Staycation Winter Break 2023

We have a long winter break, y'all. We don't have any travel plans, so I have been collecting ideas for things to do at this time of year (separate from the holiday events).  Here are the ideas I have collected. (It looks like we will get some rain too, so I separated into indoor and outdoor.)  Let me know in the comments or on Facebook if you have other ideas. We love to try new things.

Santa Barbara and Goleta (indoor):

* Visit Museum of Natural History (our review)
* Cruise over to the Sea Center (our review)

* Play at the  Maritime Museum (our review)

* Create at the  Museum of Art (no review--must fix that soon!)

* Explore the MOXI (our review)

Santa Barbara and Goleta (outdoor):

* Go sock skating at the MOXI (our review)--sock skating is on the roof and is closed when it rains.

* Take a look at the butterflies at the Ellwood Bluffs (our review)

* Visit Carpinteria Seal Sanctuary (our review)

* See the animals at Santa Barbara Zoo 

* Explore the Botanic Gardens 

Date Specific:

Primetime Band Friday December 15th 6-7pm 

Big Brass Christmas Band Saturday December 16th 12-2pm in Storke Placita (700 block State St)

Pictures with Buddy the Elf and Mrs. Claus at Paseo Nuevo Saturday December 16 12-3

Hollister Village Holiday Photos with Santa, carolers, arts and crafts  Saturday December 16 12-2pm 

Santa Barbara Golf Club Sunday December 17th 2-4pm 

Living Nativity at First United Methodist Church  December 20, 21, and 22 5:30-7:30  Live camels and petting zoo 

Friday Nights at the Depot Friday December 22nd 5-7pm at the South Coast Railroad Museum $10 Train Rides, craft and raffle 

Pictures with Buddy the Elf and Mrs. Claus at Paseo Nuevo Saturday December 23 12-3

* First Thursday events on January 4th 

* Free ice skating with the Goleta Library card on January 7th 

Holiday Events 2023

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! Here is our annual roundup of all things Christmas and holiday and winter! My original post about advent with kids is here. 

Ongoing:

Pictures with Santa at La Cumbre Plaza from 12/1 until 12/24 (11am/12pm- 6/7pm)

Snowfall at Paseo Nuevo and Candy Cane Lane from 11/24 until 12/24 (fake) snow at 6pm. Weekends only.

Lane Tree Christmas Lot has trees for sale, but also a corn maze, hayride and farm animals to visit. 10am - 8pm 11/24 until 12/17. 

The Trolley of Lights is already sold out, but you can find space on the Rockstar Trolley December 2nd-December 24th at 5:30pm, 7:30pm or 9:15pm or you can make your own tours using these directions (updated 12/3) A house on Carlisle in Goleta has longer light shows with music (tune in on the radio). 

Santa Barbara ZooLights  11/15-1/14 4:30-8:30pm daily Advance tickets $18-$32

By Date: 

Let There Be Light at Westmont College Wednesday November 29th 4:30-7pm  Photos with Santa, hot chocolate, Christmas carols, and the lighting of Kerrwood Hall!

La Arcada Walk Photos with Santa, Christmas goodies and carolers Wednesday November 29 5-8pm 

 

Downtown Santa Barbara Christmas Tree Lighting and Block Party Friday December 2nd 5-8pm 

Christmas in Narnia at El Montecito Presbyterian Church Saturday December 2 10:00am- 1pm 

  

Carpinteria Holiday Spirit Parade  Saturday December 9 at 3pm 

Holiday at the Ranch at Stow House Holiday crafts, caroling, hay rides and tours. Saturday December 99-4 pm $10/$5

 

Goleta Old Town Parade Saturday December 2nd 6pm 

Friday Nights at the Depot Friday December 8th 5-7pm at the South Coast Railroad Museum $10 Train Rides, craft and raffle 

Goleta Valley Library and Inspire Dance Once Upon a Time Saturday December 9th 1pm 

 

Milpas Holiday Parade Saturday December 9 5:30-7:30pm 

Nutcracker at the Arlington (Santa Barbara Festival Ballet) Saturday December 9 2:30pm and 7pm, Sunday December 10 2:30pm

Goleta Valley Library Festival of Trains Saturday December 9th 10am-5:30pm and Sunday December 10th 1-5pm 

Santa Barbara Wharf Parade of Lights Sunday December 10 5pm, Boat parade at 5:30pm

Pictures with Buddy the Elf and Mrs. Claus at Paseo Nuevo Saturday December 16 12-3

Hollister Village Holiday Photos with Santa, carolers, arts and crafts  Saturday December 16 12-2pm 

Big Brass Christmas Band Saturday December 16th 12-2pm in Storke Placita (700 block State St)

Nutcracker at the Granada (State Street Ballet) December 16 3pm and 7:30pm

Santa Barbara Golf Club Sunday December 17th 2-4pm 

Living Nativity at First United Methodist Church  December 20, 21, and 22 5:30-7:30  Live camels and petting zoo 

Friday Nights at the Depot Friday December 22nd 5-7pm at the South Coast Railroad Museum $10 Train Rides, craft and raffle 

Pictures with Buddy the Elf and Mrs. Claus at Paseo Nuevo Saturday December 23 12-3

Snow Leopard Festival at SB Zoo January 28th 10am-3pm 

Did I miss anything? What are your favorite local holiday traditions?