arrow-down arrow-left arrow-right arrow-up play-button plus tab-indicator dots close menu search facebook google-plus instagram pinterest rss twitter tiktok youtube rss-two heart Check FeaturedBadge linkedin minus apps placeholder linkedin

Outdoor Holiday Merriment

Getting outdoors during the holidays is a San Diego pastime

Thanks to year-round moderate temperatures, getting outdoors during the holidays is second nature in San Diego. Enjoy ice skating by the ocean, cheer on your favorite team during a bowl game, or push yourself with a physical challenge such as running in a turkey trot or half-marathon. Or simply stroll along the beach and enjoy the warmth of the season, San Diego-style.

This page is updated as soon as event details are available. Events are subject to change or cancellation, so please check with event organizers for the most up-to-date information.

Rady Children's Ice Rink at Liberty Station

70 degrees and Fun on Ice

Viejas Outlet Center Ice Rink

When: Nov. 1, 2024 - Jan. 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! 

Rady Children's Ice Rink at Liberty Station

When: Nov. 21, 2024 - Jan. 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 located in the Central Promenade at ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station.

Skating by the Sea

Dates: Nov. 21, 2024 - Jan. 7, 2025
The landmark Hotel del Coronado offers a unique Southern California experience with Skating by the Sea, an outdoor ice-skating rink adjacent to Coronado Beach and overlooking the Pacific Ocean. During the holidays, the resort's famous Windsor Lawn is transformed into a seaside skating rink offering skating sessions daily.

Holiday Bowl at Petco Park

Holiday Bowl Festivities

Snapdragon Bowl Bash

When: Dec. 26, 2024
The Snapdragon Bowl Bash is a time for fans and locals to gather in the heart of San Diego for FREE family fun, great food, live music, giveaways and more!

Holiday Bowl 5K Run/Walk

When: Dec. 27, 2024
The Holiday Bowl 5K Run/Walk at the Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade takes place along San Diego’s beautiful harbor front.

Holiday Bowl

When: Dec. 27, 2024
With a longstanding tradition of being one of the most exciting Bowl games in the business, the Holiday Bowl features a Pac-12 and ACC matchup, followed for the second year by the KGB Sky Show.

Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade

When: Dec. 27, 2024
A long tradition of the Holiday Bowl, this exciting family event brings together world-class marching bands, magnificent floats, entertaining drill teams and a procession of enormous balloons – more than any other parade!

Fr. Joe's Thanksgiving Day Run in San Diego CA

Turkey Trots

All Turkey Trots occur on Thanksgiving Day.  

O'side Turkey Trot

The Frontwave Credit Union O'side Turkey Trot has become a North County tradition that gives participants a chance to "move their feet before they eat" on a holiday noted for food.

Coronado 5K Turkey Trot

Join the Coronado Unit of the Rady Children's Hospital Auxiliary for the Coronado 5K Turkey Trot and support mental health initiatives at Rady Children's.

5K Thanksgiving Turkey Trot

Join the Fallbrook Village Rotary for a 5K Thanksgiving Turkey Trot through the Grand Tradition Estate and Gardens.

Father Joe's Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K Run & Walk

San Diego's original and longest-standing Thanksgiving Day "turkey trot" is back, and it's critical mission remains the same: To provide crucial funds to feed the homeless through Father Joe's Villages' meal program.

Red Nose Run on the beaches of San Diego CA

Holiday Runs

Red Nose Run

When: Dec. 14, 2024
A fun run & walk on beautiful Del Mar beach that is family and dog friendly. Choose your distance - we offer 3K and 5K distance. Managed 100% by a dedicated volunteer team, our event benefits two amazing San Diego based nonprofits: Semper Fi & America's Fund, San Dieguito River Park

San Diego Santa Run 5K and 1 Mile Race

When: Dec. 14, 2024
Come out in your finest (or ugliest) Christmas attire as you take part in the annual San Diego Santa Run 5K and 1 Mile Race, a one-of-a-kind holiday experience.

San Diego Holiday Half Marathon

Date: Dec. 14, 2024
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.

Dirty December Poker Run

Date: Dec. 15, 2024
Holiday cheer and fun on the trails. In addition to a costume contest and holiday theme, this run will involve a poker element. Your poker hand could give you bonus time (taken off from your final time)

*Please note, events are subject to change and cancellation. Please confirm the event information by visiting the event website.

Jingle Belle Cruise on Mission Bay at Bahia Belle

Christmas Cruises

Parade of Lights Dinner and Boat Parade Viewing

When: December 8 & 15, 2024
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. 

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.

Flagship Cruises & Events Holiday Cruises

When: Throughout December 2024
Step aboard and immerse yourself in the holiday spirit with unique cruises on San Diego Bay with events including December Nights on the Bay, Holiday Lights Spectator Cruise, and Christmas Eve & Day Dining Cruise.

City Cruises & Events Holiday Cruises

When: Throughout December 2024
Celebrate the season while enjoying the calm waters and beautiful scenery on San Diego Bay with events including Holiday Lights & Sips Cocktail Cruise, Holiday Lunch & Dinner Cruise, Parade of Lights Premier Dinner Cruise, and Christmas Premier Brunch & Dinner Cruises.

*Please note, events are subject to change and cancellation. Please confirm the event information by visiting the event website.

Find a place to stay

Book online or call 1-800-350-6205 to speak with a local expert

Stay in touch

Sign up to receive the latest news, events, and updates about San Diego. Our monthly and weekly newsletters will keep you informed about the latest and greatest happenings in the destination.

Sign Up

Explore

Plan

Stay

Follow Us

Language:

English | Change Language

Select your country or region

China
Germany
Great Britain
Japan
Mexico
Korea
Switzerland
Brazil
France
Australia
Canada
USA

Or use Google Translate

Afrikaans
Albanian
Arabic
Belarusian
Bulgarian
Croatian
Danish
Deutsch
Español
Estonian
Filipino
Finnish
Francais
Georgian
Greek
Haitian-Creole
Hebrew
Hindi
Hungarian
Icelandic
Indonesian
Irish
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latvian
Lithuanian
Macedonian
Malay
Maltese
Nederlands
Norwegian
Persian
Polish
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
Serbian
Slovak
Slovenian
Swahili
Swedish
Telugu
Thai
Turkish
Ukranian
Vietnamese
Yiddish