OXNARD, CA - Channel Islands Harbor kicks off the holidays with its 47th annual holiday Parade of Lights noon – 8 p.m., Dec. 8, with the parade beginning at 7 p.m. This year’s theme is “Holidays in Toyland.” Everyone is invited to enjoy a full day of holiday activities and watch festively decorated boats in the parade.

Kids can play in 36 tons of snow falling at the north end of Harborview Park, off Harbor Blvd. near Marine Emporium Landing, beginning at noon. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there from noon – 4:30 p.m. There will also be holiday arts and crafts vendors starting at noon.

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. To view the parade from the water, contact A&M Charters at (805) 204-0977.

To participate in the parade, download an entry form from www.channelislandsharbor.org. Any size boat can register for the Parade of Lights.

Parade participants can take part in various decorating contests and compete for awards.

For more information on the Parade of Lights visit www.channelislandsharbor.org.

Channel Islands Harbor serves as a center of recreation, boating, shopping and water sports activities. The harbor is home to three yacht clubs and nine full-service marinas that provide berths for 2,150 boats. It also hosts the Ventura County Maritime Museum, located at 3900 Bluefin Circle, Oxnard, CA 93035, the museum is a cultural center dedicated to the interpretation of maritime history through interactive exhibits and educational outreach.