Balboa Park December Nights
Visitors can wander through Balboa Park to take in festive holiday light displays, sounds, and an array of food and retail vendors. Entertainment is staged across multiple public areas featuring diverse community performers and seasonal talent. Guests can also explore interactive partner booths and take part in charitable holiday drives.
What to Expect
The City of San Diego's largest free holiday festival.
Event Details
Ages
All ages
Neighborhood
Balboa Park
Timed Entry
No
Organizer
City of San Diego
Food & Drink
Food vendors offer a variety of food at the festival.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families and holiday festival crowds
Vibe
Festive and bustling
Energy Level
High
Budget
Free
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
Moderate
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: Free holiday festival; no other pricing information is given.
- Hours: Friday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday noon to 10 p.m.
- Parking: Expect traffic impacts if you are driving to the event. We recommend trying some new ways to get here – check out the options below for biking, transit, free parking connected with a shuttle, and more!
- Accessibility: Designated parking for people with disabilities is located off Park Boulevard at the Fleet Science Center and the Natural History Museum.
- Pets: The event welcomes those who require a trained service animal to assist them. For those animals not specifically trained to work in a dynamic, crowded and unpredictable environment, you will be putting your pet in a potentially hazardous and frightening situation. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to not bring your pet to the event.
Tips & Advice
- Skip driving if you can, since Park Blvd gets crowded and park lots fill quickly; use the shuttle from free parking, the MTS bus or trolley, a bike or rideshare.
- Bring a new pair of socks to drop at the SDG&E booth or the Toyota Sienna Sleigh for the PATH San Diego sock drive.
- Connect to the free Cox WiFi hotspot and open the mobile site, which has maps and details for vendors, performances and museums.
- Leave pets at home because the crowded setting can be hazardous and frightening for them; trained service animals are welcome.
- Don't plan to skate, bike or fly a drone inside the event, as those are banned, and alcohol is only allowed in designated areas.
Special Events & Promotions
- Sock drive with SDG&E for PATH San Diego: bring a new pair of socks to the SDG&E booth, the SDG&E truck or the Toyota Sienna Sleigh, or buy socks to donate at the Merge 4 booth or the Visitors Center.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do at December Nights?
It's a family-friendly festival with holiday lights, music, attractions and food. Community performers appear on several public stages, and partner booths are set up around the park.
How does the sock drive work?
The City and SDG&E are collecting new socks for unsheltered clients of PATH San Diego. Drop off a new pair at the SDG&E booth, at the all-electric SDG&E truck in front of the House of Hospitality in the Plaza de Panama, or at the Toyota Sienna Sleigh. You can also buy socks to donate at the Merge 4 booth or the Balboa Park Visitors Center.
What's the best way to get there?
Expect traffic if you drive. Park Blvd gets crowded, and the lots inside the park are limited and fill up quickly. You can come by shuttle from free parking, by MTS bus or trolley, by bike or scooter, or by rideshare.
Can I bring my dog?
Trained service animals are welcome. Other pets are strongly discouraged because the crowded, unpredictable setting can be hazardous and frightening for them.
How can I take part as a performer or vendor?
Entertainers can apply to perform. Food and retail vendors fill out an interest form through DecemberNights.org, and vendors who are selected get a formal application link by email. Anyone not chosen goes on a waitlist. The City never asks for payment through Zelle or other peer-to-peer apps.
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Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.