The holidays are all about gathering with family and friends to connect, eat and participate in all types of merry-making annual traditions. The many festivities set for the season provide ample opportunities for making memories. Enjoy some of these favorite holiday celebrations with loved ones, young and old.
Boutiques & Benefits
“Santa Paws"
Sunday, December 1, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Humane Society in Ojai
The Humane Society of Ventura County’s 34th Annual Santa Paws holiday photo shoot is the Society’s largest event, bringing in nearly 300 families to celebrate the holidays with professional quality photographs with a holiday theme. Event proceeds directly benefit the Shelter’s daily operations. Adults, children and pets are welcome in photos with or without Santa. Festive costumes are available to doll up pets; pocket pets, reptiles, rabbits and birds are all welcome! A bake sale and ceramic paw print ornament making ($25) with Firefly Ceramics are also featured. Holiday photo session packages start at $30 and include 5 to 10 images. HSVC.org
Meadlowlark Service League’s Home for the Holidays Tour & Red Barn Holiday Boutique
Sunday, December 8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Camarillo Ranch
Explore local homes in the Pleasant Valley decorated for the holidays while enjoying seasonal music. The Home Tour runs from 1 to 5 p.m. and the Red Barn Holiday Boutique takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Also enjoy a Champagne Pre-Tour Brunch at Adolfo Grill & Daily Bar, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Proceeds benefit a variety of local charities and scholarships for high school graduates.
The Cancer Support Community Holiday Boutique!
Saturday & Sunday, December 7 & 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., St. Maximilian Kolbe
This Holiday Boutique features dozens of unique holiday gifts, decor and crafted items. A portion of all sales directly fund the Cancer Support Community’s programs. CancerSupportVVSB.org
25th Dudley House Victorian Holiday Boutique
Sunday, December 1, and December 6-8, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Dudley House, Ventura
Located at 197 N. Ashwood, in Ventura, the Dudley House is one of 35 Ventura County properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1892, the Dudley House depicts a Ventura County farmhouse and the lives of the Dudley family from 1892 to 1930. One of the few authentically restored Victorian houses in Ventura County is beautifully decorated by dozens of crafters who will be selling their items. Proceeds benefit San Buenaventura Heritage, Inc., a nonprofit educational and charitable organization founded in 1978 with the primary focus of preserving the Dudley House
Concerts
New West Symphony's 25th Anniversary Gala
Friday, December 6, 5:30 p.m., Hyatt Regency Westlake
The New West Symphony celebrates 25 years with orchestra member performances and a live auction featuring incredible trips, beautiful jewelry, stunning art and more! $250. NewWestSymphony.org
Christmas Festival Concerts
Friday, December 6, 7:30; Saturday & Sunday, December 7 & 8, 4 p.m., Samuelson Chapel, Cal Lutheran University
The CLU Choral Ensembles and University String Symphony combine forces to present the annual Christmas Festival Concerts. Welcome the season with this special musical gift, featuring a narrated performance of Christmas music guaranteed to put you in the holiday mood. As always, the program for this longest-running annual event includes delightful lesser-known carols as well as familiar favorites.
This is always a popular concert, so arrive early for convenient parking. Doors open one hour before the concert.
Camarillo Community Band Christmas Concert
Sunday, December 8, 4-5 p.m., Community Center Auditorium
Everyone is welcome to enjoy festive holiday musical performances by Camarillo Community Band, presented by Pleasant Valley Recreation & Park District. Admission is free. Seating available in the auditorium, at 1605 East Burnley Street, in Camarillo.
Local School Performances
Many area schools offer holiday presentations open to the public. Check each school’s calendar for dates and times.
Festivals, Tree Lightings & Parades
Winter Solstice Festival
Sunday, December 1, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa
This full-day event features Native American handcrafted art, music, storytelling, dance demonstrations and family fun. More than a dozen Native American Indian artists will show and sell artwork reflecting Chumash, Tongva, Wichita, Hupa, Cahuilla, Apache, Kumeyaay, Dine/Navajo, and many other Native cultures. This is a great opportunity to purchase beautiful and unique Native American art for the holidays and meet local artists. Native American flute music, traditional dance demonstrations and stories will be performed throughout the day. All ages welcome.
Westlake Tree Lighting Ceremony
Sunday, December 1, 6-9 p.m., Westlake City Hall
This annual event is hosted by the Westlake Town Criers and presents the new Mr. and Mrs. Westlake for the upcoming year.
69th Annual Oxnard Christmas Tree Lighting
Friday, December 6, 5:30-8 p.m., Plaza Park, Oxnard
This six-decade tradition features Ventura County's tallest Christmas tree at 110 feet high lighting up the sky! This free family friendly event includes entertainment, refreshments and Santa’s arrival to ring in the season.
58th Annual Oxnard Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 7, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., 500 South C Street, Oxnard
Enjoy colorful marching bands, equestrian units, local school groups, spirited floats and a visit from Santa! The parade route is A, 5th and C Streets in Downtown Oxnard.
Christmas Tree Lighting
Tuesday, December 10, 5:30-8 p.m., The Commons at Calabasas
Meet and greet Santa and enjoy kids' face painting and a puppet musical at this annual celebration. ShopCommons.com
57th Annual Camarillo Christmas Parade & Santa’s Village Carnival
Saturday, December 14, 10-11 a.m., Las Posas & Temple
The parade travels west on Las Posas, turning left on Carmen Drive and ending at the Camarillo Community Center, 1605 E. Burnley Street. Themed “A Cosmic Christmas,” the parade features floats, bands, autos and more. Santa's Village Holiday Carnival from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. includes visits with Santa Claus, carnival games, inflatable attractions, live entertainment, holiday shopping, food vendors and more. PRVRPD.org
Menorah Lighting & Chanukah Celebration
Monday, December 23, 6:30-8 p.m., The Commons at Calabasas
The annual event, hosted by the Calabasas Shul, features live music, treats and surprises. ShopCommons.com.
Holiday Runs
Holly Jolly Half Marathon, 5K and 10K in Camarillo
Sunday, December 1, 8-11 a.m., Pleasant Valley Fields
The 5K/10K course traverses gentle rolling hills along the fully paved Camarillo bike path and surrounding neighborhoods. Sign up at HollyJollyHalf.com.
Santa to the Sea Half Marathon, Relay and 5K in Oxnard
Sunday, December 8, 7:30-11:30 a.m., Nyeland Acres to Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard
The half marathon begins at the giant Santa located at 2801 Ventura Blvd., in Oxnard and ends at Marine Emporium Landing in the Channel Islands Harbor. The race starts at 7:30 a.m. In addition to the popular half marathon and 5K, there is a 2-person relay and a kids 1K run. The half-marathon’s fast and flat course goes through the strawberry fields in Oxnard and a new business park before heading to downtown Oxnard and the Historic District. The 5K and kids 1K starts and finishes at the Marine Emporium Landing. A portion of registration fees funds the Santa to the Sea Scholarship Fund. SantaToTheSea.com.
Snowtime!
Snow Leopard Festival & Sledding
Sunday, December 8, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (9 a.m. early admission for members), Santa Barbara Zoo
Enjoy the rare sight of 80 tons of snow delivered for this annual event. The snow will be shaped into sledding runs for kids (sleds provided), deposited in a snow play area and provided as enrichment to many of the Zoo’s animal residents, including the highly endangered big cats honored at this festival. Only $5/child covers unlimited sledding and bounce houses! SBZoo.org
Family Fun & Snow Play
Saturday, December 14, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Channel Islands Harbor
The 54th Annual Parade of Lights Superheroes begins with pre-festival activities, including snow play for kids, a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus, a local parade, holiday artists’ market, exhibitors, live music, children’s activities and more at Harbor View Park, 3600 Harbor Blvd. Themed, “Musical Notes and Holiday Floats,” the annual event features a colorful boat parade at 7 p.m. that can be viewed from all points along the Harbor’s edge and at surrounding restaurants. ChannelIslandsHarbor.org
Theatre
“The Nutcracker”
Saturday, December 21 & Sunday, December 22, 2 and 7 p.m., Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza
Pacific Festival Ballet presents its 26th annual performance, sure to include special surprises for all ages. Ticketmaster.com
“The Lion King on Ice”
Friday, December 20, 7 p.m., & Saturday, December 21, 12 and 4:30 p.m., Iceoplex Simi Valley
The whole family will enjoy this local ice skating performance. Dress warmly! TCYPC.Tix.com
A Magical Cirque Christmas in Thousand Oaks
Sunday, December 29, 7 p.m., Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza
Enjoy breathtaking acrobatics designed to delight all ages.