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Holiday Parade of Lights, Ventura Harbor
This two-day celebration set for Friday, December 19th and Saturday,
December 20th, marks the 32nd anniversary of this fun filled
occasion. Themed "Ventura Harbor’s Polar Express”, guests can enjoy
the revelry as boats adorned with Christmas lights and decorations
illuminate the Ventura Harbor and watch as colorful fireworks fill
the night sky. Folks with little ones are sure to be jolly at the
family carnival where tots can get pony & train rides, carousel
rides, and a visit with Santa. This event also serves as a great
opportunity to get a head start on Christmas shopping or experience
fine cuisine at one of ten Harbor restaurants. A free shuttle bus is
also available at the Parking Lot on Harbor Blvd. & Schooner Drive.
For more information call (877) 89-HARBOR. venturaharborvillage.com.
Parade of Lights Harbor Cruise
Celebrate the Holidays with ISLAND PACKERS as they cruise the Harbor
to watch the Parade of Lights and take in the beautiful fireworks
display. Trips are scheduled from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm on Friday,
December 19th and 20th aboard the 64’ catamaran “Islander” and
Saturday, December 15th aboard the 70’ vessel “Vanguard.” Tickets
cost $24 for adults, $20 for seniors and $17 for children. Includes
hot cocoa. Food will be for in sale in the snack bar. For
reservations call Island Packers at (805) 642-1393.
islandpackers.com.
Holiday Caroling Cruise
Ride and sing with ISLAND PACKERS Wednesday December 12th and 19th
from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Aboard the 64’ catamaran “Island Adventure”
which departs at from 1691 Spinnaker Drive in the Ventura Harbor .
Enjoy the harbor lights and the decorated boats in the marinas and
Harbor Village while singing holiday songs with the crew and
passengers. Tickets cost $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $7 for
children. Includes hot cocoa and cookies. For reservations call
Island Packers at (805) 642-1393. islandpackers.com.
California-Style Sleigh Rides
Hop onboard the good ship Dreamer for a holiday sleigh ride –
California style! Sail the waters of the Ventura Keys and Ventura
harbor from December 1st to December 30th and enjoy the sparkling
Christmas lights adorning shoreline homes and casting picturesque
reflections in the nighttime waters. Cruise every night from 6 p.m.
to 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Closed on December 24th & 25th.
Each cruise offers a full bar, sodas and seasonal concoctions such
as “reindeer milk” and hot chocolate. Cruises cost $20 for adults
and $10 for children 12-2 years old. Call (805) 642-7753.
venturaboatrentals.com
Annual Dudley House Victorian Holiday Boutique
The historic Victorian Dudley House, a museum dedicated to
preserving Ventura ’s historic past, will be opening its doors free
to the public on three consecutive weekends of November 28-30,
December 5-7 and December 12-14. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. the museum
will have crafts, home decorations, antiques and collectibles sales,
as well as a silent auction, quilt raffle and refreshments in the
building’s Victorian Tearoom. The museum will also accept donations.
For more information call (805) 654-8381. dudleyhouse.org.
Real Snow and Fireworks at the Pacific View Mall
From 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Pacific View Mall Community Plaza ,
celebrate the beginning of the holiday season on Monday, December
1st with the “Holiday Traditions Festival – Ventura Style”. Kids
will enjoy playing in real snow, as well as visits with Santa and
his reindeer. There will also be a Community Holiday Tree Lighting,
live entertainment and fireworks. For more information call (805)
642-0605. shoppacificview.com.
Dinner with Santa Trains
Gather the family for a dinner hosted by Santa Claus! From November
28th to December 21st, the Fillmore & Western Railroad Co. will be
inviting young and old to this new memorable holiday occasion.
Trains will depart Fridays and Sundays at 5:30 p.m. On the train,
have your ‘wish lists’ ready to discuss with Santa and have an
opportunity for a picture with him as well. Costs, which include the
train ride and dinner, run $45 for adults and $24 for children 3-12.
Costs for children 2 and under is $10, but this is a ride ticket
only and a meal is not included. This event is by reservation only
and can be made by calling (800) 773-8724. fwry.com.
The North Pole Express and the Christmas Tree Holiday Train
Every Saturday and Sunday from November 29th to December 21st,
visitors and locals alike are invited to hop onboard Fillmore &
Western’s Christmas Tree Train and chug through Ventura County ’s
picturesque Heritage Valley on the way to select and cut down their
own Christmas tree. Trains depart at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and the
rides cost $22 for adults, $20 for seniors 60+, $12 for kids 4-12
and $8 for kids 1-3 and infants under 1 are free on lap. Similarly,
the North Pole Express journeys to the “North Pole” to “pick up
Santa.” Children will delight in storytellers dressed as elves and
chocolate milk and cookies, and are encouraged to wear their pajamas
and bring their teddy bears to cuddle up with in a festive setting.
Santa will be onboard both trains to pay visits to little ones. The
North Pole Express runs Wednesday though Sunday from November 28th
to December 26th from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.,
and costs $24 for adults, $15 for kids 3-12 and infants 0-2 are free
on lap. Call (800) 773-8724. fwry.com
Christmas at the Historic Pierpont Inn
Step back in time and enjoy a holiday tradition on December 25th.
Dine at Austen’s at the historic Pierpont Inn and enter the days of
Christmas past. Guests can indulge in a scrumptious holiday feast
amid festive decorated surroundings. Time and price to be
determined. Call (805) 643-6144. pierpontinn.com
Chanukah Festival at the Harbor!
Come celebrate the annual Chanukah Festival at Ventura Harbor on
Sunday December 28th. Bring the entire family and be apart of the
giant 20-foot Menorah Lighting Ceremony. Enjoy a Children’s Show,
live musical entertainment, hot Latkes and Kosher food, carnival
rides, a Judaica Boutique and an olive oil press demonstration. The
festival runs from 2:30 p.m.-5 p.m. and is free to the public. For
more info please contact The Chabad of Oxnard Jewish Center at (805)
382-4770. ChabadofOxnard.com.
“Holidays in Paradise” Holiday Street Festival
Ventura’s 32nd Annual Holiday Street Festival, whose theme this year
is “Holidays in Paradise ”, will take place on Sunday, December 7th
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will be held on Main Street in the
city’s historic Downtown Cultural District. For one-of-a-kink
Christmas or Chanukah shopping, wander twelve blocks to see more
than 300 artisan and fine arts booths, tasty treats from numerous
food vendors, all while enjoying free musical entertainment. For the
smaller set, photos with Santa Claus will be taken at the Midtown
Community Council booth. The event is free to the public and a
complimentary shuttle service will be provided to the event from the
Ventura County Government Center , Lot F. Call (805) 654-7749.
cityofventura.net
The Ventura Visitors Center, 89 S. California Street in downtown
Ventura , is open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Ventura
Visitors & Convention Bureau serves tourism and the economy by
positioning the City of Ventura as a visitor and conference
destination. ventura-usa.com, Call: (800) 483-6215.
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