San Diego vacation and Christmas occasions in 2022 characteristic the return of standard annual actions and a few new festive enjoyable. They embrace 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 almost 30 festive occasions to have fun Christmas in San Diego, from San Diego resorts, theme parks, neighborhoods, and different San Diego sights across the county to assist get your vacation spirit on.
Select from San Diego Christmas occasions like Balboa Park December nights, Jungle Bells on the San Diego Zoo, Christmas actions on the timeless Lodge del Coronado, Surfin Santa at Seaport Village, or the restricted engagement Lightscape present on the San Diego Botanic Backyard.
It can save you on tickets, excursions, and resorts by means of my affiliations. In the event you make purchases by means of the hyperlinks on this publish, I could also be compensated.
Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas!
Come to The Outdated Globe for the beloved annual efficiency of Dr.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 Imply One, Mr. Grinch,” and extra. Purchase tickets upfront. November 9 –December 31.
Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village
The Little Italy Affiliation will shut down India Avenue from W. Cedar to Hawthorn for a Christmas celebration that includes horse-drawn carriage rides, vacation decorations, a pop-up vacation market, reside music, youngsters’ arts and crafts, and visits with Santa Claus.
At 4 p.m., take the youngsters to “Santa’s Residing 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 Avenue will likely 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
Metropolis 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 9/11, 2022, numerous present instances at 1 p.m., 6:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Browsing 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 together 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 may as well cease by Santa’s Workshop within the Lighthouse District subsequent to Ben and Jerry’s east to take photographs with Santa. The associated fee is $42 for a flash drive with captured photographs. Test Santa’s schedule earlier than you go. No appointments are vital. November 25 – December 30.
San Diego Symphony Noel Noel Household Live performance
Be a part of 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 Lodge del Coronado
We love the vacation season on the Lodge del Coronado because it bustles with vacation occasions and Christmas actions for everybody.
Happenings on the Lodge del Coronado embrace a vigorous mixture of actions equivalent to Skating by the Sea (beginning November 17 ), a chic Victorian Tea, Vacation Decoration and Paintings, 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: Issues to Do on the Lodge del Coronado Throughout 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 way more for residents and resort visitors. November 25–January 1.
See additionally: The place to Have Christmas Dinner in San Diego
Vacation by the Bay
Hilton San Diego Bayfront hosts Holidays by the Bay with occasions that embrace an outsized Christmas tree with nightly mild reveals 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 will likely be held at La Valencia San Diego of their La Sala Lounge with heat vacation drinks, a Christmas carol or two, do-it-yourself cookies, and crafts for teenagers. Thursday, December 1 at 4:30 p.m.
Digital Santa Go to at Neiman Marcus
Even Santa Claus can’t resist an excellent breakfast, so meet him at Vogue Valley Mall for a breakfast feast within the final vacation occasions! Get pleasure from mimosas, scorching chocolate, brioche french toast, scrambled eggs with creme fraiche, and extra at Neiman Marcus. We have now been to the occasion prior to now.
Jungle Bells on the San Diego Zoo
Spend your December nights on the wild aspect on the annual Jungle Bells at San Diego Zoo. This San Diego Christmas celebration consists of a possibility to go to Santa, colourful mild shows, 4-D vacation experiences, together with a Polar Categorical practice trip, and extra within the evenings. December 9–January 1.
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See additionally: Easy methods to Purchase Discounted Tickets to the San Diego Zoo
SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas Celebration
Be a part of 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 Vacation Brass band. Admission is included with common park admission.
Along with the particular holiday-themed animal reveals and a sea-themed Christmas tree, the park will likely be brimming with yuletide cheer, and you’ll even take photographs with Santa Claus.
All of 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: Easy methods to Purchase 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 ft tall, it’s constructed out of greater than 245,000 forest inexperienced DUPLO® bricks and has 400 LEGO ornaments.
Your entire resort will likely be decked out in vacation décor and extra throughout Holidays at LEGOLAND California.
Enjoyable City transforms right into a winter wonderland filled with vacation spirit with LEGO Christmas characters like life-size LEGO fashions of Santa and his reindeer. Occasions will embrace reside leisure and “snowfall.”
Additionally, don’t neglect about Youngsters’ New Yr’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 Style of December Nights
The crown jewel of San Diego Christmas occasions is Balboa Park December Nights. The biggest 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 embrace carolers, reside music, vacation mild shows, theater, and dance performances, and scrumptious meals from around the globe 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 Backyard
Of all of the San Diego Christmas occasions, we’re most enthusiastic about this one! This 12 months, the internationally acclaimed present, Lightscape, will likely be coming to the San Diego Botanic Backyard.
A one-mile strolling path will weave all through the backyard with attractive illuminated artwork sculptures, a vacation music-activated tunnel, fireplace, and inventive installations.
This restricted engagement bought out fully 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 embrace The Nutcracker Tea Occasion and Rady Kids’s Ice Rink at Liberty Station. Ice skating web proceeds profit the Thriving After Most cancers program within the Rady Kids’s Hospital’s Peckham Heart for Most cancers and Blood Issues.
Out of doors Ice Skating Rinks in San Diego
Lodge Del Coronado’s Skating by the Sea
Go ice skating simply steps from the seaside within the quintessential Christmas in San Diego expertise on the Lodge Del Coronado. Skating by the Sea partially advantages Make-A-Want San Diego.
- Date: November 17, 2022 –January 1, 2023
- Occasions: Test the web site, as they range by the day.
- Value: $40 per individual with free skate leases on-line
Viejas Ice Rink
The biggest out of doors rink in Southern California is right here in San Diego on the Viejas Retailers’ out of doors rink — it’s even greater than the one at Rockefeller Heart in New York Metropolis.
- Date: By means of January 8, 2023
- Occasions: Dates and instances range. Please test calendars on the hyperlink above.
- Value: $18–$20
Rady Kids’s Ice Rink
The Rady Kids’s Ice Rink is positioned at Liberty Station. All proceeds from this occasion profit the Peckham Heart for Most cancers and Blood Issues at Rady Kids’s Hospital of San Diego.
- Dates: Saturday, November 17 –January 8, 2023 (closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day)
- Occasions: 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
- Value: $15–$17
Coronado Vacation Parade and Open Home + Santa
Kick off Christmas in San Diego with the forty seventh annual Coronado Vacation Parade and Open Home. Begin at Ferry Touchdown, down Orange Ave to Lodge del Coronado, then watch the Vacation 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 Affiliation 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 non-public boats adorned 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 Touchdown (a captivating assortment of reward outlets, artwork galleries, and eating places) supply wonderful shore viewing. Irrespective of 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 Touchdown on Coronado: 7:30 p.m.
Oceanside San Diego Parade of Lights
Fishing boats, sailboats, yachts, kayaks, and dingys will gown up for the vacations for an genuine Christmas in San Diego whereas circling
the Oceanside Harbor on the Oceanside Parade of Lights. The very best viewing level is alongside Oceanside Harbor, close to the fishing dock and police station. Saturday, December 10, from 7–9 p.m.
Ocean Seaside Vacation Parade
Attendees on the annual Ocean Seaside Holiday Parade will see marching San Diego bands, bikes, attractive floats, the VW Beetle membership, basic Woodies, and extra cruise down Newport Avenue. Saturday, December 3, from 5:05–9 p.m.
La Jolla Christmas Parade & Vacation Competition
The La Jolla Christmas Parade marches down Girard Avenue to Prospect Avenue and ends on the La Jolla Recreation Heart. This 12 months’s theme is “Grand Ole Christmas.”
The Vacation Competition 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 Vacation within the Village
The pleasant downtown of La Mesa is reworked right into a Victorian wonderland throughout its old style Vacation 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, fireplace pits, reside music phases, and an outside market sometimes spherical out the San Diego Christmas enjoyable. Saturday, December 3, from 12–9 p.m.
Port of San Diego Vacation Bowl Bash + Parade
In the event you love bands, you’ll need to take a look at the Snapdragon Vacation Bowl Bash, the place two college bands face off within the streets of downtown San Diego within the final battle of bands. Along with implausible reside music, there will likely be meals, giveaways, video games, and enjoyable for your entire household. Insider tip: Leap on one of many Outdated City Trolley Excursions when you’re there! Tuesday, December 27, 5-8 p.m.
America’s largest balloon parade is again on the Vacation 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 contains 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 accessible to and from the occasion from the Poway Metropolis Corridor car parking zone and the Poway Grownup College car parking zone. Saturday, December 9, from 5:30–8:30 p.m. Admission is free.
Take Photos with Santa
If headed to one among many procuring malls in San Diego, Santa will likely be there till Christmas Eve throughout mall hours.
Neighborhood Christmas Lights in San Diego County
Take a drive by means of these San Diego neighborhoods to see homes decked out in lights past perception. It is a brief record of many.
Sweet Cane Lane (Poway)
It’s a cul-de-sac themed just like the North Pole, besides proper right here in San Diego. Every home right here is estimated to have over 50,000 lights. Location: Hickory Courtroom, Hickory Avenue, off Twin Peaks Street and Silverset St. Additionally Consists of Butterwood Ct. and Rockrose Ct.
Christmas card Lane (Rancho Penasquitos)
This San Diego neighborhood show is understood for larger-than-life illuminated Christmas playing cards and different lights adorning the houses. Location: Ellingham Avenue and Oviedo Avenue, simply off Black Mountain Street
Belardo Lights (Tierrasanta)
It’s only one home, but it surely’s properly price seeing. The thought began in 2006 as a method for the Schmika household to offer a light-weight present for his or her two autistic sons. Whether it is raining, test the web site to see if the lights will likely be off. Location: 5306 North Belardo Drive
Garrison Avenue (Level Loma)
These high-end San Diego houses are dense with brightly-colored Christmas lights. Drive by means of or stroll round … it’s your selection. Location: Garrison Avenue close to Chatsworth
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What’s your favourite factor to do in San Diego through the holidays? Please depart a remark with something lacking from this record! And don’t neglect that we have now Lunar New Yr San Diego occasions to look ahead to shortly after the winter holidays.