CENTRAL COAST, Calif. (KION-TV): The holiday season has arrived and there will be plenty of events to check out on the Central Coast.
This list will be continually updated throughout November and December. If you have any of your favorite holiday events that we haven’t covered, feel free to reach out to us on social media.
Here is a list of events the whole family can enjoy.
Monterey County
2022 Holiday Parade of Lights: One of the most festive events is back at the Oldtown Salinas on Sunday, November 27th. The show will start at 6 pm and continue until 9 pm. The parade will start at South Main Street and Acacia Street and head towards Oldtown Salinas.
There will be bands, floats, special guests, and Santa Claus will close the parade.
Streets of Bethlehem: Celebrating its 30th anniversary, The Streets of Bethlehem is an event for the family to enjoy. The event is a poignant play that shares the true meaning of Christmas. There is a vivid re-creation of a small village you would have seen in Bethlehem. There will be animals, workshops and reenactments of the night Jesus was born. This event takes place December 1-December 4 from 6-8 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Salinas. Attending the event is free but the church is kindly asking for your donations. For more information, click here.
Ice skating from the bay: Families can celebrate the holidays by skiing near Monterey Bay. Ice skating will take place at the Custom House Plaza behind the Portola Hotel & Spa. The first day families can go skiing will be Friday, November 25th. The rink will remain open until New Year’s Day.
For more information on opening hours and admissions, click here.
Colton Hall Tree Lighting CeremonyThe lawn in front of Colton Hall will be full of families as they watch the tree lit up with Christmas lights. The party takes place on Friday, December 2nd from 5-6pm
San Benito County
Hollister Lights in celebrationHollister: The City of Hollister will light the ceremony, which will take place in downtown Hollister. The event will start from 9 am to 8:30 pm, and there will be live entertainment.
The 15th Annual San Juan Bautista Festival of Lights: The streets of San Juan Bautista will be filled on Saturday, December 3rd. There will be bands, horses and holiday floats. The show will start at 6pm and will run until 8:30pm and there will be live entertainment, a Dec-A-Tree contest and a holiday car show. For more information, click here.
Santa Cruz County
Boardwalk Winter Wonderland: The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk will be a winter wonderland from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. Families will be able to take pictures with Santa and do their holiday shopping. There will also be specific Boardwalk Rides that will be open for the public to ride. For more information and park hours visit here.
Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds: Holiday Lights: The Holiday Lights event begins Friday, November 25th. It’s a half mile drive through the experience at the Fairgrounds in Watsonville. There will be giant Christmas trees decorated with lights and illuminated tunnels.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit here.
Santa Cruz Holiday Parade: Parade is back on the streets in Santa Cruz. There will be floats, marching bands, and Santa Claus. Rain or shine, the show will take place in downtown Santa Cruz starting at 10 a.m
Santa Cruz Port: Lighted Boat ParadeThere will be a lighted boat parade in Santa Cruz Harbor on Saturday, December 3rd. There will be 50 sailboats and trimmers around the harbour. Food and drinks will be sold throughout the harbor.