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Christmas with kids in Santa Maria
In Santa Maria, Christmas arrives on Broadway. In 2025, about 25,000 people lined the street to watch a parade of lights that ends with Santa's float.
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The story of Christmas in Santa Maria
The Parade of Lights and the Civic Center tree
Santa Maria's biggest Christmas tradition is the Christmas Parade of Lights along Broadway, held on the first Saturday of December. Organized by the Rotary Clubs of Santa Maria and Nipomo, the parade dates back more than 30 years and ends with Santa's float. The night before, the city kicks off its Christmas community celebration weekend with a tree lighting at the downtown Civic Center, complete with hot cocoa, sweets and a children's choir.
Christmas last year in Santa Maria
The 2025 celebration began on Friday, December 5, when the Civic Center tree lit up just after 5 p.m. with Santa, a children's choir and a brass band. On Saturday, December 6, the Parade of Lights stepped off at 5:20 p.m. with 103 entries and about 25,000 spectators, including many high school bands and cheer squads. Santa's float came last, escorted by the Santa Maria Fire Department, and KEYT broadcast it live. Christmas at Machado Plaza followed the next weekend.
Fun facts about Christmas in Santa Maria
The Parade of Lights skipped three years in a row, in 2020, 2021 and 2022, before returning on December 2, 2023. The parade is timed to fit its live TV slot, so Santa's float can appear on the broadcast before the station's airtime ends. Entry is free for groups, businesses and families, and every entry sends the announcers a short script so the crowd learns who is passing by.
Trains and Christmas near Santa Maria
Families who love trains have two good day trips from Santa Maria. To the north, Pacific Coast Railroad at Santa Margarita Ranch runs narrow gauge steam trains pulled by three engines, with four restored 1950s coaches from Disneyland, but only on occasional public event days. To the south, the South Coast Railroad Museum in Goleta has a 1901 depot, a caboose, a model railroad and a miniature train, with free admission on weekends.
- Pacific Coast Railroad: A narrow gauge steam railroad with three engines and restored 1950s coaches from Disneyland, running on occasional public days.
- South Coast Railroad Museum: A 1901 depot with a caboose, a model railroad and a miniature train, free on weekends.
Traditions today
- Christmas Parade of Lights: Floats, bands and Santa roll down Broadway on the first Saturday of December, run by Rotary for more than 30 years.
- Civic Center Tree Lighting: The downtown tree lights up with hot cocoa, a children's choir and Santa.
- Santa's Float and the Fire Department: Santa's float closes the parade, escorted by the Santa Maria Fire Department.
- Christmas at Machado Plaza: A holiday gathering the weekend after the tree lighting and parade.
- Live TV Broadcast: The parade is shown live on local TV, so families can watch from home.
A fact for kids
In Santa Maria, the Christmas parade is timed so that Santa gets on live TV before the broadcast ends.
Questions about Christmas in Santa Maria
When is the Santa Maria Christmas Parade of Lights?
The parade is held on the first Saturday of December, according to the Santa Maria Valley Chamber's listing, and in 2025 it stepped off at 5:20 p.m. on December 6. Check our Santa Maria Christmas events guide on this page for this season's confirmed date and time.
Who organizes the Santa Maria Parade of Lights?
The Rotary Clubs of Santa Maria and Nipomo organize the parade. Entry is free and open to groups, organizations, businesses and families, though animals are not allowed. Organizers ask entries to submit an application and a short script for the announcers who describe each float to the crowd.
How big is the Santa Maria Parade of Lights?
The 2025 parade had 103 entries and an estimated 25,000 people along Broadway. Many entries were young people, including high school bands, cheer squads and aerobics groups. Santa's float, escorted by the Santa Maria Fire Department, came last, so little ones who wait get the best finale.
Was the Santa Maria Parade of Lights ever canceled?
Yes. The parade dates back more than 30 years, but it was not held in 2020, 2021 or 2022. It returned on Saturday, December 2, 2023, along Broadway, after a four-year absence, so many families were glad to see Santa's float roll by again.
Where does the Santa Maria Christmas Parade of Lights run?
In 2025 the parade began at Stowell Road and Broadway and headed north toward Main Street, slightly shorter than usual because of redevelopment at the former Sears site. Stowell Road closed at 3 p.m. for float staging, so arrive early and expect heavy foot traffic along Broadway.
Is the parade shown on TV?
Yes. KEYT planned to broadcast the 2025 Christmas Parade of Lights live starting at 5:30 p.m. The parade is timed so Santa can appear on the live broadcast before the station's airtime ends. Watching from home is an easy option if the evening is too cold or crowded.
What happens at the Santa Maria tree lighting?
The city lights its Christmas tree at the downtown Civic Center. In 2025 the lighting came just after 5 p.m. on Friday, December 5, with hot cocoa and sweets for guests, a performance by a children's choir, a visit from Santa and a brass band closing the evening.
Who runs Santa Maria's community Christmas weekend?
The city of Santa Maria hosts the annual Christmas community celebration weekend, and its Parks and Recreation department provided the 2025 details. The city thanked Elks Recreation and The Golden Circle for partnering on the event. The weekend opens with the tree lighting and continues with the parade the next evening.
What else did Santa Maria do for Christmas in 2025?
After the tree lighting and parade weekend, the city's calendar continued with Christmas at Machado Plaza the following weekend, and registration was open for a Grinch-mas Fun Run. Dates and details can change, so check the city's calendar before planning a family outing.
How many people came to the Parade of Lights in 2025?
Event coordinator Ed Carcarey estimated about 25,000 people lined the street for the 2025 Parade of Lights. He had coordinated the event for three years. That is a big crowd for little ones, so bring a blanket, find a spot early and plan a route back to the car.
Is there a train museum near Santa Maria?
Pacific Coast Railroad at Santa Margarita Ranch is a narrow gauge steam railroad with three engines and four restored 1950s coaches from Disneyland. It runs only for occasional public events and private charters, so watch the ranch's events page for ride days. It is a drive north of Santa Maria.
Where can kids see a miniature train and caboose near Santa Maria?
The South Coast Railroad Museum in Goleta is a 1901 Southern Pacific depot beside Lake Los Carneros, with a caboose, an HO model railroad and the Goleta Short Line miniature train. Admission is free and it opens weekends from noon to 4 p.m., with last train tickets at 3:45.
How can I explain Christmas traditions in Santa Maria to my toddler?
Keep it simple and point to something your child can see. Talk about the Parade of Lights floats, the Civic Center tree or the children's choir, then let them spot the lights, music or Santa for themselves. One favorite tradition told in a few short sentences works better than a long history lesson for children under five.
Where can I find this year's Christmas events in Santa Maria?
Our Santa Maria Christmas events guide on this page lists the holiday events we confirmed for the 2026 season, with dates, times and prices. Dates and times can change from year to year, so check the host's own page before you leave, especially for outdoor events that depend on weather.
What should kids wear to outdoor holiday events in Santa Maria?
Santa Maria has mild weather, but December evenings by the coast turn cool once the sun sets. Dress kids in layers with a jacket they can zip, and bring a blanket for sitting on the curb. Parades and tree lightings are outdoors and run into the evening, so warm socks and closed shoes help.
Are there free holiday things for families in Santa Maria?
Yes. Watching the Parade of Lights along Broadway and the tree lighting at the Civic Center are free, and in 2025 the tree lighting included hot cocoa and sweets. Our Santa Maria Christmas events guide on this page marks which 2026 events are free.
Can toddlers handle big parades and tree lightings?
Many can, with a little planning. Arrive early for a spot near the front, bring a stroller or wagon, pack snacks and consider ear protection for sirens and loud bands. Plan to leave early if your child gets tired, since Santa's float comes last.
How can we start our own Christmas tradition inspired by Santa Maria?
Pick one local outing and repeat it every year, like the same parade, light display or tree lighting. Take a photo in the same spot, let your child choose a favorite part and write it down. After a few years you will have a family story that grows along with them.
Does Santa Maria have library story times for the holidays?
Public libraries often add holiday story times and crafts in December, but schedules differ by branch and by year. Check your local branch calendar for the latest, and see our Santa Maria Christmas events guide on this page for the library programs we confirmed for the 2026 season.
When is the best time to see Santa in Santa Maria?
Santa shows up at parades, tree lightings and festivals, and the lines tend to be shortest early in an event. Our Santa Maria Christmas events guide on this page lists the Santa visits we confirmed for 2026. Weekends closer to Christmas are usually the busiest, so plan ahead with little ones.
Sources
- Santa Maria Christmas Parade of Lights set for Saturday with lights, fun and Santa, Santa Maria Times
- Santa Maria kicks off 2025's Christmas community celebration weekend, KEYT
- Santa Maria Parade of Lights set to return after four-year absence, KEYT
- Christmas Parade of lights, Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce
- Pacific Coast Railroad, Rally Takes the Train
- South Coast Railroad Museum, Rally Takes the Train