Holiday Lights returns to the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds for 2024 with new lighted displays. BIGGER AND BRIGHTER. This Drive-Thru experience will open Friday November 29th at 5:30pm. It will be open each Friday, Saturday and Sunday thru December 24th. There are two special Bonus Nights this year — Monday December 23 and Christmas Eve, Tuesday December 24th.
For more information and Tickets go to the Fairgrounds Foundation website fairgrounds-foundation.org Tickets are priced at $20 per vehicle in advance, $25 at the gate.
Holiday Lights combines with the Holiday Fair and becomes a Walk-Thru experience on Friday and Saturday December 6th and 7th. You’ll be able to come and shop and eat at the Holiday Fair then walk the lights. (No Drive-thru on Walk-thru nights).
Presented by the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation and the Agricultural History Project, the Holiday Lights and Holiday Fair Walk-Thru Nights Friday and Saturday – December 6 & 7. Lights come to life at 5:30pm. Event will run thru 9:00pm both evenings.
Admission $10 Adults, $5 Children 6-11, Under 6 FREE (Your ticket from Holiday Fair is good for admission to the Lights Walk-thru.
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More Holiday Events
Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train
December 7-8, 14-23 and 26-31
Chanukah Train: January 2
This seasonal tradition returns to Santa Cruz with the Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train. The trains depart and return in front of Neptune’s Kingdom on the Boardwalk of Santa Cruz at 5:00pm, 6:30, and 8:00 pm for a 60-minute round-trip excursion. Visit www.roaringcamp.com for tickets and more information.
Winter Wonderland at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Ongoing thru January 5
Celebrate the season at the beach! Activities Include rides, games, and arcades. There is also a three-story Christmas Tree, photos with Santa, delicious Boardwalk treats, pedal karts in the main plaza, Holiday Fun Package and Holiday Shopping. Visit www.beachboardwalk.com/winter-wonderland for more information.
Downtown Santa Cruz Reindeer Round Up
Ongoing thru December 23 | 10am – 6pm
Santa has lost his reindeer, but you can help find them! Pick up a map at the Downtown Santa Cruz Information Kiosk, located at 1130 Pacific Avenue K2, the corner of Pacific and Soquel Avenues or at Pacific Cookie Company to find participating businesses, and then visit them all to search for the beautiful hidden reindeer for prizes!
Ben Lomond Tree Lighting
December 1 | 4 pm – 7 pm, Ben Lomond Fire Dept
Join us for the first-ever Ben Lomond Tree Lighting Party! Festivities include kids’ ornament-making stations, holiday performances, and seasonal music from local musicians, all leading up to our exciting community tree lighting ceremony. Visit benlomondvillage.com for more information.
Heritage Holiday Craft & Gift Fair
December 6 – 7 | Noon – 9pm, SC County Fairgrounds
The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation invites you to the 47th Annual Heritage Holiday Craft & Gift Fair. On both days this year we will team with Holiday Lights and at 5:30pm when the lights come alive there will be a walk through! Enjoy both events for the same admission price. Visit www.santacruzcountyfair.com for more information.
Felton SantaCon
December 7 | 3pm – 7pm, Humble Sea Tavern
Keep calm and get your ho ho ho on — Dress in your craziest, zaniest holiday wear and join us in taking over a bevvy of bars in Felton! Be sure to bring your ID, cash and TIP YOUR BARTENDER. For ages 21+. This SantaCon event is completely FREE to attend — no tickets or registration
Santa Cruz Holiday Parade
December 7 | 10am – 12pm
The traditional holiday parade is the official kickoff for the winter holidays celebration. The parade route starts at the intersection of Laurel Street and Pacific Avenue and ends at the intersection of Pacific Avenue and Water Street. Bring the family or participate! The Holiday Parade is Rain or Shine!
Lighted Boat Parade
December 7 | 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, Santa Cruz Harbor
Sponsored by the Santa Cruz Yacht Club, the Lighted Boat Parade features decorated power and sailboats parading through the Santa Cruz Harbor. Boats do not exit the harbor and generally do not travel as far as the lighthouse. Please visit the Santa Cruz Yacht Club website for more information.
Aptos Chamber Tree Lighting and Craft Fair
December 7 | 1-4 pm, Behind New Leaf Market on the Green
Visit Santa, explore over 20 vendors and enjoy festive performances by the Soquel Jazz Band, local Girl Scouts, Synergy Dance + Fitness, and a crowd favorite — bagpipes by John Hibble. This free event is sponsored by the Aptos Chamber and Village businesses. For information, call 831.688.1467 or visit aptoschamber.com.
Capitola Village Holiday Cookie Walk
December 7 – 8 | 11 am – 4 pm
Take a walk around historic Capitola Village and fill your box with delicious holiday cookies from participating stores! Bring your registration with you to Capitola Candy Cafe where boxes will be provided for the cookies. Tickets are $20 and are available NOW on EventBrite or at Capitola Candy Cafe up to the day of the event.
2024 Capitola SantaCon
December 14 | 5 pm – 11 pm
Keep calm & get your ho ho ho on!!! Meet at 5pm at Katalina’s by the Sea @ 312 Capitola Ave and be read to visit bevvy of bars in Capitola Village! For ages 21+. This SantaCon event is completely FREE to attend — no tickets or registration. Visit www.santacon.info/Capitola-CA for more information.
Santa Cruz Symphony Holiday Pops Concert
December 14 – 15 | 7:30 pm, Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium 307 Church St, Santa Cruz
The inaugural Holiday Pops Concert will showcase favorites from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, Leroy Anderson’s A Christmas Festival, and many more. Music by Tchaikovsky, Anderson, Rimsky-Korsakov, Bartholomew-Poyser, Williams, and more! Call 831.462.0553 for more information.
Felton Covered Bridge Holiday Market
December 15 | 11am – 3pm
The annual tradition of the Felton Holiday Market will again take place on the historic covered bridge. Activities include arts & crafts, delicious food & beverages, music, holiday lights, and other festivities!
Yuletide Holiday Weekend
December 20 – 24, Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA, 1186 San Andreas Rd, Watsonville, CA
Bring your festive lights and decor for the camp-wide Holiday Site Decorating Contest! Celebrate Christmas, Camping Style! Hot Cider, Beer and Snacks Available (donations accepted to benefit Care Camps). Holiday Train Rides with Santa & Mrs. Claus. Call 831.722.0551 for more info.
Santa Cruz City Ballet Nutcracker
December 21 – 22 | 1 pm / 4:30 pm, Crocker Theater at Cabrillo College
Experience a magic that only the Nutcracker Ballet can bring! With renowned music of Tchaikovsky’s original score set by the Moscow Symphony, this production has become an annual tradition, showcasing local dancers, as well guest artists from the Bay Area and beyond. Visit www.nutcrackersantacruz.com for more information.
Santa Cruz Dance Theater
December 21 – 22, | 1 pm / 4:30 pm, Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium 307 Church St, Santa Cruz
Start a new holiday tradition with Santa Cruz Dance Theater’s inaugural production of The Nutcracker. This year, we are thrilled to welcome Lucien Postlewaite, principal dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet. Perfect for the whole family, this breathtaking performance will transport you to a world of holiday splendor. Visit www.santacruzdancetheater.org for more information.
