Cambria Christmas Market: A Central Coast Holiday Wonderland
Hi friends! There’s holiday magic, and then there’s Cambria Christmas Market magic. Earlier this week, we experienced what may be one of the most remarkable Christmas events on California’s Central Coast — an immersive winter festival filled with twinkling lights, cultural Christmas displays, festive shopping, incredible food, and experiences for the entire family. With millions of Christmas lights illuminating every pathway, tree, and display, it honestly felt like stepping into a real-life holiday dream. As someone who’s seen a lot of Christmas light displays over the years, this one truly stands out as one of the most impressive I’ve ever experienced. If you’re looking for a can’t-miss Christmas event in California, this one belongs at the very top of your list.
Cambria Christmas Market light display
Location
The Cambria Christmas Market takes place in the charming coastal town of Cambria, California, located along scenic Highway 1 on the Central Coast. The market is hosted on the beautiful grounds of Cambria Pines Lodge, which provides the perfect forested backdrop for a winter holiday event. Being so close to the coast gives the market a unique atmosphere — cool, crisp evening air paired with the warm glow of thousands of lights. The surrounding pine trees, coastal setting, and small-town charm elevate the entire experience. It’s an easy stop whether you’re coming from Southern California, the Bay Area, or making it part of a Central Coast road trip.
Moonstone Beach in Cambria, CA
Central Coast 2-3 Day Itinerary & Travel Guide
If you’re planning a Highway 1 road trip, make sure to download my complete Central Coast 2-3 Day Itinerary & Travel Guide, which includes an hour-by-hour schedule, Google & Apple map pin locations, the best stargazing spots, a complete dining guide, recommendations on where to stay, the best tide pooling locations, and more. Download it today and make your Central Coast planning easy!
Cambria Christmas Market along California’s Central Coast
About the Christmas Market
The Cambria Christmas Market is an annual holiday tradition inspired by classic European, German-style Christmas markets. It runs seasonally from late November through December, transforming the Cambria Pines Lodge grounds into a festive outdoor village filled with lights, music, and holiday cheer. The market blends old-world charm with family-friendly entertainment, making it appealing to visitors of all ages. Throughout the evening, you’ll hear live music and carolers while strolling through illuminated pathways and vendor stalls. The entire event feels immersive, intentional, and deeply rooted in celebrating the spirit of Christmas from cultures around the world.
What truly sets this Christmas market apart is the attention to detail. From the layout of the walkways to the spacing of vendors and displays, everything flows beautifully and never feels chaotic. There are countless places to stop, linger, and soak it all in without feeling rushed. Whether you’re there to shop, eat, photograph, or simply enjoy the ambiance, the Cambria Christmas Market invites you to slow down and fully embrace the season.
Photo opportunities at Cambria Christmas Market
Christmas Market Highlights
From the moment we arrived, it was clear just how thoughtfully planned and well executed this event is. Everything — from parking and shuttle logistics to crowd flow and staff hospitality — was seamless and stress-free. Every employee we encountered was cheerful, helpful, and fully in the holiday spirit, which added to the magic of the night. Whether you’re visiting as a couple, with friends, or as a family, the Cambria Christmas Market offers a festive experience that feels joyful, cozy, and incredibly special.
Lights & Displays
The lights and displays are, without question, the star of the show. Millions of Christmas lights are woven through trees, archways, tunnels, and creative installations throughout the entire market. Every turn reveals a new scene, making it impossible not to stop for photos over and over again. Many of the displays tell the story of Christmas traditions from different cultures and time periods, adding a meaningful and educational element to the visual beauty. There are whimsical setups, elegant illuminated structures, and cozy nooks that feel straight out of a Christmas movie. For photographers and content creators, this place is an absolute dream.
Interactive light displays at Cambria Christmas Market
Shopping
Shopping at the Cambria Christmas Market is a highlight all on its own. The market features a wide variety of artisan vendors offering handcrafted gifts, ornaments, jewelry, décor, candles, and seasonal keepsakes. Many of the items are unique and thoughtfully made, making it an ideal place to find meaningful Christmas gifts you won’t see everywhere else. There’s a strong European Christmas market influence, which adds to the charm and authenticity of the experience. Even if you’re not actively shopping, browsing the stalls is part of the fun and adds to the festive atmosphere.
Food
Food is woven seamlessly into the experience, offering plenty of opportunities to warm up and indulge in holiday favorites. You’ll find classic seasonal offerings like hot cocoa, bratwurst, wood-fired pizza, baked goods, and sweet treats. There’s also a cozy Biergarten area where guests can relax, enjoy live music, and take a break from exploring. Everything feels perfectly suited for a winter evening, and it’s easy to build an entire night around tasting, strolling, and soaking in the lights.
Authentic German collectables at Cambria Christmas Market
Know Before You Go
• Unless you pay for VIP onsite parking ($40-60), guests will need to park at other designated locations in Cambria and take the complimentary shuttles. The shuttle services are extremely well organized, which helps keep traffic and congestion to a minimum. Click here for more info on parking, shuttles, and timing.
• The Cambria Christmas Market is open rain or shine.
• Gates open at 5pm and you should allow 2-3 hours to experience the market without rushing. There is no entry after 8:30pm, and the market closes at 9pm each night.
• The market is open nightly from the end of November through December 31, with the exception of a few dates, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
• It is highly recommended to purchase tickets ahead of time online here, as they can sell out, especially on weekends. Tickets can be printed out or scanned via your mobile device.
• For more information, check out the official Cambria Christmas Market website at CambriaChristmasMarket.com.
Nativity scene at Cambria Christmas Market
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Cambria Christmas Market family-friendly?
Yes, it’s incredibly family-friendly with train rides for kids, Santa visits, festive treats, and plenty of space to explore.
How much do tickets cost?
Ticket prices vary from day to day, starting at $27 per person. For the most up-to-date ticket prices, check out the official Cambria Christmas Market website.
Can you meet Santa at the market?
Santa makes appearances throughout the season, and there are special nights with themed experiences for kids.
How long should you plan to stay?
Most visitors spend between two and three hours enjoying the lights, food, shopping, and entertainment.
Is it good for photography?
Absolutely. There are endless photo opportunities, from large-scale light displays to intimate holiday scenes.
When does the Cambria Christmas Market take place?
The market typically runs from late November through December 31st, with select dates closed.
Where is the market located?
It takes place at Cambria Pines Lodge in Cambria, California.
Is the Cambria Christmas Market family-friendly?
Yes, it’s great for families, with train rides for kids, Santa visits, live music, and festive displays.
Are pets allowed?
Well-behaved dogs are welcome at the market, but they are not allowed on shuttle transportation.
Christmas light tunnel at Cambria Christmas Market
Downloadable Itineraries & Travel Guides
Planning a trip to California and the west coast? I’ve got in-depth travel guides and itineraries for several national parks and beautiful destinations. Check out a few of them below, or click here to see them all!
Christmas decor shopping at Cambria Christmas Market
In Summary
Thanks so much for joining me this week along California’s Central Coast. For a virtual visit of the Cambria Christmas Market, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video located at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Twelve Days of Christmas light display at Cambria Christmas Market
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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