, 2026
Time: Saturday 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.; Sunday 12:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Location: The Oaks, 350 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks
Website: Holidays in the Village

Thousand Oaks – CLU Christmas Concerts

Get into the holiday spirit with the annual Christmas Concerts at Cal Lutheran. The choral ensembles and String Symphony join forces to present the annual Christmas Concerts. 

Dates: 2026 Dates TBD
Location: Samuelson Chapel – 165 Chapel Lane, Thousand Oaks, CA
Website: https://www.callutheran.edu/college-arts-sciences/music/events/upcoming-events.html

Christmas Events Ventura

Ventura – Annual Holiday Candlelight Tour

Experience the magic of the holidays with theatrical vignettes in every room, entertainment, and refreshments. Tour reservations required, call 805-658-4726.

Dates: December 13, 2026
Time: 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Location: Olivas Adobe Historic Park – 4200 Olivas Park Drive, Ventura, CA, United States, California
Admission: Free
Website:
https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/1935/Olivas-Adobe-Events-Activities

Ventura–Chanticleer Holiday Concert

Celebrate the Christmas season with an evening of extraordinary vocal music as the Grammy Award-winning ensemble Chanticleer presents a special holiday concert for the Ventura Music Festival. Known as an “orchestra of voices,” Chanticleer features twelve male singers whose remarkable vocal range extends from countertenor to bass.

The internationally acclaimed ensemble performs music spanning five centuries, blending classical traditions with gospel, jazz, and contemporary compositions. With its exceptional harmonies and celebrated holiday repertoire, Chanticleer offers an intimate and memorable Christmas concert experience.

This special performance at the Ventura Center for Spiritual Living is an excellent option for couples and music lovers seeking a festive evening of live entertainment.

Event date(s): Tuesday, December 15, 2026, at 7 p.m.
Location: Ventura Center for Spiritual Living, 101 South Laurel Street, Ventura, CA 93001.
|Website:
Ventura Music Festival – Chanticleer Holiday Concert

Ventura – Dickens’ A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story

Celebrate the Christmas season with a classic holiday tale at Rubicon Theatre in Ventura, where Dickens’ A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story brings Charles Dickens’ beloved story to life in a memorable theatrical production. This acclaimed adaptation stars Tony Award winner Jefferson Mays, who performs more than 50 characters, including Scrooge, Marley, Tiny Tim, and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. With its strong storytelling, rich holiday atmosphere, and professional staging, this production is a standout Christmas theater experience in Ventura County.

Event Dates: December 2–24, 2026
Location: Rubicon Theatre, 1006 E. Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001
Website: Rubicon Theatre – Dickens’ A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story

Ventura – Parade of Lights

The Ventura Boat Parade showcases shimmering lights on boats sailing in the harbor.  Festivities in the Harbor Village include kid carnival rides and boutique gift shopping. Stay the evening and enjoy the fireworks show (weather permitting).

Schedule:

• 4:00pm & beyond: Kids carnival rides on the Ventura Harbor Village Lawn
• 6:30pm: Boat parade begins (two laps throughout Ventura Harbor)
• 8:00pm: Fireworks (weather pending)

Dates: December 18-19, 2026
Time: 4 PM – 8 PM
Location: Ventura Harbor
Admission: Free
Website: Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights

Ventura – Santa Paddle At Ventura Harbor Village

Join the festive Ventura Santa Paddle for a unique holiday adventure on the water. At Ventura Boat Rentals, you can rent a kayak, paddleboard, or pedal boat to join Santa himself. Dress up in your most cheerful holiday attire for a chance to win a prize before paddling in a merry procession through the marina.

Date: 2026 Dates TBD
Location: Ventura Harbor Village
Website: https://www.venturaharborvillage.com/event/santa-paddle-3/

Ventura – Winter Wonderland and Holiday Marketplace

Get ready to celebrate the holiday season with a seaside twist at Ventura Harbor Village’s annual Winter Wonderland & Holiday Marketplace. This festive event transforms the harbor into a magical coastal village, perfect for a family-friendly adventure. Your journey will be filled with enchanting moments, from meeting Santa and his live reindeer to playing in the faux snow that falls among the palm trees. As you explore, you’ll encounter cheerful characters like snowmen and penguins, enjoy live music from carolers, and discover unique gifts at the Holly Jolly Market.

Date: 2026 Dates TBD
Time: Noon to 4 PM
Location: Ventura Harbor Village
Website: Winter Wonderland at Ventura Harbor

Ventura Winter Wine Walk & Holiday Street Fair

Celebrate the season in Downtown Ventura at the Ventura Winter Wine Walk & Holiday Street Fair, a festive day of shopping, live entertainment, wine tasting and even simulated snowfall along Main Street. The free Holiday Street Fair runs from noon to 8:00 p.m. and features hundreds of vendors offering crafts, gifts, food and other goods. No Wine Walk ticket is required to enjoy the street fair.

For guests ages 21 and older, the ticketed Wine Walk begins at 4:00 p.m., with tasting locations spread throughout Downtown Ventura. Participants receive a tasting cup and event map, while VIP tickets include access to an additional lounge with specialty pours, food and entertainment. Holiday lighting, live entertainment and snowfall along Main Street add to the winter atmosphere as evening approaches.

The event takes place rain or shine and is one of Ventura’s larger holiday-season celebrations, combining a family-friendly street fair with an adults-only tasting experience.

Date: December 5, 2026
Time: Holiday Street Fair 12:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.; Wine Walk 4:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Location: Downtown Ventura, along Main Street
Website: Ventura Winter Wine Walk

Bookmark our Southern California Christmas Events Guide

Southern California offers many things to do between November and January to keep you in the holiday spirit.  We hope you’ve found this Southern California Christmas Events directory helpful and wish you a wonderful winter season.  Thanks for visiting our website.

We hope to see you at the places where we go.

Julie & Art

Check out more seasonal event guides

Halloween events in Southern California – Bookmark it for next year!
Julefest Christmas in Solvang, California
Celebrate Victorian Christmas in Nevada City, California

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