Quick picks
- Free and flexible: drive a self-guided neighborhood lights tour.
- Let someone else drive: the Trolley of Lights, December 8 to 21.
- Best with kids: IllumaNature at the Santa Barbara Zoo, November 11 to January 10.
- Lights on the water: the Parade of Lights boat parade, Sunday, December 13.
See the lights without the trolley: a free self-guided tour
You don't need a ticket to see Santa Barbara's best-decorated neighborhoods. Since 2009, local author Harley Hahn has published a free, turn-by-turn Santa Barbara Holiday Light Tour, updated every year at the beginning of December. It winds through downtown and neighborhoods on the city's west side and in the hills, and local news site Noozhawk has called it a Santa Barbara holiday tradition.
- How long: about an hour and a half if you take your time.
- When to start: the tour suggests heading out between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.
- Short on time? In past years, the tour has pointed to the display at Hillside House, near Las Positas Road and Veronica Springs Road, as the one stop to make. Check the new 2026 version once it's posted.
Be a good guest. These are real homes on quiet residential streets. Drive slowly, park legally, keep the noise down, and stay on the sidewalk.
The Trolley of Lights
For a ride with no parking hassles, the Santa Barbara Trolley Company runs its 90-minute Trolley of Lights tour through festive neighborhoods. It's been a local family tradition since 1999.
- 2026 dates: December 8 to 21.
- Times: Thursday to Monday, check-in at 4:30 or 6:30 p.m. On Tuesday and Wednesday, check-in is at 6 p.m. Tours leave 15 minutes after check-in and don't wait for latecomers.
- Price: $42 per person, plus fees and tip. Lap children under 2 ride free.
- Where: check in at 1 Garden Street, near the waterfront.
- Good to know: tours run rain or shine, and tickets can't be refunded or transferred. Book early for the night you want.
IllumaNature at the Santa Barbara Zoo
This year the zoo is debuting IllumaNature, an all-new nighttime light show. You walk through California landscapes brought to life with lights and interactive displays, and you can add a nighttime ride on the IllumaNature Express train.
- Dates: November 11, 2026, to January 10, 2027, from 5 to 9 p.m.
- Tickets: on sale November 1. Adults are $39.95 and kids 2 to 12 are $29.95. The train costs extra.
- Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
- Grown-ups only: a 21+ Adult Night with local beer, wine and spirits tastings on December 10.
Free lights around town
- Stearns Wharf. Look for the Christmas tree out on the wharf, then stroll over the water after dark.
- State Street. Downtown's Christmas tree stands on the 1300 block of State Street, near the Arlington Theatre.
- The Parade of Lights. About 30 lighted boats cruise the waterfront on December 13, followed by fireworks. See our Parade of Lights guide.
- The Holiday Parade. Glowing walking groups light up State Street on Friday, December 4, at 6:30 p.m.
Worth the drive: Christmas in Solvang
About 35 miles from Santa Barbara, the Danish-style village of Solvang goes all out for Julefest, from November 27, 2026, to January 3, 2027. The big night is the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, December 4, at 5:30 p.m. in Solvang Park. See solvangusa.com for the full schedule, and our Santa Barbara in December guide for more holiday events.
FAQ
Where can I see Christmas lights in Santa Barbara?
Drive the free self-guided Santa Barbara Holiday Light Tour, ride the Trolley of Lights (December 8 to 21, 2026), visit IllumaNature at the Santa Barbara Zoo, or watch the lighted boats at the Parade of Lights on December 13.
Is there a free Christmas lights tour in Santa Barbara?
Yes. Harley Hahn's Santa Barbara Holiday Light Tour is a free, turn-by-turn driving route that's updated every December. It takes about an hour and a half.
How much is the Santa Barbara Trolley of Lights?
In 2026 it's $42 per person, plus fees and tip, and lap children under 2 ride free. Tours run December 8 to 21.
Does the Santa Barbara Zoo have Christmas lights?
Yes. In 2026 the zoo debuts IllumaNature, a nighttime light experience running November 11, 2026, to January 10, 2027, from 5 to 9 p.m. Tickets go on sale November 1.
Make a day of it
Start with a whale watching trip or a walk on the beach, then plan a cozy date night before the lights come on.