![\"A](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/timesofsandiego.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/December-nights-tree-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\")
<\/a>The December Nights tree lighting ceremony will take place on Friday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. (Photo Credit: City of San Diego) Credit: City of San Diego<\/p>\nEver wanted to meet a real-life reindeer? <\/p>\n
Head on down to December Nights<\/a> this year. You\u2019ll find Murphy the reindeer next to the Palms Stage, courtesy of SeaWorld<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Bring your festive cheer as you kick off the holiday season at the largest free holiday festival in California. The event will light up Balboa Park<\/a> from 3 to 11 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6.\u00a0<\/p>\n Of course, no reindeer is complete without Santa and his newly refurbished sleigh<\/a>. <\/p>\n Along with snow, carol singers, and hot cocoa, you\u2019d be forgiven if you mistook Balboa Park for the North Pole over the course of the two days.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cYou really feel like you\u2019re kind of transported somewhere,\u201d said Perette Godwin, communications program coordinator with the City of San Diego.<\/p>\n Now in its 48th year, the event will take over the entirety of Balboa Park. With five entertainment stages, 200 food and retail vendors, and 70 performance groups, there\u2019s something for everyone.\u00a0<\/p>\n On Friday, watch the giant tree at Spreckles Organ Pavilion<\/a> light up at the tree lighting ceremony with City Council President Joe LaCava at 6 p.m.\u00a0<\/p>\n The holiday magic doesn\u2019t stop there, though. Every hour, the Museum of Art<\/a> will be illuminated with a dazzling light show (pro tip: that\u2019s where you\u2019ll find the snow!).<\/p>\n \u201cThere are so many things going on, it\u2019s almost mind-boggling,\u201d said Godwin.\u00a0<\/p>\n This year, there is a new Food Truck Alley at Village Place where you can peruse the many different food options all in one place. And for those hoping to be transported, don\u2019t forget to swing by the International Cottages<\/a> where you can taste cuisines from all around the globe.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you have kids, be sure to make your way to the Family Zone at the Municipal Gym. Little ones can dive into holiday crafting, face painting and festive hat-making, and of course meet Santa. For the bigger kids, the half-pipe for skateboarding is once again returning this year at Palisades Plaza.\u00a0<\/p>\n For family fun, make your way to the Comic-Con Lawn to watch Ice Age from 6:15 p.m. and Frozen at 8 p.m each night. Bring your blankets, wrap up, and get comfy!<\/p>\n For the adults, a new Apr\u00e8s Tavern at Plaza de Panama offers a spirits lounge. Enjoy a tipple while watching the Grammy-nominated artist Frankie J<\/a> on Saturday night at 7 p.m.\u00a0<\/p>\n The many performance groups include youth groups that practice year-round at Balboa Park. You can catch theater groups, dance troupes, ballet, and more.\u00a0For a full list of performers visit the webpage<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cBalboa Park really is, I think, a centerpiece for and of San Diego,\u201d said Godwin. \u201cI think that December Nights really shows that.\u201d<\/p>\n There\u2019s even an opportunity to give back at December Nights. Bring a pack of new socks or underwear to donate. San Diego Gas & Electric<\/a> and San Diego County Toyota dealers are collecting the items to distribute to people through Jewish Family Service<\/a> and San Diego Rescue Mission<\/a>, respectively.\u00a0<\/p>\n The holiday spirit will continue after the weekend. This year, thanks to a generous donation from Prebys Foundation<\/a>, the holiday lights around the park will twinkle on past the event throughout the entire holiday season for all to enjoy.\u00a0<\/p>\n Visit the December Nights website<\/a> for \u201cKnow Before You<\/a>\u201d go information, including information on parking, shuttles, and free bus services.\u00a0 <\/p>\n You can download the December Nights Mobile Experience app 48 hours prior to the event.<\/p>\n READ NEXT\n\t<\/p>\n