San Diego Christmas occasions and vacation actions in 2023 function the return of common annual traditions and a few new festive enjoyable. They embrace 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 have fun Christmas in San Diego, from San Diego inns, theme parks, neighborhoods, and different San Diego points of interest across the county to assist get your vacation spirit on.
Some to look ahead to embrace Balboa Park December nights, Jungle Bells on the San Diego Zoo, Christmas actions on the timeless Resort del Coronado, Surfin’ Santa at Seaport Village, or the Lightscape present on the San Diego Botanic Backyard. I cannot wait to attend!
It can save you on tickets, excursions, and inns via my affiliations. In case you make purchases via some hyperlinks on this put up, I could also be compensated. Our editorial pointers.
San Diego Christmas Occasions at Theme Parks & Points of interest
Earlier than visiting any San Diego theme park, museum, or different attraction throughout the vacation season, examine their occasion schedule to see what could be occurring on the day you go.
Balboa Park’s December Nights (Prime Choose)
The crown jewel of San Diego Christmas occasions is Balboa Park December Nights. The biggest San Diego vacation celebration 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 embrace carolers, reside music, vacation gentle shows, theater and dance performances, and scrumptious meals from world wide for a real Christmas in San Diego celebration. December 1st & 2nd. 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 contains a chance to go to Santa, colourful gentle shows, Santa’s acrobatic elves, and extra within the evenings. December 9–January 1.
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See additionally: Purchase Discounted Tickets to the San Diego Zoo
SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas Celebration
Be part of SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas Celebration to finish your San Diego vacation and meet Santa and Rudolph, catch Donner and Blitzen’s Lazer lights present, or benefit from the sounds of the Vacation Brass band. Admission is included with common park admission.
Along with the particular holiday-themed animal exhibits and a sea-themed Christmas tree, the park will likely be brimming with yuletide cheer, and you’ll even take pictures with Santa Claus.
All of the festivities will be loved amongst a couple of million low-energy Christmas lights all through the park. November 17–January 7, 2024, throughout park opening hours.
See additionally: 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 entire resort will likely be decked out in vacation décor and extra throughout Holidays at LEGOLAND California. Enjoyable City transforms right into a winter wonderland stuffed with vacation spirit with LEGO Christmas characters like life-size LEGO fashions of Santa and his reindeer. Occasions will embrace reside leisure and ‘snowfall’.
Festivities run from November 18–January 7, 2024. Additionally, don’t neglect about Youngsters’ New 12 months’s Eve, the place the LEGO ball drops at 6 p.m.
Tip: Now we have a lot of recommendation for purchasing discounted LEGOLAND California tickets
Wild Holidays at San Diego Zoo Safari Park
You’ll wish to keep on the San Diego Zoo Safari Park after darkish to sip gourmand sizzling chocolate when you stroll via colourful gentle shows. Vacation leisure, together with music, reside performances, storytelling, stilt walkers, and extra spherical out the vacation cheer. November 24–26; December 2–3, 9-10, 16–23, and 25–31 from 4–8 p.m.
ACCESS MY EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT
Examine for unpublished deeper financial savings on tickets via my partnership with aRes Journey, a certified San Diego Zoo Safari Park ticket vendor.
*By texting the phrase SAFARI to 1-833-490-0799 you comply with obtain automated promotional messages with tips on how 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: Purchase Low cost San Diego Zoo Safari Park Tickets
Lightscape — San Diego Botanic Backyard
Of all of the San Diego Christmas occasions, we’re most enthusiastic about this one! The internationally acclaimed present, Lightscape, will likely be coming to the San Diego Botanic Backyard for the second 12 months operating.
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 fully in London, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, so don’t miss out! The present runs each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from November 17–December 31 (other than the 24 & twenty fifth) and different chosen days via January 1, 2024.
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 sixth season, that includes favourite songs like “You’re a Imply One, Mr. Grinch,” and extra. Purchase tickets prematurely. November 8–December 31, 2023.
San Diego Symphony Noel Noel at Rady Shell Household Live shows
Be 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 at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, December 16 at 5 p.m.
- Sunday, December 17 at 5 p.m.
The Nutcracker Ballet by Metropolis Ballet
Metropolis Ballet dancers take visitors on a rare journey to the magical Land of the Sweets with Clara and her Nutcracker Prince this Christmas season. Performances happen on the California Middle for the Arts in Escondido.
- Thu, Dec 21, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
- Fri, Dec 22, 2023 at 2 p.m. and seven:30 p.m.
- Sat, Dec 23, 2023 at 2 p.m. and seven:30 p.m.
Eating & Vacation Occasions in San Diego Motels
Most of our San Diego inns may have some vacation occasions and decore on faucet, particularly our luxurious inns and resorts.
Holidays at Resort del Coronado
We love the vacation season on the Resort del Coronado because it bustles with vacation occasions and Christmas actions for everybody.
Happenings on the Resort del Coronado embrace a energetic mixture of actions comparable to Skating by the Sea (beginning November 17), Gingerbread Home adorning, pictures with Santa, and a Vacation Pageant. Collect your family and friends and lease a beachside firepit for a Jingle Roast of s’mores. Or go all out and lease certainly one of their wonderful Beachside Igloos for the last word vacation expertise by the ocean.
This 12 months, The Del’s famend outside Christmas gentle present has an All That Jazz theme. The lodge’s festivities run from November 17–January 7, 2024.
See additionally: Issues to Do on the Resort del Coronado Through 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 Vacation Tea, s’mores round a firepit, and rather more for residents and lodge visitors. November 22 via early January 2024.
See additionally: The place to Have Christmas Dinner in San Diego & 10 Issues to Do at Fairmont Grand Del Mar Through the Holidays.
Tree Lighting & Occasions at La Valencia in La Jolla
A tree lighting ceremony will likely be held at La Valencia San Diego of their La Sala Lounge with heat vacation drinks, a Christmas carol or two, home made cookies, and crafts for teenagers. Thursday, November 30 at 4:30 p.m.
Their vacation tea sells out yearly so make reservations ASAP to get pleasure from DAMMANN Frères teas paired with scones, tea sandwiches, assorted mini pastries, a glass of bubbly (one is included), and extra. December 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 | Seatings accessible between 11–11:30 a.m. every day
And, in fact, you’ll be capable to get pleasure from particular multi-course Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners.
Christmas in San Diego Neighborhood Parades, Tree Lightings, and Different Occasions
And almost each neighborhood may have some actions throughout 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, reside music, youngsters’ arts and crafts, and visits with Santa Claus.
At 4 p.m., take the children to “Santa’s Dwelling Room” 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 will likely be decked out in glowing lights all through the season, along with 10-foot nutcrackers on road corners. Saturday, December 2, 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 together with his arrival by way of watercraft, a festive parade alongside the boardwalk adopted by pictures, reside music, and leisure.
Nonetheless, you’ll be able to greet him for breakfast the day earlier than at Malibu Farm, adopted by some gingerbread home adorning for all ages. You’ll want to purchase tickets via Malibu Farm.
- Friday, November 24 (breakfast)
- Saturday, November 25, from 1–5 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 embrace The Nutcracker Tea Occasion, Hannukah Menorah Lighting, and Rady Kids’s Ice Rink at Liberty Station. Ice skating internet proceeds profit the Thriving After Most cancers program within the Rady Kids’s Hospital’s Peckham Middle for Most cancers and Blood Issues (extra on this beneath).
Coronado Vacation Parade and Open Home + Santa
Kick off Christmas in San Diego with the forty eighth annual Coronado Vacation Parade and Open Home. Begin at Ferry Touchdown, down Orange Ave to Resort del Coronado, then watch the Vacation Parade, take part vacation sing-a-longs, and watch the normal lighting of a Christmas tree in Rotary Park. Admission is free. Friday, December 1.
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, photos with Santa, carolers, and humanities and vacation crafts. Complimentary admission. December 3, 2023 from 1–5 p.m.
Plus, you’ll get pleasure from free parking in Del Mar Village do you have to store there throughout the vacation season. Get extra particulars in regards to the holidays in Del Mar.
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
The 53rd 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 12 months’s theme is Christmas Traditions Across the World.
The Coronado Island Marriott Resort and Coronado Ferry Touchdown (a captivating assortment of reward retailers, artwork galleries, and eating places) provide glorious shore viewing. Regardless of the place you view, don’t miss the San Diego Bay Parade of lights Sundays, December 10 and 17, 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 dingys will gown up for the vacations for an genuine Christmas in San Diego whereas circling Oceanside Harbor.
the Oceanside Harbor on the Oceanside Parade of Lights. The most effective viewing level is alongside Oceanside Harbor, close to the fishing dock and police station. December 9 from 7–9 p.m.
Ocean Seaside Vacation Parade
Attendees on the annual Ocean Seaside Holiday Parade will see marching San Diego bands, bikes, attractive floats, the VW Beetle membership, basic Woodies, and extra cruise down Newport Avenue. Saturday, December 2, 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 Middle. This 12 months’s theme is “Grand Ole 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 3.
La Mesa’s Vacation within the Village
The pleasant downtown of La Mesa is reworked right into a Victorian wonderland throughout its old style Vacation within the Village.
The family-friendly occasion options carolers and road entertainers alongside La Mesa Boulevard. Visitors can go to Santa’s Toy Store, take pictures with Santa, and revel in craft distributors, hearth pits, and reside music leisure. Saturday, December 2, from 12–9 p.m.
Port of San Diego Vacation Bowl Bash + Parade
In case you love bands, you’ll wish 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 improbable reside music, there will likely be meals, giveaways, video games, and enjoyable for all the household. Insider tip: Soar on one of many Previous City Trolley Excursions when you’re there! Tuesday, December 26, 5-8 p.m.
America’s largest balloon parade is again on the Vacation Bowl parade! Floats, balloons, and marching bands are simply a few 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). Wednesday, December 27. Time TBD.
Poway’s Christmas within the Park
Poway’s Christmas within the Park has added a second date for the 2023 festivities. Previous Poway Park will is the placement of this conventional old style Christmas celebration. Visitors can get pleasure from a go to from Santa, reside music, theater performances, meals, treats, crafts, and even an opportunity to get onboard the Poway Midland Railroad for a night-time experience across the park.
A free shuttle can also be accessible to and from the occasion from the Poway Metropolis Corridor parking zone and the Poway Grownup College parking zone. The shuttles run from 3 p.m.–9 p.m. Admission can also be free. Friday, December 8, from 5:30–8:30 P.M., and Saturday, December 9, from 3:30–8:30 P.M.
Out of doors Ice Skating Rinks in San Diego
Resort Del Coronado’s Skating by the Sea
Go ice skating simply steps from the seaside within the quintessential Christmas in San Diego expertise on the Resort Del Coronado. Skating by the Sea partially advantages Make-A-Want San Diego.
- Date: November 17, 2023–January 7, 2024
- Occasions: Examine the web site, as they range by the day.
- Price: TBD per individual with free skate leases on-line
Viejas Ice Rink
The biggest outside rink in Southern California is right here in San Diego on the Viejas Retailers’ outside rink — it’s even larger than the one at Rockefeller Middle in New York Metropolis.
- Date: From November 3, 2023
- Occasions: Dates and occasions range. Please examine calendars on the hyperlink above.
- Price: $20 for ages 12 and below and $22 for ages 13 and older.
Rady Kids’s Ice Rink
The Rady Kids’s Ice Rink is situated at Liberty Station. All proceeds from this occasion profit the Peckham Middle for Most cancers and Blood Issues at Rady Kids’s Hospital of San Diego. Skate leases and helmets are included in your worth of admission.
- Dates: Saturday, November 16 at 4 p.m. –Sunday, January 7, 2024
- Occasions: 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)
- Price: $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
Purchasing Malls
If headed to certainly one of many buying malls in San Diego, Santa will likely be there till Christmas Eve throughout mall hours.
- Westfield UTC
- Trend Valley (within the mall and likewise at JC Penney)
- Grossmont Middle
- 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 awesome breakfast, so meet him at Trend Valley Mall for a breakfast feast within the final vacation occasions! Take pleasure in mimosas, sizzling chocolate, brioche french toast, scrambled eggs with creme fraiche, and extra at Neiman Marcus. Now we have been to the occasion previously. Skilled pictures are taken and often included in the price of breakfast. It appears to be like waitlisted on December 9. You may get on the wait checklist.
Santa at Different Locations Talked about on this put up
Santa will make appearances at different occasions and locations on this checklist however listed here are a number of reminders:
- San Diego Zoo
- San Diego Zoo Safari Park
- Seaport Village
- SeaWorld San Diego
Neighborhood Christmas Lights in San Diego County
Take a drive via these San Diego neighborhoods to see homes decked out in lights past perception. It is a quick checklist of many locations to have fun 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 Court docket, Hickory Avenue, off Twin Peaks Highway and Silverset St. Additionally Contains Butterwood Ct. and Rockrose Ct.
Christmas card Lane (Rancho Penasquitos)
This San Diego neighborhood show is understood for larger-than-life illuminated Christmas playing cards and different lights adorning the houses. Location: Ellingham Avenue and Oviedo Avenue, simply off Black Mountain Highway
Belardo Lights (Tierrasanta)
It’s only one home, but it surely’s effectively price seeing. The concept began in 2006 as a means for the Schmika household to supply a lightweight present for his or her two autistic sons. Whether it is raining, examine the web site to see if the lights will likely be off. Location: 5306 North Belardo Drive
Garrison Avenue (Level Loma)
These high-end San Diego houses are dense with brightly-colored Christmas lights. Drive via or stroll round … it’s your alternative. Location: Garrison Avenue close to Chatsworth
See additionally:
What’s your favourite factor to do in San Diego throughout the holidays? Please depart a remark with something lacking from this checklist! And don’t neglect that we now have Lunar New 12 months San Diego occasions to look ahead to shortly after the winter holidays.
