Spend the holiday season with friends and family exploring all that San Diego has to offer! San Diego County residents can enjoy the Old Town Trolley tour for FREE when accompanied by a full fare adult paid guest with Hometown Pass.
Ice skating? Outside? In San Diego? Yes! Sycuan and Rady Children’s Hospital Auxiliary are teaming up to present Fantasy on Ice with support from SENTRE Partners, NBC 7 San Diego, Liberty Station and many Friends of Rady Children’s. Every day, throughout the holidays, come back to enjoy special holiday events and activities, including our own televised special sponsored by NBC 7 San Diego. All Sessions are open to the public.
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Skating by the Sea
The Hotel Del Coronado offers a unique Southern California experience – outdoor ice-skating overlooking the Pacific Ocean from late November through New Year’s Day.
Build a snowman with LEGO® accessories and throw real snowballs at colorful targets. Ride snow tubes down a hill. Experience the magic of Winter Nights with shows, music, and twinkling lights. There’s even a food truck with yummy treats served by Santa’s Elves. Stay for the nightly fireworks over Miniland USA, December 26-30. Witness the lighting of a 30-foot tall LEGO Christmas Tree and enjoy live entertainment with LEGO Friends Live. A life-sized LEGO Brick Santa and Reindeer make the perfect family photo.
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6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Holiday in the Park
Saturdays & Sundays. Las Posadas on Sunday, December 10; starts at 4:45 PM.
Revelers can watch top-notch musical and dance performances, enjoy delicious and diverse food choices and help spread a heavy dose of holiday cheer. Some of the more well-known traditions include food from around the globe at the International Christmas Festival at the House of Pacific Relations Cottages; the annual Santa Lucia Procession at the Plaza de California; unique gift shopping at the museum stores and with the artisans of Spanish Village; and musical and dance presentations from the San Diego Junior Theatre, San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, Del Cerro Baptist’s Christmas Story Tree, and more. Friday from 3:00pm to 11:00pm & Saturday from 12:00pm to 11:00pm.
6:00 PM
Coronado Holiday Open House & Christmas Parade Celebration
The holiday season in Coronado starts when Santa arrives by ferry at the Coronado Ferry Landing at 3:20pm. A festive parade follows; merchants keep their doors open late for shopping. Santa lights the central 75-foot star pine Christmas tree as the community band plays holiday music. The evening finishes with fireworks over Glorietta Bay.
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Annual Doggie Street Festival – Adopt-a-thon & Pet Celebration
NTC Liberty Station
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village
Piazza Natale, corner of India & W Date Streets6192333898
Come one and all; family, friends and pets are welcome. Also we are expecting a surprise guest to add that additional holiday cheer; along with the music, Italian cookies, cider and coffee we will be provided. Don’t forget there will be vendors selling holiday gifts to get the season started off right.
1:30 PM
La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival
Girard Avenue & Prospect Street, La Jolla
The event includes marching bands, floats, equestrian units, vintage automobiles and an appearance by Santa Claus. The event begins at 2:00 PM on Girard Avenue and the theme for this year’s parade is ‘Christmas in the Village.’
The Girls on the Run 5k is the culmination of Girls on the Run of San Diego’s 10-week season. More than 500 girls ages 8-14, will celebrate their “girl power” by running 3.1 miles with their coaches, families, friends, teachers and community members. This event is open to anyone who wants to run, walk, or skip to the finish line!
Get in the spirit this holiday season at the Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis and the special and fun Reindeer Dash! Be one of the runners and walkers who run or walk to fight arthritis – 409,000 adults and 5,000 children have been diagnosed in San Diego and they battle this disease everyday… now you can help. Jingle Bell Run/Walk is a fun festive event for the entire family! Put on your reindeer antlers and your running or walking shoes and come join us for some holiday cheer.
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Holiday in the Park
All of the museums, stores and restaurants in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park will be open and richly decorated. Enjoy special holiday treats, activities and extended shopping hours, along with strolling carolers on this evening and do some holiday shopping at the same time.
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Parade of Lights Viewing
Maritime Museum
One of the best places to see the annual Parade of Lights on San Diego Bay is from the historic ferryboat Berkeley at the Maritime Museum of San Diego. The parade judges are stationed aboard the steam yacht Medea and the brightly decorated boats pull out all the stops when they pass by. Enjoy a delicious holiday buffet and a no-host bar.
2:00 PM
Old Town Las Posada
This centuries-old tradition is being celebrated in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park for the 62nd consecutive year. Please join the Park Merchants Association as they reenact the biblical journey of Mary and Joseph through the town of Bethlehem. The event begins with carolers and children’s choirs in the state park, with the live theatrical procession starting promptly at 4 pm. A piñata party for all the children follows at 5 pm. Make this a new holiday tradition for your family. It is sure to be a night you will remember.
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
9th Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade
Gaslamp Quarter - Hilton Park, 410 K Street6192335227
All pet owners and their furry, featured and scaled companions are invited to don their favorite costumes and put their best paw, wing and fin forward for this jolly promenade and pet expo.
5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
Seaport Village
With more than 80,000 spectators expected, the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights features boats decorated for the holiday season.
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9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Breakfast with Santa
Harbor House Restaurant, Seaport Village
The morning includes a full breakfast, picture with Santa, face painting, balloon artists, kids show, and a gift for the kids. Santa is checking his list and hoping to see you there! Reservations are required. Cost is $25 per person. Call early, space is limited. General Information: (619) 235-4014, ext. 3.
5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
Seaport Village
With more than 80,000 spectators expected, the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights features boats decorated for the holiday season.
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Parade of Lights Viewing
Maritime Museum
One of the best places to see the annual Parade of Lights on San Diego Bay is from the historic ferryboat Berkeley at the Maritime Museum of San Diego. The parade judges are stationed aboard the steam yacht Medea and the brightly decorated boats pull out all the stops when they pass by. Enjoy a delicious holiday buffet and a no-host bar.
6:00 PM
Poinsettia Bowl Gaslamp March
5th Ave., E to K Street
Marching bands and spirit squads from the participating universities will parade from each end of 5th Avenue performing holiday classics and meeting up at Market Street for a heart-pounding Battle of the Bands! After the dust has settled at Market Street, bands will continue on with their parade of holiday favorites. The event is free for spectators.
1:30 PM
Poinsettia Bowl
Qualcomm Stadium
The 2013 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl will air nationally on ESPN and will also be broadcast on ESPN Radio. The game features the second pick out of the Mountain West Conference versus a bowl-eligible United States Military Academy.
10:00 AM
Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade
From N. Harbor Drive and County Administration Building to W. Harbor Drive and Pacific Hwy.6192835808
As always, this exciting family event brings together world-class marching bands, magnificent floats, entertaining drill teams, and a procession of enormous balloons – more than any other parade! Over 100,000 street-side spectators will enjoy the parade along with a nationwide television audience. Parade festivities will begin in the television area with the finals of the 17th Annual Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals and the Bumble Bee Foods 5K. After the parade, activity will continue on Broadway Pier with games, entertainment at the annual Family Festival, sponsored by Amtrak. 11:45am Battle of the Bands at the Broadway Pier.
9:45 AM
Bumble Bee Foods 5K Run/Walk
Corner of Harbor & Ash Street
The 18th Annual Bumble Bee 5K Run will take place on the corner of Harbor Drive and Ash St. and finishes near Tuna Harbor Park. Athletes will run past 100,000 spectators.
4:00 PM
Holiday Bowl
Qualcomm Stadium
The game will showcase a match-up of top teams from the Pac-12 and Big Ten conferences.
