Seasonal & Holidays
Santa Claus Is Coming To Santa Cruz! Here’s Where To See The Jolly Man In Red
Santa season is here! Find out when and where to meet St. Nick before he heads back to the North Pole.
You better watch out, you better not pout — Santa Claus is coming to town! St. Nick is heading our way this season and he’s ready to wave, visit and snap photos with local families. Get those wish lists ready, stay on the nice list and check out where you can see the jolly man in red in and around Santa Cruz.
Please note: Event dates and details are subject to change or cancellation. Be sure to check with each venue in advance, as tickets or reservations may be required.
Holiday Lights Train (Tickets Required)
📅 When: November 28–29, December 6–7, 13–23 | 5:00 pm & 6:30 pm (60-minute round trip)
📍 Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA
🔗 More info.
Find out what's happening in Santa Cruzfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Visits with Santa at Childish Toy Shop (Free; own camera)
📅 When: December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 23 2025 | 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
📍 Where: Childish Toy Shop, 1122 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
🔗 More info.
Santa Comes to Town Tree Lighting and BCRPD Winter Festival (Free Entry)
📅 When: Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 2:00 PM – 6:30 PM
📍 Where: Forest Street, Downtown Boulder Creek, Boulder Creek, CA
🔗 More info.
Find out what's happening in Santa Cruzfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Aptos Chamber Tree Lighting & Market (Free Entry)
📅 When: Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Where: Aptos Village Green, 151 Aptos Village Way, Aptos, CA
🔗 More info.
Winter on the Wharf – Santa Photo with Arrival (Free)
📅 When: Saturday, December 20, 2025 | 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm (photos with Santa from ~2:30-4:30)
📍 Where: Santa Cruz Wharf, 55 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
🔗 More info.
Holiday Lights Walk‑Thru – (Free walk-thru, Santa included)
📅 When: November 28 – December 24, 2025 | evenings from ~5:30 pm
📍 Where: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 E Lake Ave, Watsonville, CA
🔗 More info.
Holiday Market & Photo with Santa – (Free event with Santa)
📅 When: Sunday, December 7, 2025 | 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
📍 Where: Hallcrest Vineyards, 379 Felton Empire Rd, Felton, CA
🔗 More info.
Happy holidays — and may all your Santa sightings be merry and magical.
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