Courtesy photo.
OXNARD — The holidays wouldn’t be complete without bright lights, stunning Gingerbread Houses and creative holiday displays. Friends of Heritage Square welcomes the community and visitors alike to enjoy fun events this holiday season.
The 11th Annual Gingerbreadfest Celebration at historic Heritage Square in Downtown Oxnard takes place from December 7-29 for visitors to view a display of artistic and original gingerbread houses submitted by adults, children, and organizations, all vying for a chance to win cash prizes. The gingerbread houses are on display on Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and on Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. While at the Square, guests can take a tour of Heritage Square, all dressed up for the holidays. Tours are $5 per person and available Saturday from 10 to 4 and Sunday from 1 to 4. Group tours are available by appointment.
Grab a loved one and jump on board a grand double-decker for a 55-minute guided tour through Downtown Oxnard and Christmas Tree Lane in the Henry T. Oxnard Historic District during the Holly Trolley Tours taking place December 10, 11, 12 & 19 at 6 p.m.; 7 p.m.; and 8 p.m. Christmas Tree Lane goes all out with creative displays, shining lights and holiday cheer. The tour begins at Heritage Square where you can view the Gingerbread Houses before the tour. The cost is $13.50 per person, which includes hot cocoa and sweets. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 805-247-0197 or www.DowntownOxnard.org.
Tasty food, soothing beverages and holiday tours are on tap during the Sip Taste & Tour Friday, December 13. Visitors are invited to take a taste along Ventura County’s popular Christmas Tree Lane while sipping on local wines & craft beers and enjoying bites from Oxnard’s local restaurants. The guided tours are offered at 6 p.m.; 6:45 p.m.; 7:30 p.m.; and 8 p.m. The tour showcases the holiday décor inside and out of four historic period homes in the Historic District. Pre-sale tickets of $50 per guest are offered by December 2. Regular cost is $55 per guest with group discounts available. Proceeds benefit Friends of Heritage Square.
For more information on the holiday events, call Heritage Square at 805-483-7960 or visit the website at www.HeritageSquareOxnard.com.
About Friends of Heritage Square: The Friends of Heritage Square is a volunteer organization established in 1993. The group provides regular tours of the Square and helps to interpret the importance of its structures through ongoing research and training. They also support other activities in Heritage Square and Oxnard and can be seen generally in costume at the Summer Concerts, Autumn Home Tours and Oxnard Salsa Festival. Funds raised from the Victorian Home Tours support their onsite educational programs for area school children.