Private holiday charter
- Duration
- 1 hour 15 minutes
5:45 – 7:00 PM or 7:30 – 8:45 PM - Dates
- 11–17 December and 20–31 December 2026
- Capacity
- Up to 24 passengers
- Includes
- Free self-serve hot chocolate and cookies
$995card
$900 cash
December only
California Sleigh Rides
Candy Cane Lane, except it floats. Private holiday light cruises through Ventura Harbor aboard the Dreamer, with hot chocolate and cookies on board.
Reserve on (805) 642-7753
Reservations required · no cancellations
What it is
An hour and a quarter of harbor Christmas
Every December the harbor decorates itself. Boats string lights along their rigging, the houses on the Keys light up their docks, and the whole loop turns into something you really do have to see from the water.
The Dreamer runs private charters through it — your group only, holiday music playing, hot chocolate and cookies self-serve on board. It has been a Ventura tradition long enough that people book the same slot every year.
- Up to 24 passengers per cruise
- Free self-serve hot chocolate and cookies
- Decorated boats and lit-up harbor homes the whole way
- Runs 11–31 December 2026
Two cruises
Choose your December evening
Both are private charters aboard the Dreamer. The Parade of Lights nights are the two evenings the harbor's lighted boat parade runs.
Reserve
Parade of Lights tour
- Duration
- 1 hour 30 minutes
5:30 – 7:00 PM - Dates
- Friday 18 December and Saturday 19 December 2026
- Capacity
- Up to 24 passengers
- Includes
- Front-row view of the Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights
$1495card
$1350 cash
Before you book
How reservations work
- You must call to reserve — holiday cruises are not bookable online.
- Renters must be 18 or older, and every charter takes a credit card deposit.
- There is a strict no-cancellation policy on all holiday charters.
- The Dreamer is USCG-certified for up to 42 passengers; these cruises are capped at 24.
- You may be able to bring your own food, but it has to be arranged in advance.
Prefer to pedal? The swans run on Parade of Lights nights too.
On Friday 18 and Saturday 19 December 2026, lit character pedal boats go out 6:30 – 8:30 PM for $140 by card or $120 cash per boat — you watch the parade from your own boat rather than from the Dreamer.
December books up early
The good evening slots go months ahead, and the two Parade of Lights nights go first. Call with a date and a headcount.
1575 Spinnaker Drive, Dock C-10, Ventura, CA 93001 · Today’s hours