GOINGS ON / SANTA BARBARA : Holiday Firsts : Thanksgiving weekend kicks off with everything from Santa Claus appearances to a Festival of Trees.

If there’s any doubt that Thanksgiving rings in the holiday season, a look at some of the events in Santa Barbara County over the next few days should quell it--in a hurry.

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You have to believe that if Santa Claus is coming to town, he has a good reason. He will ride into the Paseo Nuevo shopping center at 10 a.m. Friday aboard a horse-drawn carriage, packing candy for the kids.

Santa will eventually exit the scene, but the holiday spirit will linger. Carolers will perform from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. near the 20-foot Christmas tree in the center courtyard. Christmas entertainment will continue throughout the season. Paseo Nuevo is at State and De La Guerra streets. For information, call 963-2202.

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Unofficial Holiday Festival No. 1: A weekend-long Festival of Trees at Fess Parker’s Red Lion Resort will kick off Friday night with a wine-and-cheese party from 5 to 7 p.m. Nine Santa Ynez wineries will be represented, and there will be music and a small fashion show. Tickets are $15.

Kids will have their chance to celebrate at a children’s shindig in the resort ballroom Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. Santa Claus (he certainly won’t be bored this weekend) and Mrs. Claus will welcome them. There will be clowns, magic and food. Admission is $5 per child.

The festival will hit full stride Saturday afternoon with the opening of the exhibit of designer-decorated trees, wreaths and centerpieces.

Designers include Pacific Rim Design Group of Ventura, Ojai Valley School and Ojai’s Thacher High School and Monica Ros School. Bryant & Sons Jewelers of Santa Barbara will chip in with a “diamond tree.” Wreaths will be decorated by members of the California Tri-County Egg Artists association, who will use lighted eggs, musical eggs and dioramas. The displays will be open to the public from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is $3.

Proceeds from all of the activities will benefit the Children’s Home Society. The Red Lion is at 633 Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara. For reservations and information, call 650-9095.

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How about Holiday Show No. 1 (again, unofficially).

Art galleries throughout Los Olivos will welcome the holiday season Saturday with The Traditional Holiday Show. A variety of work will be on display at the galleries, which will also host receptions. Many of the featured artists will be on hand. For more information about specific galleries and reception times call Cody Gallery at 688-5083. Cody Gallery, the first gallery to open in Los Olivos, is in its 15th year of operation.

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Between 85 and 100 artists and craftspeople from throughout California will bring their creations to the Carpinteria Valley Museum of History on Saturday for the 12th annual Holiday Fair. There will be plenty of food, a mini-farmers’ market, entertainment and a Santa photo opportunity. The fair will be held at the Carpinteria Valley Museum of History, 956 Maple Ave. It will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For information, call 684-3112.

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Santa Barbara City College’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble will salute the festive season Tuesday with a concert featuring works by George Gershwin, Cole Porter and Duke Ellington. The program will include “Deck the Halls,” “The Christmas Song” and “Greensleeves.” The performance will take place at SBCC’s Garvin Theatre beginning at 8 p.m. General admission is $6. For tickets, call 965-5935.

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Country-Western musician Willie Nelson will help Santa Barbara County’s Shelter Services for Women celebrate its 50th anniversary on Wednesday with a concert at the Arlington Theatre. Proceeds will benefit the agency, which houses battered women. Tickets are $30, $40 and $100. The $100 ticket includes admission to a post-concert party with Nelson. The concert will begin at 8 p.m. The theater is at 1317 State St. For tickets, call 688-6628 or 963-4408.