Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

CARMEL--Santa arrives on a fire engine at 4:30 p.m. Friday at Devendorf Park, Ocean Avenue and Junipero Street. Carolers will stroll along Ocean Avenue, from City Hall to the park, arriving about 5 p.m. for a tree-lighting ceremony. Free. (408) 624-2522.

INDIO--The Tamale Festival will be Dec. 7 (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) and Dec. 8 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.), with 75 tamale vendors and 50 arts and crafts booths; carnival and pony rides; and a petting zoo. Admission is free. At Miles Avenue, from Oasis Street to Smurr Street. (800) 444-6346.

PETALUMA--The city lights up Saturday with an Adobe Luminaria Fiesta and boat parade. The fiesta is 2-5 p.m. at Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park. Mexican hot chocolate and empanadas will be served as dancers and carolers entertain. A posada procession, re-creating Joseph’s and Mary’s search for shelter, will be followed at dusk by the lighting of luminarias. The boat parade begins at 6:30 p.m., when 25 vessels will glide into the downtown river harbor. Free. (707) 769-0429.

AVALON--In a yearly tradition, the Inn at Mt. Ada opens for public tours, 2-6 p.m. Dec. 9. The former Catalina Island home of magnate William Wrigley Jr. will be decorated for the holidays, with refreshments and prize raffles.The tour is free, but the cab from the Tour Bus Plaza (between Sumner and Catalina streets) is $1 each way. (310) 510-2414.

KINGSBURG--The accent is on Sweden as this town celebrates Santa Lucia Day on Dec 14. A downtown fair, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., will feature baked goods and handicrafts. Also offered is a self-guided tour of holiday-decorated homes (12:30-4 p.m.). The Festival of Lights Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. at Lincoln and Draper streets, led by the city’s official “Lucia,” a woman chosen to portray the historic figure. Fair admission is free. Home tour tickets ($10) and maps at Randalyn Creek Clubhouse, 1500 Kamm Ave. (800) 411-1119.

Call listed phone numbers for directions.