Celebrating the Holidays the 805 Way
Things to see, do, and take note of
If you’re looking to work off those Thanksgiving feast calories and get in the holiday spirit, Santa Paula has got you covered.
Santa Paula Events
Small Business Saturday, November 30, all day
Saturday is the day to shop your favorite local businesses—and maybe discover some new ones. Check out the vendors and shops in the Historic Downtown District (along and around Main Street) for vintage and antique items, clothes, general housewares, and toys and games, in addition to restaurants such as Rabalais’ Bistro, El Capricho, Anna’s Cider, and the Draft at Mupu.
Saturday Farmers Market, Anna’s Cider, November 30
10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Held every Saturday in the Anna’s Cider parking lot (801 E. Main Street), the market features farm-fresh and locally grown foods, as well as arts and crafts from local artisans.
Christmas Trains at Odd Fellows Lodge (Clock Tower Building), November 30, 3:00 PM–6:00 PM
The Odd Fellows Lodge at 868 E. Main Street will be offering a sneak preview of its Christmas Train display between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM. This is no kids’ toy. The entire hall will be criss-crossed in miles of track and feature several different train sets. Entry is $2 at the door. The display’s official grand opening is set for December 6.
Holiday Parade, November 30, starts at 6:30 PM
SP’s 74th annual holiday parade gets underway at 6:30 PM on East Main Street between 7th and Mill Streets. Some fifty+ entries are expected to draw thousands of onlookers, so plan on arriving early to stake out your viewing spot. Be sure to also bring a warm jacket, as temperatures have been nosediving into the 40s and 50s after sundown.
Free First Sunday at the Santa Paula Museums, December 1
You and your family are invited to check out Santa Paula’s museums, which honor the area’s arts, agriculture, and aviation history. Admission is free for everyone.
Santa Paula Art Museum: 12:00 PM–4:00 PM
Aviation Museum of Santa Paula: 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Agriculture Museum of Ventura County: TBD
Holiday Market with Santa Claus at the Aviation Museum, December 1
10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Santa Claus will be coming in for a landing at the Santa Paula Airport’s Aviation Museum (800 E. Santa Maria Street) for its family-friendly holiday market. Non-perishable food items and unwrapped toys will also be collected to donate to local families in need. St. Nick is set to be there between 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM.
Santa Paula Art Museum Holiday Market, December 7
10:00 AM–4:00 PM
The Santa Paula Art Museum (117 N. 10th Street) will be hosting its annual Holiday Market, where local artists and craftspeople invite guests to peruse and shop their vendor tables. The event also features live music (usually) and glasses of bubbly. Admission is free. As an aside, the art museum happens to be one of the most lovely and gracious spaces in town. It just has…a vibe that everyone instantly picks up on. Definitely check it out. (Full disclosure: I’m a volunteer/docent and will be helping work the bar.)