Fairs near Aromas

A whole holiday campus to spend an evening in: vendors, food, entertainment, and community acts spread across the fairgrounds. The most all-in holiday outing near Aromas. Nightly 5 to 9 pm on open dates only: Nov 21–22, Nov 27–29, Dec 3–6, Dec 10–13, Dec 16–23 and Dec 26–27 (all weekends and select weekdays).

Roaring Camp's decorated vintage cars run a 60-minute loop through Santa Cruz streets from the Boardwalk. The ticket includes a $10 Boardwalk card. Departs 5:00 and 6:30 pm on run dates: Nov 27-28, Dec 5-6, Dec 12-23.

Hollister's lighted parade down San Benito Street, every entry required to carry lights, this year themed Christmas around the world. Twenty-five minutes away and none of the Monterey crowds. Parade steps off at 5:30 pm and runs about two hours.

Bands, floats, and Santa down Lighthouse Avenue on a Thursday night, with Pacific Grove's storefronts already lit for the season. 6 to 8 pm.

The setting does a lot of the work: performances, decorations, Santa visits, and a decked-out waterfront to wander. More stroll than full-on fair, but the wharf at Christmas is its own thing. Runs Dec 4–20; broad daily hours.

Santa arrives by fire truck at Devendorf Park, the menorah is lit, then the tree, and Carmel Plaza opens its holiday open house across the street. All of it inside a four-block walk. 3 to 7 pm; Santa 3:30, menorah 4, tree lit at 5:30.

Parade, tree lighting, Santa, and vendors in one downtown afternoon, half an hour from Aromas. 3 pm start.

Boats strung with lights circle the harbor after dark; the Murray Street bridge and the harbor paths are the free seats. A different holiday-lights outing than another street parade. 5:30 pm start; be on the bridge by 5.

Floats, youth teams, and Santa down Monterey Road, then the tree lighting at Dunne and Monterey right after. Smaller and easier to park than Gilroy's the same day. Parade 5:30 to 6:30 pm, tree lighting follows.

The Downtown Santa Cruz Association's morning parade, rain or shine: about 1,200 participants and 3,000-plus spectators, by the organizer's count. Saturday, 10 am start.

The closest holiday parade to Aromas. Rotary's 19th annual evening parade down Third Street: floats, bands, horses and Santa. Saturday, 6 pm.

Monterey's alcohol-free New Year's Eve: a Twilight Procession down Alvarado at 5:30, performances in downtown venues, two indoor finale shows. The one NYE around here you can bring kids to. Opening ceremony 3 pm, procession 5:30, shows through the evening.

Two days on Old Fisherman's Wharf: research-boat tours, marine-life exhibits, and a free symposium in the Stanton Center. Real programming, not a row of booths. 10 am to 5 pm both days; symposium 11 to 4.