Last updated on March 22nd, 2024 at 12:13 am
Looking for the very best things to do at Christmas in San Diego for a magical holiday experience?
San Diego is an amazing city to visit any time of year, but the holiday season brings out a special kind of magic. Even though you wonât find snow falling in this sunny city, there are many fun ways to celebrate Christmas in San Diego. From San Diego Christmas events to theme park experiences, read on for 26 amazing options!
Visiting San Diego at Christmas
There arenât many places in the world where you can sip eggnog under a palm tree or ice skate on the beach. But this Southern California destination embraces its warm winter climate and offers tons of San Diego Christmas events for the whole family to enjoy.
Visiting San Diego during the holiday season has become a tradition for my family. Sometimes itâs fun just to walk around and see the decorations and Christmas lights. Other times we like to hit a theme park and experience one of the many awesome San Diego holiday events. Whatever your pleasure, donât miss these top things to do during Christmas in San Diego.
Here is a guide to all the fun and family-friendly San Diego Christmas events and activities that are sure to get you in the holiday spirit.
Christmas in San Diego Theme Parks & Attractions
Here are the holiday happenings at San Diego’s many theme parks and family-friendly attractions.
1. SeaWorld San Diego Christmas Celebration
Youâll find plenty of holiday cheer at San Diego attractions this holiday season! Don’t miss SeaWorldâs Christmas Celebration, taking place from November 13 through January 7, 2024, and featuring new shows and attractions.
Sip hot chocolate with candy toppings while checking out sea otters, flamingos, sea lions, turtles and bat rays at this lavishly decorated 100-acre park, including a sea-themed Christmas tree and a holiday music-activated tunnel of lights.
We always love to visit SeaWorld San Diego at Christmas and actually just got back from another great trip! For Christmas 2023 they have a great new show at the Nautilus Amphitheater featuring âAmericaâs Got Talentâ star Bryan Cheatham and a cast of singers and dancers. We really enjoyed this one – it is a great holiday production that will definitely get you in the spirit!
2. Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo
Kids and adults alike will love visiting the world-famous San Diego Zoo during Christmastime. The Zoo will be aglow with holiday cheer and decorations, with music filling the air, joyful roaming entertainers, and special food items and sweets available.
Have your picture taken with Santa or ride the Twinkle Light Trolley. During Jungle Bells festivities, the Zoo will close late at 8 p.m. Truly one of the best family-friendly San Diego events during the holidays!
âș Click here for discount ticket offers to the San Diego Zoo
3. LEGOLAND Christmas 2023
If you have little kids, they’re going to love Holidays at LEGOLAND California Resort!
On select dates in November and December, Holidays at LEGOLAND features holiday characters, a LEGOÂź Christmas tree with over 400 LEGO ornaments, and a life-size model of LEGO Santa and his reindeer. Check out dazzling holiday shows throughout the park all season long, and lots of holiday treats, too.
âș Click here for discount ticket offers to the LEGOLAND California Resort
4. December Nights at Balboa Park
Families and foodies can make their way to Taste of December Nights in Balboa Park on December 1 and 2, 2023 to enjoy the lights, the sounds, the attractions and of course, amazing food.
December Nights is the City of San Diego’s largest free holiday festival!
5. The Holiday Market and Trail at Petco Park
Running throughout December, the Holiday Market in Gallagher Square is a fun night for the whole family and will feature local and European artisan shops, magical lighting displays, seasonal food and beverage, Santa and other holiday characters!
6. Lights & Sights Trolley Tour
Old Town Trolley transforms into the Holiday Trolley for their San Diego Holiday Lights & Sights Trolley Tour. See San Diego with a holiday twist! The trolleyâs Elf conductors share fun holiday facts and traditions. Youâll get to see the festive San Diego Christmas lights of Old Town, Embarcadero, Seaport Village, Balboa Park and more!
The tour departs from Old Town San Diego and includes a stop for a 15-minute holiday stroll through Seaport Village. I highly recommend the Old Town Trolley Tour any time of year as part of your San Diego travel plans. It is a great way to take in the city!
âș Click here for discount ticket offers for Old Town Trolley Tours of San Diego
7. A Very Furry Christmas Celebration at Sesame Place
A Very Furry Christmas is a festive, family-friendly celebration featuring characters from Sesame Street.
Sesame Place is transformed into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. There is a 24-foot tall Christmas tree, holiday lights and decorations, photos with Santa and Sesame Street friends, a parade, dance party, Christmas tree maze, special food and beverages, and of course plenty of family-friendly rides.
This is the perfect place to celebrate the holidays in San Diego if you have small children!
âș Click here to find out more about A Very Furry Christmas Celebration
8. Ice Skating by the Sea at the Hotel del Coronado
From November 17, 2023 through January 7, 2024, you can glide on ice while watching the surf break at the Hotel del Coronado’s Skating by the Sea. This spectacular beachfront ice rink features stunning views of the ocean and benefits Make-A-WishÂź San Diego. Tickets include ice skate rental and up to 90 minutes of skating.
You can also reserve a rink side lounge at Frostbite â A Place to Chill, which features plush seating around a roaring fire pit with full food and beverage service. Enjoy views of the ice rink and ocean from many of The Del’s other beachside restaurants, too!
The most iconic of all San Diego beach resorts, the Hotel del Coronado is arguably one of the most famous hotels in Southern California. In fact, even if youâre not staying there, visiting the Del is one of the most popular things to do in Coronado! This sprawling Victorian hotel has been luring visitors to the beach for more than a century.
9. Holidays at the Del
Beyond Skating by the Sea, there is so much to do at the Hotel del Coronado this holiday season!
For 2023, the theme for holidays at the Del is “A Twenties Holiday Affair.” This San Diego Christmas event will look back 100 years to the glittering art-deco extravagance of the 1920s. For the 2023 season, The Del will razzle-dazzle with breathtaking lights and festive dĂ©cor in emerald green, shimmering silver and gold, delicate pearls, and velvet.â
They will also offer special holiday dining, redesigned “All That Jazz” Dynamic Light Show. âAll that Jazzâ is a free event taking place nightly between November 17 and January 7. The grove of towering pines on the Del’s Founders Lawn comes to life with a dynamic light show orchestrated to music, with a finale of snow flurries. This 11-minute show takes place every 30 minutes from 5 to 9pm.
Other holiday offerings at the Hotel del Coronado include beachside igloos, gingerbread houses, menorah lighting, photos with Santa, and special events for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.
For a full rundown, visit hoteldel.com/experience/holidays.
10. Meet Surfinâ Santa in Seaport Village
Itâs a season of celebration at Seaport Village, with live music, crafts, holiday dĂ©cor, a menorah lighting, and festive events throughout the holidays! This holiday season, Surfinâ Santa will will ditch his red suit and reindeer to spread holiday cheer in true Southern California fashion as he makes his annual arrival.
Visit Seaport Village to meet Santa in San Diego and take photos on select dates in November and December 2023.
11. Salute the Season at Liberty Station
Salute the Season at Liberty Station is an annual event featuring a number of fun holiday events in San Diego.
Visit Rady Childrenâs Ice Rink at Liberty Station, where proceeds benefit the Thriving After Cancer program in the Rady Childrenâs Hospitalâs Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. There is also a Nutcracker Tea Party.
12. How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Old Globe Theatre
For a uniquely San Diego holiday tradition, head to the Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park for its storied production of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! From November 8 through December 31, 2023, snow-covered Who-ville comes alive to usher in holiday cheer.
Dr. Seussâs How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a wonderful, whimsical musical based on the classic Dr. Seuss book. Back for its 22nd incredible year, the family favorite features the songs âThis Time of Year,â âSanta for a Day,â and âYouâre a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.â
13. Holiday Train Rides
The North Pole is just a train ride away. On Fridays and Saturdays between November 24 and December 16, 2023, hop aboard the Santa Train North Pole Limited.
Leaving from the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo and then chugging through San Diegoâs backcountry, the Santa Train North Pole Limited includes Santaâs elves singing Christmas carols, reading popular Christmas stories and passing out cookies and hot chocolate. The North Pole Limited will also stop at Santaâs Workshop to pick up Santa and Mrs. Claus so they can visit with passengers on the return trip to Campo Depot.
14. Country Christmas in Julian
If you are looking for a rustic San Diego Christmas experience, head to the historic mountain village of Julian in East County. This old-fashioned town kicks off the holiday season November 26 with the Julian Country Christmas Tree Lighting. This year Country Christmas Tree Lighting will be at the new âTown Squareâ location on the corner of Main Street and Washington.
After the tree lighting ceremony, enjoy Julianâs legendary apple pie and hot apple cider while admiring holiday decorations and lights along Main Street.
San Diego Christmas Parades
San Diego has a dizzying number of holiday parades, both on and off the water! The mild December weather in Southern California makes it ideal for being outside and watching the festivities!
15. San Diego Christmas Lights 2023 – 53rd Annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
Nothing says Christmas in San Diego like boats adorned with colorful twinkling lights. On December 10 and December 17, the iconic and always free annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights returns, with over 80 lavishly decorated boats. The theme for 2023 is “Christmas Traditions around the World.”
The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights is a time-honored holiday tradition brought to San Diego by the boating community. Continuing its long-standing San Diego tradition, the 53rd annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights promises to dazzle and entertain bay front crowds for two nights, making this one of the most popular Christmas San Diego events! Participants in the holiday boat parade will decorate their boats to fit this yearâs theme.
The parade will proceed from Shelter Island to the pier at Cesar Chavez Park before making the turn to Coronado, giving spectators plenty places to view the parade.
16. Mission Bay Parade of Lights
Mission Bay will kick off their holiday season with the Mission Bay Parade of Lights, on Saturday, December 9th at 5:30 pm. Donât miss this parade of elaborate, decorated boats from local organizations like Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego Loyal, and SeaWorld.
Free for all to enjoy, designated viewing areas will be set up at and near Mission Bay’s six hotels and resorts: Bahia Resort Hotel, Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa, The Dana on Mission Bay, Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina, Paradise Point Resort, and San Diego Mission Bay Resort.
The parade will start at SeaWorld with a firework kickoff, travel west, then north, and then east, ending at The Mission Bay Beach Club. Each designated viewing area will offer special festive food & beverage menus and family-friendly activities to get into the holiday spirit, such as bonfires and s’mores, live music, holiday games, an appearance from Santa Claus and more!
17. More 2023 San Diego Christmas Parades
Here are a few more parades to check out this holiday season, according to the San Diego Tourism Authority.
Coronado Holiday Parade & Open House
Join Coronado in holiday cheer from the Ferry Landing, down Orange Avenue, all the way to the Hotel del Coronado for live music, local business open houses, sing-alongs, a parade and a grand tree lighting at Rotary Park.
Thousands of people will be on floats and in bands with tens of thousands more cheering them on as the Encinitas Holiday Parade rolls along Coast Highway 101.
La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival
Spread some holiday cheer at the La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival in December in downtown La Jolla. The event includes marching bands, community groups, drill teams, vintage vehicles, horses, and yes ~ a camel. Church bells peal with a fly-over. There is also a Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights
This free, distinctly California celebration features boats decorated for the annual holiday season that will sail around Mission Bay. A highly anticipated event in the San Diego community, dozens of vessels take to the water for the parade.
Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights
Watch the season sail by at the Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights in December. The popular parade circles the harbor and features a wide variety of boats, brightly decorated for the holiday season.
Port of San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
Enjoy the twinkling waters of the San Diego Bay and more than 80 private boats decorated with holiday lights for the annual Port of San Diego Bay Parade of Lights over two weekends in December. Great views are available on dry land from Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, the pier at Cesar Chavez Park and Coronado’s Ferry Landing.
This holiday parade presents cute dogs and their amazing owners parading in colorful fashion as they proudly promenade through the heart and soul of the Gaslamp for all the onlookers to see!
Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade
Gaze up at the massive balloons during the Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade, the country’s largest balloon parade. Floats, balloons and marching bands are just some of the offerings in this colorful holiday parade along San Diego Bay in downtown San Diego.
San Diego Christmas Lights
Want to check out some amazing Christmas lights in San Diego? Don’t miss these holiday light displays.
18. Botanic Wonderland
Located in Encinitas, 30 minutes north of downtown San Diego, the San Diego Botanic Garden decorates and illuminates its 8,000 square foot glass conservatory and large sections of its 37-acre campus.
Along with festive lights, the event features live music, food, kidsâ activities, holiday crafts, Santa Claus and more!
19. Lights at the Lakes
Lights at the Lakes in Santee is a dazzling drive-thru light display for every age! This San Diego Christmas event runs on select dates from December 1 to December 23, 2023!
Lights at the Lakes is a one mile drive-thru event featuring colorful twinkling light displays set to music through your car radio. The show will feature unique winter scenes that blink, swirl, and dance to holiday tunes. Best of all, the combination of lights and music change, creating a unique experience each visit.
20. Jingle Terrace Live
Each evening, the Moonlight Amphitheatre in Vista will be adorned in a spectacular holiday light show that you will be able to walk through and inside The Moonlight while you enjoy holiday refreshments, festive displays, live entertainment, family activities and photo opportunities, and other special surprises to be announced!
21. Enchanted Village
From December 15-22, walk through acres of brilliantly lit trees, magical cottages, light tunnels, live entertainers, hundreds of giant candy canes, over a million lights, interactive displays and other festive decorations at the Enchanted Village in Spring Valley. All proceeds benefit Noah Homes, a nonprofit that provides housing and care to people with developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome and autism.
More Holiday Fun & Food
22. Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet Cruise
If you’re looking for a non-traditional and truly extraordinary way to celebrate Christmas Eve, consider treating your family to a Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet Cruise with City Cruises. The boat departs from Hornblower Landing along San Diego’s waterfront. This semi-formal holiday event lasts two and a half hours and includes a full dinner, festive dĂ©cor, and DJ for dancing.
âș Book your San Diego Christmas Eve Dinner Cruise
23. San Diego Christmas Day Brunch Buffet Cruise
Enjoy a holiday brunch buffet prepared by a chef, unlimited champagne, and exceptional views of San Diegoâs iconic skyline as you cruise around the bay. There will also be entertainment and festive dĂ©cor onboard.
âș Book your San Diego Christmas Day Brunch Cruise
24. Christmas Dinner at the Hotel Del Coronado
Create beautiful new holiday memories with a decadent Christmas buffet full of traditional favorites and culinary surprises inside the hotel’s stunning new Southpointe Ballroom. They will also be offering a buffet dinner on Christmas Eve.
25. Christmas at Harrahâs Resort Southern California
If a resort experience sounds like an appealing way to spend the holidays, look no further than Harrahâs Resort Southern California. On December 2 and 3, you can catch a performance of Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland at the Events Center. This show combines acrobats, aerialists and music.
The many restaurants and bars at Harrah’s will be serving up some special holiday meals and cocktails (like the White Christmas Martini) all through the month, so be sure to add this stop to your itinerary.
âș Click here to read our full review of Harrah’s Resort Southern California.
26. Holiday Cocktail Pop-Ups
For the grown-ups, San Diego’s vibrant cocktail scene offers more than spiked hot chocolate and eggnog. This year, annual holiday cocktail pop-ups Miracle and Sippinâ Santa are returning to town with inventive holiday-themed drinks from November 22 through December 31.
Must-try options include âthe gingerbread-y snowball old fashionedâ and the âspiked jingle balls nog,â as well as new concoctions like âelfing around.â
Wishing you happy holidays and a very Merry Christmas in San Diego or wherever you are celebrating this year!
Save These San Diego Christmas Events for Later!
Planning a visit to San Diego during the holidays? Pin the image below for future reference!
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