Join us on Dec. 1 and 2 for the City of San Diego's largest free holiday festival in beautiful Balboa Park. The family friendly event brings San Diegans together to enjoy the lights, the sounds, the attractions and of course, the amazing food.

These popular 90-minute performances are staged aboard the Maritime Museum of San Diego’s 16th-century Spanish galleon San Salvador. Guests will be fully engaged in pirate theatrics at the dock and underway on San Diego Bay. This hilarious interactive show puts visitors right in the middle of the pirate action. Participants will be sworn in as part of the ship crew, trained how to navigate, sword fight, bail water from a sinking ship, escape from the King’s Jail, swab the deck and other pirate skills. Choose from two 90-minute performances at 10:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Tickets include general admission! So arrive early and check - in 15 to 30 minutes before your show. Then after you return to the Museum docks, continue the fun as your explore the rest of the Maritime Museum fleet and all of the fascinating below decks exhibits!

This will be special evening at the Bali Hai Restaurant in Point Loma complete with a delicious Polynesian meal, music, fanfare, drinks, dancing, and more.
Join us as we honor Raymond Ashley, Ph.D., K.C.I., President/CEO, Maritime Museum of San Diego. Tickets to this year’s event will help raise funds to support Maritime Museum Association of San Diego.

In 2014, Dr. Ashley was recognized with lifetime achievement awards by both the Maritime Alliance in San Diego, and the International Maritime Heritage Alliance, for the construction of the Galleon San Salvador. In recognition for his efforts in building the San Salvador, Dr. Ashley was knighted in 2016 with the rank of Knight Commander, Order of Isabella la Catholica by direction of his majesty, King Felipe VI of Spain.

America's Largest Balloon Parade! Marching bands, floats, drill teams and giant balloons parade down San Diego's beautiful waterfront in celebration of the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl.