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Winter is upon us once again, as evidence by the chill in the air and the strands of colorful lights adorning the roofs and front doors of houses everywhere. ‘Tis the season to explore what festive wonders this small town may have to offer – so dust off your ice skates and grab your puffer jackets because Santa Barbara has no shortage of fun, family-friendly activities to partake in during the holidays.
The Santa Barbara Zoo is a year-round favorite for locals, but winter brings a bright and colorful treat to the familiar animal enclosures. Lining the winding paths sit thousands of silk-covered lanterns depicting animal and nature scenes from around the world, with over 50,000 LED bulbs illuminating the massive display. Perhaps you’ll find yourself face-to-face with an incandescent, terrifying tiger, or walk beneath dozens of glimmering butterflies suspended in the trees. Immersive virtual elements are also included – hop on a bike across from the grass hill to make a giant glowing panda ride along with you, or wave to new friends at the Los Angeles Zoo Lights via a live video stream! Scattered throughout the park, you can find snack carts and concession stands offering warm treats like hot chocolate, as well as other food and beverages. Zoo Lights runs almost every day from Nov. 12 to Jan. 11, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Prices range from $22 to $36, depending on peak times, while parking is an additional $11.
A necessary stop on every family-friendly list of holiday things to do is a trip to Lane Farms, where they’ve traded pumpkins for Christmas trees! Walk through the rows of Douglas and Noble Firs and breathe in the festive and nostalgic scent of evergreens. Stop in the corn maze, or visit the produce stand located at the front of the parking lot to find fresh fruits and vegetables for any holiday cooking needs. Don’t forget to pet the pigs, goats, and donkeys on the way out! Lane Farms is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. until Dec. 19, when their hours will switch to 10 a.m. to 6 p.m for the end of the season, officially closing on Dec. 23.
A fun, free option is to visit Paseo Nuevo on State Street every Friday through Sunday to experience the magic of snow in Santa Barbara. Gather around the lit tree in the center court of Paseo Nuevo for a festive fake snow show every weekend at 6 and 7 p.m. until Dec. 21.
Another family-friendly holiday classic no matter where you live is ice skating! A visit to Ice in Paradise in Goleta is a great excuse to dust off those skates and experience the joy of gliding seamlessly around the rink. Don’t forget to bundle up as protection against the harsh chill. The rinkside cafe is also a great place to warm up after a skating session, offering food, beverages, and a cozy welcoming atmosphere to relax in. Public sessions take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday, 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, although the schedule is subject to change. Admission is $15, and an additional $5 for skate rentals.
Even sunny, beachside Santa Barbara has no shortage of winter activities to indulge in come the holidays. No matter what you’re interested in, there is sure to be something for everyone this festive season.
