Good morning, Santa Barbara.

A guide details which Santa Barbara businesses and government offices will be open on Christmas Day with limited hours.

Residents can plan holiday errands by checking hours for grocery stores, pharmacies, hotels and the Zoo (open until 3:30 p.m.).

A commemorative event, Raising Our Light, will mark the eight-year anniversary of the Jan.

9 debris flow on Friday, Jan. 9, at 6 p.m. at Montecito Union School (385 San Ysidro Road) where community members will honor 23 lost lives with candle lighting, bell ringing, and a moment of silence.

About 75 people gathered at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse on Sunday (Dec.

21) for the 13th annual Longest Night Memorial, honoring 69 individuals who died while experiencing homelessness last year. Community leaders also discussed changes in homeless services and plans to improve support.

Rising costs and lease challenges forced 10 well-loved Santa Barbara businesses to permanently close in 2025 — from a surf store on State Street to an indoor rock gym and auto repair shop, the closures reflect local economic pressures affecting everyday routines.

Santa Barbara County firefighters responded on Sunday, Dec.

21 at 9:30 a.m. in Orcutt when a local homeowner reported a great horned owl stuck in a car grille; they carefully cut away parts of the grille & handed the injured bird to the Wildlife Care Network for evaluation.

On Dec. 17, PHMSA transferred oversight of Sable Offshore's 125-mile pipeline from the State Fire Marshal after the Houston oil company appealed the repair work and labeled the line as interstate in the Santa Ynez Unit; county counsel is now reviewing possible counteractions.

Santa Barbara’s namesake warship launched a one-way attack drone in the Arabian Gulf on Tuesday, Dec.

16, testing the new Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS). The U.S. 5th Fleet carried out the test to explore improved unmanned capabilities.

Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District announced that Fire Chief Robert Kovach will retire on Jan.

23 after 46 years of dedicated service (15 years with the district and 31 years elsewhere). His steady leadership in fire station planning and renovations has ensured strong operational readiness.

Santa Barbara City Council voted 4-3 to continue discussing measures that could suspend future rental housing development.

The move to consider a moratorium on rent increases and extra tenant protections aims to lower rents but may reduce rental availability and affect local businesses.

Matt Pesendian of Channel Acupuncture is offering eight free acupuncture sessions for cancer patients at Ridley-Tree Cancer Center with support from local donors and the Santa Barbara Cancer Foundation.

He launched the program in 2014 to help ease treatment side effects like stress and pain.

The Santa Barbara Mountain Bike Club gives kids ages 7 to 18 a chance to build biking skills and community on local trails and the BMX track at Elings Park.

Ray McPhee, 17, rode Old San Marcos Road to equal two Mount Everest ascents as registration opens for 2026.

UCSB freshman C.J. Shaw recorded 11 assists and earned his first double-double with 10 points in a win of 79 to 61 over Portland at the Thunderdome on Monday, helping the Gauchos snap a two-game losing streak while filling in for injured point guard Miro Little.

Christmas Day Buffet

12-7 p.m. — Finch & Fork — Reservations recommended — Celebrate the season with a lavish buffet featuring seafood, carving stations, and delectable desserts.

The Gift of Christmas Concert

8-9:30 p.m. — Lobero Theatre — Ticket pricing varies — Experience an unforgettable evening with Jim Brickman featuring holiday classics and heartwarming stories.

New Year's Eve Celebration in Santa Barbara 2025-2026

3:15-5:15 p.m. — Celebration Cruises — $110 admission — Enjoy a Champagne Cruise with breathtaking views as you toast to the New Year.