San Diego vacation and Christmas occasions in 2022 characteristic 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 practically 30 festive occasions to rejoice 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.
Choose from San Diego Christmas occasions like Balboa Park December nights, Jungle Bells on the San Diego Zoo, Christmas actions on the timeless Hotel del Coronado, Surfin Santa at Seaport Village, or the restricted engagement Lightscape present on the San Diego Botanic Garden.
You can save on tickets, excursions, and inns by my affiliations. If you make purchases by the hyperlinks on this put up, I could also be compensated.
Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas!
Come to The Old Globe for the beloved annual efficiency of Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The whimsical musical is again for its twenty second season, that includes favourite songs like “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” and extra. Buy tickets prematurely. November 9 –December 31.
Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village
The Little Italy Association will shut down India Street from W. Cedar to Hawthorn for a Christmas celebration that includes horse-drawn carriage rides, vacation decorations, a pop-up vacation market, reside music, children’ arts and crafts, and visits with Santa Claus.
At 4 p.m., take the youngsters to “Santa’s Living 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 Street shall be decked out in glowing white lights all through the season, along with 10-foot nutcrackers on road corners. Saturday, December 3, from 4–8 p.m.
The Nutcracker Ballet at Spreckels Theater
City Ballet dancers take visitors on a unprecedented journey to the magical Land of the Sweets with Clara and her Nutcracker Prince this Christmas season. Performances happen on the Spreckels Theatre.
- December 11th of September, 2022, numerous present occasions at 1 p.m., 6:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Surfing Santa at Seaport Village
It’s not Christmas in San Diego with out Surfin’ Santa, who returns to Seaport Village on Saturday, November 26, 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 photographs, reside music, and leisure. Saturday, November 26, from 1–5 p.m.
You can even cease by Santa’s Workshop within the Lighthouse District subsequent to Ben and Jerry’s east to take photographs with Santa. The price is $42 for a flash drive with captured photographs. Check Santa’s schedule earlier than you go. No appointments are needed. November 25 – December 30.
San Diego Symphony Noel Noel Family Concert
Join 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.
- December 9, 2022, 7 p.m.
- December 10, 2022, 7 p.m.
- December 11, 2022, 5 p.m.
Holidays at Hotel del Coronado
We love the vacation season on the Hotel del Coronado because it bustles with vacation occasions and Christmas actions for everybody.
Happenings on the Hotel del Coronado embody a full of life mixture of actions similar to Skating by the Sea (beginning November 17 ), a chic Victorian Tea, Holiday Ornament and Artwork, Sunday Brunch with Santa, or collect your family and friends for the brand new beachside Jingle Roast of s’mores with Santa hats. November 17 –January 1.
See additionally: Things to Do on the Hotel del Coronado During the Holidays
Holidays at The Grand
Come to Fairmont Grand Del Mar for Holidays at The Grande, a festive San Diego Christmas occasion with memorable eating experiences full with seasonal meals, a 30′Christmas tree, tea with Santa, s’mores, and far more for residents and resort visitors. November 25–January 1.
See additionally: Where to Have Christmas Dinner in San Diego
Holiday by the Bay
Hilton San Diego Bayfront hosts Holidays by the Bay with occasions that embody an outsized Christmas tree with nightly gentle exhibits on the Bayfront Pier, vacation film nights on Fridays and Saturdays, Sunday breakfasts with Santa, and extra from November 25–January 1.
Tree Lighting at La Valencia in La Jolla
A tree lighting ceremony shall 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 teenagers. Thursday, December 1 at 4:30 p.m.
Virtual Santa Visit at Neiman Marcus
Even Santa Claus can’t resist an awesome breakfast, so meet him at Fashion Valley Mall for a breakfast feast within the final vacation occasions! Enjoy mimosas, scorching chocolate, brioche french toast, scrambled eggs with creme fraiche, and extra at Neiman Marcus. We have been to the occasion previously.
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 contains a possibility to go to Santa, colourful gentle shows, 4-D vacation experiences, together with a Polar Express practice journey, and extra within the evenings. December 9–January 1.
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See additionally: How to Buy Discounted Tickets to the San Diego Zoo
SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas Celebration
Join 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 Holiday Brass band. Admission is included with common park admission.
In addition to the particular holiday-themed animal exhibits and a sea-themed Christmas tree, the park shall be brimming with yuletide cheer, and you may even take photographs with Santa Claus.
All the festivities might be loved amongst a couple of million low-energy Christmas lights all through the park. Now–January 8 throughout park opening hours.
See additionally: How to Buy 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 greater than 245,000 forest inexperienced DUPLO® bricks and has 400 LEGO ornaments.
The complete resort shall be decked out in vacation décor and extra throughout Holidays at LEGOLAND California.
Fun Town transforms right into a winter wonderland filled with vacation spirit with LEGO Christmas characters like life-size LEGO fashions of Santa and his reindeer. Events will embody reside leisure and “snowfall.”
Also, don’t neglect about Kids’ New Year’s Eve, the place the LEGO ball drops at 6 p.m. November 19-27, December 3-4, 10-11, 17-30, and January 1, 7-8.
Tip: You should purchase discounted, straight-to-the-gate LEGOLAND tickets.
Balboa Park’s Taste of December Nights
The crown jewel of San Diego Christmas occasions is Balboa Park December Nights. The largest 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 gentle shows, theater, and dance performances, and scrumptious meals from world wide for a real Christmas in San Diego celebration.
December 2, 3–11 p.m. & December 3, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Admission is free.
Lightscape — San Diego Botanic Garden
Of all of the San Diego Christmas occasions, we’re most enthusiastic about this one! This 12 months, the internationally acclaimed present, Lightscape, shall be coming to the San Diego Botanic Garden.
A one-mile strolling path will weave all through the backyard with attractive illuminated artwork sculptures, a vacation music-activated tunnel, hearth, and creative installations.
This restricted engagement bought out completely in London, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, so don’t miss out! November 18-20, 23, 25-27; December 1–4, 8-11, 14-23, 26–31; January 1.
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 Party and Rady Children’s Ice Rink at Liberty Station. Ice skating internet proceeds profit the Thriving After Cancer program within the Rady Children’s Hospital’s Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.
Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in San Diego
Hotel 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 Hotel Del Coronado. Skating by the Sea partially advantages Make-A-Wish San Diego.
- Date: November 17, 2022 –January 1, 2023
- Times: Check the web site, as they fluctuate by the day.
- Cost: $40 per particular person with free skate leases on-line
Viejas Ice Rink
The largest outside rink in Southern California is right here in San Diego on the Viejas Outlets’ outside rink — it’s even greater than the one at Rockefeller Center in New York City.
- Date: Through January 8, 2023
- Times: Dates and occasions fluctuate. Please verify calendars on the hyperlink above.
- Cost: $18–$20
Rady Children’s Ice Rink
The Rady Children’s Ice Rink is situated at Liberty Station. All proceeds from this occasion profit the Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Rady Children’s Hospital of San Diego.
- Dates: Saturday, November 17 –January 8, 2023 (closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day)
- Times: 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
- Cost: $15–$17
Coronado Holiday Parade and Open House + Santa
Kick off Christmas in San Diego with the forty seventh annual Coronado Holiday Parade and Open House. Start at Ferry Landing, down Orange Ave to Hotel del Coronado, then watch the Holiday Parade, take part vacation sing-a-longs and watch the normal lighting of a Christmas tree in Rotary Park. Admission is free. Friday, December 2.
North Pole by the Sea — Del Mar Village And Tree Lighting
This annual Del Mar Village Association 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 5, from 1 – 3 p.m.; tree lightingat 5 p.m.
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
The 52nd annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights options greater than 80 personal boats embellished with vacation lights and crusing alongside the waters of San Diego Bay. This 12 months’s theme is FantaSea on the Bay.
The Coronado Island Marriott Resort and Coronado Ferry Landing (a captivating assortment of reward retailers, artwork galleries, and eating places) provide glorious shore viewing. No matter the place you view, don’t miss the San Diego Bay Parade of lights Sundays, December 11 and 18, 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: 6:00 p.m.
- The Embarcadero: 6:30 p.m.
- Seaport Village: 7:00 p.m.
- The Pier at Cesar Chavez Park: 7:15 p.m.
- Ferry Landing on Coronado: 7:30 p.m.
Oceanside San Diego Parade of Lights
Fishing boats, sailboats, yachts, kayaks, and dingys will costume up for the vacations for an genuine Christmas in San Diego whereas circling
the Oceanside Harbor on the Oceanside Parade of Lights. The greatest viewing level is alongside Oceanside Harbor, close to the fishing dock and police station. Saturday, December 10, from 7–9 p.m.
Ocean Beach Holiday Parade
Attendees on the annual Ocean Beach 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 3, from 5:05–9 p.m.
La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival
The La Jolla Christmas Parade marches down Girard Avenue to Prospect Street and ends on the La Jolla Recreation Center. This 12 months’s theme is “Grand Ole Christmas.”
The Holiday Festival with leisure and photographs with Santa happens earlier than the parade on the Christmas village in entrance of the Athenaeum from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. The parade begins at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, December 4.
La Mesa’s Holiday within the Village
The pleasant downtown of La Mesa is remodeled right into a Victorian wonderland throughout its old school Holiday within the Village.
The family-friendly occasion options horse-drawn carriages, strolling minstrels, carolers, and road entertainers alongside La Mesa Boulevard. Carnival rides and video games, craft distributors, hearth pits, reside music levels, and an out of doors market sometimes spherical out the San Diego Christmas enjoyable. Saturday, December 3, from 12–9 p.m.
Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Bash + Parade
If you like bands, you’ll need to take a look at the Snapdragon Holiday Bowl Bash, the place two college bands face off within the streets of downtown San Diego within the final battle of bands. In addition to improbable reside music, there shall be meals, giveaways, video games, and enjoyable for the complete household. Insider tip: Jump on one of many Old Town Trolley Tours when you’re there! Tuesday, December 27, 5-8 p.m.
America’s largest balloon parade is again on the Holiday 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. Grandstand tickets are $25. Wednesday, December 28 at 10 a.m.
Poway’s Christmas within the Park
Poway’s Christmas within the Park incorporates a tree lighting ceremony, a go to from Santa, practice rides, reside music, theater performances, meals, treats, crafts, and extra.
A free shuttle can also be obtainable to and from the occasion from the Poway City Hall car parking zone and the Poway Adult School car parking zone. Saturday, December 9, from 5:30–8:30 p.m. Admission is free.
Take Pictures with Santa
If headed to one among many buying malls in San Diego, Santa shall be there till Christmas Eve throughout mall hours.
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 is a brief listing of many.
Candy Cane Lane (Poway)
It’s a cul-de-sac themed just like the North Pole, besides proper right here in San Diego. Each home right here is estimated to have over 50,000 lights. Location: Hickory Court, Hickory Street, off Twin Peaks Road and Silverset St. Also Includes 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 Street and Oviedo Street, simply off Black Mountain Road
Belardo Lights (Tierrasanta)
It’s only one home, however it’s nicely value seeing. The concept began in 2006 as a approach for the Schmika household to offer a light-weight present for his or her two autistic sons. If it’s raining, verify the web site to see if the lights shall be off. Location: 5306 North Belardo Drive
Garrison Street (Point Loma)
These high-end San Diego properties are dense with brightly-colored Christmas lights. Drive by or stroll round … it’s your alternative. Location: Garrison Street close to Chatsworth
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What is your favourite factor to do in San Diego through the holidays? Please go away a remark with something lacking from this listing! And don’t neglect that we’ve Lunar New Year San Diego occasions to stay up for shortly after the winter holidays.