Updated: October 30, 2026
Ventura Harbor's Parade of Lights turns 50 this year, and it runs two nights: Friday, December 18 and Saturday, December 19, 2026. The theme is “The Golden Era: A Float Through the Decades.” Festivities start around 4pm with carnival rides on the Harbor Village lawn, holiday music and faux snow on the promenade at 5:30pm, the boat parade at 6:30pm (two laps of the harbor), and fireworks at 8pm, weather permitting (look northwest). It's free.
Twenty-five minutes inland, Ojai's Holiday Stroll & Faire is Saturday, December 5, 10am–5pm: a vendor faire in Libbey Park, carolers, cider tastings, and a walking map through 20+ downtown shops with a stamp raffle drawn at 5pm.
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Pick your base
- For the Parade of Lights: stay at the harbor so you skip the parking scramble and walk the promenade to the Village.
- For the Ojai Stroll: stay in Ojai, or base in Ventura and drive up Highway 33 (about 15 miles, roughly 25 minutes).
- Doing Santa Barbara too? SB's State Street parade is Fri, Dec 4, and Ojai's Stroll is the next morning. See our Santa Barbara Christmas guide and the Christmas getaways from LA roundup.
| Stay | Area | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Four Points by Sheraton Ventura Harbor Resort (1050 Schooner Dr) | On the harbor | Promenade walk to the parade, balconies over the water |
| Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ventura Harbor (1080 Navigator Dr) | On the harbor | Budget-friendly, free hot breakfast, pet-friendly |
| Ojai Valley Inn (905 Country Club Rd) | West end of Ojai | Splurge weekend for the Stroll |
| Ojai Rancho Inn (615 W Ojai Ave) | West end of Ojai Ave | Casual, bike or walk the trail to downtown |
4 Hotels for Ventura & Ojai's Holiday Events
1. Four Points by Sheraton Ventura Harbor Resort
Right on the harbor with a walking promenade to Ventura Harbor Village, and many rooms have balconies over the water. Book Dec 18–19 early.
👉 Check rates for Four Points by Sheraton Ventura Harbor Resort
2. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ventura Harbor
Steps from the waterfront and walking distance to the Village, with free hot breakfast and pet-friendly rooms. Fun fact: it hosts the boaters' skippers meeting on parade Friday.
👉 Check rates for Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ventura Harbor
3. Ojai Valley Inn
The classic Ojai splurge for a Stroll weekend: a 1923 Spanish-style resort with a spa, golf and valley views, a short drive from Libbey Park.
👉 Check rates for Ojai Valley Inn
4. Ojai Rancho Inn
Laid-back roadside retreat at the west entrance to town, with loaner bikes: about 5 minutes by bike or 15 on foot along the Ojai Valley Trail to downtown.
👉 Check rates for Ojai Rancho Inn
Local events near Ventura
Next 30 days, from public city, library, church, museum, theater and venue calendars.
Parade night plan (Fri Dec 18 or Sat Dec 19)
- 4:00pm: kids' rides and carnival games on the Harbor Village lawn.
- 5:30pm: music, faux snowfall and a bubble show on the promenade. Eat early; restaurants fill up.
- 6:30pm: boats start two laps of the harbor. Pick a promenade spot.
- 8:00pm: fireworks (weather pending), look northwest.
Parking: free on Spinnaker Dr and at the Dolphin lot (about a 5-minute walk), $1/hour in the Village lots, plus a free shuttle from the Harbor & Schooner Dr lot and Portside Ventura. Saturday is judging night, so Friday is usually the easier night to go.
Bring a blanket and a warm drink; it's cold on the water after dark. 👉 Shop waterproof stadium blankets on Amazon
Getting there
Ventura Harbor is about 75 miles from LAX and 30 miles from SBA, roughly 1–1.5 hours from LA depending on the 101. Flying in? Pick up a car at LAX or SBA.
👉 Compare car rentals – Los Angeles
FAQ: Ventura & Ojai Christmas 2026
- When is the Ventura Parade of Lights 2026?
- Friday, December 18 and Saturday, December 19, 2026. Boats at 6:30pm, fireworks at 8pm.
- Is it free?
- Yes. Parking is free on Spinnaker Dr and at the Dolphin lot, or $1/hour in the Village lots.
- What's the 2026 theme?
- “The Golden Era: A Float Through the Decades,” for the 50th anniversary.
- When is the Ojai Holiday Stroll 2026?
- Saturday, December 5, 2026, 10am–5pm, Libbey Park and downtown Ojai.
Last checked October 30, 2026. Researched, not stayed. Sources: venturaharborvillage.com, visitventuraca.com, ojaivalleychamber.org, ojaivalleyinn.com, ojairanchoinn.com.