Gear up for an amazing holiday season in San Diego with our ultimate festive guide! For those born and raised in San Diego and those just arrived, our guide is your key to unlocking seasonal wonders.
Popular events abound during this cheerful time of year. Experience the enchanting December Nights at Balboa Park, where the park transforms with dazzling lights and multicultural festivities. Another highlight features the spectacular Hotel Del Coronado Holiday Light Display and Skate by the Sea, where you can enjoy twinkling lights and ice skating by the ocean. And the SeaWorld Christmas Celebration is something you definitely don’t want to miss, showcasing beautiful seasonal shows and festive attractions. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around San Diego
- December Nights at Balboa Park
- SeaWorld Christmas Celebration
- Hotel Del Coronado Holiday Light Display and Skate by the Sea (Coronado)
- How The Grinch Stole Christmas Play at The Old Globe Theater
- San Diego Bay Christmas Boat Parade
- Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade
- Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big San Diego Christmas Show
- Sesame Place: A Very Furry Christmas (Chula Vista)
- Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village
- Coastal Christmas Holiday Light Spectacular (Del Mar)
See these and even more events listed below!
San Diego Holiday Light Displays
Hotel Del Coronado Holiday Light Display and Skate by the Sea
What to Expect:
Beachfront ice skating with Hollywood-inspired decor.
Description:
Hotel Del Coronado's Holiday Light Display and Skate by the Sea features a beachfront ice rink, thousands of holiday lights, and decor inspired by Old Hollywood, creating a glamorous holiday atmosphere with festive jazz and snow flurries.
Where: Coronado | More Info: Hotel Del Coronado Holiday Light Display and Skate by the Sea
San Diego Bay Christmas Boat Parade
What to Expect:
Lavishly decorated boats with a unified theme.
Description:
The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights is a time-honored holiday tradition featuring approximately 80 lavishly decorated boats that illuminate San Diego Bay. Participants decorate their boats to fit the year's theme, "Peace on Earth," creating a spectacular display of festive lights and holiday cheer.
Where: San Diego | More Info: San Diego Bay Christmas Boat Parade
Coastal Christmas Holiday Light Spectacular
What to Expect:
Eco-friendly synthetic ice skating and holiday wine samples.
Description:
Coastal Christmas Holiday Light Spectacular at Del Mar Fairgrounds features millions of twinkling lights, holiday cheer, and festive activities like Glice Skating and Holiday Wine Walk.
Where: Del Mar | More Info: Coastal Christmas Holiday Light Spectacular
Dazzling Holiday Light Show
What to Expect:
Choreographed music and dancing lights.
Description:
Village Walk at EastLake presents a dazzling holiday light show featuring choreographed music and dancing lights, perfect for family viewing with free Magic Glasses for kids.
Where: Chula Vista | More Info: Dazzling Holiday Light Show
Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village
What to Expect:
Traditional Italian tree lighting ceremony with Santa's return.
Description:
Little Italy transforms into a holiday haven with 10-foot tall nutcrackers, kinetic tree displays, and twinkling lights. Enjoy two Christmas trees, seasonal vendors, live music, holiday treats, and a traditional Italian tree lighting ceremony.
Where: San Diego | More Info: Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village
The Lakehouse Hotel Igloos
What to Expect:
Exclusive, private dining in lakefront igloos.
Description:
The Lakehouse Hotel Igloos offer exclusive, lakefront dining experiences with private servers, family-style dinners, charcuterie, and wine. Each igloo provides a serene setting for a memorable celebration.
Where: San Marcos | More Info: The Lakehouse Hotel Igloos
San Diego Holiday Shows and Entertainment
December Nights at Balboa Park
What to Expect:
Family Zone with STEAM activities and free photos with Santa.
Description:
December Nights at Balboa Park is a two-day holiday celebration featuring family-friendly activities, STEAM activities, free photos with Santa, lights displays, musical performances, and delicious food.
Where: San Diego | More Info: December Nights at Balboa Park
SeaWorld Christmas Celebration
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with live reindeer and festive animal presentations.
Description:
SeaWorld San Diego's Christmas Celebration features dazzling new Christmas shows, live reindeer, a Christmas parade, and photo-perfect moments amidst beautiful decorations. Enjoy delicious treats and thrilling rides against a sparkling backdrop.
Where: San Diego | More Info: SeaWorld Christmas Celebration
Sesame Place: A Very Furry Christmas
What to Expect:
24-foot tall Christmas tree and extended evening hours.
Description:
Sesame Place transforms into a holiday destination with a 24-foot tall Christmas tree, extended evening hours, and activities like the Sesame Street Christmas show, parade, and dance party. Guests can enjoy rides, attractions, special food, and unique holiday merchandise while capturing photos with their favorite Sesame Street friends.
Where: Chula Vista | More Info: Sesame Place: A Very Furry Christmas
The North County Polar Express
What to Expect:
Interactive onboard entertainment with dancing chefs and caroling.
Description:
Relive the classic holiday story of The Polar Express on a real train ride in Southern California. Passengers will enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, and a reading of The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. Santa and his helpers will board the train to greet passengers and present each guest with the first gift of Christmas—a silver sleigh bell.
Where: Escondido | More Info: The North County Polar Express
Perris Train Museum Polar Express
What to Expect:
Theatrical onboard entertainment with dancing chefs and Santa's visit.
Description:
The Polar Express at the Southern California Railway Museum features a one-hour train ride set to the motion picture soundtrack, where passengers relive the classic story. On board, car hosts punch golden tickets, and hot chocolate and cookies are served by dancing chefs. Passengers read along with "The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg, meet Santa, and receive a silver sleigh bell as the first gift of Christmas.
Where: Perris | More Info: Perris Train Museum Polar Express
Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big San Diego Christmas Show
What to Expect:
A riotous Dickens mash-up with iconic ghosts and a comic local twist.
Description:
Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big San Diego Christmas Show is a fast, funny, and highly theatrical reimagining of Charles Dickens’s Christmas Carol, filled with music and laughter, set in wintery San Diego.
Where: San Diego | More Info: Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big San Diego Christmas Show
How The Grinch Stole Christmas Play at The Old Globe Theater
What to Expect:
Whimsical adaptation of Dr. Seuss's classic tale.
Description:
Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a whimsical musical based on the classic Dr. Seuss book, featuring songs like "Santa for a Day" and "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." The production transforms the Old Globe Theatre into snow-covered Whoville, celebrating the holidays with beloved characters and music.
Where: San Diego | More Info: How The Grinch Stole Christmas Play at The Old Globe Theater
The Nutcracker Tea at Liberty Station
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with holiday treats and Santa visit.
Description:
The Nutcracker Tea at Liberty Station features a performance by the San Diego Ballet, holiday treats, and a visit with Santa. The event offers two showtimes: 11 am and 3 pm.
Where: San Diego | More Info: The Nutcracker Tea at Liberty Station
San Diego Other Holiday Activities
Winter Express Experience
What to Expect:
Vintage train ride with holiday entertainment and Santa visit.
Description:
Embark on a 90-minute holiday adventure aboard the North Pole Limited, featuring holiday sing-alongs, festive stories, hot chocolate, and cookies. The train winds through breathtaking backcountry, culminating in a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Where: San Diego | More Info: Winter Express Experience
FREE Sights and Sounds of Christmas
What to Expect:
Family-friendly carnival rides and petting zoo.
Description:
The Sights and Sounds of Christmas festival in San Marcos, TX, offers a family-friendly holiday event with carnival rides, a petting zoo, live entertainment, and delicious food. Children can meet Santa and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Where: San Diego | More Info: FREE Sights and Sounds of Christmas
Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade
What to Expect:
Largest balloon parade in the United States.
Description:
The Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade is a spectacular event featuring world-class marching bands, magnificent floats, entertaining drill teams, and a procession of enormous balloons. This exciting family event brings together over 100,000 spectators along San Diego's beautiful waterfront.
Where: San Diego | More Info: Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade
Snapdragon Bash Bowl
What to Expect:
Live performances by both university bands.
Description:
The Snapdragon Bowl Bash is a vibrant downtown San Diego event featuring live performances by university bands, special offers from local restaurants and stores, and a lively atmosphere with great food and live music.
Where: San Diego | More Info: Snapdragon Bash Bowl
Holly Jolly Trolley
What to Expect:
Vintage Trolley ride through downtown San Diego.
Description:
The Holly Jolly Trolley is a festive holiday celebration featuring a vintage 1001 Trolley decorated in holiday style. The event includes a ride through downtown San Diego, followed by holiday festivities at Gaslamp Quarter Station, including hot cocoa, cookies, and a coloring station.
Where: San Diego | More Info: Holly Jolly Trolley
Rady Children's Ice Rink at Liberty Station
What to Expect:
Benefits a cancer program through ticket sales.
Description:
Rady Children's Ice Rink at Liberty Station offers outdoor ice skating sessions daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with special hours on holidays. The event benefits the Thriving After Cancer Program at Rady Children's Hospital.
Where: San Diego | More Info: Rady Children's Ice Rink at Liberty Station
Skating by the Sea
What to Expect:
Beachfront ice skating with holiday-themed amenities.
Description:
Take a spin around Hotel del Coronado's famous beachfront ice rink, featuring stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. A portion of the proceeds benefits Make-A-Wish San Diego. Enhance your experience by reserving a rink-side or ocean-side Frostbite Lounge with plush seating, roaring fire pits, holiday-themed libations, and delectable bites. Guests can also enjoy ice rink views from the Sun Deck, Babcock & Story Bar, Sheerwater, and Serẽa.
Where: La Jolla | More Info: Skating by the Sea
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- National City (5 miles)
- Chula Vista (7 miles)
- La Mesa (9 miles)
- El Cajon (13 miles)
- Mira Mesa (14 miles)
- Santee (14 miles)
- Rancho Penasquitos (17 miles)
- Poway (19 miles)
- Encinitas (23 miles)
- Escondido (28 miles)
- San Marcos (30 miles)
- Carlsbad (32 miles)
- Vista (34 miles)
- Oceanside (35 miles)