The Best Holiday Events in Oxnard (2023)

We won't see snow, and temperatures won't drop to freezing, but Oxnard's annual holiday festivities will definitely get you in the holiday spirit. Here's the ultimate guide to the city's best events and things to do this season in Oxnard.

BEST HOLIDAY EVENTS IN OXNARD

Tree Lighting Celebration

November 15, 2023 from 7 - 8 pm | Next to The Annex Food Hall on Collection Blvd.

Get in the holiday spirit at The Collection at RiverPark with an awe-inspiring Tree Lighting Celebration. Head over to Collection Park for holiday entertainment at this fun family annual event you won't want to miss.

Related: Holiday Gift Guide: Where to Shop in Oxnard

PHOTOS WITH SANTA

November 17 - December 24 (Closed Thanksgiving) | The Collection at RiverPark

Santa will be stopping by The Collection at RiverPark to meet families and create special memories with keepsake photos. Reservations are required and can be made online at: thecollectionrp.com/events

November 17

• 12:00pm – 8:00pm

November 18 – December 23 (Closed Thanksgiving)

• Monday – Thursday 3:00pm -8:00pm (Break 5:00pm – 5:15pm)
• Friday – Saturday 12:00pm – 8:00pm (Break 3:30pm – 4:00pm)
• Sunday 12:00pm – 7:00pm (Break 3:30pm – 4:00pm)

December 24 – No reservations – walk ins only

• 9:00am – 5:00pm (Break 1:00pm – 2:00pm)

Gingerbread Scavenger Hunt

November 17 - December 24 | The Collection at RiverPark

Have fun with the family and enjoy the Gingerbread Scavenger Hunt at The Collection. Stop by Guest Services on Park View Court to begin your adventure. Once guests have completed the scavenger hunt and found all hidden gingerbread, they are invited back to Guest Services to enter to win a fun holiday surprise!

Share your favorite Collection holiday memories @TheCollectionRP #LifeAtTCRP

Peppermint Kids Club

December 2, 2023 from 11 am - 1 pm | The Collection at RiverPark

Enjoy a morning with your favorite holiday characters for arts and crafts, dance parties and fun surprises. Sponsored by Sunny Smiles Dentistry for Children and Young Adults.

Santa paws pet photo nights

Nov. 21, 28, Dec. 5, 12, 19 from 5- 8 pm | The Collection at Riverpark

Our four-legged fur friends are part of the family and are also welcomed to meet Old St. Nick himself. Every Tuesday, your furry friends are invited to meet Santa & partake in the holiday magic. Reservations are required.

Thanksgiving at Waterside

November 23 | Waterside

Celebrate Thanksgiving at the Channel Islands Harbor. Waterside is serving Thanksgiving lunch and dinner specials on November 24th. Call (805) 985-4677 to make a reservation.

The Oxnard Tamale Festival

December 2nd from 9 am to 6 pm | Plaza Park, Downtown Oxnard

Don't miss the 16th annual Oxnard Tamale Festival in Downtown Oxnard. The event is located along the route of the yearly Oxnard Christmas Parade. Enjoy delicious tamales, live music, and a kid's zone.

14th Annual Gingerbread House Exhibit & Tours

December 9– January 6 from 11 am - 2 pm | Heritage Square Hall

See Heritage Square holiday decorations, including gingerbread creations, at Heritage Square Hall. Take the guided tour experience of the former houses' exteriors with select interiors.

Tours cost $5 per person. The gingerbread exhibit is free to view.

57TH ANNUAL PARADE OF LIGHTS

December 9 from 7- 9 pm | Channel Islands Harbor

The Channel Islands Harbor will kick off the holidays with its 57th Annual Parade of Lights and is joining forces with the 4th Annual Channel Islands Harbor Food & Toy Drive to create a festive spectacle like never before. The 2023 theme is “Santa’s Workshop Creates a Spark of Love”. Enjoy a full day of holiday activities, including decorated boats in the parade while listening to carolers sing holiday songs. There will also be holiday arts and crafts vendors.

Santa to the Sea

December 10, 2023

Join the Santa to the Sea toy drive and community fundraiser. Sign up for the Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon, 2-Person Relay, a 5K run, or the 1K Kids Fun Run. The race starts at the Santa Clause statue and finishes at Channel Islands Harbor. You’ll run along the 101 free­way in Nye­land Acres, near Oxnard. Run­ners fol­low a flat and fast course, along the fra­grant straw­berry fields, through Downtown Oxnard and the Henry T. Oxnard Historic District dec­o­rated for the hol­i­days, before heading to the beach.

Sign up here!

Christmas Tree Lane

December 10 - 26, 2023 | Downtown Oxnard

Oxnard’s annual Christmas Tree Lane along F & G Streets continues its decades-long tradition. Pour yourself some hot chocolate and walk or drive through this holiday wonderland of decorated houses on "F" & "G" Streets between 5th & Palm in the Oxnard National Historic District (walkers be given guidance to travel in the direction of traffic to improve flow).

For a guided experience, take a ride on a local favorite, the Holly Trolley! Be sure to keep an eye out for appearances from Santa and the holiday carolers for some added holiday cheer!

F Street Railroad

Do you have a tiny adventurer who LOVES model trains? Since 2001, this festive front-yard exhibit has taken place annually at Christmas Tree Lane. Check out this 28 foot by 20 foot table with locomotives that grows in size each year. Check out the exhibits on Instagram.

2023 Downtown Oxnard Holly Trolley Tours

December 12 - 14 at 6 pm, 7 pm and 8 pm | Heritage Square

Climb aboard a double-decker trolley for a 50-minute guided tour of Heritage Square's Gingerbread Exhibit and Oxnard's Historic District's spectacular display of lights and decor at Christmas Tree Lane. The tour starts at Heritage Square and includes refreshments.

Prepaid reservations are required.

2023 Sip, Taste & Tour of Christmas Tree Lane

December 16 at 6 pm, 6:45 pm, 7:30 pm and 8:15 pm | Henry T. Oxnard Historic District.

Taste Ventura County's best restaurants and check out the famous Christmas Tree Lane. The guided tours showcase the holiday decor inside and out while providing information on the neighborhood's history, filled with historic homes in the Henry T. Oxnard Historic District.

Reservations are required.