San Diego Christmas occasions and vacation actions in 2024 function the return of standard annual traditions and a few new festive enjoyable. They embody alternatives to see Santa Claus, festive lights, Christmas tree lightings, and vacation performances like The Nutcracker and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
I’ve listed almost 30 festive occasions to rejoice Christmas in San Diego, from San Diego motels, theme parks, neighborhoods, and different San Diego points of interest across the county to assist get your vacation spirit on.
Some issues to look ahead to embody Balboa Park December nights, Jungle Bells on the San Diego Zoo, Christmas actions on the timeless Lodge del Coronado, Surfin’ Santa at Seaport Village, or the Lightscape present on the San Diego Botanic Backyard. I can’t wait to attend!
San Diego Christmas Occasions at Theme Parks & Sights
Earlier than visiting any San Diego theme park, museum, or different attraction in the course of the vacation season, test their occasion schedule to see what may be taking place on the day you go.
Balboa Park’s December Nights (High Choose)
The crown jewel of San Diego Christmas occasions is Balboa Park December Nights. The biggest San Diego vacation celebration, it is stuffed with meals, leisure, and enjoyable. The quite a few museums and cultural establishments in Balboa Park, the nation’s largest city cultural park, open their doorways freed from cost.
December Nights festivities within the park embody carolers, dwell music, vacation gentle shows, theater and dance performances, and scrumptious meals from world wide for a real Christmas in San Diego celebration. December sixth & seventh, 2024. Admission is free.
Jungle Bells on the San Diego Zoo
Spend your December nights on the wild aspect on the annual Jungle Bells at San Diego Zoo. This San Diego Christmas celebration consists of a chance to go to Santa, colourful gentle shows, Santa’s acrobatic elves, and rather more within the evenings. December 12–January 4, 2025.
1-Day Go— Request my Unique Promo Code for the Lowest Public Value!
Skip the ticket line and go straight to the gate with a cellular or printed ticket. Legitimate for one yr from the acquisition date and for Children Free San Diego in October!
Remaining value (after my low cost): $67/ages 12+ and $57/ages 3–11
We will’t publish the promo code on-line, however can ship it by textual content or e-mail.
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See additionally: How you can Purchase Discounted Tickets to the San Diego Zoo
SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas Celebration
Be a part of SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas Celebration to finish your San Diego vacation and meet Santa and Rudolph, benefit from the Christmas parade, skip alongside the tunnel of lights to music, or snap a photograph below the 30-foot Christmas tree. Admission is included with common park admission.
Along with the particular holiday-themed animal exhibits, the park can be brimming with yuletide cheer, and you’ll even take pictures with Santa Claus.
All of the festivities might be loved amongst multiple million low-energy Christmas lights all through the park. November 15–January 5, 2025, throughout park opening hours.
See additionally: How you can Purchase Discounted Tickets to SeaWorld San Diego
Holidays at LEGOLAND California
Christmas in San Diego is tremendous particular at LEGOLAND California, the place you’ll discover the world’s largest LEGO Christmas tree. Standing at 30 toes tall, it’s constructed out of hundreds of forest inexperienced DUPLO® bricks and has 400+ LEGO ornaments.
Your complete resort can be decked out in vacation décor and extra throughout Holidays at LEGOLAND California. Enjoyable City transforms right into a winter wonderland filled with vacation spirit with LEGO Christmas characters like life-size LEGO fashions of Santa and his reindeer. Occasions will embody dwell leisure and ‘snowfall’. This yr’s particular vacation occasions additionally embody the sing and dance present Jingle Jamboree, Benny’s Ugly Sweater Get together, and As soon as Upon a Brick-Mas with the Bagsy and Sweeps characters.
Festivities run from November 23–January 5, 2025. Additionally, don’t neglect about Children’ New 12 months’s Eve, the place the LEGO ball drops at 6 p.m.
Tip: We’ve a number of recommendation for purchasing discounted LEGOLAND California tickets
Wild Holidays at San Diego Zoo Safari Park
You’ll need to keep on the San Diego Zoo Safari Park after darkish to sip gourmand sizzling chocolate whilst you stroll by colourful gentle shows. Vacation leisure, together with music, dwell performances, storytelling, stilt walkers, and extra spherical out the vacation cheer. Wild Holidays takes place on choose dates from the top of November by the top of December 2024.
1-Day Go— Request my Promo Code for the Lowest Value!
Skip the ticket line and go straight to the gate with a cellular or printed ticket, however get my promo code first! Legitimate for one yr from the acquisition date and for Children Free San Diego in October!
Remaining value (after my low cost): $67/ages 12+ and $57/ages 3–11
Ask me by SMS for the promo code and get the very best costs at different San Diego theme parks, too.
*By texting the phrase SAFARI to 1-833-490-0799 you conform to obtain automated promotional messages with the way to safe my deeper ticket low cost, and this settlement isn’t a situation of any buy. Msg and information charges could apply. 2 msg/mo. Reply STOP to cancel. Learn my full privateness coverage.
See additionally: How you can Purchase Low cost San Diego Zoo Safari Park Tickets
Lightscape — San Diego Botanic Backyard
Of all of the San Diego Christmas occasions, that is positively top-of-the-line. The internationally acclaimed present Lightscape, is again on the San Diego Botanic Backyard for the third yr working, and for good motive.
A one-mile strolling path will weave all through the backyard with attractive illuminated artwork sculptures, a vacation music-activated tunnel, hearth, and inventive installations.
This restricted engagement offered out solely in London, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, so don’t miss out! The present runs choose dates from November 15–January 5, 2025 (closed November 28 and December 24 & twenty fifth).
Vacation Ballets and Performances
Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas!
Come to The Previous Globe for the beloved annual efficiency of Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The whimsical musical is again for its twenty seventh season, that includes favourite songs like “You’re a Imply One, Mr. Grinch,” and extra. Purchase tickets upfront. November 6–December 31, 2024.
San Diego Symphony Noel Noel at Rady Shell Household Concert events
Be a part of the San Diego Symphony in an ideal vacation occasion as they carry out their annual Noel Noel family-friendly live performance on the Rady’s Shell, decked out with boughs of holly and glowing lights.
- Friday, December 15, 2024, at 2 p.m.
The Nutcracker Ballet by Metropolis Ballet
This Christmas season, Metropolis Ballet dancers will take visitors on a rare journey to the magical Land of the Sweets with Clara and her Nutcracker Prince. Performances will happen on the California Heart for the Arts in Escondido.
- Thu, Dec 20, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
- Fri, Dec 21, 2024 at 2 p.m. and seven:30 p.m.
- Solar, Dec 22, 2024 at 2 p.m.
- Mon, Dec 23, 2024 at 2 p.m. and seven:30 p.m.
Eating & Vacation Occasions in San Diego Motels
Most of our San Diego motels can have some vacation occasions and decor on faucet, particularly our luxurious motels and resorts.
Holidays at Lodge del Coronado
We love the vacation season on the Lodge del Coronado because it bustles with vacation occasions and Christmas actions for everybody.
Happenings on the Lodge del Coronado embody a energetic mixture of actions akin to Skating by the Sea (beginning November 21), Gingerbread Home adorning, pictures with Santa, and vacation Films on the Seashore. Collect your family and friends and hire a beachside firepit for a Jingle Roast of s’mores. Or go all out and hire one in every of their wonderful Beachside Igloos for the final word vacation expertise by the ocean.
This yr, The entire resort has a ‘Lights, Digicam, Vacation!’ theme and can be decked out Previous Hollywood type. The resort’s vacation festivities run from November 21–January 5, 2025.
See additionally: Issues to Do on the Lodge del Coronado Throughout the Holidays
Holidays at The Grand
Come to Fairmont Grand Del Mar for Holidays at The Grand, a festive San Diego Christmas occasion with memorable eating experiences full with seasonal meals, a 25ft Christmas tree, outside Glice skating (synthetic ice), a Nutcracker Tea, s’mores round a firepit, and rather more for residents and resort visitors. November 28 by early January 2025.
See additionally: The place to Have Christmas Dinner in San Diego & 10 Issues to Do at Fairmont Grand Del Mar Throughout the Holidays.
Tree Lighting & Occasions at La Valencia in La Jolla
(2024 dates tbd)
A tree lighting ceremony can be held at La Valencia San Diego of their La Sala Lounge with heat vacation drinks, a Christmas carol or two, selfmade cookies, and crafts for youths.
Their vacation tea sells out yearly, so make reservations ASAP to take pleasure in DAMMANN Frères teas paired with scones, tea sandwiches, assorted mini pastries, a glass of bubbly (one is included), and extra.
And, after all, you’ll have the ability to take pleasure in particular multi-course Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners.
Christmas in San Diego Neighborhood Parades, Tree Lightings, and Different Occasions
And almost each neighborhood can have some actions in the course of the vacation season. These are the most well-liked.
Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village
The Little Italy Affiliation will shut down India Avenue from W. Cedar to W. Grape Avenue for a Christmas celebration that includes a Christmas Village, vacation decorations, a pop-up vacation market, dwell music, youngsters’ arts and crafts, and visits with Santa Claus.
At 4 p.m., take the youngsters to take pictures and chat with Santa. At 6:30 p.m., a Christmas tree lighting will happen on the Piazza Della Famiglia on W. Date and India Streets.
India Avenue can be decked out in glowing lights all through the season, along with 10-foot nutcrackers on road corners. Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 4–8 p.m.
Surfin’ Santa at Seaport Village
It’s not Christmas in San Diego with out visiting Surfin’ Santa at Seaport Village for a day of vacation cheer and merriment at Tuna Harbor Pier!
The meet-and-greet with Surfin’ Santa begins along with his arrival by way of watercraft, a festive parade alongside the boardwalk adopted by pictures, dwell music, and leisure.
- Saturday, November 30, 2024 from 12–4 p.m.
Liberty Station’s Salute the Season
The annual Salute, the Season at Liberty Station, options a number of San Diego occasions all through the vacation season.
Salute the Season occasions embody the Vacation Tree Lighting, the Nutcracker Tea Get together, Hannukah Menorah Lighting, the Rady Youngsters’s Ice Rink at Liberty Station, and the Marine Band San Diego Vacation Live performance. Ice skating internet proceeds profit the Thriving After Most cancers program within the Rady Youngsters’s Hospital’s Peckham Heart for Most cancers and Blood Issues (extra on this under).
Coronado Vacation Parade and Open Home + Santa
Kick off Christmas in San Diego with the forty ninth annual Coronado Vacation Parade and Open Home. Begin at Ferry Touchdown, stroll down Orange Ave to Lodge del Coronado, watch the Parade, take part in vacation sing-a-longs, and watch the standard lighting of a Christmas tree in Rotary Park. Admission is free. Friday, December 6, 2024, from 6 – 7 p.m.
North Pole by the Sea — Del Mar Village And Tree Lighting
This annual Del Mar Village Affiliation occasion, North Pole by the Sea, delights San Diego households with a blinding tree lighting ceremony, footage with Santa, carolers, and humanities and vacation crafts. Complimentary admission. Sunday, December 8, 2024 from 1–5 p.m.
Plus, you’ll take pleasure in free parking in Del Mar Village do you have to store there in the course of the vacation season. Get extra particulars concerning the holidays in Del Mar.
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
The 54th annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights options greater than 80 non-public boats embellished with vacation lights and crusing alongside the waters of San Diego Bay. This yr’s theme is Peace On Earth.
The Coronado Island Marriott Resort and Coronado Ferry Touchdown (a captivating assortment of present outlets, artwork galleries, and eating places) provide wonderful shore viewing. Irrespective of the place you view, don’t miss the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights Sundays, December 8 and 15, 2024, from 5:30–9 p.m.
The approximate parade route and time of arrival are as follows:
- Shelter Island (begin of parade): 5:30 p.m.
- Harbor Island: 6:15 p.m.
- The Embarcadero: 6:45 p.m.
- Seaport Village: 7:15 p.m.
- The Pier at Cesar Chavez Park: 7:30 p.m.
- Ferry Touchdown on Coronado: 7:45 p.m.
Oceanside San Diego Parade of Lights
Fishing boats, sailboats, yachts, kayaks, and dinghys will gown up for the vacations for an genuine Christmas in San Diego whereas circling Oceanside Harbor for the Oceanside Parade of Lights.
The most effective viewing level is alongside Oceanside Harbor, close to the fishing dock and police station. Saturday, December 14 2024 from 7–9 p.m.
Ocean Seashore Vacation Parade
Attendees on the annual Ocean Seashore Holiday Parade will see marching San Diego bands, bikes, attractive floats, the VW Beetle membership, traditional Woodies, and extra cruise down Newport Avenue. Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 5 p.m.
La Jolla Christmas Parade & Vacation Pageant
The La Jolla Christmas Parade marches down Girard Avenue to Prospect Avenue and ends on the La Jolla Recreation Heart. This yr’s theme is “Palm Timber and Poinsettias – A California Christmas”
The Vacation Pageant with leisure and pictures with Santa, happens earlier than the parade on the Christmas village in entrance of the Athenaeum from 11.30 a.m.–1 p.m, after which 3.30 p.m–4 p.m. The parade begins at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, December 8, 2024.
La Mesa’s Vacation within the Village
The pleasant downtown of La Mesa is reworked right into a Victorian wonderland throughout its old school Vacation within the Village.
The family-friendly takes place alongside La Mesa Boulevard in downtown La Mesa. Little ones can play within the big youngsters space, get pictures with Santa, and all of the household can take pleasure in craft distributors, hearth pits, and dwell music leisure. Saturday, December 14, from 12–9 p.m.
Port of San Diego Vacation Bowl Bash + Parade
For those who love bands, you’ll need to take a look at the Snapdragon Vacation Bowl Bash, the place two college bands face off within the streets of the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego within the final battle of bands. Along with implausible dwell music, there can be meals, giveaways, video games, and enjoyable for the whole household. Insider tip: Soar on one of many Previous City Trolley Excursions whilst you’re there! Thursday, December 26, 5-8 p.m.
PORT OF SAN DIEGO HOLIDAY BOWL PARADE
America’s largest balloon parade is again on the Vacation Bowl parade! Floats, balloons, and marching bands are simply a number of the choices on this colourful vacation parade alongside San Diego Bay in downtown San Diego. The parade kicks off with the annual Vacation Bowl 5K Run/Stroll alongside San Diego’s harbor entrance (and each participant receives a medal upon finishing).
2024 Date and time TBD.
Poway’s Christmas within the Park
Previous Poway Park is the placement of this conventional, old school Christmas celebration. At Poway’s Christmas within the Park, visitors can take pleasure in a go to from Santa, dwell music, theater performances, meals, treats, crafts, and even an opportunity to get on board the Poway Midland Railroad for a night-time journey across the park.
A free shuttle can also be out there to and from the occasion from the Poway Metropolis Corridor car parking zone and the Poway Grownup Faculty car parking zone. Admission can also be free. Friday, December 13, from 5:30–8:30 P.M., and Saturday, December 14, from 3:30–8:30 P.M.
Outside Ice Skating Rinks in San Diego
Lodge Del Coronado’s Skating by the Sea
Go ice skating simply steps from the seashore within the quintessential Christmas in San Diego expertise on the Lodge Del Coronado. Skating by the Sea partially advantages Make-A-Want San Diego.
- Date: November 21, 2024–January 5, 2025
- Instances: Test the web site, as they differ by the day.
- Value: $40 per particular person with free skate leases on-line (test their web site for varied reductions)
Viejas Ice Rink
The biggest outside rink in Southern California is right here in San Diego on the Viejas Shops’ outside rink — it’s even larger than the one at Rockefeller Heart in New York Metropolis.
- Date: From November 1, 2024
- Instances: Dates and instances differ. Please test calendars on the hyperlink above.
- Value: Will likely be introduced on their web site quickly.
Rady Youngsters’s Ice Rink
The Rady Youngsters’s Ice Rink is situated at Liberty Station. All proceeds from this occasion profit the Peckham Heart for Most cancers and Blood Issues at Rady Youngsters’s Hospital of San Diego. Skate leases and helmets are included in your admission value.
- Dates: Thursday, November 21 – Sunday, January 5, 2025
- Instances: Monday – Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. (the ice is cleared 5-5:30 and seven:30-8 for Zamboni ice resurfacing every day)
- Value: $20/grownup, $15/little one/army/teams of 20 or extra
You should purchase tickets on-line or onsite.
Take Footage with Santa for Christmas in San Diego
Procuring Malls
For those who head to one in every of many San Diego procuring malls, Santa can be there till Christmas Eve throughout mall hours.
- Westfield UTC
- Trend Valley (within the mall and likewise at JC Penney)
- Grossmont Heart
- Parkway Plaza
- The Discussion board Carlsbad
And there are lots of others.
Go to Santa at Neiman Marcus
Even Santa Claus can’t resist an incredible breakfast, so meet him at Trend Valley Mall for a breakfast feast within the final vacation occasion on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 10 a.m.! Take pleasure in mimosas, sizzling chocolate, brioche French toast, scrambled eggs with creme fraiche, and extra at Neiman Marcus. We’ve been to the occasion prior to now. Skilled pictures are taken and often included in the price of breakfast.
Santa at Different Locations Talked about on this submit
Santa will make appearances at different occasions and locations on this checklist, however listed here are just a few reminders:
- San Diego Zoo
- San Diego Zoo Safari Park
- Seaport Village
- SeaWorld San Diego
Neighborhood Christmas Lights in San Diego County
Take a drive by these San Diego neighborhoods to see homes decked out in lights past perception. This can be a quick checklist of many locations to rejoice Christmas in San Diego — and it’s free to do, because of beneficiant residents.
Sweet Cane Lane (Poway)
It’s a cul-de-sac themed just like the North Pole, besides proper right here in San Diego. Every home right here is estimated to have over 50,000 lights. Location: Hickory Courtroom, Hickory Avenue, off Twin Peaks Street and Silverset St. Additionally Consists of Butterwood Ct. and Rockrose Ct.
Christmas card Lane (Rancho Penasquitos)
This San Diego neighborhood show is thought for larger-than-life illuminated Christmas playing cards and different lights adorning the properties. Location: Ellingham Avenue and Oviedo Avenue, simply off Black Mountain Street
Belardo Lights (Tierrasanta)
It’s only one home, however it’s effectively price seeing. The concept began in 2006 as a method for the Schmika household to offer a lightweight present for his or her two autistic sons. Whether it is raining, test the web site to see if the lights can be off. Location: 5306 North Belardo Drive
Garrison Avenue (Level Loma)
These high-end San Diego properties are dense with brightly-colored Christmas lights. Drive by or stroll round … it’s your selection. Location: Garrison Avenue close to Chatsworth
See additionally:
What’s your favourite factor to do in San Diego in the course of the holidays? Please go away a remark with something lacking from this checklist! And don’t neglect that we have now Lunar New 12 months San Diego occasions to look ahead to shortly after the winter holidays.