A complete list of all of the Holiday events, festivals, parades and festivities taking place during the 2019 holiday season in San Diego, California. Sunny San Diego may not have the frosty fun of cities in the north and east, but we still know how to make the holidays bright and festive, so start planning your holiday fun now. Events are listed in order of start date.
- Viejas Casino & Resort Outdoor Ice Skating Rink
- Now – January 26, 2020
Celebrate the sights and sounds of the holidays. We deck our halls (and grounds) with holiday lights, entertainment, and a seasonal water show. Enjoy Southern California’s largest outdoor ice rink throughout the season!
- Salute the Season – Rady Children’s Ice Rink at Liberty Station
- Now – January 5, 2020
Rady Children's Ice Rink at Liberty Station is part of Salute the Season! The rink is open daily from 10am to 1pm and tickets are good for in-and-out access throughout the day they are purchased for and include a pair of skates and an optional helmet. All proceeds from the ice rink benefit the Rady Children's Hospital's Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.
- Holidays at Legoland
- Now – January 5, 2020
Experience the magic of the Holidays at LEGOLAND with music and twinkling lights and the world’s largest LEGO® Christmas Tree. The entire Resort is bursting with holiday cheer, live entertainment, Santa’s elves singing in Fun Town and a life-sized LEGO Brick Santa and Reindeer that make for a perfect family photo.
- SeaWorld Christmas Celebration
- Now – January 5, 2020
SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration is a holiday waiting to be made, with seasonal shopping, festive food and drinks, and stunning live shows. As holiday music fills the air, a sea of over one million lights sparkle, transforming SeaWorld into a marvelous holiday event. Enjoy live shows like the all-new Winter Wonderland on Ice and Cirque Christmas. Plus, meet festive friends at Rudolph’s Christmastown and the new Sesame Street® Christmas Village. Savor holiday flavors of hot cocoa and warm desserts as you shop for unique gifts and decorations.
- Holidays at the Hotel Del Coronado
- Now – January 5, 2020
Celebrate Christmas at Hotel del Coronado! This historic hotel will be decorated with thousands of twinkling lights adorning its iconic red turrets, a nostalgic two-story lobby tree and legendary holiday events and activities, family and friends will create #delmemories all season long. Skating by the Sea® will be open daily December 2 - January 5, 2020. Explore other festive activities like Frostbite and Winter Wonderland.
- Winter Paradice at the Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park
- Now - January 27, 2020
Experience Winter Paradice, San Diego Style at the Fleet Science Center. Trade in your flip-flops for lace-up skates and take a glide session on our new synthetic ice rink (you know, because it’s science). When you’re done skating, continue the fun by jumping in the ball pit or sliding down a 31-foot slide in our adult-sized playground exhibition, Pause|Play. Get crafty with ornament making in Studio X, create your own ice cream flavor in the cafe and immerse yourself in our interactive galleries.
- Celebrate the Holiday SEAson!
- December 1 - 31, 2020
Birch Aquarium is transformed into a wonderland full of SEAsonal activities for the whole family. Deck the Hall (of Fishes) and get into the holiday spirit every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and check the schedule for special appearances by Scuba Santa, crafts, activities, and live holiday music on weekends.
- Holiday in the Village, a La Mesa Tradition
- December 13 - 14, 2019
The La Mesa Village Association's "Holiday in the Village" returns to downtown La Mesa December 13th from 4 - 9 pm & 14th from 10 am - 9 pm, 2019! This FREE, family friendly event will feature a wonderland of festive holiday music and dance, food, children's activities, shopping and more!
- Santa Train North Pole Limited
- December 13 - 21, 2019
(Fridays & Saturdays)The famous North Pole Limited returns to celebrate the holiday season. The fun begins at the lighted Campo Depot. Pick up your tickets from the Ticket Agent in our restored passenger waiting room. We recommend you plan on arriving at the Campo Depot at least 45 minutes before your train departs to allow ample time to park, get your tickets, and pass through our gift shop. Don’t forget to stop by the Hobo Camp next to the Depot to hear tales from railroading’s past.
- Winter Nights at Westfield UTC
- December 14, 2019
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Celebrate the holiday season with family and friends at our 6th annual Winter Nights. Westfield UTC has been transformed into a magical winter wonderland and during this evening enjoy festive holiday entertainment, including live musical performances by local choirs and headlining acts, holiday carolers, sweet eats, along with crafts and fun for the whole family.
- Bontanic Wonderland - Holiday Nights in the Garden
- December 3-8, 10-15, 17-23, 26-30, 2019
The San Diego Botanic Garden lights up for the holidays after dusk complete with, horse-drawn wagon rides, holiday crafts, visits with Santa, snow for sledding (on selected evenings), marshmallow roasting, mulled wine, and so much more. The nonmember cost is $18 for adults and $5 for children 3—12.
- Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo
- December 13-23, 2019 and December 25 – January 5, 2020
The jubilant festivities will treat guests to seasonal decorations, animal experiences, costumed characters, live entertainment - including Jingle Brass, and the Toy Shop Hop. Plus lighted displays — including a 3-D light projection "Aurora," Aurora Pathways, and the "Celebration of Lights" experience. Jungle Bells activities and attractions are free with Zoo admission or membership. Parking is free.
- Las Posadas an Old Town Celebration
- December 14, 2019
Fiesta de Reyes invites you to enjoy the holiday spirit with festive decorations throughout the park, entertainment, and holiday experiences for the whole family during the day. At 5:00 PM, the procession will begin. Based on the story of Mary and Joseph's search for shelter in Bethlehem, this even has been part of Old Town San Diego's celebration of Christmas for 69 years. The day's festivities will wrap up with a campfire and s'mores in the Plaza.
- Poway's Christmas in the Park
- December 14, 2019
Join us at Old Poway Park from 3:30 - 8:30pm on Saturday (12/14) for an old-fashioned holiday tradition that will take you back in time with caroling, live music, a visit with Santa, free children’s crafts, model train displays, and so much more! Purchase tasty holiday treats, finish your Christmas shopping at the craft boutique, or board the Poway Midland Railroad for a night-time ride around the park.
- Oceanside Parade of Lights
- December 14, 2019
Fishing boats, sailboats, yachts, kayaks, and dingys will dress up for the holidays and circle the Oceanside Harbor at the Oceanside Parade of Lights from 7-9pm. The best viewing point is along the side of the Oceanside Harbor near the fishing dock and police station.
- San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
- December 15, 2019
A time-honored holiday tradition brought to San Diego by the boating community. Continuing its long-standing San Diego tradition, the 48th annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights promises to dazzle and entertain bayfront crowds during the evenings of December 8 and 15, 2019 starting a 5pm both nights. Participants in this year’s highly anticipated holiday boat parade will decorate their boats to fit this year’s theme, Tropical Island Christmas.
- Polar Express Family Day at the San Diego Model Railroad Museum
- December 21, 2019
The evening will start the event with a cozy screening of The Polar Express. We invite you to attend in pajamas and enjoy the movie snuggled in your favorite blanket. After the movie, kids will craft a special keepsake and we will close the event with a visit from a very important friend of the San Diego Model Railroad Museum! Event is included with the museum’s regular admission price. Saturday (12/21) from 11am – 3pm.
- Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade
- December 15, 2019
Deck those paws with bells so jolly and jingle all the way through the Gaslamp Quarter for The Vet + Pet West Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade. Pet owners and their furry, feathered, and scaled companions are invited to don their favorite costumes for this jolly promenade and Holiday Pet Market on Sunday (12/15) from 12Noon-5pm, at MLK Promenade Park, adjacent to the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter (401 K Street, San Diego, CA 92101).
- Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade
- December 26, 2019
America’s largest balloon parade with floats, balloons, and marching bands parading along San Diego’s beautiful bay. Thursday (12/26) at 3pm.
San Diego 2019 Neighborhood Holiday Light Displays
By JA