As the final days of the year drift in on the cool Pacific breeze, Cambria, California glows with a kind of quiet magic. This is where pine-covered hills meet ocean cliffs, and where local shops, artists, and makers come together to create one of the most peaceful, joyful, and refreshingly unpolished holiday destinations on the Central Coast.
Whether you’re strolling through a tunnel of Christmas lights, catching live music in a tucked-away wine room, or sipping coffee in the village before a misty bluff walk, Cambria gives you permission to slow down and savor the season. Here’s how to wrap up 2025 with a little more wonder — and a lot less stress.
🎄 Cambria Christmas Market (Now through Dec 31)
This isn’t just a light show — it’s a full-on village experience. The Cambria Christmas Market transforms the grounds of Cambria Pines Lodge into a glowing labyrinth of millions of lights, handmade gifts, seasonal treats, mulled wine, and live music.
There are German-style food stalls, an old-world train for the kids, and more festive photo ops than you can shake a pinecone at. It’s joyfully over-the-top and yet still feels intimate — like Cambria does best.
📍 Cambria Pines Lodge
🕔 Nightly from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
🎟 Tickets required | cambriachristmasmarket.com
🎶 Live Music in the West Village (Dec 20)
Start your holiday weekend with a free street concert in Cambria’s West Village. Local musicians bring acoustic warmth and seasonal spirit to the heart of town. Stop into a few shops, grab a pastry, and let the live tunes be your soundtrack to a slower kind of Christmas.
📍 West Village (Main Street)
🕚 11:00 AM
🎟 Free | Check our calendar for details
🛍️ Cambria’s Holiday Farmers’ Market (Dec 26)
The day after Christmas, wander over to the Cambria Farmers’ Market, a Friday ritual that’s equal parts local pantry, social gathering, and gift shop. You’ll find everything from fresh produce and cheeses to artisan soaps, winter citrus, and post-holiday baked goods. It’s an easy, feel-good way to support local and taste the season.
📍 Vets Hall Parking Lot
🕝 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM
🎟 Free to enter
Hearst Castle Holiday Twilight Tour (Through Dec 30)
Want to feel like you’ve stepped into a Gatsby-era Christmas? Hearst Castle’s Holiday Twilight Tour brings the estate’s grand halls to life with wreaths, candles, and stories of lavish celebrations from decades past. It’s a step back in time — and one of the most atmospheric tours you can take this season.
📍 Hearst Castle, San Simeon
🕔 Afternoon & early evening tours
🎟 Advance reservations strongly recommended | Check our calendar for details
🎉 New Year’s Eve at the Lodge (Dec 31)
Close out the year with music, cocktails, and cozy celebration at the Cambria Pines Lodge New Year’s Eve Party. Hosted in the Peacock Room, the night includes live music from Papa Nuke, handcrafted drinks, and a menu of festive appetizers. No ticket required — just bring your party spirit and a warm jacket for the walk home under the stars.
📍 Cambria Pines Lodge – Peacock Room
🕘 9:00 PM – Midnight
🎵 Live Music + Food + Drink Specials
Check our calendar for details
Slow It Down: Cambria’s Quietest Holiday Moments
If your ideal holiday week includes less hustle and more harmony, Cambria’s got you covered. Here are a few of our favorite ways to soak in the beauty and stillness of this season:
🌲 Walk the Bluff Trail at Fiscalini Ranch — sunrise or golden hour are both unforgettable
☕ Coffee and reading time at Lily’s or Cambria Coffee Roasting Co.
🖼 Browse local art at The Vault Gallery or Cambria Center for the Arts
🐾 Explore Lampton Cliffs with your dog — fewer people, bigger views
🔥 Pack a picnic and catch sunset from Shamel Park
Here’s to a Beautiful Goodbye (and a Warm Hello)
As 2025 comes to a close, Cambria invites you to experience the holidays a little differently. No crowded malls. No overbooked schedules. Just good food, better company, and the kind of quiet joy that sticks with you well into the new year.
Whether you’re here for a weekend or a week, this town welcomes you with open arms and pine-scented air. From all of us at HelloCambria.com — here’s to more light, more wonder, and a truly memorable end to the year.
