Santa Cruz Holiday Events
Well, it’s that time of year again. With the hours of preparation for Thanksgiving and Black Friday's hectic shopping spree behind us, our attention now turns to December’s holiday season. For people who celebrate Christmas & other holidays, this time of year can bring both beautiful and stressful moments. Even though we may feel the time pressure to get everyone the perfect gift and frantically prepare everything for the big day, it is crucial to mix in a few fun holiday events and simply enjoy spending time with your loved ones.
Spending time with family & friends is the most important part of the holiday season. To help you find some fun activities for your family to enjoy, we have compiled a list of our favorite Santa Cruz holiday events. With plenty of great events in Santa Cruz this December, creating lasting memories that your family will cherish for years to come is easy. So take a look below and make time for your family this holiday season, after all you deserve it.
Holiday Trains:
Holiday Tree Walk
Dates: November 28 - 30 December 6, 7, 13, 14
Departure Times: 11am & 12:30pm
Hop aboard Roaring Camp’s steam train and head to the top of beautiful Bear Mountain. Once you arrive you can explore the beautiful decorated tree-lined walk while sipping on some hot cider.
Guests who donate a toy to the Santa Cruz County’s Toys for Tots campaign will receive $2 off the cost of their train ticket and bring some wonderful holiday cheer to those in need.
Location & Details
Roaring Camp Railroads
5401 Graham Hill Road
Felton, CA
831.335.4484
roaringcamp.com
Buy tickets online
Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train
Dates: November 28, 29 December 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, & 23
Departure Times: 5pm, 6:30pm, & 8pm
Take a trip back in time aboard the Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train. This wonderful event takes you through the streets of Santa Cruz in vintage excursion cars decorated with colorful festive lights. Listen to musical entertainment, enjoy hot spiced cider, visit with Santa Clause and sing along to holiday carols. With tons of fun activities for both children and adults, this is an event that you and your family definitely do not want to miss.
Location & Details
Departs from Beach Boardwalk
400 Beach St.
Santa Cruz, CA
831.335.4484
Buy tickets online
Chanukah Train
Dates: December 18th
Departure Times: 6pm & 8pm
Celebrate the first night of Chanukah with family and friends aboard Roaring Camp’s decorated old-fashioned excursion cars. The event’s fun activities include lighting the menorah, listening to Chanukah stories, playing dreidel, enjoying kosher refreshments and the choice of either miniature golf, laser tag or arcade games at the boardwalk.
Location & Details
Santa Cruz Boardwalk
400 Beach Street
Santa Cruz, CA
831.335.4484
Buy tickets online
The Train To Christmas Town - Watsonville
Dates: November 28th -December 28th
Departure Times: 2:15pm, 4:00pm, 5:45pm & 7:30pm
This is no ordinary Christmas train ride. Watch characters from the book "The Train To Christmas Town" come to life right before your own eyes. Hop aboard for this one-hour train ride and meet your favorite character including Bumblebee the Polar Bear, Wabash the Squirrel and Zephyr the depot cat. Enjoy hot cocoa and cookies while you sing along to fun Christmas carols and eagerly await your arrival in Christmas Town to meet a very special guest.
Location & Details
Watsonville Depot
765 Ohlone Parkway
Watsonville, CA
888.978.5562
Buy tickets online
Other Holiday Events:
Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade
Dates: December 6th
Time: 10am
Join family & friends for the Annual Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade. Your kids will love the festive atmosphere created by the decorated floats, fun marching band, holiday costumes, and other seasonal treats.
Location & Details
Pacific Avenue
More info
29th Annual Lighted Boat Parade
Dates: December 6th
Time: 5:30pm
The Santa Cruz Yacht Club's Annual Lighted Boat Parade is a long-time favorite of residents. This parade celebrates the holiday season in a way that is uniquely Santa Cruz. Make sure you and your family head down to the water this year and join in this fun holiday tradition.Â
Location & Details
Santa Cruz Harbor
Santa Cruz, CA
831.475.6161
2014 Santa Cruz Winterfest
Date: December 11th
Time: 6pm - 10pm
Winterfest is a brand new holiday event in Santa Cruz. For one magical night only, Downtown Santa Cruz will transform into a winter festival unlike any other. Winterfest will have loads of fun including a free outdoor movie, carolers, wagon rides, open houses, photos with Santa and a special musical headliner. Admission is free, however, guests are encouraged to bring a donation for the Second Harvest food Bank.
Location & Details
Pacific Avenue
Downtown
Santa Cruz, CA
831.247.0317
Scotts Valley Christmas Tree Lighting Festival
Dates:Â December 6th
Time: 5pm
Participate in the festivities as the Scottsdale Christmas tree gets lit up. This free event features plenty of fun, including a visit from Santa, holiday music, and much more.
Location & Details
Scotts Valley Community Center
360 Kings Village Rd.
Scotts Valley, CA
831.438.1010
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