Book Your Stay
There’s a cold bite to the air in Ventura County Coast during December, a giddy anticipation for hot chocolate, holiday light shows, neighborhood displays, and cozy nights with family and friends. Just an hour north of Los Angeles, our holiday festivities always bring a sense of magic unlike any other time of year.
Locals and visitors alike celebrate the season with Christmas light boat shows, tree-lighting ceremonies, and neighborhoods decked out in yuletide wonder.
I can guarantee these hidden holiday gems in Camarillo, Ventura, Oxnard, and Port Hueneme will make your visit to the coast all the more special. There’s so much to see, and I got the inside scoop on two of our most famous neighborhoods that do Christmas like nothing you’ve ever seen.
Camarillo
Around 30 years ago, the quaint and friendly Gemini Street in Camarillo started a tradition upheld to this day, each neighbor decks out their home with the ultimate holiday cheer. I’m talking countless lights, hand-painted wooden characters, and designated themes.
McKenna, a Camarillo local whose family has been part of decorating the famous street for years, chatted with me about the famous Candy Cane Lane.
“Every year after school let out, I hosted a Christmas sleepover where my friends and I shared a warm meal, baked cookies, and watched a movie. Then we’d have a long walk around the neighborhood to see the lights in our PJs. It felt like the whole neighborhood was ours.”
That’s what makes Gemini Street so special, the locals enjoy decorating just as much as experiencing the fanfare for themselves.
“The weekend right after Thanksgiving, every homeowner is out. Neighbors help each other, compare themes, and string garland and lights. You feel the whole street come alive. Now it spans roughly five or six blocks across Arneill Ranch.”
Mr. Mier and I stroll along the whole neighborhood spanning Gemini, Waverly, Saturn, and parts of Shalimar. We get hot chocolate and admire each house with our pup. He loves it just as much as we do!
When McKenna says it’s a group effort, it truly is. “A neighbor who’s an incredible artist, Jessica, helped people create hand-painted wooden characters. Eventually, every house picked a theme, often Disney or holiday classics. We were Toy Story for years and switched to Home on the Range about six years ago.”
We tend to hit up our favorite spots right after Thanksgiving since that’s the slowest time before word really spreads. The busiest time is the week before Christmas when kids are out of school and families are in town. Even though my husband and I like the calmer days, there’s something special about seeing so many people gathered around.
Some people tend to drive through, but as McKenna says, “Walking is better since you notice details you’d miss in a car.”
Don’t worry, she’s got the best spots for parking. “Aim for the less busy side, Rockland area or Arneill Ranch Park. Expect at least an hour of walking and bring layers because nights get chilly.”
There are also vendors lined up around the block serving kettle corn, Mr. Softee ice cream, and hosting hayrides on the weekends leading up to Christmas.
Pro tip: Remember to pack out your trash and don’t block driveways.
If you do choose to drive, enter on Dunnigan or Vista. Weekends are busiest from around 5:30–9:00 p.m., but by 10:00 pm, it’s usually quiet.
It truly feels like the most magical street festival and I know you’ll have just as much fun as we do.
Oxnard
Christmas Tree Lane started thanks to a man named Steve Duratti, a Navy veteran who started decorating not only his home, but his neighbor’s homes back in the ‘90s. Before long, everyone started adding their own cheer.
Sadly, Steve recently passed away but his legacy lives on as Christmas Tree Lane now spans across 140 homes!
Neighbor Steve F., who’s decorated Christmas Tree Lane for over 30 years, said, “One of the coolest things is just sitting on the porch and watching the faces of the little kids. Seeing the magic through a child’s eyes give you your ‘why’ every year.”
It’s become just as much a tradition to decorate as it is for families to come and see the displays every year. You sense a real community and pride when you visit this charming little street. It clearly shows in their passion for holiday décor.
“It takes me a whole day just to do the lights in one tree. We don’t do Black Friday, we do ‘Decorate Friday, Saturday, Monday’,” Angela, Steve’s neighbor, chimed in.
Some local car clubs even participate, decking their low riders and vans out in lights as they cruise through the neighborhood playing Christmas music. My husband and I make a whole night of it, grabbing dinner at The Collection Riverpark before heading over to the neighborhood.
One of the decorations they’re most known for is their nativity scene and model train display.
The city donated the town plaza nativity scene to the neighborhood and over the years, Steve and Angela’s family helped restore the pieces.
“My brother-in-law rebuilt the animals and covered the camels in that truck bed liner so they’re tough. An artist came and painted all the detail. Now the nativity is one of the most popular displays on the street,” Angela said.
When it comes to F Street Railroad, the Heath and Thierry families don’t mess around. They’ve constructed the large model train display for over 20 years. It spans their front yards with dozens of engines and cars as families delight in watching the locomotive wonder move.
You’ve got to experience all the cheer for yourself. The best times to visit are from the second week of December until December 26th. By 6 p.m., lights and displays are ready to be enjoyed so make sure you experience the festivities before things wrap up around 9 p.m.
For parking, Angela recommends using the numbered streets: 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. H street near Campus Park is also a good option!
Angela’s pro tip: If you want a calmer experience, try visiting during a weeknight and don’t forget to clean up after you go.
One thing’s for sure, there’s plenty of love and care that goes into Christmas Tree Lane. You can really feel the magic of the holidays bringing people together.
Holiday Celebrations
Ventura County Coast is brimming with holiday celebrations for all ages, from sparkling light displays to festive community gatherings. With events clustered close together, it’s easy to plan a visit that lets you experience the season’s magic all in one trip.
Parades & Lights
Some of our most popular holiday celebrations include parades by land and sea with spectacular light displays, festive music, carnival rides and more!
- Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights
- Channel Islands Parade of Lights
- Port Hueneme Holly Day Tree Lighting
- Downtown Oxnard Tree Lighting Ceremony
- Holly Trolly Tours in Downtown Oxnard
Chanukah Celebrations
The city of Ventura hosts two popular Chanukah celebrations in December with festivities, live music, and artisan made foods.
Winter Celebrations for All Ages
Whether you’re looking to celebrate winter with extravagant performances and fine wine, or looking to celebrate with the kiddos, there’s something for everyone on the coast.
There are so many sights to see when you visit Ventura County during the holidays. Visit our events page to get full details on this year’s holiday attractions and celebrations.
