Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

Beginning today, Santa Claus will be shouting his ho, ho, hos and greeting children throughout Ventura County. Here is a list of places where parents can take children for a glimpse of St. Nick:

The Buenaventura Mall in Ventura, today at 10 a.m. Santa will be joined by the clown Mr. Blue and the musicians from the Volunteers of the Dixieland Fire Brigade. For information, call 642-8537.

The Oaks shopping center in Thousand Oaks, today at 9:30 a.m. at the JC Penney Court. The Thousand Oaks High School Lancer Band will escort Santa to the mall. The California Dance Theater will perform selections from “The Nutcracker” at 12 and 12:30 p.m. For information, call 376-3515.

Santa Paula Christmas Parade, Saturday at 10 a.m., Main Street between 8th and 11th streets. For information, call 525-9439.

The kickoff of the Toys for Tots drive will feature Santa Claus driving up in a Hummer all-terrain vehicle and Marines in dress blues at the Thousand Oaks Auto Mall, Saturday at 11 a.m. For information, call (818) 706-2138.

Fillmore & Western Railway in Fillmore during the weekends of Dec. 2/3, 9/10, 16/17. Santa and Mrs. Claus will take children in a diesel-powered passenger train at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Cost is $14 for adults and $8 for children ages 4 to 12. For information, call 524-2546.

Ventura’s 19th annual Holiday Street Festival, Dec. 3, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festival will cover nine blocks of Main Street, from Ventura Avenue to Fir Street. For information, call 654-7830.

Camarillo Christmas Parade, Dec. 9 at noon, Las Posas Road between Temple Avenue and Carmen Drive. For information, call 483-3004.

Channel Islands Harbor Parade of Lights, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m., Channel Islands Harbor. For information, call 985-4852.