Arroyo Grande's 2026 holiday events take up two December weekends. The City's holiday market, the Village parade and the tree lighting all fall in the nine days from Saturday, December 5, to Sunday, December 13. Each one takes place somewhere different.
The holiday season here moves around town. It starts at Heritage Square Park, goes through the Village on parade night, and finishes at Elm Street Park. Santa's afternoon hours on South Mason Street fill the weekdays in between.
Nine days, four locations
Here is the City's calendar together with the Christmas in the Village schedule, as currently posted.
| Date | Event | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Dec. 5 | Art in the Park Holiday Market | Heritage Square Park | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
| Sunday, Dec. 6 | Jingle Bell Dash and Holiday Parade | The Village | Dash at 4 p.m., parade at 5 p.m. |
| Sunday, Dec. 13 | Santa's Palo Mesa Pizza Party | Heritage House and Gardens, 126 S. Mason St. | 1 to 2 p.m. |
| Sunday, Dec. 13 | Tree Lighting and Snow | Elm Street Park | 5 to 7 p.m. |
Two things stand out. Both evening events fall on Sundays, a week apart. And the only one held on Village streets is the parade. The market and the tree lighting are both in parks.
Saturday starts at Heritage Square Park
The season opens with the City of Arroyo Grande's Art in the Park Holiday Market at Heritage Square Park on Saturday, December 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to the Visit Arroyo Grande events calendar. It's a daytime event, and it's the only daytime event on the City's holiday calendar. For anyone who likes to shop for gifts before the crowds arrive, Saturday morning is the easy time to go.
The market also comes the day before the busiest evening in the Village. If you're coming back Sunday for the parade, Saturday is a good time to note the side streets and walking routes before the parade-day closures go up.
Sunday, December 6, belongs to the Village streets
The Visit SLO CAL listing for the City of Arroyo Grande Holiday Parade and Jingle Bell Dash puts the event in the Village on Sunday, December 6, from 4 to 7 p.m. The schedule:
- Jingle Bell Dash registration opens at 3:30 p.m.
- The Dash starts at 4 p.m.
- The parade starts at 5 p.m.
The listing gives 1221 Ash St. as the event address. If you're registering a runner, aim for the 3:30 p.m. window. By the time the parade begins, the evening is already 90 minutes old.
Parking takes some planning. Before last year's parade, KSBY reported parade-day parking restrictions and closures on Olohan Alley, Branch Street, Bridge Street and Wesley Street. Those were the 2025 arrangements. This year's closure notice will come from the City of Arroyo Grande as the date gets closer, so check it the week of the parade if you live or park near the Village core.
Weekday afternoons fall to Santa on South Mason
The two Sundays bookend the busiest part of the season. In the time between them, a smaller tradition runs at the Arroyo Grande Historical Society's Heritage House and Gardens, 126 South Mason. The Christmas in the Village organizers say Santa returns there in 2026, with hours posted as follows:
- Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3 to 6 p.m.
- Saturdays and Sundays, 1 to 4 p.m.
- Posted run: December 1 through December 22
The organizers suggest coming early in December, since rain can cancel a visit. Because the hours are tied to the weather, check the Christmas in the Village page before you head over, especially late in the month.
The Tuesday and Thursday afternoon hours are the only part of the season that falls on a weekday. For families with weekend sports or travel, those after-school hours may be the easier way to see Santa.
December 13 doubles up
The second Sunday has the most going on. Two events happen at two locations, a few hours apart.
The day starts back at Heritage Gardens. Santa's Palo Mesa Pizza Party is listed for Sunday, December 13, from 1 to 2 p.m. at 126 South Mason Street, and donations are suggested but not required. The afternoon party is followed in the evening by the City's Tree Lighting and Snow event at Elm Street Park, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Here's how the day lines up:
- 1 p.m. Pizza party with Santa at Heritage House and Gardens on South Mason.
- 2 p.m. The party ends, which leaves a three-hour gap.
- 5 p.m. Tree Lighting and Snow begins at Elm Street Park.
- 7 p.m. The event wraps up.
Families who want to do both have the middle of the afternoon free. Small, volunteer-run events stay close to the historic Village, and the City's larger evening events use the parks.
A Branch Street corner in transition
The Village will look a little different on parade night this year. Villa Cantina at 106 E. Branch St. closed this summer after more than a decade. The San Luis Obispo Tribune reported that the owner announced the last day of service in a July 12 post.
The same Tribune report said the space is slated for Blast 825 Taproom, from Central Coast Restaurant Group, and that "Coming Soon" signs were up as of July 28. Co-founder Dan Harper told the Tribune that customers could expect much of the group's existing menu plus some new additions, but he didn't go into detail. The group already runs a Blast 825 Taproom at 733 Higuera Street in San Luis Obispo.
Since the parade brings Branch Street's biggest crowd of the year, 106 E. Branch is worth a look when you walk the route on December 6.
Elegant Evening fills out the Village side
The Christmas in the Village volunteers also host Elegant Evening. It's a free holiday-shopping evening in the Historic Village with local food, live music, holiday lights and decorations, and Santa as a special guest. It runs from 5 to 8 p.m. Festive dress is welcome but optional, and the organizers describe the evening as a way to support Village businesses while picking up gifts. Keep an eye on the Elegant Evening page for this year's date.
Elegant Evening is the Village's own shopping night. Along with the parade, it's one of the two December events that bring people onto the Village streets themselves, while the market, the tree lighting and Santa's visits on South Mason happen in the parks and at the Heritage Gardens nearby.
If you're hosting family in early December or planning around the parade-day closures near home, Sara Corliss and the Feder Corliss Associates team are glad to share what they know about the Village and the South County calendar. When you're ready to talk about your own plans in Arroyo Grande, schedule a free consultation.
