Top December Events

This December, get out and enjoy San Diego's festive good vibes with plenty of space to celebrate, play and just getaway.

Make the Season Merry and Bright

When: December 1-31, 2025
Holiday cheer, good vibes and sunshine are calling you back! So warm up and chill out this holiday season in San Diego.

Balboa Park December Nights

When: December 5-6, 2025
The free family friendly event brings San Diegans together to enjoy the lights, the sounds, the attractions and of course, the amazing food.

San Diego Bay Parade of Lights

When: December 14 & 21, 2025
The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights is a time-honored holiday tradition with more than 80 boats lavishly decorated sailing by the shores for all to see.

Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo

When: December 14, 2025 - January 4, 2026
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.

New Year's Eve

When: December 31, 2025
From grand and glamorous to intimate and romantic to family-friendly, there is a New Year's Eve event just for you. The possibilities are endless. Make this the best year yet by starting your year off with a trip to San Diego.

SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration

When: Thru January 4, 2026
SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas Celebration is the fan-favorite experience that brings families together with priceless traditions and fun-filled surprises.

Winter Wonder Beachside at Belmont Park

When: Thru December 27, 2025
Join us in embracing the magic of the season at Belmont Park's Winter Wonder—your ultimate beachside holiday experience. From classic rides and attractions, festive activities, family - friendly entertainment to holiday treats and cozy drinks - we guarantee there’s something for everyone.

Wild Holidays at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

When: Thru January 4, 2026
Seasonal decorations, special wildlife experiences and a festive atmosphere will greet visitors at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park as the Park spreads its own version of holiday cheer.

San Diego Botanic Garden Lightscape

When: Thru January 4, 2026
Enjoy live entertainment at the Conservatory's outdoor amphitheater, a spectacular poinsettia display, a holiday musical lightshow (with an extra surprise!), a snow mound, kids' crafts, face painting, mulled wine and beer, food trucks, a holiday market place and, of course, pictures with Santa.

Holidays at LEGOLAND

When: Thru January 4, 2026
It’s time for Holidays at LEGOLAND®, where the Resort is bursting with holiday cheer and festive décor!

Winter & Spring Gray Whale Watching

When: Mid-December - April
Each year, more than 20,000 gray whales make a 10,000 mile round-trip journey from Alaska to the lagoons of Baja California, where the females give birth to their calves. After spending time in warm Baja California waters so their young can grow strong, they make the journey north again in spring. The longest known distance any mammal migrates on an annual basis, it is truly an extraordinary spectacle to observe. With 70 miles of coastline directly in the migration path, San Diego is an ideal destination to see this impressive parade of gentle giants.

More Great December Events

Old Town Trolley's Holiday Sights & Festive Nights

When: Thru January 3, 2025
Join in sing-along caroling with our Elf conductors as they share fun holiday facts, trivia, history, and traditions. Enjoy a 15-minute stop at Seaport Village for holiday festivities. Hop aboard to see the festive holiday sights of Old Town, Embarcadero, Seaport Village, and more!

Rady Children's Ice Rink at ARTS DISTRICT

When: Thru January 5, 2025
Rady Children’s Hospital Auxiliary, Sentre and NTC Foundation welcome the community to celebrate the holiday season with the return of their outdoor ice skating.

Viejas Outlet Center Ice Rink

When: Thru January 5, 2025
Lace up your skates and take in the holiday splendor as you relive a cherished piece of your childhood or take your very first spin at the Viejas Ice Rink!

Skating by the Sea

When: Thru January 7, 2025
This spectacular ice rink at the Hotel del Coronado is located seaside on Windsor Lawn and features stunning views of the Pacific and Coronado beach.

Coronado Holiday Parade

When: December 5, 2025
Every year the Coronado Chamber of Commerce hosts a festive Holiday Parade - a twinkling collection of community groups, floats, marching bands and snow-sprinkled cars cruise down Orange Avenue

Jingle Terrace Live

When: December 5-21, 2025
Each evening, the Moonlight Amphitheatre 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!

Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village

When: December 6, 2025
Families, friends and neighbors will experience Little Italy's Christmas magic and will be able to enjoy the community’s festive décor, seasonal vendors, live music and entertainment, horse carriage rides, holiday treats, a tree lighting, a visit from Santa and more!

Encinitas Holiday Parade

When: December 6, 2025
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.

OB Holiday Parade

When: December 6, 2025
For more 40 years, our quaint little surfing village of Ocean Beach has hosted one of the best Holiday Parades in SoCal. On Saturday, December 2nd, Newport Avenue is lined with colorful OBceans and visitors all eagerly awaiting the commencement of the 44th Annual OB Holiday Parade at Sunset!

Chula Vista Starlight Parade & Festival

When: December 6, 2025
Immerse yourself in a timeless, holiday tradition where friends and family, young and old can revel in the Christmas atmosphere that the FREE Starlight Parade and Children’s Faire brings each year!

Winter Wonderland Festival

When: December 6-7, 2025
Play in real snow, enjoy holiday-themed drinks and treats at Santa's Corner Café, holiday crafting activities led by professional teaching artists and browse for gifts from local artisans.

Sono Fest & Chili Cook - Off 

When: December 7, 2025
The festive and fiery SoNo Fest & Chili Cook-Off promises everything a person could want in a fun day including craft beer, wine, shopping music and chili!

La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival

When: December 7, 2025
Spread some holiday cheer at the La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival with marching bands, floats, vintage automobiles and Santa Claus.

Parade of Lights Dinner and Boat Parade Viewing

When: December 14 & 21, 2025
Maritime Museum of San Diego invites you to enjoy the 54th Annual Parade of Lights Dinner staged aboard the elegant Victorian-era 1898 steam ferryboat Berkeley Sundays, December 8 and 15, 2024.

Poway's Christmas in the Park

When: December 12, 2025
Poway's Christmas in the Park is a unique way to bring holiday delights to your family this holiday season with the magic of an old-fashioned tradition.

Las Posadas: An Old Town Celebration

When: December 13, 2025
Las Posadas is a centuries-old Mexican celebration representing the several nights Mary and Joseph, accompanied by a flock of shepherds and angels, sought shelter at different inns in Bethlehem.

Coastal Christmas Holiday Lights Spectacular

When: December 12-26, 2025
The Beautiful Del Mar Fairgrounds will be transformed into San Diego's Holiday Headquarters. With twinkling lights, holiday cheer, and delicious snacks and drinks, Coastal Christmas promises to be your new favorite holiday tradition

La Mesa's Holiday in the Village

When: December 13, 2025
Take part in free festive fun with live music, cozy fires, craft vendors, food, holiday photo opportunities, and a kids' area bigger than Santa's Toy Shop!

Red Nose Run

When: December 13, 2025
A fun run & 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).

San Diego Santa Run 5K and 1 Mile Race

When: December 13, 2025
Come out in your finest (or ugliest) Christmas attire as you take part in the annual San Diego Santa Run, a one-of-a-kind holiday experience.

Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights

When: December 13, 2025
The Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights, a distinctly California celebration, features boats decorated for the holidays that will sail around the Bay.

Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights

When: December 13, 2025
Fishing boats, sail boats, yachts, kayaks and dingys dressed up in holiday swag and circle the Oceanside Harbor to enchant onlookers at the harbor, restaurants and beach.

Makers Arcade

When: December 13-14, 2025
This exciting holiday event will feature more than 100 makers, craft cocktails, beer, gourmet food trucks, live music, photo trailers, styled lounges, door favors and more! 

Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade

When: December 14, 2024
San Diego's furriest festive family-friendly parade returns to Downtown as the annual Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade takes over the streets of the Gaslamp Quarter.

Dixon Lake 10/10

When: December 13, 2025
Join us in beautiful Daley Ranch (Escondido) for the 4th Annual Dixon Lake 10 Miler and 10K. The race will start in El Caballo Park, and take runners to the top of Stanley Peak and the surrounding area allowing runners a beautiful 360 degree view from the top.

Liberty Station Hanukkah Menorah Lighting

When: December 14, 2025
Come together in Liberty Station for the lighting of the menorah. The magical, family-friendly festivities will be complete with music and the traditional lighting of the menorah.

Dirty December Poker Fun Run Half Marathon & 10K

When: December 15, 2024
Join in holiday cheer and run the trails during the Dirty December Poker Fun Run Half Marathon & 10K. In addition to a costume contest and holiday theme, this run will involve a poker element – your poker hand could give you bonus time!

San Diego Holiday Half Marathon

When: December 20, 2025
The San Diego Holiday Half Marathon is a fast 13.1 mile course that starts in Rancho Penasquitos and finishes at the beautiful Torrey Pines State Beach.

Santa Train North Pole Limited

When: Thru December 21, 2024
Once aboard the Santa Train North Pole Limited, the holiday fun begins with Christmas carols, The Night Before Christmas, cookies, hot chocolate and Santa.

Jingle Belle Cruises from the Bahia Resort Hotel

When: December 20 - 24, 2024
Jingle all the way aboard a festive sightseeing cruise on Mission Bay! With departures from the Bahia Resort Hotel and the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa, this special voyage is ideal for a holiday gathering with family and friends.

Ebenezer Scrooge's BIG San Diego Christmas Show

When: Thru December 28, 2025
San Diego has another show in its Christmas stocking with this fast, funny, and highly theatrical reimagining of one of the most beloved holiday stories ever told. All the traditional elements of Dickens's A Christmas Carol are intact—including the iconic ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Future—but with a comic local twist.

Christmas Dining at Dockside 1953

When: December 24, 2024
Reserve your spot for a special Christmas Eve three-course dinner featuring dishes like beef tenderloin, bergamot duck breast, and Mediterranean sea bass, finished with a chocolate Nutella yule log.

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

When: Thru December 31, 2025
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a wonderful, whimsical musical based upon the classic Dr. Seuss book.

Hard Rock Hotel - NYE

When: December 31, 2025
It’s time once again to ring in a New Year, and there is no better way than the legendary Hard Rock Hotel, where we have thrown San Diego’s most memorable parties for 15 years! This year’s event will feature glitter and glamour, plenty of Champagne and a lineup of San Diego’s most acclaimed DJs!

Kids' New Years Eve at LEGOLAND

When: December 31, 2025
"Midnight" comes early for families at LEGOLAND California Resort, celebrating the New Year together without missing their bedtimes. Join in the festivities and celebrate the New Year early with rides, activities, and a whole lot of fun.

New Years Eve Yacht Party

When: December 31, 2025
Join us New Year's Eve on one of San Diego’s oversized party yachts, The ADVENTURE HORNBLOWER YACHT! 3 levels, scenic outdoor decks, Lounges and a dance floor. This 400 capacity party yacht is ready to make a memorable New Years Eve Yacht Cruise.

CRSSD's Proper NYE/NYD

When: December 31, 2025 - January 1, 2026
Celebrate the New Year with CRSSD's Proper NYE/NYD at Petco Park with four stages and over 50 artists.