Downtown Ventura celebrates the Holiday Season with over 100 fresh-cut, decorated trees and multiple events in historic Plaza Park.
Holidays at the Plaza, one of Downtown Ventura’s signature holiday events, returns to Plaza Park from Dec. 7, 2018 to Jan. 2, 2019. The event is marked by the Candy Cane Forest, which is made up of rows upon rows of freshly cut Christmas trees lined up in the park, each decorated by a different local organization, family, or individual.
Groups and individuals who are interested in sponsoring a tree can do so for $300. The online form to sign up for tree sponsorship is available at HolidaysAtThePlaza.com.
In addition to the Candy Cane Forest, Holidays at the Plaza hosts events through the month of December:
Outdoor Movie Pajama Party: Dec. 7 – Holidays at the Plaza will be screening two classic holiday films for free, starting with the 1966 How the Grinch Stole Christmas at 6 p.m., followed by the 2004 The Polar Express. Food trucks will be available and Santa will make an appearance. The event is presented by Pacific Western Bank.
Holiday Boutique: Dec. 8 – From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Plaza Park will host vendors offering handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gifts. There will also be live entertainment and Santa will be available from noon to 2 p.m. Attendees are invited to bring a toy for Toys for Tots or a coat for Coats for Kids, in exchange for which they will receive a raffle ticket for available prizes.
Rock ‘N Roll Breakfast with Santa: Dec. 15 – Busy Bee Cafe, Live 105.5, Ventura Rental Party & Events, and Montecito Bank & Trust are hosting this casual breakfast with Santa from 8 to 11 a.m. Tickets are $10.
Yoga with Santa: Dec. 16 – Grassroots Yoga will be leading this donation-based yoga class, which Santa will join, starting at 10 a.m. All ages are invited.
Silent Night Disco: Dec. 22 – At a silent disco, there is no traditional sound system. Instead, every attendee gets a pair of wireless headphones, so they can tune into the DJ’s music. The Silent Night Disco will run from 6 to 10 p.m. and is open to all ages. Tickets are $20 and include one pair of headphones and a Ventura Coast Brewing Co. beer or non-alcoholic beverage.
The Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony returns to Ventura this month with the largest light display in city history. The yearly celebration of the season will begin at 6:00 pm at Mission Park on Friday, November 30. This year’s event will include live entertainment from several local choirs and dance groups, bounce houses for the kids, and vendors offering food and drinks.
At 7:00 pm, Santa will be arriving by Fire truck, and will join the Mayor and Mission San Buenaventura’s Father Tom Elewaut to lead a countdown to light the trees.
Once the trees are lit, the evening will continue with dancing under faux snowfall in the park and opportunities to mingle with the gathered community.
Other ways to celebrate the season include Small Business Saturday on November 24. Shop local for your holiday gifts and get great deals.
Additionally, FOOD Share’s 7th annual CAN-tree Drive runs from November 30 to December 2 at Figueroa Plaza. Individuals, families, and groups can bring cans to donate to FOOD Share, Ventura County’s Food Bank.
