Cambria Christmas Market is reopening to the public after 2 years. Here’s what to expect
After two years of restrictions, the Cambria Christmas Market will be returning in full form this holiday season.
“The vendors are back. Live music is back and we are open to the public again,” market manager Mike Arnold said. “We have added more displays and expanded our Christmas museum.”
Modeled after traditional German holiday marketplaces, the Cambria Christmas Market features more than two million lights, artisan vendors, visits with Santa and train rides, as well as festive foods and drinks.
The market opens its doors the day after Thanksgiving at the Cambria Pines Lodge, 2905 Burton Drive in Cambria, and winds up just before Christmas Eve.
Cambria Christmas Market to open to public again
It’s been years since the popular San Luis Obispo County holiday event was fully staged or open to the public, due to the coronavirus pandemic and issues with permitting
In 2020 and 2021, lights-only displays were available only for overnight guests and diners at the Cambria Pines Lodge, as well as people staying at other local lodgings owned by Moonstone Hotel Properties. The company also owns Sea Otter Inn and The J. Patrick House & Inn in Cambria.
During those two years, the market had no vendors or food sales.
Now organizers are gearing up for a full-scale version.
Area residents say they’ve seeing activity through the trees for months, especially from the Burton Drive hill and at the Eton Road intersection.
Although many community members will welcome the full-fledged return of the Christmas market, which attracts lots of visitors to Cambria and boosts the local economy, some have expressed concerns about the event.
Those include “increased noise and traffic” and “safety concerns related to lighting and heating,” as well as worries about market attendees parking in nearby neighborhoods, according to North Coast Advisory Council Chairman Brian Glusovich.
“In the past, residents felt that some of the regulations were not being carefully monitored, especially for fire safety, traffic management and noise,” Glusovich wrote on the the council’s website.
The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors denied appeals filed by three Cambria residents to block extending the Christmas Market’s temporary event permit.
Those appeals then went to the California Coastal Commission, which rejected them in July.
Following several discussions, the North Coast Advisory Council sent lists of concerns and its recommendations to SLO County officials drafting and approving the market’s permit to operate the full event.
Under its current county permit, the Cambria Christmas Market can operate in 2022 and 2023. After that, the event will need a new permit.
Market organizers say they already are working with county planners to draft an application, which could cover future events, although they’re apparently still discussing how many years’ events would be covered by the new permit.
People seeking an update on the Christmas Market can virtually attend the NCAC’s next meeting, which starts at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16, via Zoom.
How to buy tickets
The Cambria Christmas Market opens the day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 24, and runs through Dec. 23, at the Cambria Pines Lodge, 2905 Burton Drive in Cambria.
With the exception of Thanksgiving week, the market is open Wednesday through Sunday.
Lights-only walk-throughs are available Monday and Tuesday during that time period.
Diners enjoying Cambria Pines Lodge’s holiday buffet on Mondays and Tuesdays from Nov. 28 through Dec. 13 can also walk through the holiday light show, but the marketplace and other amenities won’t be available on those nights.
Admission to the market cost $15 to $25, depending on the day. Children 5 and under are free.
The holiday buffet package, which includes meals, live music and entry to the light display area, costs $89, or $39 for children 10 and under.
Special lodging-and-market passes are available for people staying overnight at the Cambria Pines Lodge, Sea Otter Inn and The J. Patrick House & Inn.
For more information, call 800-966-6490 or visit Buy tickets at cambriachristmasmarket.com
