While much of the country becomes a winter wonderland for the holiday season, San Diego is usually pretty picture-perfect this time of year thanks to its 70-degree and sunny disposition.
Even without snow, there is no shortage of ways to feel festive for the holidays. From holiday light shows to Santa meet-and-greets, here are more than a dozen ways to get a dose of holiday cheer this winter.
💡Holiday happenings
Balboa Park December Nights
Dec. 5 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. | Balboa Park
Let’s start off with the biggest and best. San Diego’s largest free holiday festival is back for 2025. The two-day event draws hundreds of thousands with a plethora of family-friendly events, food and drink galore and a marketplace filled with goodies to take home. December Nights is so big, the event deserves its own spotlight. Read everything you need to know in our guide here.
Holiday Wonderland Market at Petco Park
Dec. 5-23, times vary | Petco Park
Baseball’s not in season so why not transform San Diego’s ballpark into a holiday wonderland? Take photos with Santa, ride the carousel and Christmas train, sled down a snowy hill, and wander through sparkling light displays. Enjoy festive drinks, seasonal treats and shop local artisan vendors. Don’t miss the 40-foot Christmas tree, nightly snowfall and live entertainment on select nights—the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. Tickets start at $18 for kids and $25 for adults.
Starlight Parade and Festival
Dec. 6 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. | Chula Vista’s 3rd Avenue
A holiday celebration will take over the streets of Chula Vista with live music, a festive holiday market and Santa, of course. The Parade will march down Third Avenue at 6 p.m. but come early for food offerings, gift shopping and more.
Christmas Jubilee Jam Benefit Concert
Dec. 6 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. | The Magnolia Theater
San Diego Rescue Mission hosts a free, family-friendly evening of music and holiday cheer. The evening will feature holiday classics performed by the Bill Wells Band, plus festive activities including a toy drive and a visit from Santa. Proceeds support San Diego Rescue Mission’s East County expansion.
Poway’s Christmas in the Park
Dec. 12 & 13 from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. | Old Poway Park
Celebrate holiday cheer with Poway’s Christmas in the Park. The event features a tree lighting ceremony, visits from Santa, train rides, live music, theatre performances, food, treats, crafts and more.
Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade
Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
Bring your furry, feathered or scaly companions for a holiday celebration dedicated to San Diego’s pets. Enjoy a whimsical parade featuring costumed pets, festive floats and performances by four local marching bands. Afterward, keep the fun going with craft beverages, holiday treats, costume contests and free photos with Santa. Participating pets can join the parade for $30, all other festivities are free and open to the public.
La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village
Dec. 13 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. | La Mesa Blvd. Spring St. – 4th St
Celebrate the 10th annual Holiday in the Village event organized by the La Mesa Village Association. This holiday extravaganza will ignite your festive feels with its perfect blend of charming traditional and fresh-modern treats.
Christmas with the Animals
Dec. 13 from 2:30-7:30 p.m. | Lions, Tigers & Bears Sanctuary (Alpine)
Some of San Diego’s largest inhabitants deserve gifts for the holidays, too. Located in the San Diego mountains, this animal sanctuary that—as the name suggests—caters to big cats and ursids, will invite guests to witness their residents opening their Christmas gifts. Guests can also walk through a light show with a cup of hot cocoa or, for the adults, a spiked beverage. Prices start at $15 for kids and $30 for adults.
During Hanukkah, Jewish people around the world light a menorah to honor a miracle that occurred during the Maccabean Revolt to preserve Judaism. What is this miracle and why is it commemorated? Rachel Fastow welcomed us into her home to explain the Jewish tradition.
Hanukkah Festival at Seaport Village
Dec. 15 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Lighthouse District
Join the Chabad of Downtown San Diego for a family-friendly Hanukkah celebration in the Lighthouse District. Enjoy an evening of live music, festive performances and the traditional menorah lighting to celebrate the Festival of Lights.
Kwanzaa Celebration
Dec. 26-29 from 6-9 p.m. | WorldBeat Center
Balboa Park’s WorldBeat Center is hosting a four-day celebration for the African-American holiday, which is recognized from Dec. 26-Jan. 1. The annual Kwanzaa holiday was created to celebrate and reaffirm family, community and culture. Each night will feature special guests, performances, a ceremonial candle lighting and more.
Rooftop Cinema Holiday Classics Screening
Through Dec. 31, times vary | Manchester Grand Hyatt’s Harbor Tower 4th floor
Rooftop Cinema is celebrating the season with a lineup of holiday specials and festive events all month long. Enjoy classic Christmas favorites like How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Holiday and Elf. Plus, join a silent disco in honor of Taylor Swift’s birthday and a pet-friendly meet-and-greet with Santa. For specific dates and the full list of featured films, visit Rooftop Cinema’s catalog.
🎄Tree lightings and light shows
A popular holiday event is lighting up the San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas. NBC 7’s Audra Stafford has more.
Lightscape at San Diego Botanic Garden
Nov. 27-Jan. 4 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. | San Diego Botanic Garden
Step into a world of light, color, and imagination as Lightscape returns to the Garden for its highly anticipated fourth season. This mile-long, illuminated trail has been reimagined with vibrant new installations from artists from around the world, plus a few returning favorites that continue to dazzle. Along the way, enjoy lively music, seasonal bites and festive cocktails. Recurring weekly on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday,
Coastal Christmas Del Mar
Dec. 12-26 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Del Mar Fairgrounds
The fairgrounds transform into a holiday playground for 10 days. The holiday light trail invites guests to step into a wonderland with fun for the whole family. Guests can sip and eat on festive delights, go “glice” skating, and enjoy a fire pit inside an igloo. A variety of ticket options are available.
Liberty Station Hanukkah & Menorah Lighting
Dec. 14 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. | 2850 Roosevelt Rd
The magical, family-friendly festivity will include entertainment, packaged treats, and the traditional lighting of the menorah. Following the celebration of Hanukkah, the menorah will stay outdoors on display in Central Promenade, lighting up each night of Hanukkah.
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
Dec. 14 & 21 at 5:30 p.m. | Along San Diego Bay
A holiday event so uniquely San Diego, the annual Parade of Lights is a Christmas light show like no other. Boats decked out in bright bulbs traverse the bay to the delight of spectators on the shoreline on two Saturdays in December. To view the spectacle, grab a spot anywhere from Shelter Island to Cesar Chavez Park. View the parade route here.
Menorah Lighting
Dec 14-21 at 4:15 p.m. (5:45 p.m. on Dec. 20) | Hotel Del Coronado
Chabad of Coronado hosts a nightly Menorah lighting on the Southpointe Lawn of the magnificent Hotel Del. While there, check out the other holiday offerings only a beachside resort could offer, from holiday movies on the beach to skating by the sea.