52nd Annual Holiday Parade of Lights

Boats docked at night, with Christmas lights and holiday decor


All day holiday festivities to be held at Channel Islands Harbor

Channel Islands Harbor kicks off the holidays with its 52nd annual holiday Parade of Lights, scheduled from noon – 8 p.m., Dec. 9, with the parade beginning at 7 p.m. This year’s parade theme is “Fairy Tales Afloat.” Everyone is invited to enjoy a full day of holiday activities and watch festively decorated boats in the parade while listening to carolers sing holiday songs.

Families can play in 36 tons of snow falling at the north end of Harbor View Park, off Harbor Blvd. near Marine Emporium Landing, beginning at noon. Santa will be there from noon – 4 p.m. and will take pictures with families free of charge. There will also be holiday arts and crafts vendors starting at 10 a.m.

Santa and his reindeer will ride through the sky at 7 p.m. to mark the beginning of the parade. The parade starts in front of Peninsula Park and heads to the Main Channel, turns at Hobie Beach, loops in front of the launch ramp then heads back to Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club and repeats the route for a second run. The parade can be viewed from parks and walkways that line the route as well as from most Harbor restaurants.

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Kayak Launch Ramp Added to Channel Islands Harbor

A man carries a kayak towards the Kayak launch ramp at Channel Islands Harbor


Launching a kayak in the Channel Islands Harbor just got easier thanks to the installation of a new “EZ Kayak Launch” on the Ventura County Day Dock near the boat launch ramp. Visitors can access the kayak launch ramp by entering the parking area at Curlew Way and Victoria Avenue.

The installation of the kayak launch ramp expands access to the Harbor waters for kayakers. Kayakers may also continue to launch from Hobie Beach, the launch ramp, and day docks around the Harbor.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to increase access for the growing community of kayakers,” said Lyn Krieger, Ventura County Harbor Department Director. “This flexible, easy-to-use launch makes getting into a kayak easier for kayakers, from beginners to experts.”

Harbor Department maintenance staff recently installed the EZ Kayak Launch. The launch ramp features: integrated paddle notches that make launching and docking safe and easy; a V-shaped entry which centers a kayak for consistent, stable, and confident launches; and a wider format which allows visitors to launch kayaks and canoes.

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