2024 Holiday Happenings for Everyone in SLO CAL

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.

Four-legged option: Let your pups join in on the holiday fun with Santa's Doggie Parade at Avila Beach.

 

Winter Wonderland in Atascadero

December 13, 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 70 tons of snow! There will be holiday shopping and entertainment and even an appearance from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Invite your friends for some holiday fun! 

 

Christmas in Cayucos Wonderland Walk

December 14, 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 7, 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. 6, and  Santa's House where you can get your photo taken with Santa on select dates in December. 

 

Vine Street Victorian Christmas Showcase

December 14, 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 event 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 21, 10 AM - 1 PM

Cost: $5-13 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, zookeepers step in as Santa's Elves 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 and holiday decorations.

 

Hanukkah Downtown

December 25 - 26, 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, 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 8-piece Lucky Devils Band. Vendors will be onsite with food and drinks available for purchase. Ball drop is scheduled for 9 pm. 
 

 

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 in Avila Beach with thousands of fellow dippers to start the year off with a bang, no wetsuits allowed.

 

Olde Towne Nipomo Family Christmas

December 8, 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. Contact the Nipomo Olde Towne Association for more information.

Holiday Markets & More

Handcrafted for the Holidays Exhibition

November 1 - December 29

Cost: Free

This is a timely showcase of fine craftspeople and their work at Studios on the Park. Find unique, handmade gifts for every taste and price point from more than 25 artist and artisans. Your purchase supports local arts and small businesses, and a portion of proceeds go towards bringing art to the community! Receptions with wine and live music on November 2 and December 7 from 6 - 9 pm.

 

Midstate Fair Winter Market

December 13 - 15

Cost: Free

Get your holiday shopping done at the Midstate Fair Winter Market. 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. 

 

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 at CASS Winery on December 1st, at Talley Vineyards on December 6th and at FABLE RUNE on December 8th.

 

Holiday Giving Celebration

November 23

Cost: $20-$30

Kick of the holiday season with Tolosa Winery at their charity toy drive. Wine, light bites and holiday music will be included. Attendees will also have access to exclusive deals on featured wine gifts while they shop Tolosa's Holiday Gift Guide. 

Holiday Light Displays & Tours

Nature Nights at the SLO Botanical Garden

November 27- December 28 (Fridays & Saturdays + select additional dates)

5:00 PM- 8:00 PM

Cost: $15 - $28

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. This event will feature live music nightly on two stages and an artist marketplace. Culinary delights and wine and beer will be available for purchase. There will even be a few visits from Santa!

 

Cambria Christmas Market

November 29 - December 31

Cost: $27 - $43

Back for the Holiday season, the Cambria Christmas Market is always magical! Find 3 million twinkling lights made into impressive light displays and exhibits. Walk among the German-inspired artisan vendors, visit Santa, ride the train, hang out among cozy fire pits, listen to live music and enjoy festive food and drinks. 

 

Light Display at the Shoreline Inn

November 27 - Jan 6

Cost: Free

See more than 25,000 lights sparkle on the Shoreline Inn in Cayucos nightly from 6 - 11:30 pm. This light display is the perfect backdrop for your holiday photos, costal getaway or magical dinner on the town. The hotel and the lawn will be decorated for the season. 

 

Uncorked Wine Tour

December 1- 24

Cost: See website for quote

Get into the spirit of the season with a Holiday Lights Tour! 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.

Festive Holiday Outings

The Great American Melodrama Holiday Extravaganza

November 15 - December 31

Cost: $40-$42 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, a Fractured Fairytale Opera and the Holiday Vaudeville Revue.

 

Hearst Castle Holiday Tours

December

Cost: $18-$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.

 

A Christmas Story at the SLO REP

November 30 - December 22

Cost: $20-$43 per person

A holiday tradition since 2014, visit the San Luis Obispo Repertory Theater for their rendition of A Christmas Story. This two act play is nostalgic, heartwarming and sure to put you in the holiday spirit! Tickets available by phone or on their website.  

 

12 Days of Cheer at Allegretto

December 20 - 31

Cost: select Holiday Special wines by the glass for $8

Head to Allegretto Vineyard Resort for 12 Days of Cheer this December. On December 20 the festivities kick-off with a tree lighting ceremony in the Piazza. Visitors throughout the twelve days can also enjoy carolers, mini Nutcracker performances, cookie and ornament decorating and pictures with Santa.

 

Royal Christmas at the Farm

November 30, December 1, 7 & 8

Cost: $20-$45

Join California Lavender Honey Farm for their annual holiday event. Royal Tea, including unique lavender tea, will be poured and accompanied by lavender cookies. Learn about lavender's role in royal and Christmas traditions with a tour and put together your own holiday gift! All attendees are encouraged to wear purple for truly an immersive experience. 

 

Holiday at the Farmsteads

December 15th

Cost: Free

Join ONX Wines & Vineyards for their inaugural Holiday at the Farmsteads event from 2 - 5 pm! There will be a holiday caroling group, mulled wine & hot cocoa, cookie decorating, feeding the farmstead animals, holiday photos and amazing food pairings. The event is free, but each guest is asked to bring a toy to donate and to RSVP in advance. 

 

Christmas at The Carrisa

November 8 - December 31 (select dates)

Looking for a holiday nightcap, tasty seasonal bite or immersive experience in downtown San Luis Obispo? Look no further than Christmas at the Carrisa, a specially-curated holiday experience - where the holidays glow and the whiskey flows. 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. 

 

Holiday Popup Bars: Miracle & Sippin' Santa

November 15 - December 31

The holidays are coming to 1122 Cocktail Lounge and Cane Tiki Room in Paso Robles this year! Expect holiday themed drink menus, festive glassware and decor galore. Get into the holiday spirit with a magical night over a Christmaspolitan or Snowball Old-Fashioned. Miracle at 1122 Cocktail Lounge will feature a more traditional holiday experience while Sippin' Santa at Cane Tiki Room offers a tropical twist. Raise a glass to the season! 

 

Christmas at the Ranch

Select Dates November 29 - December 22

Cost: $25-$40

Join in the newest SLO CAL Holiday tradition with Christmas at the Ranch! Head to Santa Margarita Ranch for fun for the whole family. Book a historic train ride on the Jingle Bell Express, through a Christmas showcase, to Santa's Barn. Dazzling light displays, captivating performances, immersive holiday-themed activities and seasonal treats. The Ranch is the prefect spot to create holiday memories and experience the magic of the season. 

 

An Appalachian Christmas at the PAC

December 5

Cost: $38-$58

Head to the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center (PAC) to see three-time Grammy-winning composer and fiddler Mark O'Connor, and his wife Maggie O'Connor, perform fresh arrangements of Christmas classics. Show starts at 7:30 pm. 

 

Light Up the Downtown & Holiday Sip & Shop

December 6

Cost: $20-$30

Enjoy an evening of community entertainment, hay rides, hot chocolate and more in downtown Atascadero. Shops will be open late with beer and wine tastings at participating merchants. Ticket prices are reduced when you purchase in advance. 

 

December in The Den at Cal Coast Beer Company

December

Head to The Den during December to see the 1970s cocktail lounge decked out with vintage holiday decor. There will also be festive activities and events each day of the month such as holiday trivia, Christmas music bingo, wreath-making and more! And don't forget to stop in to Cal Coast Brewing for their annual 12 beers of Christmas (starting December 4) where a new seasonal beer is released each day.

 

Header image courtesy of @cultura_photography