THE QUARTERLY · WINTER 2026–2027
December 1, 2026–February 28, 2027. Seasonal ideas from Chic Beach Vacations.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF WINTER
If you are arriving from a colder part of the country, make room for a different winter routine: breakfast in a beach neighborhood, time beside the Pacific and dinner with somewhere good to go afterward.
Bring layers for the evening and let the forecast help shape the outdoor plans. This edition covers December 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027, with holiday outings and room for a slower January or February stay.
THE TWO CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADES · 2026
Oxnard and Ventura each have a Christmas boat parade. Choose the date that matches your stay and use the correct harbor for your route, parking and any dining reservation.
| Event | Date & time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 60th Parade of Lights | December 12, 2026 7–9 p.m. | Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard |
| 50th Parade of Lights & Fireworks | December 18–19, 2026 6:30–8 p.m. | Ventura Harbor Village, Ventura |
For either parade, make time for dinner and finding your viewing spot. Confirm the current route and program with the organizer. A restaurant’s waterfront location does not by itself establish a clear parade view.
DECEMBER 2026
Plaza Park · Downtown Oxnard
The City lists 9 a.m.–5 p.m. for this free-admission festival with food and craft vendors, music and family activities. Food and purchases are separate.
City of Oxnard: 2026 Tamale Festival ↗ · Google Maps ↗Channel Islands Harbor · Oxnard
A festive paddle for kayakers and paddleboarders, listed from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Read the organizer’s participation and meeting details.
2026 Reindeer Paddle: Organizer Details ↗Channel Islands Harbor · Oxnard
The “Aloha Afloat” holiday boat parade is listed from 7–9 p.m. Make an evening of it with a meal and time to find your waterfront viewing spot.
2026 Oxnard Boat Parade: Organizer Details ↗ · Google Maps ↗Oxnard · Race Weekend
The organizer lists December 13 for the 2026 race. Choose your distance and confirm registration, packet pickup, start location and parking directly.
Santa to the Sea: Registration & Race Details ↗Ventura Harbor Village · Nearby Ventura
Ventura’s separate boat parade and fireworks are listed for 6:30–8 p.m. on both evenings. Check the current program and allow time for parking.
2026 Ventura Boat Parade: Event Details ↗ · Google Maps ↗These featured dates have passed. Use the organizer links for current programs.
BEYOND THE HOLIDAY CALENDAR
Start a winter morning with a neighborhood walk and a warm breakfast. Choose a harbor afternoon when you feel like browsing, watching the boats or visiting the maritime museum. A visit does not need a major festival to feel full.
For a wildlife outing, the National Park Service identifies mid- to late December through mid-March as a common gray-whale viewing period around the Channel Islands. Check the actual operator, departure harbor and current conditions when choosing a trip.
National Park Service: Whale Watching ↗
NEARBY VENTURA
Ventura can be its own day trip: a downtown wander, a museum visit or a meal before the harbor’s December parade. Give the outing its own time instead of squeezing it between two Oxnard reservations.
Our companion magazine covers Ventura in more depth, including its Winter 2026–2027 edition.
Explore Ventura’s winter edition ↗JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2027
After the December celebrations, choose the rhythm you want: a morning on the beach, time for a long lunch and one outing that interests your group. For a couples’ trip, reserve the dinner or performance you care about. For a family visit, keep one main activity and a comfortable pause in the day.
The Channel Islands Maritime Museum is a useful indoor option. The Collection gives you other choices for entertainment or a food-hall meal. Check the actual operator’s hours and booking requirements, and move the beach walk to a better part of the day when needed.
We will add specific January and February event dates when their organizers publish confirmed information. These ideas remain useful while you choose the dates that fit your stay.
YOUR WINTER WEEKEND
Arrival evening: Settle into your stay and keep dinner easy. A short neighborhood walk can be enough after traveling.
Your full day: Begin beside the beach, then choose a harbor outing or the event that matches your dates. Keep the hours before a parade or performance light enough to enjoy the evening.
One more morning: Leave time for breakfast and a final look at the ocean. For a longer visit, give an island trip or wildlife cruise its own day and keep an indoor alternative available.
THE WINTER READING LIST
Plan a trip · 3 MIN READ
A beach neighborhood, a harbor day and room for something further out.
Plan a trip · 3 MIN READ
Beach time, maritime discoveries and a useful indoor alternative.
Harbor & islands · 3 MIN READ
Choose the destination, confirm the departure harbor and plan for the trip you book.
A COASTAL BASE FOR YOUR WINTER
Explore our publisher’s Oxnard beach houses and choose the actual layout, amenities and neighborhood that suit your group.
Explore Chic Beach Vacations homes ↗Next planned editorial review: November 15, 2026. Please credit Explore Oxnard by Chic Beach Vacations and link to this edition when referencing it.
A LITTLE MORE TIME HERE
Find your coastal base with Chic Beach Vacations.
Explore our beach homes ↗
