Looking for holiday events in SLO County? Our guide to parades, Santa and more
It’s the most wonderful time of the year in San Luis Obispo County!
‘Tis the season for Christmas cookies and trees, holiday lights glittering on residential rooftops and bright red and green decorations adorning local streets.
In celebration of the upcoming holidays, the county has an extensive array of festive events for those looking for some winter cheer. From Christmas parades, holiday markets and tree lighting ceremonies to visits with Santa Claus, there truly are events for everyone to enjoy.
Whether you’re longtime locals, tourists, new to town or just home for the holidays, here’s your yuletide guide of some seasonal activities to see and do in SLO County:
Pop into a holiday pop-up
Christmas at the Carissa is back for its fourth holiday season. This year, the Carissa Building in downtown San Luis Obispo transformed into a “noire takeover” that reimagines the Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol.” Visitors can wander through the immersive experience, stepping into the story as Scrooge sees his past, present and future.
Seasonal snacks and drinks are available for purchase. The holiday pop-up is open 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursdays, and 4 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturdays through Jan. 15.
Check out a tree lighting
San Luis Obispo’s will host a Light Up The Plaza event in downtown SLO at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28. Once festive bulbs are flicked on in Mission Plaza at 989 Chorro St., families can walk through animated lighted displays, take pictures in front of holiday decorations and experience a music-synced light show.
Holidays in Cambria Village is sparking Christmas cheer at its Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4 at the Cambria Historical Society. Vote in the second annual gingerbread house competition and take photos with Santa.
Morro Bay is holding a Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at City Park, 734 Harbor St.
Christmas in Cayucos features a tree lighting ceremony in downtown Cayucos at 5 p.m Friday, Dec. 12. There will also be refreshments, Christmas carolers and Mr. and Mrs. Claus arriving on a fire engine.
Light up the Downtown in Atascadero is planned at 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 at the Sunken Gardens, 6505 El Camino Real. More than 3,000 lights will turn on, illuminating area streets during the second annual holiday lighting display.
Get in the Christmas spirit sipping free hot chocolate, snacking on popcorn and listening to the local chorus sing holiday songs at the annual Tree Lighting Event at the Ramona Garden Park, 993 Ramona Ave. in Grover Beach. The festivities start at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8.
Attend a holiday parade
San Luis Obispo’s 49th Annual Holiday Parade — themed “Candy Cane Lane” this year — features floats inspired by gumdrops, lollipops, sugar, spice and everything nice. Nearly 90 decorated floats, along with marching bands, vehicles and dancers will wind through the streets of downtown San Luis Obispo on Friday, Dec. 5, starting at 7 p.m.
The Christmas Light Parade returns to downtown Paso Robles at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. This year’s theme is “Christmas Lights, Winter Nights.”
Now in its ninth year, the Olde Towne Nipomo Family Christmas features a holiday parade starting at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7 at 188 W. Tefft St. in Nipomo. There will also be visits from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, a traditional tree lighting and festive treats for visitors.
Enjoy Groovy Grover Holidays at the annual Grover Beach Holiday Parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 along Grand Avenue in Grover Beach. The event includes floats, vehicles, dance groups, vintage cars and marching units.
The Morro Bay Lighted Boat Parade kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, on the Embarcadero at 442 Morro Ave., Morro Bay. Fishing boats, leisure craft and yachts will float across the water spreading holiday cheer through elaborate decorations and colorful lights. The Morro Bay White Caps Band will perform holiday songs at South T-Pier and hot chocolate, coffee and cookies will be available for visitors.
All holiday parades listed are free and open to the public.
Say hello to Santa Claus
Santa Claus has flown from the North Pole to the Central Coast! Starting Friday, Nov. 28, Santa’s House at Mission Plaza, 989 Chorro St. in downtown San Luis Obispo, is open 1 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, through Dec. 24.
Kiddos can visit with Santa and pose for photos, as well as drop off letters at the mailbox outside of Santa’s House. Photos are $10 to $20.
Santa will visit Paso Robles from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 2 at Oak Park, 901 30th St., and 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, at Centennial Park, 600 Nickerson Dr.
For a more laid back experience, the SLO Swim Center is hosting pictures with surfer Santa from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. Families should wear their most festive swimsuits to pose with Santa in the pool. Kids can warm up with hot cocoa while decorating cookies and writing letters to Santa. The event costs $5.
The jolly old elf is also pulling his sleigh and reindeer over to Morro Bay. Santa’s House at the Embarcadero will be open from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday the first three weekends of December. Children can take photos with Santa for free.
Go to the zoo
Experience Holiday Magic at the Central Coast Zoo, 9100 Morro Road in Atascadero, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13.
Watch zookeepers prepare and present gifts to meerkats, monkeys and more. The zoo will be decked out in holiday decor for the seasonal showcase. Admission is $13 to $15 for adults, or $10 for children; kids 2 and under get in for free.
See stunning light spectacles
The Cambria Christmas Market is returning for its 14th year. At this outdoor festival, you can take in more than three million twinkling holiday lights, taste traditional German snacks, buy gifts from artisan vendors and take photos with Father Christmas.
The European-style holiday market runs 5 to 9 p.m. from Friday, Nov. 28, through Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Cambria Pines Lodge, 2905 Burton Drive in Cambria. It will be closed Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 24 and 25. Tickets start at $27.64; children 5 and under are free.
Wander through illuminated gardens at the SLO Botanical Garden’s Nature Lights. For 14 select nights from Wednesday, Nov. 26, through Sunday, Dec. 27, you can glimpse acres of holiday light displays, listen to live music, eat and drink at vendor pop-ups and buy holiday goods from local artists. Tickets are $28, or $18 for kids 17 and under; children 5 and under are free.
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 on Saturday, Dec. 13, and visit with Santa on Dec. 18, 22 and 23. The space will also host a special Nutcracker performance on Thursday, Dec. 18.
Admission to Sensorio, 4380 Highway 46 East in Paso Robles, starts at $35.04.
Hop on board the Jingle Bell Express at Christmas at the Santa Margarita Ranch. Take the narrow gauge stream train ride and see holiday displays on an excursion 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 from Nov. 28, through Dec. 21.
Tickets are $40 or $25 for kids; children 2 and under are free.
Visit a Victorian Christmas event
Travel back in time at the free 39th annual Vine Street Christmas Victorian Showcase, 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 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.
Play in a winter wonderland
Have a snow day at Holiday Harmony, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 at Pismo Beach Pier Plaza. The free, family-friendly event includes snow play, bounce houses, cookie decorating, visits with Santa Claus and a tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m.
More than 70 tons of snow will transform Atascadero’s Sunken Gardens into a sparkling, frosty playground during the city’s free Winter Wonderland event on Friday, Dec. 12 from 5 to 9 p.m.
The event will feature a massive snow slide and a large snow pile play area. Other attractions include Joe’s Little Train, bungee jumps, obstacle courses and a visit from the big man himself.
Arroyo Grande’s free Tree Lighting and Snow Event takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14 at Elm Street Park at 1221 Ash St. Kids can romp through the snow and go sledding. Families can roast marshmallows, jump around in a winter-themed bouncetown and ride in a horse-drawn carriage. Santa will also make a special appearance to light the holiday tree.
Find festive presents
Go shopping in downtown Atascadero for Holiday Sip & Shop at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5. Locals can stroll through downtown stores that will be open late, while tasting adult beverages at more than 20 participating businesses. Tickets cost $30 to $35.
Art in the Park Holiday Market will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 at 207 Nelson St. in Arroyo Grande. SLO County artisans will be selling unique jewelry, clothing, candles and more.
Attend the Holiday Emporium at San Luis Obispo Public Market from 4 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. There will be live music and lots of makers selling locally crafted gifts.
Catch Christmas classics on stage
San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre presents “A Christmas Story” this holiday season. Set in the Midwest during the 1940s, the play follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker’s journey to get a Red Ryder BB gun from Santa.
The play will be performed at 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Sunday, Dec. 21. Tickets start at $28.
The Holiday Extravaganza at the Great American Melodrama, 1863 Front St. in Oceano, revisits the holiday classic “A Christmas Carol” with a quirky cast and festive tunes. It runs through Dec. 31. Ticket prices start at $36.
This year, the Civic Ballet of SLO is performing “The Nutcracker” at the Performing Arts Center from Dec. 12 to 14 with showings at 2 and 7 p.m. Admission is $32 to $84.
You can also see “The Nutcracker” presented by Everybody Can DANCE and the Santa Maria Civic Ballet at the Clark Center for the Performing Arts in Arroyo Grande. The event takes place at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29, and 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30. Tickets cost $25 to $30.
Celebrate Hanukkah
Attend Hanukkah Downtown and see the menorah lit eight nights in a row beginning at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, in SLO’s Mission Plaza.
All community members are invited to the annual tradition.
Watch holiday movies on the big screen
Celebrate the holidays by revisiting some of your favorite movies.
You can see “The Holiday” at Colony Cinemas in Atascadero on Sunday, Nov. 30.
Park Cinemas in Paso Robles will offer two showings of “Elf” on Sunday, Dec. 7.
Holiday movie screenings at the Palm Theatre in San Luis Obispo include “Gremlins” on Thursday, Dec. 11.; “Love Actually” on Sunday, Dec. 14, and “It’s a Wonderful Life” on Monday, Dec. 22.
The Fremont Theater in San Luis Obispo will host free screenings of “The Santa Clause” and “Love Actually” on Saturday, Dec. 20.
Take part in a pet parade
Have your pets participate in Santa’s Doggie Parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Avila Beach Promenade. Furry friends donning Santa hats and Christmas colors 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.
Hear classic holiday music
During Christmas Carols on Strings, La Lomita Ranch at 1985 La Lomita Way, San Luis Obispo, will host thousands of flickering candles and a local string quartet. The group will perform classic Christmas carols and timeless holiday melodies at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, and 6:30 and 8:45 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20. Tickets start at $37.
Christmas carolers and musical groups will be belting holiday tunes at the free Musical Holiday Walk Around the Lake at Atascadero Lake, 9305 Pismo Ave., from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6.
Carolers will also be spreading holiday magic at SLO Ranch Farms, 871 Froom Ranch Way, San Luis Obispo, at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. The Carols & Cocoa event will feature live music from 1 to 3 p.m., pictures with Santa from 3 to 5 p.m., Christmas crafts and a s’mores and hot cocoa bar.
This story was originally published November 28, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story had an incorrect cate for the Holiday Magic at the Central Coast Zoo. It is on Saturday, Dec. 13.
