Looking for festive fun in SLO County? Here’s your guide to local holiday events
‘Tis the season in San Luis Obispo County!
It’s the time of year when Christmas lights shine through the long, dark nights and glittery red and green decorations dot the streets.
SLO County has a wide variety of festive events for those looking for some holiday cheer. From Christmas parades, holiday markets and tree lighting ceremonies to visits with Santa Claus, there truly is something for everyone.
Whether you’re new to town or home for the holidays, here’s your yuletide guide of fun things to do and see in SLO County.
Here are just some of the merry ways to celebrate the season locally:
Peek into a holiday pop-up
Christmas at the Carissa is back for its third year of winter magic. This year, the Carissa Building in downtown San Luis Obispo features an immersive experience inspired by four classic holiday movies: “Home Alone,” “Elf,” “The Grinch” and “The Polar Express.”
Seasonal snacks and drinks are available for purchase, including hot cocoa and reindeer meatballs. Adults can partake in gingerbread martinis and other cocktails.
The free holiday pop-up is open 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday in December. www.thecarrisa.com/Xmas
See twinkling lights
The Cambria Christmas Market is returning for its 13th year. At this outdoor festival, you can spot more than three million holiday lights, taste traditional German fare, buy gifts from artisan vendors and take pictures with Santa Claus.
The European-style holiday market runs through Dec. 31 at Cambria Pines Lodge, 2905 Burton Drive in Cambria. It will be closed Dec. 2, 3, 9, 10, 24 and 25. Tickets cost $28 to $43; children 5 and under are free. 800-966-6490 or cambriachristmasmarket.com.
Now in its eighth year, the Olde Towne Nipomo Family Christmas features a parade, a classic tree lighting ceremony, a holiday marketplace, a festive food court, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus and a train that families can ride around the fairgrounds. It takes place Dec. 8 from 2 to 8 p.m.
Watch the parade down Tefft Street starting at 5:30 p.m. The tree lighting ceremony will take place at 6:15 p.m.
Check out Nature Nights at the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden.
Visitors can wander through more than eight acres of holiday light displays, listen to live music and buy holiday goods from local artists. Santa will make a few appearances as well.
The exhibit is open Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 28 at 3450 Dairy Creek Road off Highway 1 in San Luis Obispo. Tickets are $28, or $18 for kids 12 and under; children 5 and under are free. my805tix.com/e/nature-nights-2024.
Sensorio in Paso Robles features a sprawling outdoor light spectacle with 100,000 glowing bulbs. Solar-powered exhibits blend light and music to create an immersive sensory experience.
During Christmastime, guests can walk through a holiday craft fair and visit with Santa.
Admission to Sensorio, 4380 Highway 46 East in Paso Robles, is $45, or $22 for children. sensoriopaso.com.
At Christmas at the Santa Margarita Ranch, you can hop aboard the Jingle Bell Express and see holiday displays on the train ride to Santa’s village. Once there, you can meet Kris Kringle, do some holiday shopping and roast s’mores over fire pits. It’s open Friday and Saturdays through Dec. 22.
Tickets are $40 or $25 for kids; children 2 and under are free. christmasatthemargarita.com.
Meet Santa Claus
Santa Claus is coming to town! Starting Nov. 29, Santa’s House at Mission Plaza, 989 Chorro St. in downtown San Luis Obispo, is open noon to 7 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, through Dec. 24.
Youngsters can meet Santa and pose for photos. Kids can also drop off letters at the mailbox outside of Santa’s House.
Families can ride the Classic Carousel, walk through animated lighted displays, take pictures in front of holiday decorations and experience a music-synced light show. Photos are $10 to $20 and carousel rides are $5 to $8. 805-541-0286 or downtownslo.com.
Father Christmas is also flying over to Morro Bay. Santa’s House at the Embarcadero will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday the first two weekends of December. Children can take photos with Santa for free. 805-772-4467.
Morro Bay Recreation Services is hosting Breakfast with Santa from 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 7 at the Veterans Memorial Building, 209 Surf St. in Morro Bay.
For $12, participants can enjoy a pancake breakfast and hot cocoa bar. Kids can visit Santa and enter the Elf Workshop, where there will be crafts, face painting and a gingerbread house building station. 805-772-6278.
Santa will be in residence at the Holiday House at Downtown City Park in Paso Robles from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 15 through Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. pasoroblesdowntown.org
Attend a tree lighting
Sip free hot chocolate and soak up the holiday spirit at the annual Tree Lighting Event at the Ramona Center, 993 Ramona Ave. in Grover Beach. The festivities will start at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 6. 805-473-4580.
Holidays in Cambria Village is sparking Christmas cheer at its Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Cambria Historical Society. Listen to holiday music, watch a flashmob performance, take photos with Santa and grab free hot cocoa. 805-927-3624.
Morro Bay is holding a Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration at 5 p.m. Dec. 6 at City Park, 734 Harbor St. 805-772-6278.
Christmas in Cayucos features a tree lighting ceremony in downtown Cayucos at 5 p.m Dec. 8. There will also be refreshments, horse-drawn carriage rides, Christmas carolers and appearances by Mr. and Mrs. Claus. 805-995-1200.
Watch a holiday parade
The Whimsical Wonderland Downtown Holiday Parade features floats inspired by enchanted woods, swirly treetops, and sparkly white landscapes. More than 90 decorated floats, along with marching bands, vehicles and dancers will wind through the streets of downtown San Luis Obispo on Dec. 6, from 7 ot 9 p.m. 805-541-0286 or downtownslo.com.
The Morro Bay Lighted Boat Parade kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7 on the Embarcadero. Fishing boats, leisure craft and yachts will float across the water covered in colorful lights and decorations. 805-225-7411 or morrobay.org
The Christmas Light Parade returns to downtown Paso Robles at 6 p.m. Dec. 7. 805-238-4103 or pasoroblesdowntown.org.
Embrace Groovy Grover Holidays at the annual Grover Beach Holiday Parade at 10 a.m. Dec. 14 along Grand Avenue in Grover Beach. The event includes floats, vehicles, animals and marching units. 805-473-4580.
All holiday parades listed are free and open to the public.
Go to the zoo
Experience Holiday Magic at the Charles Paddock Zoo, 9100 Morro Road in Atascadero, on Dec. 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Watch meerkats, monkeys, a tiger and more unwrap their Christmas presents amid holiday decor. Zoo admission is $11 to $13, or $5 to $8 for children; kids 2 and under get in for free. charlespaddockzoo.org or 805-461-5080.
Find festive gifts
Go shopping in downtown Atascadero for Holiday Sip & Shop at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 6. Folks can stroll through local stores that will be open late, while sipping on hot chocolate or tasting wine and beer. atascaderochamber.org or 805-466-2044.
Art in the Park Holiday Market will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 7 at Heritage Square Park in Arroyo Grande. Local artists will be selling one-of-a-kind jewelry, clothing, candles and more. arroyogrande.org.
Attend the Holiday Emporium at San Luis Obispo Public Market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 14 and 15. Makers will be selling locally crafted gifts. slopublicmarket.com/events or 805-439-4285.
Catch a Christmas play
San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre presents “A Christmas Story” this holiday season. The play will be performed at 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 22. Tickets start at $20.
Set in the Midwest during the 1940s, the play follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker’s quest to get a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. Tickets start at $20. 805-786-2440 or slorep.org
The Holiday Extravaganza at the Great American Melodrama, 1863 Front St. in Oceano, revisits the heartwarming holiday classic “A Christmas Carol.” It runs through Dec. 31. Ticket prices start at $40. americanmelodrama.com.
Have a snowball fight
More than 70 tons of snow will transform Atascadero’s Sunken Gardens into a frosty playground during the free Winter Wonderland event on Dec. 13 from 5 to 9 p.m.
In addition to a massive snow slide and two snow pile play areas, attractions include Joe’s Little Train, bungee jumps and obstacle courses. Visitors can also sample goodies from 50-plus craft and food vendors. 805-470-3360 or visitatascadero.com.
Arroyo Grande’s free Tree Lighting and Snow Event takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at Elm Street Park at 1221 Ash St. Kids can frolic in the snow and go sledding. Families can roast marshmallows, jump around in bounce houses and go on a horse-drawn carriage ride. Santa will make a special appearance at 6 p.m. to help light the holiday tree.
A snow day is also in store at Holiday Harmony, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at Pismo Beach Pier Plaza. The free, family-friendly event includes bounce houses, cookie decorating, visits with Santa Claus and a tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. 805-773-7063 or experiencepismobeach.com.
Take part in a pet parade
Dress up your furry friends for Santa’s Doggie Parade at 11 a.m. Dec. 14 at the Avila Beach Promenade.
Puppy participants can get goodie bags and participants in costume contests including Best Dog/Owner Look Alike, Best Holiday Look and Funniest Costume. Registration fees cost $7.20 per pet. 805-627-1997 or www.avilabeachcc.com.
See a holiday classic on the stage
For more than 40 years, “The Nutcracker” has graced local stages. This year, the Civic Ballet of SLO is performing the holiday classic at the Performing Arts Center from Dec. 13 to 15 with showings at 2 and 7 p.m. Admission is $28 to $82. 805-756-4849 or pacslo.org.
You can also see “The Pan American Nutcracker Suite,” at the Clark Center for the Performing Arts in Arroyo Grande. Jazz and big band compositions celebrate Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Suite.” The event takes place on Dec. 22 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets cost $34 to $54. clarkcenter.org or 805-489-9444.
Watch a Christmas movie on the big screen
The Bay Theatre in Morro Bay is showing classic holiday films “It’s a Wonderful Life” on Dec. 9 at 5:30 p.m. and “A Christmas Story” on Dec. 23 at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $10. morrobaymovie.com.
Step back in time
Travel back in time at the free Vine Street Christmas Victorian Showcase, 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 14 in Paso Robles.
Homes on Vine Street between Eighth and 21st Streets in Paso Robles will feature grand holiday decorations, along with Christmas characters such as Santa Claus, the Snow King and Queen and Ebenezer Scrooge. pasoroblesdowntown.org or 805-238-4103.
This story was originally published November 15, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
