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San Diego vacation and Christmas occasions in 2023 function the return of well-liked annual actions and a few new festive enjoyable. They embody alternatives to see Santa Claus, festive lights, Christmas tree lighting, and vacation performances like The Nutcracker and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
I’ve listed almost 30 festive occasions to have a good time Christmas in San Diego, from San Diego inns, theme parks, neighborhoods, and different San Diego sights across the county to assist get your vacation spirit on.
Select from San Diego Christmas occasions like 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.
It can save you on tickets, excursions, and inns by my affiliations. In case you make purchases by some hyperlinks on this publish, I could also be compensated. Our editorial tips.
San Diego Christmas Occasions at Theme Parks & Sights
Earlier than visiting any San Diego theme park, museum, or different attraction throughout the vacation season, verify their occasion schedule to see what is perhaps occurring on the day you go.
Balboa Park’s December Nights (High Decide)
The crown jewel of San Diego Christmas occasions is Balboa Park December Nights. The biggest San Diego vacation celebration is filled 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, reside music, vacation mild shows, theater and dance performances, and scrumptious meals from around the globe 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 facet on the annual Jungle Bells at San Diego Zoo. This San Diego Christmas celebration consists of a possibility to go to Santa, colourful mild shows, Santa’s acrobatic elves, and extra within the evenings. December 9–January 1.
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See additionally: Find out how to 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 reveals and a sea-themed Christmas tree, the park will likely be brimming with yuletide cheer, and you’ll even take photographs with Santa Claus.
All of the festivities might be loved amongst multiple million low-energy Christmas lights all through the park. November 17–January 7, 2024, throughout park opening hours.
See additionally: Find out how to 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 ft 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 embody reside leisure and ‘snowfall’.
Festivities run from November 18–January 7, 2024. Additionally, don’t neglect about Children’ New Yr’s Eve, the place the LEGO ball drops at 6 p.m.
Tip: Now we have a lot of recommendation for getting 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 scorching chocolate when you stroll by colourful mild 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
Test for unpublished deeper financial savings on tickets by 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 how you can 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: Find out how to 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 yr working.
A one-mile strolling path will weave all through the backyard with beautiful illuminated artwork sculptures, a vacation music-activated tunnel, hearth, and inventive installations.
This restricted engagement bought 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 by January 1, 2024.
Vacation Ballets and Performances
Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas!
Come to The Outdated 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 friends 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 Heart 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.
Vacation Occasions & Eating at Native Resorts
Most of our San Diego inns can 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 embody a energetic mixture of actions comparable to Skating by the Sea (beginning November 17), Gingerbread Home adorning, photographs with Santa, and a Vacation Pageant. 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 all their superb Beachside Igloos for the last word vacation expertise by the ocean.
This yr, The Del’s famend out of doors Christmas mild 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 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, out of doors glice skating (synthetic ice), a Nutcracker Vacation Tea, s’mores round a firepit, and way more for residents and lodge friends. November 22 by early January 2024.
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
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 obtainable between 11–11:30 a.m. every day
And, after all, you’ll be capable of 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 can have some actions throughout the vacation season. These are the preferred.
Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village
The Little Italy Affiliation will shut down India Road from W. Cedar to W. Grape Road 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 youngsters to “Santa’s Residing Room” to take photographs 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 Road 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 along with his arrival through watercraft, a festive parade alongside the boardwalk adopted by photographs, reside music, and leisure.
Nonetheless, you may 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 by 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 embody The Nutcracker Tea Occasion, Hannukah Menorah Lighting, and Rady Youngsters’s Ice Rink at Liberty Station. 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 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 standard 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 stunning tree lighting ceremony, photos with Santa, carolers, and humanities and vacation crafts. Complimentary admission. 2023 dates TBD.
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
The 53rd annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights options greater than 80 personal boats adorned with vacation lights and crusing alongside the waters of San Diego Bay. This yr’s theme is Christmas Traditions Across the World.
The Coronado Island Marriott Resort and Coronado Ferry Touchdown (an enthralling assortment of present retailers, artwork galleries, and eating places) supply 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. One of the best viewing level is alongside Oceanside Harbor, close to the fishing dock and police station. 2023 dates TBD.
Ocean Seashore Vacation Parade
Attendees on the annual Ocean Seashore Holiday Parade will see marching San Diego bands, bikes, beautiful floats, the VW Beetle membership, traditional 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 Road and ends on the La Jolla Recreation Heart. This yr’s theme is “Grand Ole Christmas.”
The Vacation Pageant with leisure and photographs 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. Friends can go to Santa’s Toy Store, take photographs with Santa, and luxuriate 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 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 incredible reside music, there will likely be meals, giveaways, video games, and enjoyable for your complete household. Insider tip: Bounce on one of many Outdated 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 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). 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. Outdated Poway Park will is the placement of this conventional old style Christmas celebration. Friends 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 obtainable to and from the occasion from the Poway Metropolis Corridor car parking zone and the Poway Grownup Faculty car 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.
Outside Ice Skating Rinks in San Diego
Resort 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 Resort Del Coronado. Skating by the Sea partially advantages Make-A-Want San Diego.
- Date: November 17, 2023–January 7, 2024
- Instances: Test the web site, as they differ by the day.
- Value: TBD per individual with free skate leases on-line
Viejas Ice Rink
The biggest out of doors rink in Southern California is right here in San Diego on the Viejas Retailers’ out of doors rink — it’s even larger than the one at Rockefeller Heart in New York Metropolis.
- Date: From November 3, 2023
- Instances: Dates and occasions differ. Please verify calendars on the hyperlink above.
- Value: TBD for 2023.
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 worth of admission.
- Dates: Saturday, November 16 at 4 p.m. –Sunday, January 7, 2024
- 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/youngster/army/teams of 20 or extra
You should buy tickets on-line or onsite.
Take Photos with Santa for Christmas in San Diego
Procuring Malls
If headed to one in all many procuring malls in San Diego, Santa will likely be there till Christmas Eve throughout mall hours.
- Westfield UTC
- Style Valley (within the mall and in addition at JC Penney)
- Grossmont Heart
- Parkway Plaza
- The Discussion board Carlsbad
And there are a lot of others.
Go to Santa at Neiman Marcus
Even Santa Claus can’t resist a terrific breakfast, so meet him at Style Valley Mall for a breakfast feast within the final vacation occasions! Get pleasure from mimosas, scorching chocolate, brioche french toast, scrambled eggs with creme fraiche, and extra at Neiman Marcus. 2023 dates TBD. Now we have been to the occasion prior to now. Skilled photographs are taken and often included in the price of breakfast.
Santa at Different Locations Talked about on this publish
Santa will make appearances at different occasions and locations on this listing however listed below 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 by these San Diego neighborhoods to see homes decked out in lights past perception. It is a quick listing of many.
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 Road, off Twin Peaks Highway 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 houses. Location: Ellingham Road and Oviedo Road, simply off Black Mountain Highway
Belardo Lights (Tierrasanta)
It’s only one home, nevertheless it’s nicely value seeing. The concept began in 2006 as a means for the Schmika household to offer a light-weight present for his or her two autistic sons. Whether it is raining, verify the web site to see if the lights will likely be off. Location: 5306 North Belardo Drive
Garrison Road (Level Loma)
These high-end San Diego houses are dense with brightly-colored Christmas lights. Drive by or stroll round … it’s your selection. Location: Garrison Road 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 listing! And don’t neglect that we have now Lunar New Yr San Diego occasions to stay up for shortly after the winter holidays.
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