2021 Holiday Events in Oxnard

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. Our list of the city's best events and things to do this season will help make Oxnard a winter wonderland all month long.

THANKSGIVING DINNER AL FRESCO & TO-GO

Dine out, or order a Thanksgiving feast to-go from these restaurants in 2021:

La Dolce Vita 1901 has curated a holiday menu that will exceed your expectations. Pre-order your meal by Friday, November 19 at 8 p.m., and enjoy Thanksgiving in the comfort of your home. For parties of 6+, LDV offers a perfectly prepared feast in a beautiful setting on their covered patio or in one of their dining rooms on Thursday, November 25th from 1pm to 6pm.

Coastal Grill at Embassy Suites by Hilton Mandalay Beach Hotel & Resort is seating guests on Thanksgiving Day from 12pm-9pm for $55 per person. ⁠⁠The three course meal will include butternut squash soup, roasted turkey with sweet potato mash, ginger pumpkin cheesecake with caramel and other tasty options.

The Raven Tavern is accepting orders for meals to-go through November 19. Meals are $195 and feed 6 to 8 people.

Honey Cup Coffeehouse & Creamery is baking mini pumpkin pies for the holiday season. Yum!

Tierra Sur at Herzog is offering a 3 course Thanksgiving feast for $125 per person. The menu includes tasty options to choose from but not limited to Salmon Tart, Turkey, Halibut, Prime Rib and Coconut Pumpkin Chiffon Pie! Reservations are available between 12 pm and 7:30 pm.

The Waterside Restaurant is serving a Thanksgiving meal with a lot of options to choose from. Enjoy their orange glazed ham with scallop potatoes or cedar plank ham with mashed potatoes and raspberry glaze as well as other delicious main entrée options. Don't forget the dessert choices such as pumpkin tiramisu, pistachio semifreddo and more! Hours of operations are 11 am to 8 pm.

THE COLLECTION AT RIVERPARK

This holiday season, The Collection at RiverPark is offering safe, festive fun this holiday season for the whole family. From visits with Santa, giveaways, scavenger hunts and more, there are plenty of opportunities to participate in the holiday cheer.

Photos With Santa
Date: Begins Nov. 20th at 12 pm
Location: Santa’s Workshop, 620 Collection Blvd.

Event Description: Santa will once again be visiting The Collection to meet families and create special memories with keepsake photos. Reservations are required and can be made here.

Santa Paws Pet Photo NightsDate: Begins 11/23 from 5-8 pm- will be held every Tuesday evening
Date: Nov. 23rd, 30th, Dec. 7th, Dec. 14th, Dec. 21st, 2021
Time: 5-8 p.m.
Location: Santa’s Workshop, 620 Collection Blvd.

Event Description: Furry friends are welcome to join in the fun every Tuesday evening at Santa Paws Pet Nights, sponsored by Pet Food Express. The four-legged friends are welcome to meet Santa himself with a reservation for a special photo.

Letters to Santa
Date: Nov. 17- Dec. 20, 2021
Location: Next to The Annex Food Hall on Collection Blvd.

Event Description: The elves at The Collection are ready to help make sure every holiday wish list makes it to the North Pole. Families are welcome to bring their own custom cards or write their special message on a complimentary postcard available at Guest Services and drop off letters to Santa in the special North Pole mailbox located on Collection Boulevard. The Collection will help carefully deliver letters written to Santa to ensure they are mailed and received at the North Pole where Santa and Mrs. Claus will reply to every letter that has a return address and is placed in the mailbox by Dec. 20.

Tree Lighting Celebration
Date: Nov. 17th, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Location: Next to The Annex Food Hall on Collection Blvd.

Event Description: Kick off the season with an awe-inspiring Tree Lighting Celebration on Nov. 17 at Collection Park. This magical evening will showcase holiday entertainment provided by Music Freqs, including a special performance of the Nutcracker from Ventura County Ballet Company, an extravagant tree lighting and a spectacular firework show.

Gingerbread Scavenger Hunt
Date: Nov. 20 through Dec. 20, 2021
Location: Guest Services on Park View Court (lobby of 2751 Park View Court)

Event Description: Add some extra fun with a seasonal scavenger hunt that will have you exploring every exciting nook and cranny of The Collection. Stop by Guest Services on Park View Court to pick up your Gingerbread Scavenger Hunt and begin the adventure! Once guests have completed the scavenger hunt and found all of the hidden gingerbread, they are invited back to Guest Services to enter to win a fun holiday surprise.

Peppermint Workshop
Date: Nov. 20, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Event Description: Join your favorite holiday characters for a morning of arts and crafts, dance parties, and fun surprises on Collection Blvd, sponsored by Sunny Smiles Dentistry for Children and Young Adults.

12 Days of Holiday Cheer Instagram Giveaway
Date: Beginning Wednesday, Dec. 1, through Dec. 12

Event Description: The Collection is spreading holiday cheer to its fans this season with 12 days of exciting giveaways on Instagram, starting Dec. 1. Follow @thecollectionrp to join the fun.

A Very Merry Holiday Bash Makers Market
Date: Dec. 5th, 12 pm - 6 pm

Event Description: Calling all fans of handmade arts, crafts and seasonal décor! The Collection will be hosting a Holiday Makers Market in partnership with Creative Communal. Stop by Park View Court on Sunday, Dec. 5, from noon to 6 p.m. to join The Collection for a day of fun supporting local makers this holiday season.

Throughout the holiday season, shopping center visitors will have the opportunity to experience a variety of festive fun. The Collection’s team will be surprising guests at random by handing out gifts to enjoy this holiday season. In addition, local musicians will be strolling through the center and playing classic holiday songs and twists on popular tunes. For a fun way to connect virtually, The Collection will be launching its digital 12 Days of Holiday Cheer event. For the first 12 days of December, The Collection will be hosting giveaways on its Instagram page, @TheCollectionRP, to raffle off items such as gift cards for stores and dinner for two.

For more information on each of these activities and experiences, please visit http://www.thecollectionrp.com.

CHANNEL ISLANDS Harbor Holiday Events

Holiday Farmers Market

Dates: Dec. 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th, 2021
Location: Marine Emporium Landing

Open every Sunday, 10 am to 2 pm, at Channel Islands Harbor, the Farmers Market features farmers, fishermen and vendors selling seasonal fruits and vegetables, flowers, plants, freshly caught fish, baked goods, hand-made crafts and freshly prepared foods. The market also celebrates the holidays, with seasonal goods sold during the month of December.

Lighting of the Tall Ship Mast

The annual mast lighting will take place Saturday, Dec. 11th from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum. Santa will be arriving around 6:30 and light the Mast as well as visit with children until 7:00 pm.

Holiday Harbor Cruise – December 7th & 21st

The Scarlett Belle

Celebrate the holidays aboard Scarlett Belle's Riverboat Dinner Cruise. Cruise the tranquil waters of the Channel Islands Harbor, and enjoy the harbor holiday lights December 7 and 21 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Included with your $95 harbor cruise ticket are hors d'oeuvres, dinner, dessert, and a drink ticket. Live musical performance with local guitarist Teresa Russell. Click here to book!

55th Annual Parade of Lights – December 11th

Channel Islands Harbor

The Channel Islands Harbor will kick off the holidays with its 55th annual holiday Parade of Lights, themed "Jingle Jungle." Entrants are asked to decorate their vessels based on their favorite holiday tunes. The event is scheduled from 10am to 8pm. The parade starts at 7 p.m.

Everyone is invited to enjoy a full day of holiday activities. Watch festively decorated boats in the parade while listening to carolers sing holiday songs. There will also be holiday arts and crafts vendors starting at 10 a.m.

The parade starts at 7 p.m. in front of Peninsula Park and heads to the Main Channel, turns at Kiddie Beach, loops in front of the launch ramp then heads back to Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club and repeats the route for a second run. The parade can be viewed from parks and walkways that line the route as well as from most Harbor restaurants. Boat charters are available for those who want to watch the parade from the water.

Santa to the Sea Marathon and Relay – December 12th

Oxnard's annual Santa to the Sea holiday half-marathon, 5k race, and more is back this year on December 12, 2021! Make sure to register for this flat, festive and fun event.

Whether you are a first-timer or a veteran runner, the holiday marathon, two-person relay or 5K fun run will quickly become one of your favorite events! Ring in the holiday spirit by running for a cause. This event works to collect toys for underprivileged kids in the community while providing scholarships to high school seniors to attend college.

Downtown Oxnard Holiday Events

Christmas Tree Lane

Dates: Dec. 12th thru Dec 26th, 2021

Downtown Oxnard will be abuzz with holiday cheer this season. 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!

Heritage Square Holiday Tours

Enjoy the Victorian homes at Heritage Square, which will be decorated and lit, with historic tours on the following weekends: Dec. 11 & 12, Dec. 18 & 19, Dec. 26, Jan. 2, or by appointment during the week through the website.

Downtown Oxnard Tree Lighting

The annual lighting ceremony of Plaza Park’s historic pagoda and the tallest Christmas tree in Ventura County will take place Dec. 2 around 6:30pm.

Oxnard Holly Trolley

Hop aboard a double-decker bus and tour Oxnard's Downtown and Historic District's holiday lights Dec. 14-16.

Oxnard Christmas Parade

Enjoy festive marching bands, local school groups, floats, a visit from Santa and more at the annual Oxnard Christmas Parade on Dec. 4.

Oxnard Tamale Festival To-Go

The Oxnard Tamale Festival will be offering holiday tamales to-go this year. Pick up pre-orders of tamale sampler packs from participating restaurants starting Nov. 4 and subsequent Tuesdays until Nov. 30. The event features authentic home-style tamales served by local restaurants and vendors who will compete for the title of "best tamale."

You won't want to miss the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Downtown Oxnard. Come celebrate with Oxnard's community leaders, merchants, friends and family for a fun-filled evening of festive music, complimentary refreshments and a visit from Santa!

The Tree Lighting Ceremony is a beloved community kick-off to the holiday season. Festivities begin at 5:00pm with songs and performances from local groups, all leading up to the lighting of the 110 feet tall Christmas tree in the center of town around 6:30pm! The event is located in Plaza Park, at 500 South C Street on December 2nd. The best part? It's free!

Oxnard Christmas Parade – December 4th

A, 5th and C Streets, Downtown

With a theme like "The Sounds of Christmas," the Oxnard Christmas parade is the perfect way to kick off the holidays and get into a festive mood. Enjoy a fanfare starring animated characters, marching bands, equestrian units, school groups, themed floats, and of course- Santa! Find a spot on the route running through A, 5^th and C Streets in Downtown Oxnard.

12th Annual Gingerbread House Exhibit & Tours Fest – Dec. 11th thru Jan. 2

Heritage Square, Downtown

Come see Heritage Square Hall decorated at the best time of the year including a holiday inspired display of gingerbread creations. While visiting, take the guided tour experience of the former houses' exteriors with select interiors. Tours and the display will be at 731 S A Street in Heritage Square 11am-2pm Dec. 11 & 12, 18 & 19, 26, Jan. 1 & 2. For more information, click here.

Holly Trolley Holiday Light Tours – December 14th, 15th, 16th

Henry T. Oxnard Historic District

Hop on board a double-decker bus for complimentary hot cocoa, cookies and a tour of Oxnard's holiday attractions including: Christmas Tree Lane, the Gingerbread House Display at Heritage Square and the Winter Fantasy Music & Light Show at Plaza Park.

STREY CELLARS UGLY SWEATER PARTY- dEC. 11TH

On Saturday, December 11th from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm, wear the ugliest sweater you have for the 7th annual Ugly Sweater Party at Strey Cellars. There will be a photo booth, reindeer games, a live band and more! Click here for more details.