The holiday season in San Diego is truly something special. The Parade of Ships in San Diego Harbor bedazzled with lights, to Jungle Bells @ The San Diego Zoo, and December Nights in Balboa Park. There's something happening everyday during the holidays so don't miss out read our list!
Free Sunday November 24, 2019 @ 1 pm- 4 pm Parade Route Main Street & El Cajon Blvd.
Since 1947 the annual Mother Goose Parade in El Cajon is one of the biggest parades in the country and the largest single-day event in San Diego County, the parade features floats, clowns, Santa Claus, marching bands, equestrian teams and celebrity appearances.
Liberty Station Tree Lighting & Festivities Point Loma
Free event. Fri., Nov. 29, starts at 4-9 p.m. (tree lighting at 6:15 p.m.). 2875 Dewey Rd., San Diego
Come see the lighting of an 88-foot Norfolk Pine and spread some holiday cheer. Afterwards stay for a free movie The Grinch Who Stole Christmas on the lawn.
Christmas on the Prado Tree Lighting Balboa Park
Free Sat. Nov. 30, 1-8 p.m., Balboa Park, Spreckels Organ Pavilion, San Diego
Bring a gift for Toys for Tots and enjoy music, entertainment, photos with Santa, an elf contest, tree lighting, kids crafts and Nativity scenes.
Surfin' Santa Arrival @ Seaport Village
Free November 30, 2019 1 pm- 5 pm 849 West Harbor Drive
Don't miss the Surfin' Santa arrival @ Seaport Village. Hang-ten with Santa and enjoy a lively parade along the Seaport Village boardwalk, live music, street performers and photo opportunities of your family and friends surfing with Santa.
Meet Santa, Cookies and Cocoa @ Cynet Theatre Old Town
Free Sunday December 1st, 2019 1-2 pm Cignet Theatre Old Town 4040 Twiggs St.
Cygnet is holding its fifth annual pre-show Family Day before the matinee performance of A Christmas Carol. Family Day activities are scheduled from 1-2pm on the patio. Families will be able to enjoy cookie decorating, coloring station, special activity station with Geppetto's Toys, complimentary hot chocolate, and a visit from Santa of San Diego! Join us for the fun! This is a FREE event. Theatre ticket is NOT required to attend.
Free December 6th 3 pm-11 pm- December 7th noon to 11 pm
December Nights is a two-day holiday celebration of food, entertainment and fun. All museums and cultural institutions in Balboa Park open their doors free of charge. Festivities include carolers, live music, light displays, theater and dance performances, and delicious foods from around the world.
Coronado Holiday Parade & Open House
Free December 6, 2019 3:20 PM - 8:00 PM Coronado Ferry Landing 1201 1st Street Coronado
Santa arrives via the Ferry at the Coronado Ferry Landing, a festive parade follows down Orange Avenue and Santa lights the Christmas Tree in Rotary Plaza during the Coronado Holiday Parade & Open House.
Little Italy Christmas Tree Lighting
Free Dec 7, 2019 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM India St & W Fir St San Diego
Celebrate the season during Little Italy's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and see the unique Christmas Tree - a 25-foot tower of 1,100 gorgeous Poinsettias. Enjoy the community's festive decor, live music and entertainment, and holiday food.
Free December 7, 2019 Children's Fair Memorial Park from 2 – 5 p.m Parade kicks-off 5 p.m. along the Western side of Third Avenue and travels north from H Street to E Street
Get in the spirit and celebrate the season in Downtown Chula Vista @ The Starlight Parade!
Free Event December 7, 2019 5:05 PM - 7:00 PM Sunset Cliffs Blvd & Newport Ave. San Diego
Discover Santa's favorite place the Ocean Beach Holiday Parade.
Winter Wonderland Festival California Center for The Arts Escondido
Free Event December 7, 2019 @ 3 pm 340 N. Escondido Blvd. Escondido
The Winter Wonderland Festival at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido brings the North Pole to the heart of Escondido. Children will have the chance to play in real snow, create winter-themed arts and crafts, and meet live reindeer! At dusk, the Lyric Court comes alive with twinkling lights, and no one will be able to resist the holiday spirit!
Free Event, Santa Pictures $5-$10 Dec. 7, 2-5 pm
Meet Santa & Mrs. Claus, enjoy food and entertainment and a lighting of the pier tree at sunset. Professional pics with the big guy are $10 or $5 when you bring school supplies to support the schools. Tree lighting is at sunset. End of Crystal Pier, Pacific Beach.
Free December 8, 2019 11 AM – 1 PM 3927 Utah Street North Park
Enjoy marching bands, floats, vintage cars, dance groups, beauty queens, city officials and Santa in this popular community celebration.
La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival
Free December 8th Festival 11 am to 4 pm Parade starts 1:30 pm to 4 pm
Spread some holiday cheer at the La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival in December in downtown La Jolla. The event includes marching bands, community groups, drill teams, vintage vehicles, horses, even a camel. Church bells peal with a fly-over. There is also a Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Escondido Jaycees Christmas Parade
Free N. Broadway Escondido Dec. 8, 11 am to 7 pm
This year’s theme: “Wild About Christmas.” Parade travels south on Broadway, from Escondido High School to Grape Day Park. 9:30 am. After the parade, come to a holiday festival at Grape Day Park that offers cultural performances, piñatas and other activities. www.escondidojaycees.org.
Port of San Diego Parade of Lights
Free Happening on 2 Sundays-December 8 & 15, 2019 5 pm to 7 pm Locations Around the Bay
See more than 80 private boats decorated with holiday lights for the annual Port of San Diego Bay Parade of Lights over two weekends in December. Great views are available on dry land from Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, the pier at Cesar Chavez Park and Coronado's Ferry Landing.
La Mesa's Holiday in The Village
Free December 13th & 14th 5-9 pm La Mesa Blvd & Spring St. La Mesa
The Village is transformed into a Victorian Wonderland during La Mesa's Holiday in the Village. Walk the streets of La Mesa's historic downtown and enjoy live music and dance, craft vendors, food, and a kids' area with holiday movies and activities.
Free Dec 14, 2019 3:30 PM - 8:30 PM Old Poway Park 14134 Midland Rd Poway
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.
Las Posadas Nativity Celebration Old Town St. Park
Free December 14th, 12-8 pm Old Town State Park
See Old Town State Park decked out for the season during Old Town Las Posadas with entertainment and holiday experiences for the whole family, including the traditional Las Posadas procession (at dusk), which has been part of Old Town San Diego's celebration of Christmas for 68 years. The day's festivities wrap up with a campfire and s’mores in the Plaza.
Free Dec. 15, 1-3 pm
The parade starts on Garnet Ave. and Haines St., and travels down to Bayard. www.pacificbeach.org.
Free for Spectators $15 to enter pet in parade December 15, 2019 12PM – 5PM | 401 K Street, San Diego
Enjoy the Vet + Pet West Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade in downtown San Diego's historic Gaslamp Quarter. Owners and their dressed-up pets march down the decorated streets of the neighborhood, ending at a Pet Expo featuring an award ceremony for best-dressed pups.
Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade
Free December 26, 2019 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Waterfront Park 1600 Pacific Hwy San Diego
Check out massive balloons during the Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade, the country's largest balloon parade. Floats, balloons and marching bands are just some of the offerings in this colorful holiday parade along San Diego Bay in downtown San Diego.
STAY INFORMED JOIN CENTRAL SAN DIEGO MACARONI KID!
