December 2011 @ Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara

On the evening of December 11, the 26th annual Parade of Lights lit up Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara. This year’s theme—Candy Cane Holiday—invited participants to transform their boats into floating spectacles of holiday cheer. All vessels had to register in advance and were guided through a designated route after sundown, showcasing their light displays to the crowd lining the dock.

Around 30 boats of various sizes participated, each uniquely decorated to fit the theme. By 4:40 PM, the winter sun had already dipped below the horizon, and by 5:30, the parade had begun. Over the course of an hour, boats drifted past one by one—some playing carols, others hosting dance routines. Cheers rang from the shore as spectators soaked in the vibrant, festive spirit.

As dusk deepened, the lights along Stearns Wharf cast a warm glow. The souvenir shops, usually quiet this time of year, took on a whimsical charm under soft illumination. Some boats cruised gently past early, their silhouettes backed by the glowing town behind them.

This time, I experimented with long-exposure photography to capture the flow of motion. The trails of light left behind by passing boats created dreamy, abstract arcs—transient brushstrokes on the dark canvas of the sea.

Santa Claus made his entrance aboard a cheerfully lit boat, waving with his assistants and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. Candy canes wrapped around the railings echoed the night’s theme perfectly. Another boat staged a glow-stick performance, and with the camera set for long exposure, the streaks of movement painted the scene with surreal energy.

Even the simplest boats—some with just string lights or a Christmas tree—earned enthusiastic waves and applause. “Merry Christmas!” rang out from both boat and shore. A reindeer figurehead stood tall at one bow; another ship outlined its sails with constellations of lights.

As the parade continued, the ships grew larger and more elaborate. One featured seahorses “pulling” the vessel, with a bearded man gripping reins. Others showcased cartoon themes, candy-striped cottages, tropical mermaids, and twinkling masts that stretched into the sky.

The final boat stole the show—a dazzlingly decorated yacht where stars dangled above, the moon wore a Santa hat, dolphins and seahorses danced across the hull, and a surfer clad in blinking lights mimed riding waves from the middle deck.

Then, just as applause echoed across the wharf, the fireworks began. A finale of color burst into the night sky—like sparks leaping from festive wheat stalks—leaving the crowd mesmerized and reluctant to leave. Even on the walk back, heads turned skyward, savoring the last moments of a magical evening.