Parade of Lights, courtesy photo

Santa Barbara is always a beautiful place to celebrate the holiday season, and one of the most unique and charming events is the annual Parade of Lights, when boat owners literally “deck the hulls with bows of holly” and lots of glorious lights, then motor, sail and paddle between Stearns Wharf and Santa Barbara Breakwater. | Dec. 6, 5:30–7:30 p.m. Santa Barbara Harbor. santabarbaraca.gov.

–Leslie Dinaberg

This story originally appeared in the winter 2015/16 issue of Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine.