If the twirl of a baton turns you on, Santa Barbara has a special threesome for you.

The 51st annual Downtown Holiday Parade will be held Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m. The parade begins at State and Sola Streets and ends in De La Guerra Plaza. The parade will feature marching bands, dance troupes, performance groups and Santa Claus. The 45-foot-tall community Christmas tree at State and Victoria Streets and four smaller trees at each intersection along the route will be lit as the procession passes.

The event is hosted by the Santa Barbara Downtown Organization. The organization expects over 35,000 spectators.

The 52nd annual Milpas Street Holiday Parade will be held Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. The parade will begin at the corner of De La Guerra and Milpas Streets and will finish at Mason Street. This year’s theme is “Reindeer Lead the Way,” and local businessman Valentino Ziliotto, owner of the Italian Grocery on De La Guerra Street, will serve as the grand marshal.

The Milpas parade is presented by the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara, the Business First National Bank and the Milpas Street Holiday Parade Committee. The committee expects 1,200 parade participants and 4,000 spectators.

The 18th annual Parade of Lights will be held Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. on Stearns Wharf. This parade will feature decorated boats, Santa’s village and fireworks. This year’s theme is “Holidays in Paradise” and proceeds will benefit the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum.

Approximately 30 to 50 boats are expected to participate in the five judging categories: human-powered, power, sail, commercial fishing and commercial. Prizes will be donated by the Four Seasons Biltmore, Fess Parker’s Doubletree Inn, Oceano, Ballard Inn, Chuck’s Steak House, West Marine, Big Dog Sportswear, Bouchons, Emilios and Santa Barbara Sailing Center.

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