Courtesy photo.
Winter Wonderland & Holiday Marketplace + Festive Ventura Harbor Santa Paddle Top List on December 21 of Ventura’s Must-SEA December Events
VENTURA — Re-kindle the magic and add a little glee to the holiday season for the annual family fun Santa Paddle at 11 AM and Winter Wonderland & Holiday Marketplace at Ventura Harbor Village from Noon – 4 PM on Saturday, Dec. 21. This popular seaside playground hosts Santa both on the water and with his live reindeer throughout the course of the day.
First up, join Santa as he trades in his sleigh for a light workout on the paddle board as part of Ventura Harbor’s annual Santa Paddle 2024 from 11 AM – Noon. Visitors can join in on the water to ring in good holiday vibes with a scenic one-hour paddle procession from Ventura Harbor Village bay in front of Ventura Boat Rentals through the marina to the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center and back.
Participants are invited to dress in the spirit of the season as festive elves, reindeer, holiday trees, and of course don your best Santa Hat! The best dressed (group or individual) in holiday spirit will win a $25 Boatyard Pub Gift Card! There will be a group photo, and paddlers of all skill levels (kayak, SUP and pedal) are welcome to participate with a life vest. Guests can bring their own equipment and launch at the “C” doc in Ventura Harbor Village, or rent a kayak, stand up paddle board, or character pedal boats from Ventura Boat Rentals. venturaharborvillage.com/events
Santa Paddle 2024
Santa & Mrs. Claus then celebrate by greeting guests in their classic red holiday sleigh, along with Santa’s live reindeer at the Ventura Harbor Village’s Annual Winter Wonderland & Holiday Marketplace on Saturday, December 21 from Noon – 4 PM. Oh what fun it is to pose for a complimentary photo with Santa & Mrs. Claus; get up close to two of Santa’s live reindeer; play in faux snow amid strolling costumed carolers; take a photo with roaming snowman, reindeer and penguin characters; enjoy a live performance by the toy soldier band; partake in face painting; interact with vendors; get crafty with Lakeshore Learning Center & much more , from Noon to 4 PM. venturaharborvillage.com/events
New to the lineup for Ventura Harbor Village’s Winter Wonderland & Holiday Marketplace 2024 are professional bubble shows with SB Bubble Guy, featuring amazing bubble action that entertains all ages near the Deep Sea Wine Tasting (Noon- 3:30 PM); live ice sculpting with French Chef Jean Luc in front of Le Petit Café & Bakery (3 PM); a fun search for the Holiday Harbor Seal to win prizes; and the new Holly Jolly Market, featuring local vendors on the Village Main Lawn (Noon- 4 PM).
Unwrap a sleigh full of holiday gift ideas for everyone on your list at Ventura Harbor Village’s Holiday Marketplace. Find last-minute items and fabulous stocking stuffers at more than a dozen coastal chic and beachy boutiques. Plan for a personalized and relaxing seasonal shopping experience with one-of-a-kind gifts for family and friends, and a wide selection of original products to choose from this year! From home décor, diving gear, pampering gift cards and products, coastal apparel, socks, jewelry, candles, accessories, hand-crafted pottery, original artwork, mermaid gifts, Ventura wear, soap, sweet treats, gift cards, and gifts handmade by local makers and artisans and so much more! https://www.venturaharborvillage.com/shop
Visitors are encouraged to spread holiday joy in Ventura County by bringing new, unwrapped toys and sports equipment to support the 32nd Annual Spark of Love Toy Drive in partnership with Ventura County Fire Departments and ABC 7. Drop off your new toy or item by Santa’s sleigh in the main Village courtyard on Saturday, December 21 from Noon -4 PM and receive a fun reindeer antler headband as part of the fun! (while supplies last) Don’t have time to pick up a gift – plenty of shopping options at the Ventura Harbor Village to select from to share the joy of the holiday season with kids and teens! Click here for more info
Not to be missed are the fabulous finds at the new Holly Jolly Market on Saturday, December 21 on the Ventura Harbor Village Main Lawn from Noon – 4 PM, taking place this year in conjunction with Winter Wonderland & Holiday Marketplace. Produced by Sun and Shine Market, the specialty market highlights 20+ vendors, holiday gifts and treats, handcrafted jewelry, a flower bar, a magnet bar, a wrapping station, and kids craft activities. https://www.venturaharborvillage.com/event/holly-jolly-market/
Plan to dine, sip, and savor at more than 12 seaside Ventura Harbor Village Restaurants, with choices of fresh seafood, French Greek, Mexican and American fare, including the new The Loose Cannon waterfront bar, arcade, and restaurant. Or grab sweet boardwalk style treats and ice cream or sip on a glass of wine at the oceanfront Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room.
Admission to Ventura Harbor Village’s Winter Wonderland & Holiday Marketplace and Santa Paddle are FREE and parking is complimentary.
Stay for the evening to see the SEAson’s Greetings holiday décor sparkle and continue the holiday outing aboard the Holiday Caroling Cruises with Islands Packers at Ventura Harbor Village, where passengers revel in the yuletide spirit on board as they cruise the waterways of festive Ventura Harbor. With spectacular views, a kaleidoscope of brilliant, ever-changing lights on decorated boats and waterfront homes in the main channel of the Ventura Keys, this SEA-tacular annual event includes holiday carols and a sing along. Dates run starting on December 5 and on select dates (December 6, 7, 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 & 23) until December 23 from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. Cost is $22 per adult, $20 per senior 55+, and $16 per child. For additional information/booking call or visit:805-642-1393 or https://islandpackers.com/holiday-cruises/ventura-harbor-caroling-cruise/
SEAS the day with a spectacular line-up of December events, including the 48th Annual Parade of Lights & Fireworks on Friday, December 13 and Saturday, December 14 at 6:30 PM and a celebratory lighting of the Menorah at the Chanukah Festival with Chabad of Ventura on December 26 from 3-4 PM at Ventura Harbor Village. venturaharborvillage.com/events