Photograph by Alec Basanec, Petco Park Events

Holiday Market at Petco Park

December Nights

Balboa Park

Join your fellow citizens on December 2 and 3 for the City of San Diego’s largest free holiday festival in beautiful Balboa Park. The family friendly event brings San Diegans together to enjoy the lights, the sounds, the attractions and of course, the amazing food.

Anatolii Kovalov/iStock/Getty Images

Holiday in the Village

La Mesa Boulevard

La Mesa

On December 3, the 7th annual La Mesa Holiday in the Village will once again be ringing in holiday cheer for everyone far and near! La Mesa Village friends and family will have the chance to take part in free festive fun with live music, cozy fires, craft vendors, food, holiday photo opportunities including selfies with Santa, and a kids’ area bigger than Santa’s Toy Shop!

Christmas Parade

170 Eucalyptus Avenue

Vista

Join the Vista Chamber of Commerce at the 64th Annual Vista Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 1-2:30 pm. The theme this year is “A Toy Stories Christmas,” with our Grand Marshal being the Toy Man of Vista! Grab your family and friends and join us for all the local festive fun. Santa is always the grand finale.

Winter Wonderland

Festival

340 N Escondido Boulevard

Escondido

Escondido gets even more post-worthy this December 3, with real snow, live reindeer, glittering lights, and festive installations. Plus, there will be food and drink options to warm your belly and heart, so come hungry. Haven’t you completed your shopping list? Don’t fret! There will be dozens of local vendors offering art and crafts from which to shop.

Starlight Nights

373 Park Way

Chula Vista

The City of Chula Vista and Downtown Chula Vista invite you to join us on Sunday, December 4 from 3:30 pm-7:30 pm for a holly, jolly holiday celebration you won’t want to miss! Ring in the holidays in style this year as you hop on Santa’s Holiday Train and ride through Downtown Chula Vista, shop from unique local businesses at the Holiday Market curated by the Third Avenue Village Market and Las Jefas Market, enjoy live music from the main stage at Memorial Park, and take your official holiday family photo with Santa himself for free! The holidays wouldn’t be complete without an official tree lighting ceremony and this year’s is sure to put a twinkle in your eye as the City of Chula Vista and the Downtown Chula Vista Association inaugurate the new one-of-a-kind and custom Prisma Tree created by international lighting artist, Joshua Hubert. Made with the glimmer and sparkle reminiscent of the magic the community of Chula Vista creates, this new tree is also a nod to the future of the neighborhood. The tree lighting ceremony will begin promptly at 5:45 pm.

Christmas in the Valley

15954 Woods Valley Road

Valley Center

On Friday, December 9, and Saturday, December 10, from 9 am to 3 pm, visit Bates Nut Farm for a magical event is for all ages to enjoy! Bring out the whole family to enjoy Santa arriving, a Polar Express ride to visit with Santa, crafts, carols, and holiday fun. FREE crafts and activities for the kids, donated by local clubs, churches and organizations. Finish your Christmas shopping for Arts n’ Crafts at the craft market, open both Friday and Saturday.

San Diego Bay Parade of Lights

Photograph by Marv Sloben

Parade of Lights

San Diego Bay

The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights is a time-honored holiday tradition brought to San Diego by the local boating community. Continuing its longstanding San Diego tradition, the 52nd annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights promises to dazzle and entertain bayfront crowds during 2 evenings on December 11 and December 18. Participants in this year’s highly anticipated holiday boat parade will decorate their boats to fit this year’s theme: FantaSEA on the Bay. The Parade brings more than 100,000 San Diego residents and visitors to the shores of San Diego Bay each year. The procession of approximately 80 lavishly decorated boats has become one of the most iconic events in the region. This year, for the sixth time, the parade will proceed to the pier at Cesar Chavez Park before making the turn to Coronado, giving spectators another area to view the passing spectacle.

Snow ‘N Glow in Del Mar

Snow N Glow

2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard

Del Mar

Activities include: snow tubing for all ages with fresh snow made daily, walking through a holiday light display with over one million lights, igloo private rental, and building your own snowman. Unlimited Century wheel rides, unlimited visits with Santa and friends, and live entertainment. Tickets $49.98 per person.

Belmont Park’s Winter Wonderland

Belmont Park’s Winter Wonder

3146 Mission Boulevard

Mission Beach

Through January 1, Belmont Park is bringing families and friends together for the holiday season with its fourth annual Winter Wonder holiday spectacular. Enjoy festive rides and attractions including the iconic Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, take in your favorite oversized sculptures, or sip on holiday-inspired drinks while you stroll through the Midway under a million lights! Day passes $55-$60.

Miracle on 30th Street

4696 30th Street

Normal Heights

Sitting on the corner of Adams and 30th street in North Park, Polite Provisions is happy to up the festive vibes by hosting Miracle on 30th Street through the month of December. With kitschy holiday décor, professionally-developed cocktails, and the nostalgic energy of the best office party you’ve ever been to, Miracle on 30th is sure to get even the grouchiest Grinch in the holiday spirit. Polite Provisions’ Miracle cocktail list includes the Christmapolitan with vodka, elderflower, absinthe, spiced cranberry, dry vermouth and lime; Snowball Old Fashioned with rye whiskey, gingerbread, aromatic bitters, and orange essence; and Santa’s Little Helper with gin, spiced caraway, eucalyptus, lime, and soda. Runs until New Year's Eve

Ice Skating at Liberty Station

Ice skating

875 Dewey Road and 1500 Orange Avenue

Liberty Station and Coronado

Skate outdoors at Liberty Station, where your $20 ticket goes to benefit the after-cancer program at the Packham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Rady’s Children’s Hospital. Or skate by the sea at the Hotel Del, where your $40 ticket benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation San Diego. At the latter, guests can also reserve spots rinkside or oceanside at the Frostbite Lounge with plush seating, roaring fire pits, holiday-themed libations, and delectable bites.

Las Posadas in Old Town

Las Posadas

2454 Heritage Park Row

Old Town

Join neighbors and friends for the 64th Annual Las Posadas event in Heritage County Park on Friday, December 9 at 7 pm. Las Posadas (“the lodgings”) is a centuries-old Mexican celebration representing the several nights that Mary and Joseph, accompanied by a flock of shepherds and angels, sought shelter at different inns in Bethlehem.

The Sound of Christmas Sing-Along

868 Fourth Avenue

Downtown

Sing your way into the season with joyful holiday favorites. Take part in a fun-filled sing-along with orchestra and choir for a wonderful way to celebrate the holidays with those you love! “Jingle Bells,” “Deck the Halls,” “I’ll be Home for Christmas,” “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” “White Christmas,” “Silent Night,” “Ding Dong Merrily on High,” and many more will ring through the theatre as orchestra, choir and audience join forces in a delightful afternoon to celebrate the holidays. A festive event for the entire family! With Emmy-nominated conductor Charles Fernandez, the Sound of Christmas Chamber Players and Choir, and narrator Sheelagh Cullen.

Nutcracker Tea Party with the San Diego Ballet

2600 Lansing Road

Liberty Station

The Nutcracker Tea Party returns to Liberty Station on December 18. Enjoy the magic of the holiday season with holiday treats, a performance by San Diego Ballet, a visit from Santa, and more! There are two showtimes available: 11 am and 3 pm. Tickets can be purchased at libertystation.tix.com

Lamb’s Festival of Christmas: A Christmas Carol

Photograph by Ken Jacques

Lamb’s Festival of Christmas: A Christmas Carol

1142 Orange Avenue

Coronado

Kerry Mead’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ iconic redemption story, wrapped in the gorgeous music of the season. Lamb’s Players Theatre presented A Christmas Carol last December to great acclaim and sold-out shows. Then the Omicron surge swept through the fully vaccinated cast, and they were forced to cancel the final five performances. So they decided to bring it back for 2022.

Winter Express Experience at the San Diego Model Railroad Museum

Winter Express Experience

1649 El Prado

Balboa Park

This ticketed before-hours event at the San Diego Model Railroad Museum will immerse children with special holiday activities around the museum, running Christmas trains (including one YOU help make!), and storytime with St. Nick himself. After Santa goes back to the North Pole, enjoy a day of museum admission.

Christmas Eve Dinner

5300 Grand Del Mar Court

Del Mar

Enjoy a Grand Feast this Christmas Eve at Fairmont Grand Del Mar. Executive Chef Bryn McArthur has concocted a lavish Christmas Eve four-course dinner menu at Amaya with a festive flair you are sure to remember.

The Night Before at Rooftop

Cinema Club

1 Market Place

Marina

For National Ugly Sweater Day this year, enjoy a double-dose of comedies that celebrate this beloved piece of holiday attire, with National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and The Night Before. Pick your film, and then make sure to wear your best ugly sweater to the show, for a pre-screening contest,

Ugly Sweater Holiday

Crawl

401 G Street (and others)

Downtown

Check out this hosted pub crawl through some of the most vibrant bars in the Gaslamp District of San Diego. Includes VIP entry to 4 bars, drink specials at each location, no cover charges, a walking tour through downtown San Diego, dancing, and overall good times.

Living Ornaments Workshop

302 Hollister Street

Chula Vista

Craft festive living wreath ornaments at Terra Bella Nursery. Every ticket includes all materials to create three Festive Wreaths. This DIY class is intermediate level and open to all ages.

Holiday Market at Petco

840 K Street

Downtown

Petco Park turns into a winter wonderland, featuring local and European artisan shops, magical lighting displays, a carousel, a 30-foot Christmas tree, seasonal European food and beverage, Santa, the Grinch and other holiday characters. Plus: live entertainment at the Sycuan Stage on select nights.

Holiday Bookstore

1008 Wall Street

La Jolla

Get a gift for a friend or yourself at the Athenaeum’s Annual Holiday Bookstore in the La Jolla Art Studio. As usual, choose from a large selection of gently used books, CDs, vinyl LPs, and sheet music. Find a great gift for yourself or a friend during regular business hours through December 31.

Christmas Holiday Market

1640 Camino Del Rio N

Mission Valley

Visit Westfield Mission Valley Center for a curated market of talented vendors sharing the passion of their artistry. Looking for unique gift ideas for someone special? We’ve got you covered!

Makers Arcade Holiday Fair

Photograph by Let’s Frolic Together

Makers Arcade Holiday Fair

1000 N. Harbor Drive

Marina

Visit the Makers Arcade Holiday Fair Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4 from 10 am to 5 pm at the Broadway Pier in Downtown San Diego. This exciting event will feature more than 100 makers, holiday cocktails, beer by Sierra Nevada, gourmet food trucks, live music performances, photo trailers, styled lounges, a kids craft area, and more!

Unleash the Holiday Cheer

2455 Cushing Road

Liberty Station

Bring Fido to a Pet & Military Appreciation event. Enjoy photos with Santa for children and pets, gifts from Santa, Holiday vendor village shopping, take-home craft activities, scavenger hunt with the chance to win prizes (11 am - 1:45 pm), pet parade and pet costume contest with prizes (additional $5 pet costume contest ticket required; 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm), gifts for military and veterans and dependents in attendance (with ID), special guests and judges to be announced, and much more! Please note that all pets must be on a leash (no retractable leashes, please) and cleaned up after.

The Red Nose Run on Del Mar Beach

The Red Nose Run

1658 Coast Boulevard

Del Mar

A fun run-and-walk on beautiful Del Mar beach that is family- and dog-friendly. Choose your distance: we offer 3K and 5K distance (note: distances may be altered depending on beach conditions that day). MORE FUN AFTER THE RUN: Your celebration is just beginning after the finish line. Plan to stick around after your run and enjoy your friends old and new in holiday cheer with heavy appetizers provided by Poseidon Restaurant and the holiday spirit of their cash bar.

Holidays at Legoland

Holidays at Legoland

One Legoland Drive

Carlsbad

Your favorite holiday characters, Santa and the Toy Soldier, are back, along with the Gingerbread Man! They’re all ready for holiday hugs, pictures, and selfies. Head over to Fun Town, where there’s a 30-foot, fully decorated, Lego Christmas tree with over 400 Lego ornaments. And as the day winds down, the tree gets a-twinklin to holiday tunes at the Holiday Light Show, featuring falling “snow.” And check out our delightfully dazzling holiday shows (Santa approved, of course), throughout the park all season long!

SeaWorld Christmas Celebration

SeaWorld Christmas Celebration

500 SeaWorld Drive

Mission Bay

The holidays are meant to be merry and bright, and that’s exactly what you’ll find as this beloved event returns with more wondrous moments than ever. See dazzling new Christmas shows or meet Santa and Rudolph. Feel the snow falling and watch the sky light up with holiday fireworks. Find photo-perfect moments across acres of beautiful decorations, including a towering 30-foot, twinkling Christmas tree and a music-activated tunnel of lights. All the while, savor delicious candy-topped hot chocolate and other treats for all ages. Where else can you say “Merry Christmas” to a sea otter?

Jungle Bells

2920 Zoo Drive

Balboa Park

The magic and the spirit of the holiday season return! The Zoo lights up the night until 8 pm (except December 24), with amazing entertainment featuring the spectacular show, Aurora. Also featured: Dr. Zoolittle’s animal-themed version of “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” the Northern Frontier Holiday Forest, aglow with specially decorated and lighted trees, and the toog tree on Front Street, which doesn’t just light up, it appears to come to life, “dancing” to sounds of the season. Guests can visit Santa at Gingerbread Landing, see some of Santa’s elves as they keep things hopping with their energetic trampoline performance at the “Toy Shop Hop,” enjoy a jazzy carol session and strolling musicians, join in the Reindeer Games on the main plaza and meet larger-than-life friendly Zoo characters like Dr. Harry Lion, Churchill Polar Bear, Sydney Koala and their friends.