Community Events
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Photo courtesy: Heraldo Creative Studio
Community Events
Community Holiday Parades
When you’re in the mood to jingle all the way, nothing hits the spot quite like a holiday parade. Nearly every community in SLO CAL has one, from the multi-block festivities in San Luis Obispo to smaller processions in Nipomo, Arroyo Grande, Atascadero and Cayucos.
Additional options: Let your pups join in on the holiday fun with Santa's Doggie Parade at Avila Beach and the Holiday Pet Parade at the Botanical Garden
Olde Towne Nipomo Family Christmas
December 4, 2- 8 PM
Cost: Free
The Nipomo event draws thousands of visitors for a parade, live music, tree lighting ceremony and a sing-a-long. In Candyland Village families can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, do arts and crafts at Santa's Workshop, play in the winter wonderland filled with Christmas-themed bounce houses and much more family-friendly fun.
Winter Wonderland in Atascadero
December 9, 5 PM- 9 PM
Cost: Free
Join us for one of the Central Coast’s largest holiday events! Atascadero’s Sunken Gardens and the entire downtown will be transformed into a magical snowy paradise, the Atascadero Winter Wonderland. There will be a massive snow slide made up of 75 tons of snow! There will be shopping and entertainment and even an appearance from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Invite your friends for some holiday fun! Also in Atascadero, find Santa's Pop-Up Reindeer Farm at the Charles Paddock Zoo from December 9-11 from 10 AM- 4 AM.
Christmas in Cayucos Open House
December 10, 5-8 PM
Cost: Free
Enjoy an evening of merriment with Santa and Mrs. Claus in their home, plus extended shopping hours at Cayucos businesses along Ocean Avenue. Kids can check in with Santa and make crafts to take home. Nibble cookies, sip hot chocolate, and even clip-clop down Ocean Avenue in a horse-drawn carriage — rides are complimentary for anyone on Santa’s “nice” list.
Morro Bay Lighted Boat Parade
December 10, 6:30-8 PM
Cost: Free
For many years, Morro Bay has hosted this unique and beloved parade that features boats of all shapes and sizes, decorated from stern to bow with twinkly holiday lights. They’re twice as bright when they reflect off the waters of the Morro Bay Harbor! Fishing boats, yachts, powerboats, sailboats and more vie for the top prize in this one-of-a-kind holiday event. Also in Morro Bay, find the Holiday Tree Lighting held on Dec. 2, and Santa's House where you can get your photo taken with Santa on select dates in December.
Vine Street Victorian Christmas Showcase
December 10, 6-9 PM
Cost: Free
Roll along the charming thoroughfare of Vine Street in Paso Robles, where stately Victorian homes get all dolled up for the holidays. This is a drive-through event that spans Vine Street from 8th to 21st Streets. Enjoy carolers, refreshments, and appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus, Ebenezer Scrooge, and more.
Charles Paddock Zoo Holiday Magic
December 17, 10 AM - 1 PM
Cost: $5-10 per ticket
Take a walk on the wild side this holiday season with the animals at SLO CAL’s only zoo. For this fun annual event, Santa shows up to deliver gifts to the 300 residents of the Charles Paddock Zoo, from monkeys and meerkats to the Malayan tiger. Watch them tear into their presents and enjoy family activities, holiday decorations, and even a strolling magician.
First Night of Hanukkah Downtown
December 18, 5-6 PM
Cost: Free
Every year, the local Jewish community lights the public menorah in Mission Plaza in Downtown San Luis Obispo. Enjoy learning from various booths, participating in songs and connecting with people of all backgrounds for this special community event.
Paso Robles New Year's Eve Concert & Bonfire
December 31, 7-11 PM
Cost: Free
Celebrate New Year's Eve by dancing to live music and enjoying food and refreshments with the whole family. The event welcomes the JC Smith Band, a high-energy Chicago blues-style group, as well as DJ Chad Fortin and The Dancing Fire, a fire-dancing troupe. Three food trucks will be available to purchase food from.
Atascadero 2023 New Year's Eve Bash
December 31
Cost: $25-$32 per person
Join the Atascadero Firefighters Association in ringing in the New Year and celebrating their Centennial Anniversary with dinner, dancing, drinks, a midnight balloon drop and a champagne toast! The event will be held at the Spring Hill Suites Marriott. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the party will continue until 1:30 am. Cocktail hour will be from 6:30-7:30 pm followed by a plated dinner of salad, an entree choice of Bruchetta Chicken, Roasted Pork Tenderloin or Stuffed Portabella, sides and a dessert. Buy your tickets early!
Avila Beach Polar Bear Dip
January 1, 12 PM
Cost: Free
Ready to start fresh? This festival of all things frosty began over 10 years ago and continues to delight (and freeze) participants on the first day of the year. Band together at noon on New Year’s Day with thousands of fellow dippers to start the year off with a bang, no wetsuits allowed.
Holiday Markets & More
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Photo courtesy: HM Imagery
Holiday Markets & More
Midstate Fair Winter Market
December 9-11
Cost: Free
Get your holiday shopping done at the Midstate Fair Winter Market. Over 40 local crafters and artisans from throughout SLO CAL will be selling handmade and unique items from jewelry, apparel, home decor, health and beauty products and so much more.
Holiday Market at SLO Public Market
December 10, 11:00 AM- 4:00 PM
SLO Public Market and Makeshift Muse are teaming up to host another holiday makers market with local vendors, live music, workshops and food and drinks. There will be over 50 local makers selling handmade items perfect for holiday gifts.
Sip & Shop Holiday Markets
Sip & Shops are popular throughout SLO CAL giving visitors the opportunity to try new wines or craft beverages while also taking care of their holiday shopping. Sip & Shops are happening during various weekends in December at CASS Winery, Derby Wine Estates, FABLE RUNE and Apple Farm Marketplace.
Bonus Gift Option: Chocolate and Beer Holiday Gift Set
Antigua Brewing is teaming up with Mama Ganache Chocolates for the holidays to provide a festive chocolate and beer holiday gift set. The gift set includes four hand-crafted, ethically sourced truffles paired with four Antigua Brewing farm-to-glass beers brewed with local hops. Orders can be placed at the brewery or by emailing bambi@antiguabrewingusa.com directly. Orders will be available for pick up at the brewery starting November 30th.
Holiday Light Displays
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Photo courtesy: Cambria Christmas Market
Holiday Light Displays & Tours
Nature Nights at the SLO Botanical Garden
November 11- January 8, 2023
5:00 PM- 8:00 PM
Cost: $14.75- $24.75
This holiday season take the entire family to see the Holiday Nature Nights at the SLO Botanical Gardens! Find light projections, artistic garden areas and immersive holiday light exhibits throughout eight acres of the 150-acre garden. Find culinary delights and wine and beer available for enjoyment.
Cambria Christmas Market
November 25- December 23
Cost: $15-$25
Back for the 2022 Holiday season, the Cambria Christmas Market is bigger and better than ever! Find 2+ million twinkling lights made into impressive light displays and exhibits. Walk among the artisan vendors, visit Santa, ride the train, hang out among cozy fire pits, listen to live music and enjoy festive food and drinks.
Uncorked Wine Tour
December 1- 31
Cost: See website for quote
Get into the spirit of the season with a Holiday Lights Tour! From December 1st through the end of the year, Uncorked Wine Tours will be welcoming groups of up to 14 guests per vehicle on a tour to view the Christmas lights around the area. Grab a hot toddy or hot chocolate and all your family & friends - this tour is kid-friendly! Uncorked Tours will take care of the route & driving so that you get to enjoy the holidays carefree! Tours can be scheduled online at uncorkedwinetours.net.
Atascadero Trail of Lights
December 5-25
5:00 PM- 8:00 PM
Cost: Free
See the festive holiday lights of Atascadero's local homes and businesses. The Trail of Lights tour map is available to visit the various buildings competing in the Trail of Lights contest. The 2022 Trail of Lights Contest winners will be announced at the Winter Wonderland event on December 5th.
Festive Outings
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Festive Holiday Outings
The Great American Melodrama Holiday Extravaganza
November 18- December 31
Cost: $25-$32 per person
Eat, drink, and be very, very merry at the Great American Melodrama, where vaudeville and old-fashioned, family-friendly fun rule. The Holiday Extravaganza is an annual tradition featuring a rendition of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, an uproarious operetta and the Holiday Vaudeville Revue.
Hearst Castle Holiday Tours
November 25- December 30
Cost: $15-$35
Holidays are in full swing at Hearst Castle with festive decor being installed just in time for the Holiday Tours. See Hearst Castle in the evening at the Holiday Twilight Tour and experience how William Randolph Hearst and his guests enjoyed holidays at the castle. Daytime tours are also available to see the Christmas decorations throughout the estate in the Grand Rooms Tour. Advance tour reservations are strongly recommended during the busy holiday season.
Christmas at The Carrisa
November 16- 23
Looking for a holiday nightcap, tasty seasonal bite or immersive experience in downtown SLO? Look no further than Christmas at the Carrisa, a specially-curated holiday experience. Find craft holiday cocktails, yummy bites and four curated pop-up experiences to kick back and spend time with friends for the holidays. There is no admission fee, however, guests are asked to purchase food and beverages while enjoying the experience.
Header image courtesy of @cultura_photography