2021 Holiday Boat Parade, Winter Wonderland, Santa Paddle & More Await Holiday Goers
Ventura Harbor Village. Holiday Lights by Dan Harding. Courtesy image.
VENTURA — It’s the most wonderful time of the year and Ventura Harbor Village, located off of Highway 101, invites visitors to celebrate joyous TIDEings with friends and family in true nautical style. Holiday goers from near and far can embrace the sights, sounds, and smells that are unique to the seaside destination.
Putting you in the holiday spirit – Ventura Harbor Village is creating a spectacular backdrop with ocean-inspired seasonal decorations in a color palette of sparkling blue, aqua, and green beachy hues Thanksgiving through New Year’s, and is showcasing festive spiraling sea pearls, whimsical holiday trees, vibrant wreaths and other glistening décor that reflects off the marina waters as part of the “SEAsons Greetings” holiday display.
The wonder and magic of the SEAson comes alive at this haven for sun and fun. Planned are a series of spectacular “must-sea” events as part of a two-day holiday celebration that includes Winter Wonderland & Holiday Marketplace at Ventura Harbor Village on Saturday, December 11,
featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus, live reindeer, faux snow flurries, and carolers clad in traditional costumes plus a Santa Paddle at 11 a.m.), and the popular 2021 Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights & Fireworks on Friday December 17 & 18 at 6:30 p.m. and scenic holiday cruises with Island Packers.
The already picturesque harbor will shine even brighter during the holidays with fabulous seaside dining on scenic covered patios where diners can enjoy cuisine from around the world. Following a relaxing meal, visitors can stroll along the promenade to browse one-of-a-kind finds from Ventura’s locally owned makers with no shortage of gifts found seaside.
Visit to SEA a stellar line-up to make your holidays merry and bright:
Shop Local On Small Business Saturday
Kick off the season and get a jump start on your holiday shopping without the big box bustle, and partake in Small Business Saturday on November 27, 2021: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. With no shortage of one-of-a-kind gifts and original finds for everyone on your holiday list, Ventura Harbor Village makes shopping a breeze. Plan on visiting several of the 18 waterfront shops that offer a wide selection of items, such as home décor, fabulous stocking stuffers, apparel, socks, jewelry, accessories, hand-crafted pottery, original art , soap, sweet treats, and unique sea inspired gifts crafted by local makers and artisans.
In addition, holiday shoppers can give the gift of year-round experiences with gift cards from Islands Packers, Ventura Boat Rentals, The Ultimate Escape Rooms, Ventura Comedy Club, and Ventura Dive & Sport.
The seaside destination entices shoppers with a Holiday Shopping Passport, whereby they can get stamps and enter to win a $150+ holiday gift package plus $25 each week of gift cards from November 27- December 19, 2021. www.VenturaHarborVillage.com.
Capture the Magic of the Season at the Winter Wonderland & Holiday Marketplace
Add a little joy to your holidays with Ventura Harbor Village’s annual Winter Wonderland & Holiday Marketplace, Saturday, December 11thfrom noon- 4 p.m. Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus and their live reindeer, enjoy live carolers, a faux snowfall for kids and much more while you shop at locally-owned stores and art galleries. ‘Tis the season for giving, with two opportunities to make a difference to help others this holiday season. The first is a Canned Food Drive benefitting Food Share Ventura County. Bring ten cans and receive a fun complimentary reindeer antler head band, perfect for the holidays, stocking stuffers and photo opps. The second is a Sock Drive benefitting Ventura Rescue Mission. Get in the spirit of giving by donating socks, the item most often requested by shelters during the winter. www.VenturaHarborVillage.com. The event is complimentary to visitors.
Delight In The 2021 Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights & Fireworks
It’s a “wow” moment when spectators get their first glimpse of the magnificent boats amid festive décor at the
2021 Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights & Fireworks on Friday, December 17 and Saturday, December 18, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. Vivid and bright, the procession of colorfully-decorated boats is a spectacle to behold. Everyone is invited to kick off this “Back to Seality” themed boat parade.
The celebration spotlights illuminated power boats and sail boats as they cruise around the entire Harbor, kiddie rides, sweet treats, warm drinks, and waterfront dining throughout Ventura Harbor Village. To cap off the evening, a fireworks display lights up the night sky and sea on both Friday & Saturday at approximately 8 p.m. (weather permitting). This event is complimentary to visitors.
Plan to vote for the prestigious People’s Choice Award on the Ventura Harbor’s Facebook page! View all parade entries on the “2021 People’s Choice Award” album and “like” your favorites. Boat owners are invited to bring holiday cheer to the Ventura County Community by joining the parade. Entering as a boater is complimentary! To join, visit www.VenturaHarborVillage.com
Visitors can also revel in the true spirit of the season with these special happenings and holiday cruises:
- Give the Gift of Handcrafted Pottery:
In the true spirit of the season, The Ventura Pottery Gallery, which features handcrafted pottery from more than 35 local potters, is giving visitors a shopping incentive: a handmade pottery gift when you spend $25 (one per customer whiles supplies last) In November from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. while supplies last. Visit www.venturapotteryonline.com or www.venturapotteryguild.org
- Santa Trades Reindeer for Paddle Board With Ventura Boast Rentals
Santa is trading wind chill for sunny shores with 5th Annual Santa Paddle, on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 11 a.m. This delightful event is complimentary to participants, however visitors can rent a kayak, SUP, or stand-up YOLO board or character pedal boats from Ventura Boat Rentals (prices per hour are $17 to $45 per hour depending upon equipment rental) to join the fun. Arrive early to secure your rental needs.
Santa Paddle participants can carry on their equipment or launch at the “C” doc in Ventura Harbor Village. The starting point for the event is at Ventura Harbor Village bay in front of Ventura Boat Rentals. Then, it’s a scenic one-hour paddle to the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center and back. Everyone is invited to dress festively in the spirit of the season in red and white Santa’s elves, and of course Santa Hats! www.VenturaHarborVillage.com
- Create Memories & Celebrate in Classic Ventura Style On a California Sleigh Ride Via Boat
Like a candy cane lane on the water, Ventura Boat Rentals’ California Sleigh Rides prove to be an ideal
seasonal activity for families and friends to celebrate. The nightly 75-minute private holiday charter is offered December 10-16, December 19-23 and December 26-31, 2021 from 5:45 -7:00 p.m. and 7:30 – 8:45 p.m. for up to 24 passengers. Cost: $660. Plan a scenic voyage aboard the festively adorned “Dreamer” vessel to view spectacularly-decorated boats in Ventura Harbor and homes in Ventura Keys. Each cruise includes holiday music, complimentary hot chocolate, and holiday cookies. Another way to view the Harbor at night is via Ventura Boat Rentals’s duck, dragon and swan boats. www.VenturaBoatRentals.com
In addition, Ventura Boat Rentals is offering private holiday charters to view the Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights & Fireworks on Friday, December 17, 2021 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. or 7:30-9:00 p.m. for up to 24 passengers. Free self serve hot chocolate and cookies are available. Cost: $900. Information: For advance reservations, call: 805-642-7753 or visit www.californiasleightrides.com or www.VenturaBoatRentals.com.
- Partake in Some Jolly Good Fun Aboard an Island Packers Harbor Light Cruise & Parade of Lights Cruise
Island Packers Public Harbor Lights Cruise:
Cruise in style to view holiday lights with friends/family during a one-hour Island Packers Public Harbor Light Cruise: December 8-12, December 15 and 19 and December 20-23, 2021 – 6:30-7:30 p.m. Cost: $17 for adults, $14 for seniors 55+ and $11 for children. For advance reservations call 805-642-1393 or visit www.IslandPackers.com
Island Packers Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights & Fireworks Public Cruise:
For those who wish to see the colorfully-lit boats up close, look no further than Island Packers Parade of Lights Public Cruise topped off by a spectacular fireworks on December 17 and 18, 2021 at 5:45 and 6 p.m. Cost: $36 for adults, $33 for seniors 55+ and $26 for children under 12 years old. Group rates are also available www.IslandPackers.com
- Savor Delicious Holiday Fare On Christmas Day
Make memories with a casual meal or gather for a special dinner with family and friends at one of the popular dining options at Ventura Harbor on Christmas Day, December 2021. https://www.venturaharborvillage.com/dine/
- Ring in New Year’s Eve Waterside
Ring in 2022 waterside and toast the New Year with a savory selection of al la carte and pre fixe menus items accompanied by handcrafted and specialty cocktails at the below restaurants and clubs on December 31, 2021.
https://www.venturaharborvillage.com/dine/
Parking Information:
Admission for Winter Wonderland & Holiday Marketplace, Parade of Lights, and Santa Paddle are complimentary.
Complimentary event parking is available in Ventura Harbor Village lots, the Dolphin Lot at Ventura Isle Marina, on the street along Spinnaker Drive, and in the Ventura Harbor beach lots. Arrive early for best parking and shopping throughout the Ventura Harbor Village. Consider taking Uber and Lyft to the events this year. Dinner reservations are recommended or arrive early to dine in venues throughout Ventura Harbor. Parade and fireworks are weather pending. For best views of the parade, reserve a Parade of Lights cruise.
For a complete schedule of holiday events and entertainment and additional visitor information, contact Ventura Harbor Village at 805-477-0470, or visit www.VenturaHarborVillage.com. Ventura Harbor Village is located at
1583 Spinnaker Drive in Ventura.
Ventura Harbor Village is excited to welcome the community with an outdoor, open-air public space to spend and enjoy the holiday seaside at a safe distance. The Harbor asks that visitors please be mindful during their visit and seaside safety.
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