Children need a little holiday cheer this Christmas. Everything is closed: the zoo, amusement parks, schools, movie theaters, most extracurricular classes, and parties are cancelled.
Here's a list of what's still happening this holiday season:
Visit The Northern Lights @ California Center for the Arts in Escondido-OPEN!
- WHEN Ongoing from now until January 3, 2021
- WHERE California Center for the Arts: Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, CA
- AGES All ages
- COST Free
12-acre campus will be transformed into a spectacle of light, hope, and joy after sunset each evening. Guests are invited to wander along our walkways, taking in the holiday sights and sounds. The young and young-at-heart will enjoy tunnels of twinkling lights, giant LED Christmas trees, and blow-up figurines of favorite holiday characters. Marvel as lights move to music in a display curated by local Escondido family The Peace’s featured on ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight.
Holidays in Your Car @ The Del Mar Fairgrounds-OPEN!
One million lights LED lights are on display in the only holiday light drive-thru in Southern California.
Tickets: $49 – $64
Location
Del Mar Fairgrounds
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd
Del Mar, CA 92014
Botanic Wonderland @ San Diego Botanic Garden-OPEN!
Botanic Wonderland is an outdoor holiday lighting experience, where visitors can safely stroll amidst festive holiday lights throughout various areas within the Garden’s 37 acres.
December 2-6; 9 &10, 12 &13; 16-23; 26-30
5 – 8:30 pm
CLOSED: December 24 & 25
Tickets $10 for kids, $18 for adults, $12 military.
Address: 300 Quail Gardens Dr, Encinitas, CA 92024
Nutcracker in Your Car Del Mar Fairgrounds 12/19-OPEN
City Ballet of San Diego’s award-winning production of the classic holiday ballet “The Nutcracker” will be performed as part of the Concerts in Your Car holiday programming.
Tickets-$99 per car
Time: 5pm & 8pm
Address: 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, CA
For more information contact: https://www.holidaysinyourcar.com
Liberty Station Hanukkah & Menorah Lighting 12/10
- Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 5 p.m.
- WHERE Liberty Station’s Central Promenade, San Diego, CA
Map - AGES All ages
- COST Free
Spend Some Time @ Liberty Station! Visit These Eateries & Shops!
And Don't Forget To Check Out The Christmas Tree
- Liberty Public Market - The landmark food hall is home to a medley of stalls and day-carts where visitors can find an assortment of giftable delicacies and neat trinkets from local artisans. At Baker & Olive, find quintessential stocking stuffers for an aspiring chef on the git list, including ultra-premium olive oil and vinegar, in addition to gourmet salts and spices. For the ever-stylish trendsetter, both Noblerags and New Bohéme Collective curate an eclectic mix of apparel, accessories and homegoods.
- Moniker General - Doubling as a café/bar and retail concept, this hipster haven stocks unique selection of good from a variety of SoCal brands. Hand-poured candles from Craft + Foster, apothecary from YIELD Design Co., and conscientious fashion finds from the likes of Outerknown, RicherPoorer and more!
- Stone Brewing - A major-player in San Diego's craft beer landscape and beyond, Stone Brewing has just introduced its first-ever Twelve Days of IPAs Mixed Pack. A fitting present for that hophead friend, the festive set holds 12 distinct IPAs including new releases, year-round staples, and archived fan favorites from Stone’s storied past. The bottle pack will be available at Stone’s on-site store at Liberty Station, in addition to locally made gifts like Stone’s beef jerky, hot sauces made with Stone beers, and even dog bones made with the spent grain!
- Pigment - The second outpost of San Diego’s favorite Instagram-worthy boutique, Pigment’s 3,400-square-foot storefront at Liberty Station caters to their bohemian clientele with an abundance of greenery, interior décor, jewelry and whimsical novelties.
Check Out The Snow Globe Collection @ The Westfield UTC
Tis the season to shine. Discover the magic of the holiday season as lights glisten, snow falls and a winter wonderland comes to life with a life-size Snow Globe Collection throughout the center.
Magical vignettes will be displayed in Westfield UTC from 4 - 8 p.m. every Wednesday through Friday during the first three weeks of December. Stationed throughout the center, each Snow Globe will bring to life festive scenes and characters that will inspire the holiday spirit from a distance.
Dates and times of events are subject to change without notice. Always check the event organizer's website for the most updated schedule before attending. Check local COVID-19 restrictions and updates.
Free Magical Nightly Snowfall @ The Village Walk Eastlake
Sunday, December 13, 2020
5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Additional Dates
Thursday, December 10, 2020 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Friday, December 11, 2020 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 12, 2020 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Thursday, December 17, 2020 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
The public is invited, and no reservations needed, for FREE magical snowfalls, a must visit holiday event at Village Walk at EastLake in Chula Vista, San Diego County. The magical snowfalls, accompanied by choreographed music and lights can be viewed December 3 – 20 each Thursday through Sunday at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Children get free headbands and “magic” glasses to watch the snow falling in rainbow colors.
The man-made snowfall, which transforms Village Walk at EastLake into a winter wonderland, is a favorite backdrop for people to use smartphones or cameras to take annual holiday photos and videos. New for this holiday season, families can take pictures with life-sized photo props including Santa, the Snowman, Elsa and Olaf which will be located throughout Village Walk at EastLake on the same days as the snowfall.
Address:
878 Eastlake Parkway
Chula Vista, CA
See Some Spectacular Trees Around Town
Hotel del Coronado
Where: 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, CA 92118
The Hotel del Coronado Christmas tree has an oceanfront view. A 35-foot tree stands tall on the beachfront Windsor Lawn where the hotel’s iconic Victorian red roof serves as the perfect backdrop.
Little Italy
Where: 621 W Fir St. and 523 W Date St., San Diego, CA 92101
Not one but two Christmas trees bring holiday cheer to Little Italy, San Diego's culinary destination. Aurora, a 32-foot faux-glass tree designed by California artist Joshua Hubert, illuminates the Piazza Basilone. The sculpture utilizes hundreds of polycarbonate panels to create a unique optical effect of reflective colors that change based on the viewer’s perspective and sun orientation. A few blocks away, at the Piazza della Famiglia, a traditional 30-foot Christmas tree is the main centerpiece. Holiday lights and snowflake decorations also adorn the plaza.
Liberty Station
Where: 2816 Historic Decatur Rd., San Diego, CA 92106
Liberty Station has an 88-foot Norfolk pine with colorful lights and ornaments. The holiday tree is located at the North Promenade behind Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens Liberty Station. After visiting the tree, take a self-guided tour of the Salute the Season Art Walk inspired by the "Twelve Days of Christmas" carol featuring 12 installations by the ARTS DISTRICT's resident artists. Discover the holiday installations throughout Liberty Station’s North and South Promenades.
Ocean Beach
Where: 1850 Ocean Front St., San Diego, CA 92107
Ocean Beach during the holidays has a beach feel with surfers riding the waves and a Christmas tree installed on the sand. Delight in the unusual ornaments like beach volleyballs, inflatable guitars and peace signs. Occasionally, children from local schools make decorations to hang on the lower branches.
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