Friday, Nov. 27 to Dec. 24
The 17th annual Candy Cane Train at the South Coast Railroad Museum, 300 North Los Carneros Road in Goleta. Tickets are $3.50 (adult or child), and everyone receives a ride on the museum’s holiday-decorated miniature train, a candy cane and more. For more event information, including museum hours, contact the museum office at (805) 964-3540.
Saturday, Nov. 28
The Los Olivos Gallery Organization hosts the annual Holiday Art Show. Many artists will be on hand at the individual galleries to greet visitors and collectors. Receptions and demonstrations are also part of the day. The galleries include: Artist Guild of Santa Ynez Valley, Details Boutique and Art Gallery, Gallery Los Olivos, J. Woeste in Los Olivos, Judith Hale Gallery, Sansone Studios and Young’s Gallery.
Sunday, Nov. 29 to Dec. 20
Experience music for soul during the Advent organ series 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. the four Sunday afternoons before Christmas, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1500 State Street (at Micheltorena Street), in Santa Barbara. trinitysb.org
Friday, Dec 4
Julefest annual Tree-Lighting Ceremony. Held in Solvang Park (Mission Drive & First Street) starting at 5 p.m., enjoy free musical entertainment, refreshments and caroling followed by the arrival of Old Saint Nick and his wife.
The holiday starts one Los Alamos’ Bell Street from 5 to 8 p.m. Art shows will be on display; small children will be playing holiday songs on recorders from the Los Alamos Star Group; and community carolers will be singing holiday tunes. Almost all of the Los Alamos shops will be opening and sharing holiday cheer. There will also be a community-sing group of carolers. If you would like to sing-a-long, should show up at The C Gallery at 5:30 p.m. Song booklets will be available. Call Connie at (805) 344-3807 to confirm.
Saturday, Dec. 5
The annual Julefest Parade begins at 11 a.m. featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus as the parade’s grand marshals. Entries include Danish dancers, musical groups, vintage vehicles, horses, carriages and animals. The parade originates at Old Mission Santa Ines (1760 Mission Drive), travels west on Mission Drive (Highway 246), turns left on Fourth Street, turns left on Copenhagen Drive, and ends on Alisal Road at the Solvang Post Office.
Meet and learn about alpacas at the 4th annual Alpaca Holiday Boutique beginning at 10 a.m. at Silver Spring Alpacas Ranch in Solvang. Come meet participating ranches as you shop for everything from stocking stuffers to family heirlooms. Learn how farm raised alpaca wool is spun into beautiful yarn from the very same alpacas you will meet and feed at this kid-friendly free event. Look for the signs on Hwy 246 in Solvang. Call Kathie Palaima at (805) 708-3421 for more information.
The community of Los Olivos welcomes the Holiday Season from 4 to 7 p.m. with business and galleries decorated with hundreds of luminarias. Santa will be at hand in a horse-drawn carriage 4 to 6 p.m., and local chorale groups will sing carols. A “little angel” will light the community Christmas tree at 6 p.m. For more information call 805-688-1222. losolivosca.com
The Blue Angels choir of the Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church will usher in the advent season with a Christmas choral concert at 7 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Featured will be a performance of Vivaldi’s “Gloria” with several choristers from the community joining the Blue Angels. Following the performances by the choir and guest artists, members of the audience will Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church is located at the corner of Alamo Pintado and Baseline in Ballard. Ample free parking is available adjacent to the sanctuary.
Saturday Dec. 5 to Dec. 6
Santa Barbara Choral Society and Orchestra presents Handel’s “Messiah,” part1 and selections from parts 2 and 3, at 8 p.m. Dec. 5 and 3 p.m. Dec. 6 at The Granada in Santa Barbara. Tickets are $20 to $53 and are available at The Granada Box Office, (805) 899-2222, or online at granadasb.org.
Sunday, Dec. 6
A benefit for People Helping People, the Winter Wonderland Gift Boutique is scheduled 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at “D” Ranch, 1132 Fredensborg Canyon Road, Solvang. Artists and merchants offer special and one-of-a-kind goods. Part of the proceeds will benefit PHP. Free gift wrapping available. Complimentary wine and snacks will be served in addition to music and raffle prizes. Please RSVP to magiccasting@aol.com or (805) 688.2848. The event is free.
The Buellton Historical Society hosts it Tree Lighting Ceremony 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Andersen’s Pea Soup Restaurant. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there as well as Lennne Grant’s piano students, who will play. Valley Boy Scouts will walk guests across the Avenue of Flags and Santa will throw the switch on the tree at precisely 5:30. Tree lighting is provided by the City of Buellton. Cookies, cocoa and coffee for all. Call (805) 688-3347 with questions.
Friday, Dec. 11
Shabbat and Chanukah celebration at 7 p.m. with Rabbi Jerry Brown, At St. Mark’s-In-The-Valley Episcopal Church, Los Olivos.
Saturday, Dec. 12
SYV Jewish Community Here Comes Hanukkah celebration 4 to 8 p.m. with food (prepared by Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Café), lighting of the menorah, silent auction, activities for the kids and dancing to live music from Sgt. Schlepper’s Purim Shpieller Band. At St. Mark’s-In-The-Valley Episcopal Church, Los Olivos (bring your menorah or chanukiyah and three candles.) Tickets are $30 for adults, $15 for children under 12 and $75 for a family of four. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit syvjc.org.
The “Christmas Story” comes to life in the Nativity Pageant at the outdoor Solvang Festival Theater (420 Second Street). Enjoy a choir, actors in traditional costumes, and live animals on stage. There are two free performances at 6 and 7 p.m., with seating on a first come, first entertained basis. (In the unlikely event of rain, performances will not be held.) Holiday at the Ranch, a holiday open house featuring Santa and his “rein-goats,” live music, crafts, tours of Stow House, story time and more. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., 304 No. Los Carneros Road in Goleta. Call (805) 681-7218 for more information.
Friday, Dec.12 to Dec 13
State Street Ballet’s “The Nutcracker,” a long-standing tradition. The company will showcase its classic presentation complete with sets from Moscow and a cast that includes the students of Gustafson Dance performing with State Street Ballet’s professional dancers. Showtimes: 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 12, and S2 p.m. Dec. 13. Tickets are $28 to $53, with discounts for children, students and seniors, and are available through The Granada Box Office at 1214 State Street in Santa Barbara, by calling (805) 899.2222, or online at granadasb.org.
Friday, Dec. 18
The Winter Solstice Party will feature candle lighting, carolers and singing to mark this special time of the year. Held in Solvang Park starting at 6 p.m., all ages are welcome to join this festive, free celebration.
Community Christmas Carol Sing-along and Wassail Party, 7:30 to 9 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, 1500 State Street (at Micheltorena) in Santa Barbara. For more information, call (805) 965-7419 or visit trinitysb.org.
Friday, Dec. 18 to Dec. 20
A holiday concert by the Master Chorale, Youth Chorale and Orchestra is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 and 19; at 3 p.m. Dec. 19; and at 3 p.m. Dec. 20 at Church at the Crossroads, at the intersection of Highway 246 and La Lata Drive, in Buellton. This year’s program includes Franz Joseph Haydn’s “Mass in D,” also known as “The Lord Nelson Mass,” two world premiers by Rolland Jacks, songs by the Youth Chorale and a carol sing-along. The concerts are Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors and children under 12. Groups of 15 or more are $12 per person. Tickets may be purchased at syvchorale.org. For more information, please call (805) 350-4241.
Saturday, Dec. 19
Valley Wind Ensemble Christmas Brass Concert. Free. 11 a.m. at the corner of Copenhagen Drive and First Street and at 1 p.m. at the corner of Copenhagen Drive and Atterdag Road.
The Solvang Village Dancers perform noon to 2 p.m. at the corner of Copenhagen Drive and Alisal Road. Free.
Caroling in the Park with the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 5 to 7 p.m. at the corner of Mission Drive (Highway 246) and First Street in Solvang Park. Free.
Til Dec. 31
An annual tradition, the Holiday Gingerbread House at Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery, is created by Bent Olsen, a fourth generation Danish baker. The gingerbread house is 10-feet-tall and requires 250 pounds of gingerbread dough, 150 pounds of powdered sugar and three gallons of egg whites to make. On display daily at the bakery at 1529 Mission Drive in Solvang.
Friday, Jan. 8
Solvang’s annual Christmas tree burn at 6 p.m. in the fields of Old Mission Santa Ines, 1760 Mission Drive, supervised by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department. Includes fire safety demonstrations. Bring your tree, (with the stand and ornaments removed) to the burn pile between Jan. 1 and 7. For more information, call the fire department at (805) 686-8184.
JUST FOR KIDS
Parks & Recreation Winter Break Day Trips
For kids ages 6 – 12, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Buellton Community Rec Center (Jonata School Campus, 301 Second St.). The cost is $39 per day. Bring a sack lunch.
Monday, Dec. 21: Golf ‘N Stuff
Tuesday, Dec. 22: Motionz Laser Tag
Wednesday, Dec. 23: Zodo’s Bowling
Thursday, Dec. 24: Movies
Monday, Dec. 28: Boomer’s
Tuesday, Dec. 29: Ventura Roller Skating
Wednesday, Dec. 30: Oxnard Ice Skating
Thursday, Dec. 31: Gymnastics in Lompoc
Sign up at the Solvang Rec Office (411 Second St, Solvang) or the Buellton Rec Center (301 Second St., Buellton) or call (805) 688-7529 for more information.Stuart C. Gildred Family YMCA • Holiday Winter Camp
YMCA is taking registrations for its Holiday Winter Camp themed “Holiday Cheer!”
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 21-24 and 28-31.
Half-day options on the 24th and 31st are available with care from 8 a.m. to noon.Holiday crafts, caroling in downtown Santa Ynez, excursions to the park or using the YMCA facility for swimming, games, dress-up/themed days and other specialized activities are all part of the camp. For more information, please call the Member Services Desk at (805) 686-2037 or register in person at the Stuart C. Gildred Family YMCA, 900 N. Ref