Holiday season events and activities in Ojai include the Holiday Stroll and Faire in Libbey Park, Breakfast with Santa at The Farmhouse, decorated-home tours, and trolley light rides, plus quieter orchard and trail outings between them. Most run from mid-November through Christmas Day, so confirm 2026 dates and reservations before you book your stay.
Key Takeaways
- The Ojai Valley Chamber calendar lists the Holiday Stroll and Faire for Saturday, December 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Libbey Park and downtown Ojai; verify the year before you plan around it.
- The Farmhouse at Ojai Valley Inn lists its 2026 Breakfast with Santa for December 18 to 20, and reservations are the main planning step for that event.
- Holiday Lights in Libbey, the Holiday Home Tour and Marketplace, and the Stroll are community events in Libbey Park; Ojai Valley Inn runs most cookie, storytelling, and trolley programs.
- Quiet options fill the gaps between events: the Ojai Valley Trail, Ojai Meadows Preserve, Meditation Mount, and an orchard that keeps producing citrus in winter.
- Ojai Vacation Home is a permitted East End rental with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, space for up to 5 guests, and an 8-foot redwood hot tub, minutes from downtown events.
At Ojai Vacation Home, tucked into a working citrus and avocado orchard on Ojai’s East End, we field the same question from guests every November: what is there to do besides the tree lighting? Most guides lean on a handful of resort programs and dates from a past year. This one sorts holiday season events and activities in Ojai by cost, age, and reservation needs, so you can build a realistic trip.
Timing matters more than usual this year. Statewide visitor volume is forecast to keep growing in 2026, which tends to tighten holiday lodging and resort dining. Event dates shift from year to year, so treat every detail below as a guide to what is typical, and confirm each date and price with the organizer.
What Holiday Events Happen in Ojai in December?
Ojai’s December calendar mixes community events in Libbey Park, benefit tours, and reservation-only resort programs spread across downtown Ojai Avenue and Ojai Valley Inn. The anchors are the Holiday Stroll and Faire, Holiday Lights in Libbey, the Holiday Home Tour and Marketplace, and the inn’s Santa programming.
Holiday Lights in Libbey takes place at Fountain Plaza in Libbey Park, listed at 210 South Signal Street on the Ojai Valley Chamber calendar, with holiday music and community activities. It is the closest thing to the traditional tree-lighting night. Expect a crowd at the plaza and arrive early if you want a spot near the fountain.
The Holiday Home Tour and Marketplace is the pick if you want something beyond the lights. In 2026 it ran November 16 and 17, with four homes decorated with holiday florals by local designers and a marketplace of more than 65 curated vendors in Libbey Park, across from the downtown arcade. Proceeds support the Ojai Music Festival and its BRAVO education and community programs. Organizers have been seeking 2026 sponsors, which points to another edition, but confirm dates and ticket details first.
A practical opinion: if you travel with toddlers, the marketplace suits them better than a walkthrough of four decorated homes. Design lovers and couples should do the home tour.
When Is Ojai’s Holiday Stroll and Faire?
The Holiday Stroll and Faire is a daytime community festival in Libbey Park and downtown Ojai. The Ojai Valley Chamber listing gives Saturday, December 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a listed location of 205 East Ojai Avenue. December 5 falls on a Saturday in 2026, which matches, but the listing does not make the year clear, so confirm with the chamber.
Logistics decide whether the day goes well. Downtown parking tends to fill early on festival Saturdays, so arrive before the 10 a.m. start or park a few blocks away and walk. Ojai Vacation Home sits 1.2 miles and about 4 minutes from Ojai Avenue, so you can drive in once and walk between the park and the shops.
Sunset is the other constraint. In December the sun sets before 5 p.m., so do the faire at midday and save Holiday Lights in Libbey for after dusk. Bring a layer; the valley cools quickly once the light goes.
How Do You Reserve Breakfast with Santa in Ojai?
Breakfast with Santa at The Farmhouse is a morning holiday meal at Ojai Valley Inn that includes a keepsake Santa photo. The Farmhouse’s official site lists 2026 dates of December 18 to 20, from 9 to 11:30 a.m., at $95 per person and $50 for children 12 and younger.
Reserve through The Farmhouse directly. The resort’s earlier seasonal guide noted that reservations were required, and the dates that year were December 20 to 22, so the weekend moves. Confirm whether tax and gratuity are added on top of the listed prices.
Budget before you commit. Two adults and two children 12 or younger come to $290 at the listed rates, before tax and gratuity. December 18, 2026 is a Friday, so the run covers Friday through Sunday, which works well for a long weekend from Los Angeles or Santa Barbara.
A second resort tradition, Cookie Decorating and Storytelling with Santa, ran December 20 and 21 at the Artist Cottage. Ask the inn whether it returns and whether non-guests can join.
What Family-Friendly Christmas Activities Are in Ojai for Kids?
Family-friendly Christmas activities in Ojai are short, hands-on programs: cookie decorating, storytelling with Santa, a trolley light tour, and wreath or gingerbread crafts. Ojai Valley Inn runs most of them, and they take 30 to 60 minutes, so they fit around naps and early bedtimes.
The Ojai Holiday Light Tour was a 60-minute trolley ride at $5 per person, with hot cocoa, candy canes, and holiday music, and it ran December 20 to 22 with early online registration required. It is the best value in town for families. Register the moment dates post, because trolley seats are limited.
Other family options from the resort’s programming include:
- Storytelling with Santa’s Elves at the Artist Cottage on December 24 at 7 p.m., with hot cocoa, cookies, and stories.
- The Jingle Bell Jaunt on December 24 at 8 a.m., starting at Spa Ojai; families and leashed dogs may join, and it was complimentary for inn guests.
- Gingerbread house kits at Discover Ojai for $60 during December 1 to 31.
- A daily wreath-making activity from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., recommended for ages 12 and older, with reservations required.
The $60 gingerbread kit costs more than a grocery-store version, though it arrives ready to build. Wreath-making suits teens better than young children. Because several of these programs center on inn guests, call ahead to ask whether visitors can take part.
Which Holiday Activities Work Outside Ojai Valley Inn?
Independent Ojai holiday activities are the events and outings that do not require a resort stay: the Stroll, Holiday Lights in Libbey, the Holiday Home Tour, downtown shopping along Ojai Avenue, and small cultural stops such as the Ojai Valley Museum. They suit visitors who want a full day without a reservation-only schedule.
Most search results lean on the resort, which leaves a gap for everyone else. A workable non-resort day starts at Libbey Park for the marketplace or faire, continues with a walk along Ojai Avenue’s shops, and finishes at Fountain Plaza for the lights. The Ojai Valley Museum is about 1.3 miles and roughly 4 minutes from Ojai Vacation Home, a good rainy-hour stop. Check the Ojai Art Center’s calendar too, since seasonal shows and workshops change each year.
For current listings, the official Ojai Visitors resource and the Ojai Valley Chamber event calendar are better than last year’s blog posts. If you want a food plan to go with the day, our dining guide for date nights and big group tables covers where to sit down afterward.
How Do Ojai’s Holiday Events Compare by Cost, Age, and Reservations?
The right holiday event depends on budget, ages, and how much planning you want to do. The table below compares the main options using only listed figures; where a price was not published in the sources we reviewed, it says to confirm.
| Event | Timing | Listed cost | Best for | What to verify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holiday Stroll and Faire | Early December (see the Stroll section) | Confirm with the chamber | All ages | Year and hours |
| Holiday Lights in Libbey | December, Fountain Plaza | Confirm with the chamber | Families, couples | Current schedule |
| Holiday Home Tour and Marketplace | Mid-November (November 16 and 17 in 2026) | Check ticket details | Design fans, adults | 2026 dates |
| Breakfast with Santa | December 18 to 20, 2026 | $95 adult, $50 child 12 and under | Families with young children | Reservation, tax, gratuity |
| Ojai Holiday Light Tour | December 20 to 22 in 2026 | $5 per person (2026) | Families | Early online registration |
| Christmas Grand Buffet | December 25, noon or 4 p.m. | $195 adult, $65 child 12 and under, before tax and gratuity | Groups, multi-generational | Seating reservation |
| Jingle Bell Jaunt | December 24, 8 a.m. (2026) | Complimentary for inn guests | Walkers, leashed dogs | Non-guest access |
The clearest value picks are the Light Tour and the free-to-wander community events. The buffet is the clearest splurge.
Where Can You Eat Christmas Dinner in Ojai?
Christmas dinner in Ojai is typically a reservation at Ojai Valley Inn, a home-cooked meal in a rental, or a private chef dinner. The Farmhouse lists its Christmas Grand Buffet on December 25, with seatings at noon and 4 p.m., at $195 per adult and $65 for children 12 and younger, excluding tax and gratuity.
For a party of five adults, that buffet costs $975 before tax and gratuity. That is a fair price for a resort holiday meal, but it locks you into a seating time. The resort’s guide also listed Christmas dinner at Olivella and Vine‘s sister dining rooms, Olivella and The Oak, December 24 and 25, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.; check the current schedule.
The alternative is to cook or hire out. Ojai Vacation Home has a full kitchen, indoor and outdoor dining spaces, and a BBQ grill. Guests can arrange a private chef through yhangry for a gourmet brunch, a multi-course dinner, a casual family dinner, or a grilled feast. That setup suits groups that want a long, unhurried Christmas table without a reservation clock.
What Are Some Unique Things to Do in Ojai Over the Holidays?
The most distinctive holiday activities in Ojai are the quiet ones: walking the Ojai Valley Trail, watching birds at Ojai Meadows Preserve, visiting Meditation Mount, and watching the valley turn pink at dusk. They fill the gaps between events and work for visitors who prefer nature and culture over Santa schedules.
The Ojai Valley Trail is 0.3 miles, about a 5-minute walk, from Ojai Vacation Home. Ojai Meadows Preserve has flat, easy paths; our Ojai Meadows Preserve guide covers the birding. After rain, check OVLC’s Trail Updates before heading out, and use the Trail Finder to plan a route.
Meditation Mount is 2.1 miles, about 6 minutes away, and is best visited in the morning before visitors arrive; check its hours and weather first. Lake Casitas Recreation Area is 3.5 miles, about 8 minutes from the orchard, for a winter lakeside walk.
The orchard is its own activity. Winter is when lemons and oranges typically hang heavy, with later-ripening varieties such as pixie tangerines usually following in late winter to spring. Ripening varies every year, so ask at check-in what is in season. For more on the working-orchard side, see what an orchard stay feels like and our look at seasonal harvest festivals near Ojai.
What Is the Best Month to Visit Ojai for the Holidays?
The best month to visit Ojai for the holidays is December, specifically the stretch from the first Saturday through Christmas week. November suits the Holiday Home Tour, early December suits the Stroll, and December 18 to 20 suits Breakfast with Santa in 2026.
A three-night stay fits most holiday itineraries. Check in on Thursday, December 17 at 4 p.m., book Santa breakfast for Friday, spend Saturday downtown and on the trails, and check out on Sunday at 11 a.m.
If you want fewer crowds, choose a weekday in the first half of December, when the Libbey Park events are over but the decorations are still up. Week-of-Christmas stays are popular with families and sell out first.
One policy worth knowing while you book around reservation-only events: cancellations at Ojai Vacation Home are permitted within 24 hours of booking for a full refund, and after that they are non-refundable. Confirm dates and availability on the official site before you lock in anything else.
How Do You Plan a Holiday Day in Ojai Without the Stress?
Planning a holiday day in Ojai means confirming dates, reserving limited programs first, and fitting free events around them. Follow these steps in order.
- Verify current dates on the Ojai Valley Chamber calendar and Ojai Visitors, since many pages still show older listings.
- Reserve reservation-only items first: Breakfast with Santa, the Christmas buffet, and trolley seats.
- Schedule daytime events, such as the Stroll and marketplace, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Save Holiday Lights in Libbey and any trolley tour for after dusk.
- Park once downtown and walk between Libbey Park and Ojai Avenue shops.
- Keep a rain backup, such as the Ojai Valley Museum, an indoor workshop, or a hot tub evening.
- Leave one unscheduled block for the orchard, hammocks, and fire pit.
Where Should You Stay for Holiday Season Events and Activities in Ojai?
The best place to stay for Ojai’s holiday events is a base within a few minutes of downtown with room to unwind afterward. Ojai Vacation Home, also known as Pixie Palace, is a one-story ranch home on two acres of citrus and avocado orchard on Ojai’s East End, with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and space for up to 5 guests.
It works well after a full day of events. The 8-foot redwood hot tub, fire pit, fireplace, and hammocks give you somewhere to warm up once the sun drops. Organic bedding, purified drinking water, and filtered shower water cover the basics. The property is pet friendly, and there is an EV charger. As noted above, downtown Ojai Avenue is about four minutes away, while Meditation Mount is 6 minutes by car.
The trade-offs are honest ones. If you want every program on foot, Ojai Valley Inn is the natural resort choice. If you want privacy, an orchard, and a kitchen for your own holiday meal, the East End fits better. The rental is legally permitted through Ventura County, and it has no-smoking and no-party rules. Compare areas in our guide to where to stay in Ojai, then see current dates and details.
What Is the Simplest Way to Plan Your Ojai Holiday Trip?
The simplest way to plan holiday season events and activities in Ojai is to reserve the two or three reservation-only items first, then build free community events and quiet time around them. The Farmhouse’s Breakfast with Santa, December 18 to 20, and the December 25 buffet are the dates to lock in.
Verify the Stroll and Holiday Lights dates with the Ojai Valley Chamber, and treat every price and time in this guide as a planning estimate. Then add a trail walk, an orchard afternoon, and a night in the hot tub. A clear plan and a quiet place to return to make the difference between a good trip and a memorable one.
If a quiet orchard escape with room for the whole group sounds like what you’re planning, take a closer look at Ojai Vacation Home, where the 8-foot redwood hot tub waits after a long day of holiday events. You can check current availability here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there vacation rentals available in Ojai, California?
Yes. Ojai Vacation Home is a legally permitted vacation rental through Ventura County, on two acres of orchard on Ojai’s East End. It has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and room for up to 5 guests. Availability changes, so check current dates on the official site.
Are there houses available for lodging in Ojai, California?
Yes, but confirm the permit first. Ventura County requires short-term rentals to hold a permit, and unpermitted rentals risk being shut down. Ojai Vacation Home is a whole-house rental with exclusive guest use of the spaces, with no sharing with other parties.
Where is the best place to stay in Ojai for holiday events?
Ojai Vacation Home is a one-story East End ranch home on an orchard, about 4 minutes from Ojai Avenue and close to Libbey Park events. It has a hot tub, fire pit, fireplace, and full kitchen for holiday meals. Ojai Valley Inn is the alternative if you want its programs on foot.
Do I need reservations for Ojai holiday events?
For resort programs, yes. Breakfast with Santa, the Christmas buffet, wreath-making, and the trolley tour have required reservations or registration in past seasons. Community events in Libbey Park generally do not, but confirm details with the Ojai Valley Chamber.
Can I arrange a private chef for Christmas dinner?
Yes. Guests at Ojai Vacation Home can arrange private chef dining through yhangry, including brunch, multi-course dinners, family dinners, and BBQ or grilled feasts. The property has a full kitchen, plus indoor and outdoor dining spaces, for the meal.
Is Ojai Vacation Home pet friendly for the holidays?
Yes. The property is pet friendly, and the Jingle Bell Jaunt at Spa Ojai has welcomed leashed dogs in past years. Check the rental’s pet policy when booking.
What can we do in Ojai on a rainy holiday day?
Visit the Ojai Valley Museum, browse Ojai Avenue shops, or book an indoor craft program. Check OVLC Trail Updates before any hike. Back at the rental, a fire in the fireplace and a hot tub evening work well.
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