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Activity Waterfront, Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Harbor Parade of Lights

An activity in Waterfront, Santa Barbara, free to visit and worth about 1.5 hours. Best time to go: Mid-December evening.

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Why go

Boats strung with Christmas lights circle the harbor after dark, followed by fireworks over the water.

It is one of 15 curated places we feature in Santa Barbara, alongside 5 sights, 3 bars & cafés and 3 places to eat. 3 more of our picks sit within about half a mile in a straight line, so it pairs easily with Brophy Bros and Santa Barbara Shellfish Company.

Type
Activity · Sight
Neighborhood
Waterfront
Price
Free
Time needed
1.5 hr
Best time
Mid-December evening

Nearby

The 6 closest curated picks in Santa Barbara, measured as straight-line distance.

  1. 1
    Brophy Bros

    Seafood restaurant upstairs on the harbor, known for clam chowder and views over the boats.

    Food · 0.1 mi straight-line
  2. 2
    Santa Barbara Shellfish Company

    Counter seafood shack at the end of Stearns Wharf; lobster and crab.

    Food · 0.4 mi straight-line
  3. 3
    Stearns Wharf

    California's oldest working wharf with views back to the mountains.

    Sight · 0.4 mi straight-line
  4. 4
    Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co.

    Funk Zone taproom of a Santa Ynez Valley brewery with a patio.

    Drinks · 0.6 mi straight-line
  5. 5
    Funk Zone

    Former warehouse blocks near the beach, now full of wine tasting rooms, breweries and murals.

    Drinks · 0.7 mi straight-line
  6. 6
    Potek Winery

    Single-vineyard Santa Barbara County wines in a lounge at The Mill, with a patio shared with Third Window Brewery.

    Drinks · 1.1 mi straight-line

On these curated routes

Santa Barbara Harbor Parade of Lights is a stop on our Solvang & Santa Barbara route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.

More to do in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Harbor Parade of Lights is our only activity pick in Santa Barbara; here is what else we recommend there. See the full Santa Barbara guide.

When to go

Average daily highs in Santa Barbara run from 63°F in February to 82°F in August; January is usually the wettest month. For Santa Barbara Harbor Parade of Lights itself, we suggest: Mid-December evening.

Modelled monthly averages for Santa Barbara from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full Santa Barbara weather by month.

Getting there

Map links open a live search for Santa Barbara Harbor Parade of Lights, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.

Coordinates
34.40549, -119.69165
Destination
Santa Barbara, California

Santa Barbara Harbor Parade of Lights: quick answers

How much time do you need at Santa Barbara Harbor Parade of Lights?

Plan on about 1.5 hours at Santa Barbara Harbor Parade of Lights. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.

When is the best time to visit Santa Barbara Harbor Parade of Lights?

Our pick: Mid-December evening. Insider tip: Watch from Stearns Wharf or the breakwater and arrive early for a spot.

Is Santa Barbara Harbor Parade of Lights free?

Yes, we list Santa Barbara Harbor Parade of Lights as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.

Which TripsCircle routes include Santa Barbara Harbor Parade of Lights?

Santa Barbara Harbor Parade of Lights appears on Solvang & Santa Barbara, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.

Add it to your crew's plan

Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Santa Barbara.

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Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.