Holiday Fun at San Diego Attractions
Make your San Diego holidays even brighter with seasonal celebrations at attractions across the region. You can see sparkling light displays, catch festive shows and music, visit Santa and discover special themed areas filled with holiday cheer. From theme parks and zoos to gardens and other local favorites, there are plenty of ways to add some magic to the season in San Diego!
(Event listings are updated as soon as details are available. Events are subject to change or cancellation, so please check with event organizers for the most up-to-date information. This guide to holiday events at San Diego attractions is updated annually, so some listings may be out of date, but they still provide valuable insight into San Diego’s yearly offerings and are refreshed as new information becomes available.)
San Diego Zoo's Jungle Bells
San Diego Zoo's Jungle Bells
When: Dec. 18, 2026 - Jan. 3, 2027
Familiar holiday traditions take on a wild twist at the Zoo's Jungle Bells celebration. 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. During Jungle Bells festivities, the Zoo will close at 8 p.m.
Wild Holidays
Wild Holidays
When: Nov. 28, 2026 - Jan. 3, 2027
See the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in a whole new light during Wild Holidays! Take a holiday expedition of light and travel through places that glow and twinkle with holiday cheer. Holiday tunes set the mood, and seasonal food treats tempt you throughout your journey.
SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration
SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration
When: Nov. 13, 2026 - Jan. 3, 2027
SeaWorld San Diego's Christmas Celebration is a holiday waiting to be made, with seasonal shopping, festive food and drinks, and stunning live shows.
Holidays at LEGOLAND
Holidays at LEGOLAND
When: Nov. 21, 2026 - Jan. 3, 2027
It's time for Holidays at LEGOLAND®, where the park is bursting with holiday cheer and festive décor! Your favorite holiday characters Santa, the Toy Solider and Gingerbread Man are back and ready formeet-and-greets. Head over to Fun Town, where there's a 30-foot, fully decorated LEGO® Christmas tree with over 400 LEGO ornaments. And as the day winds down, the tree gets a-twinklin' to holiday tunes at the Holiday Light Show.
Winter Wonder Beachside at Belmont Park
Winter Wonder Beachside at Belmont Park
When: Nov. 15, 2025 - Jan. 4, 2026
At Winter Wonder Beachside, enjoy festive rides and attractions including the iconic Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, your favorite oversized sculptures or sip on holiday-inspired drinks while you stroll through the Midway under a million lights!
Holiday Wonderland at Petco Park
Holiday Wonderland at Petco Park
When: Select dates, Dec. 4-23, 2026
Holiday Wonderland is returning to Gallagher Square at Petco Park! The fifth annual Holiday Wonderland features magical Christmas lighting displays, rides, games, photo opportunities with Santa and other holiday characters, a beautifully decorated 40-foot Christmas tree and holiday craft-making. These activities are all included in the price of admission! Festive foodies can indulge in their holiday cravings with food and drinks available for purchase, and guests can purchase the perfect holiday gifts and stocking stuffers for everyone on their lists from one of the local artisanal shops. Tickets start at $18 for kids and $25 for adults (depending on date/time). The event opens at 4 p.m. each day.
Jingle Jets
Jingle Jets
When: Nov. 27 - Dec. 30, 2026
The USS Midway Museum’s Jingle Jets provides visitors with a holiday-themed experience throughout the ship’s flight deck, hangar deck and second deck. The event includes an extensive and spectacular holiday light display, holiday decorations, Christmas trees, and a Santa Claus meet & greet, creating a shipboard winter wonderland!
Lightscape at the San Diego Botanic Garden
Lightscape at the San Diego Botanic Garden
When: Nov. 20, 2026 - Jan. 3, 2027
Lightscape, a unique immersive experience at the San Diego Botanic Garden, guides visitors through a festive world of wonder, with over 1 million twinkling lights in various attractions that come alive at night with color, imagination and sound.
Balboa Park December Nights
Balboa Park December Nights
When: Dec. 4-5, 2026
Back again is the City of San Diego's largest free holiday festival in beautiful Balboa Park, December Nights. The family-friendly event brings San Diegans together to enjoy the lights, the sounds, the attractions and of course, the amazing food.
Santa Train North Pole Limited
Santa Train North Pole Limited
When: Nov. 27 - Dec. 20, 2026
Once onboard the North Pole Limited, Santa's elves will sing our favorite Christmas carols, read a popular Christmas story to all of our young ones, and pass out cookies and hot chocolate to all passengers. The North Pole Limited, operated by the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, will stop at Santa's Workshop to pick up Santa and Mrs. Claus, who visit with all the passengers as the train chugs back to the Campo Depot.