Tag archives: Christmas
Written by Sarah Ettman-Sterner La Lieff kept spirits high and tails wagging at its 2nd Annual Jingle Paws Dog Show & Holiday Party, where pups and their people arrived decked out in festive finery. The red carpet doubled as a catwalk – well, dogwalk – as every four-legged star strutted off with a special award. […]
The 39th Annual Parade of Lights was held on Sunday, December 14, from 3 pm through to the 7:30 pm holiday fireworks display. The boat entries were the best yet this year, with their interpretation of the 2025 contest theme, “Candy Cane Cove.” Indeed, there were lights shaped like candy canes, some as high as […]
December is the month we remember (among other things) the good deeds of the well-off Bishop of Myra, a 4th century do-gooder named Nicholas. The guy slipped his considerable inheritance under the doors of many a despondent maiden that she might find companionship in that day’s dowry-driven lovefest. Much later we would recast Nick as […]
‘Twas the weekend before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. Unless “house” refers to the Granada, where all sorts of creatures, including mice, rats, and other critters and characters won’t just be stirring but also leaping, pirouetting, gliding, and spinning all over the stage as State […]
Our final week of the MJ’s Holiday Gift Guide is here! As we close in on (the big day and heartfelt devotional of your choice), it’s important to recall that All This Feeling fuels the eternal cosmic gyre; not to go all sentimental on you. As we hang stockings with care and otherwise happily surrender […]
Christmastime is here. And so we turn to mezzo-soprano Xeni Tziouvaras. As her five-syllable name and homestead in Florence, Italy, don’t necessarily suggest, Xeni is a Californian and graduate of Dos Pueblos H.S. in Goleta. This holiday season she is making a special trip home to perform at the annual Sounds and Stories of Greek […]
The Santa Barbara Choral Society’s “Hallelujah Project” hunkered down at the Lobero Theatre every December for the last decade with a program that also included a guest star reading “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” amid a selection of choral favorites from around the world. But this year, in a nod to the USA’s 250th birthday, […]
Those hankering for a healthy dose of Handel will be happy to hear that a tradition at least four times as old as “Hallelujah Project” continues as Phillip McLendon conducts the 43rd Messiah Sing Along on December 16 at the First Presbyterian Church (21 E. Constance Ave.). As the event’s name suggests, community members are […]
The beloved holiday ballet chestnut The Nutcracker is a fantasy tale of a young girl named Clara, who, after receiving a toy nutcracker from her godfather at a Christmas party, imagines an enchanted journey where her toy turns into a prince to take her to a magical land full of overgrown rats, a Sugar Plum […]
Week Three of our four-part Gift Guide is here! The weather outside is frightful, if you find sunshine undelightful. “Is that a real word?” Uh, no. But let it go, let it go, let it go. Friends, we are well into December, the year’s capstone month during which we celebrate Peace with a sort of […]
Enjoy this photo collage from Rosewood’s tree lighting celebration! A very merry Miramar time!
December 15-22 – Hanukkah, The Festival of Lights, celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple. December 21 – Yule which celebrates the winter solstice and the rebirth of the sun. December 25 – Christmas which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Hanukkah Menorah Lightings -Chabad of Montecito,public service at Upper Village Green; Rabbi Chaim Loschak […]
The 21st annual Westmont Christmas Festival offers an unforgettable celebration of Advent with the college’s orchestra and choirs creating a magical atmosphere at the Granada Theatre in Santa Barbara. Tickets, which cost $30 each, are selling quickly for both performances on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 7 pm and Sunday, Dec. 7, at 3 pm. Purchase […]
This year’s Holiday Window Decorating Contest on Coast Village Road brought a new level of vibrant energy and festive creativity to the community, with businesses decking their windows with amazing elements – from shimmering lights to nostalgic touches of music and lyrics, and even a few nods bringing 5th Avenue NYC vibes! The judges were […]
The ballet, The Nutcracker, is a perennial holiday favorite for its recognizable melodies and a touching storyline set during the Christmas season. This story is an introduction to a multisensory concept that I just put to the test, and with delicious results: Does pairing Tchaikovsky’s sweeping music with wine heighten your enjoyment of it? Or […]
As a secular humanist, I don’t do Christmas. But I enjoy the end of year ritual of sending “holiday” cards. A few dozen people get real cards, and a larger circle get emails. Some of these people are close friends. But some are family and friends with whom I rarely have contact. Sometimes for years […]
It’s Merry and Bright at the San Ysidro Ranch now through New Year’s, with festive décor, music, and twinkling lights from the resort entrance and throughout the restaurants, cottages, and outdoor gardens. Holiday trees colorfully decorated were placed in key locations and the Speakeasy has an array of 2,500 twinkling ornaments cascading from the ceiling. […]
Santa Barbara’s holiday season shimmered to life at “A Glamorous Holiday Affair,” a dazzling celebration hosted by Michele Janin, Tom Linebarger, Jamie (our own Montecito Journal wine columnist) and Joel Knee. Their 3rd annual Montecito holiday soirée brought together over 70 of Santa Barbara’s beloved residents for an evening of elegance, style, and festive cheer […]
Quire of Voyces under founder and musical director Nathan Kreitzer was in fine form at St. Anthony’s Chapel for its annual Yuletide concert. Traditional favorites like “Away in a Manger” and “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” were on the menu with the 11-part concert wrapping with “Silent Night.” A joyous afternoon full of Christmas spirit.
The Santa Barbara Rescue Mission (SBRM) Women’s Auxiliary held its annual Bethel House Christmas Tea for its women in recovery program on Wednesday, December 11 at the home of Susan Hughes. Organizing the event were newly appointed SBRM Women’s Auxiliary President Cindy Anderson,with Auxiliary members Dianne Davis, and Kirsten Walters. This beloved holiday celebration for […]
