San Diego’s largest annual event, December Nights, returns to Balboa Park this weekend and is likely to draw hundreds of thousands for the holiday celebration.

The free two-day event is held on Dec. 5 and Dec. 6 and offers holiday festivities, shopping, food stations, live performances and so much more.

Here’s everything to know about San Diego’s December Nights 2025:

What is December Nights?

Balboa Park’s December Nights is San Diego’s annual holiday event that started in the late 1970s and was once called Christmas on the Prado. The event, organized by, celebrates the spirit of the holiday with family-friendly activities, light displays, musical performances, holiday dishes, and more. The event takes place in San Diego’s cultural center with dozens of museums, and several offer free admission for several hours. Guests can also visit several of Balboa Park’s museums for free. The event typically runs over two days on the first weekend of December.

When is December Nights 2025?

December Nights is held on Dec. 5 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., offering holiday festivities, shopping, food stations, live performances, and so much more.

How much does it cost to go to San Diego’s December Nights?

December Nights is San Diego’s largest free event. There will be items and food for sale, and some parking lots and museums may charge, but there is no entry fee for the event itself.

What is there to do at December Nights?

The Ferris wheel is back and will be offering free rides in front of the San Diego Air and Space Museum in the Pan American Plaza. Across the way, near the Municipal Gymnasium, watch professional skateboard demonstrations in the plaza. 

Select museums will be offering free entry.

The Family Zone is a space designated for activities for kids. Movie screenings of “Ice Age” and “Frozen” will show on a screen outside the Comic-Con Museum.

Performance and entertainment stages will be located in front of Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater, in the Plaza De Panama, in front of the San Diego Museum of Art, the stage at the Speckles Organ Pavilion and within the Spanish Village Art Center. Take a look at the schedule of performers to plan your visit around attending performances from community groups.

Visit the food, retail and non-profit booths. See the complete food, beverage and retail list now to start planning for where to pick up your favorite dishes, drinks and holiday items. Stop by to give a warm seasonal greeting to Santa, and have a sip at the specialty bar. 

Let the light of the seasonal displays get you excited for the holiday season. As you weave and wander across Balboa, don’t miss the festive displays.

What to know before you go

For such a large event, there are some rules that you should know before attending. 

Where can I park for December Nights?

If you choose to drive to the park, limited free parking will be available at San Diego City College.

Spaces are first-come, first-served. Find the parking garages here:

Paid parking:

Lot A: It’s located at Inspiration Point and open to the public at 1 p.m. on Friday and at 9 a.m. Saturday.
Price: $32.95 in advance, $37.95 at the event.

Lot B: Located at the Federal Lot will open to the public at 1 p.m. on Friday and at 9 a.m. Saturday.
Price: $47.95 in advance, $52.95 at the event.

Roosevelt Middle School: This lot will feature limited parking at the school. The lot will open between 4 to 11 p.m. on Friday and between 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday.
Price: $40 at the event only, first-come, first-served.

San Diego Zoo: This parking lot includes ADA parking.
Price: $35 event parking

Other parking options: There are several paid parking options near the 3rd Avenue shuttle stop as well as the Beech Street shuttle stop.

Parking for people with disabilities: Two parking lots are available at the Fleet Science Center on Space Theater Way and the Natural History Museum on Village Place. They are first-come, first-served basis.
Price: $32.95 in advance, $37.95 at the event.

Visit the “Getting to December Nights” webpage for the complete guide to all transportation options.