By Theresa-Marie Wilson and Connie Pendleton
Holiday celebrations and events are coming on strong for the first few weeks of the month offering the best gift of all — enjoying time with family and friends while sharing sparkling lights, culinary delights and cheerful sites.
Holiday Events Los Osos/Baywood Park Chamber
Join the LO/BP Chamber of Commerce for a bear-y merry holiday. There will be a tree lighting ceremony on the Baywood pier on Saturday, December 7 at 4 p.m. Enjoy smores, pastries, hot cocoa, story time with Mrs. Claus, crafts, and Santa on the pier.
The Chamber’s annual holiday parade takes place on Saturday, December 14 at 10 a.m. The parade runs on Los Osos Valley Road from South Bay Blvd to Palisades.
Arrive early to save your seats and enjoy a hot pancake breakfast from the Kiwanis Club of Bay-Osos from 8-10 a.m. in the Bay Auto parking lot.
Light Up Los Osos takes place all month long with judging takes place on December 22. Light up your home and bring the festive magic to Los Osos and Baywood Park
For more info, visit LOBPChamber.org.
One Day Left to Sign Up for Reindeer Run
The San Luis Obispo County Friday Night Live (FNL) Partnership program invites all community members to attend their annual Reindeer Run 5K. Festivities take place from 9-11a.m. on December 7 at Mitchell Park in San Luis Obispo. Registration ends Dec. 6.
The fun run 5k race is open to all ages of the community, and spectators are welcome. Proceeds from the event fund scholarships for SLO County High School Seniors who are currently active in Friday Night Live at their school.
“Our program is meant to provide a fun, safe and accepting space for students to not only build meaningful relationships with peers and trusted adults but to become empowered leaders by building their skills and understanding in leadership advocacy, mental health, and effects of substance misuse,” says Katherine Gross, Friday Night Live coordinator. Runners can get their tickets now for $25 per person; prices increase to $30 per person the day of. Children 5 years and under can attend at no cost. All registrations include a Reindeer Run T-shirt, running bib, and breakfast.
Attendees are encouraged to dress in favorite holiday attire and take part in a costume contest. Online registration is available until noon on Friday, December 6, 2024. For more information and to register visit www.slofnl.com/reindeer-run.
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ on Big Screen
Movie buffs will have a chance to see a true Christmas classic on the big screen, when the Chamber of Commerce and Bay Theater show Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a 1-night only benefit to support the Chamber’s many good works in the community.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 12-under and available online at: www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/34e93b03-8eec-484a-a089-cb519043fa66.
The 1946 film stars Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, and Lionel Barrymore, and tells the timeless tale of George Bailey, a small town real estate lender who loses faith in himself amid hard times and is on the brink of ending his life.
Then George befriends an Angel, Clarence Odbody, seeking to earn his wings, who saves George by showing him what the world would be like if he’d never existed, showing him just how rich of a man he truly is.
It’s a Wonderful Life plays at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9 at the historic Bay Theater, 464 Morro Bay Blvd. Doors open at 5.
Cambria Market Sparkles
The Cambria Christmas Market shines this holiday season with 3 million sparkling lights throughout the magical venue this year.
The renowned annual event, which is showcased at the Cambria Pines Lodge flowing into the adjacent Cambria Nursery continues through December 31. It features a German-inspired artisan’s vendor market, biergarten, visits with Santa, a train ride, live music, and festive food and drinks.
Visitors will find imported German Christmas decorations and collectibles along with handcrafted items created by local artisans. Traditional German food will be featured along with American cuisine, accompanied by live music performed by locals. Each evening, performances will be held in both the biergarten and amphitheater.
Cambria Lodge owner Dirk Winter has been fascinated with German collectibles since he first received some classic German toys when he was a young boy, said General Manager Mike Arnold in an interview. Winter travels to Germany every year to visit at least 10 Christmas markets. He enjoys bringing the tradition of a German Christmas market to Cambria and supporting artisans by having their hand-carved creations shipped here. Winter repairs and paints any damaged imported crafts himself. As an artisan himself, he personally carves Santa figurines out of driftwood for the Market.
The holiday event will feature a train ride for all ages. While enjoying the journey passengers are immersed into a festive story and view an exclusive light display not otherwise visible within the market. Market designers feature new displays each year since many people make the Market a holiday tradition.
The amazing effort to install numerous lights, displays, and booths provides extra income to San Luis Obispo County residents including students and retirees. Preparation of the Christmas Market started Oct. 1 with 10 employees, increased to 25, with a final total of 200.
Parking is restricted around the Lodge so shuttles will be running from locations at East Village (Burton Drive at Center Street), at the Cambria Union High, Santa Lucia Middle as well as Cambria Grammar schools. The Cambria Tourism Board will also provide complimentary shuttles from Moonstone Drive for hotel guests.
More information is available at www.cambriachristmasmarket.com.
Tree Lighting in Morro Bay
City of Morro Bay Recreation Services holds the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration on Friday December 6 from 3:30 p.m. till dusk at City Park (across from the Morro Bay Police Department). There will be holiday performances, hot cider, cookies and Santa will make a jolly appearance.
Downtown San Luis Obispo Holiday Parade
Escape into a whimsical world of winter festivities in downtown San Luis Obispo this holiday season at the 48th Annual Holiday Parade on Friday, December 6, starting at 7 p.m.
This year’s parade theme is Whimsical Wonderland — parade participants are encouraged to decorate their entries with inspirations of enchanted forests, swirly trees, and sparkly snowscapes.
Surf with Santa
The SLO Swim Center is offering a new, underwater, family-friendly holiday experience on Saturday, December 14, from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Community members are encouraged to wear their most festive holiday swimsuits and trunks to take memorable pictures with Surfer Santa.
After your pictures be sure to warm up with some hot cocoa. Enjoy other activities like holiday cookie decorating, writing letters to Santa, and more.
For more information, go to sloswimcenter.org.
Cayucos Chamber of Commerce Christmas
The Cayucos Chamber of Commerce Christmas festivities kick off with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Sunday, December 8, at the corner of D Street and Ocean Ave. Join them as they light up the heart of the town with holiday cheer, enjoy festive music, and sip on complimentary hot cider and cookies. It’s the perfect way to usher in the holiday season!
Next, mark your calendars for the Winter Wonderland Walk on Saturday, December 14, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Stroll through downtown Cayucos as it transforms into a magical winter wonderland. Businesses will stay open late, offering treats, holiday specials, and family-friendly activities like the kids craft tent and snow. Santa Claus will also make a special appearance at Santa’s House, so don’t forget your wish lists.
For more information, send an email to cayucoschristmas@gmail.com or call 805-704-1492.
Morro Bay Lighted Boat Parade and Santa House
The Lighted Boat Parade takes place Saturday December 7 starting at 6:30 p.m. on the Morro Bay Embarcadero. Be dazzled as our fishing, leisure and yachting community takes to the water in decorated boats with bright lights and holiday cheer.
Entry applications for the parade must be filed by 4:30 p.m. Friday, Dec.6, 2024 and are available at morrobayrotary.org and at the Morro Bay Harbor Department Office at 1275 Embarcadero.
Boats will be judged and cash prizes are $500 for first, $350 for second, and $150 for third. This year’s judges include Parade Chair Dan Costley, City Recreation Manager Kirk Carmichael, Mayor Carla Wixom, and Rotary President John Weiss. The parade announcer is Jeff Eckles.
Viewing areas are all along the Embarcadero from Tidelands Park at 339 Embarcadero to the Rock. Many restaurants have window seating. Parking and walking to the Embarcadero is encouraged to avoid parking challenges along the waterfront.
To view from your car, arrive early and try Tidelands Park, designated parking along the road to the Rock, and Franklin Riley Park at 442 Morro Ave.
If weather or wind makes the Parade unsafe, the Harbor Department and Rotary Club will cancel the event.
For more information contact Dan 805-772-7202, and for the latest information, follow Morro Bay Lighted Boat Parade on Facebook.
The Santa House opens at 5 p.m. before the parade, with hot chocolate, coffee and cookies available and the Morro Bay Lion’s Club will serve up their hot chili.
Morro Bay White Caps Band will play Holiday music at the South T-Pier starting at 5:30 p.m.
The Morro Bay Rotary Club Santa’s House welcomes families at the Giant Chessboard at 806 Embarcadero on Fri. Dec.6, 5-8 p.m.; Sat. Dec. 7, 5-8 p.m.; Sun. Dec. 8, 12-3 p.m.; Fri. Dec. 13, 5-8 p.m.; Sat. Dec. 14, 5-8 p.m.; Sun. Dec. 15, 12-3 p.m. Free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus are provided.
Holiday Open House at Volumes of Pleasure
Kick off the holidays and find unique gifts for everyone on your list at Volumes of Pleasure Bookshoppe. The community is invited to the store’s Holiday Open House Saturday Dec 7 from 4 p.m.- 8 p.m.
Just for fun wear your best holiday ugly sweater. Prizes will be awarded for the best one! Light refreshments will be served while you shop with specials throughout the store. Free gift wrapping is available. Stop by 1610 Los Osos Valley Road in Los Osos or give them a call at 895-528-5565.
Kiwanis See’s Candy Sale Returns
The Kiwanis Club of Bay-Osos is setting up shop and selling See’s Candy. All proceeds go to support children’s activities in Morro Bay and Los Osos.
Help the kids and enjoy a traditional treat by visiting the booth next to the post office in Los Osos. Get a few boxes for your friends and clients, too.
For more information call (805) 801-8793.
