The holiday season in Santa Cruz County runs from the end of November to New Year's. It brings two parades, lights at the Boardwalk and the Fairgrounds, tree lightings in the villages, craft fairs from West Cliff to the redwoods and a steady run of holiday shows. In 2026 both parades are on Saturday, December 5: the Downtown Holiday Parade in the morning and the Lighted Boat Parade at the harbor after dark.
Every item below links to its listing on our calendar. The dates and places next to each one come from those listings and update every day, so check here, or with the organizer, before you go. Most of these are free to attend; the trains, the shows and the Fairgrounds lights sell tickets.
Parades and tree lightings
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Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade
The official start of the season downtown, ending with Santa's arrival. The parade runs along Pacific Avenue from Laurel Street to Water Street. Come early for a spot at the curb.
Sat, Dec 5, 10 AM · Downtown Santa Cruz
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Santa Cruz Harbor Lighted Boat Parade
The Santa Cruz Yacht Club's parade of decorated power and sailboats through the harbor at night, rain or shine. Watch from the Murray Street bridge, the East Harbor launch ramp or the harbor paths. Parking is very limited, so walk, bike or share a ride, and bring a mug for the hot drinks sold around the south harbor.
Sat, Dec 5, 5:30 PM · Santa Cruz Harbor
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Aptos Village Holiday Market and Tree Lighting
Local craft vendors, cocoa and cookies, photos with Santa, music, and the tree lighting on the Aptos Village Green.
Sat, Dec 5, 1 PM · Aptos Village
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Winter on the Wharf
Santa arrives on the Santa Cruz Wharf on a vintage fire engine. Expect photos with Santa, a snow play area, balloon art, face painting and specials from the Wharf's businesses.
Sat, Dec 12, 2 PM · Santa Cruz Wharf, Beach & Boardwalk
Holiday lights
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Winter Wonderland at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Holiday lights and decorations along the Boardwalk, free to walk through. Rides, games and photos with Santa are paid separately.
Nov 26 to Jan 3 · Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
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Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train
Roaring Camp's vintage excursion cars, strung with thousands of lights, leave from the Boardwalk for an hour-long ride through Santa Cruz neighborhoods. Tickets are sold by Roaring Camp.
Nov 27 to Dec 23 (16 dates) · Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
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Holiday Lights at the County Fairgrounds
A half-mile drive-through of lit trees, tunnels and displays at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds near Watsonville, with a few walk-through nights.
Nov 27 to Dec 24 · Watsonville
Holiday markets and craft fairs
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West Cliff Holiday Outdoor Market
Handmade gifts in two parking lots on West Cliff Drive above Steamer Lane, with the ocean behind the booths. Free to browse.
Nov 27 to Nov 28 · Steamer Lane at Lighthouse Point, Westside
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Heritage Holiday Craft and Gift Fair
Three buildings of handmade crafts and gifts at the County Fairgrounds, with walk-through access to the Fairgrounds' holiday lights.
Dec 4 to Dec 5 · Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, Watsonville
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Holiday Native Arts Market
Art and crafts from Indigenous artisans at the Watsonville Woman's Club: masks, jewelry, drums, flutes, books and more. Free.
Sat, Nov 21, 11 AM · Watsonville Woman's Club
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Downtown Boulder Creek Market and Ugly Sweater Contest
Arts and crafts, live music, food and a prize for the ugliest sweater, in the redwoods.
Fri, Dec 4, 5 PM · Boulder Creek, San Lorenzo Valley
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Hallcrest Vineyards Holiday Market
Vendors, activities for kids, Santa and wine at the Felton winery. Free.
Sun, Dec 6, 11 AM · Hallcrest Vineyards, San Lorenzo Valley
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Hotel Paradox Holiday Market
An indoor market in the hotel's lobby and ballroom, with Santa photos and free parking that day.
Sun, Dec 20, 11 AM · Hotel Paradox, Downtown Santa Cruz
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Holiday Book Fair
Local and regional authors, author panels, booksellers, crafts and hot cocoa at the Congregational Church of Soquel.
Sat, Nov 28, 11 AM · Congregational Church of Soquel
Shows and concerts
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The Nutcracker
World Ballet Company's touring Nutcracker at the Henry J. Mello Center in Watsonville.
Tue, Dec 15, 7 PM · Henry J. Mello Center for the Performing Arts, Watsonville
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A Christmas Carol
Santa Cruz Shakespeare's music-filled staging of the Dickens story in downtown Santa Cruz, with performances through Christmas Eve.
Dec 3 to Dec 24 · Downtown Santa Cruz
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A Taste of Ireland Christmas
Irish dance and music for the holidays at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium.
Wed, Dec 2, 7:30 PM · Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, Downtown Santa Cruz
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A Celtic Christmas
Tomáseen Foley's evening of Irish music, dance, song and storytelling at the UC Santa Cruz Music Center Recital Hall.
Thu, Dec 17, 7:30 PM · UCSC Music Center Recital Hall
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Wintersongs with Kitka
Seasonal songs from Balkan, Baltic, Caucasian and Slavic traditions, sung at Peace United Church.
Sun, Dec 6, 7:30 PM · Peace United Church
Family outings
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Victorian Holidays at Wilder Ranch
Caroling, blacksmith and machine shop demonstrations, wreath and candle making and the historic houses at Wilder Ranch State Park. The event is free; the park charges for parking.
Sat, Dec 12, 11 AM · Wilder Ranch State Park, North Coast
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Roaring Camp Holiday Tree Walk
A steam train through the redwoods to Bear Mountain, with hot cider and Santa. These trains often sell out; book a day or more ahead.
Nov 27 to Dec 23 (12 dates) · Roaring Camp Railroads, San Lorenzo Valley
Hanukkah and other traditions
The season here is more than Christmas. These are the other holiday gatherings on the calendar so far; we add more as they are posted.
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Chanukah Train
Roaring Camp's train through Santa Cruz streets with Chanukah music, latkes, cider and a menorah lighting before it leaves.
Thu, Dec 10, 5:15 PM
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Hanukkah Fair
Menorahs, candles, dreidels, gelt and gifts at the Temple Beth El gift shop in Aptos.
Sun, Nov 15, 9:30 AM · Temple Beth El gift shop, Aptos & Seacliff