December

Local Residents Ride Free

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.

Go to Hometown Pass for more information.

Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

On select days and times. Tickets range in price. Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a wonderful, whimsical musical based on the classic Dr. Seuss book. Back for its 22nd incredible year, the family favorite features the songs “This Time of Year,” “Santa for a Day,” “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” and “Fah Who Doraze,” the delightful carol from the popular animated version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Celebrate the holidays as the Old Globe Theatre is once again transformed into snow-covered Whoville, right down to the last can of Who-hash.

Ebenezer Scrooge’s BIG San Diego Christmas Show

On select days and times. Tickets range in price. San Diego has a new show for its Christmas stocking with this fast, funny, and highly theatrical reimagining of one of the most beloved holiday stories ever told. All the traditional elements of Dickens’s A Christmas Carol are intact—including the iconic ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Future—but with a comic local twist! Audiences of all ages will cheer Ebenezer Scrooge’s rediscovery of the Christmas spirit in this riotous Dickens mash-up filled with music and laughter—all set in “wintery” San Diego!

Annual North Park Toyland Parade & Festival

Santa Claus will be riding atop his merry red fire engine and bells will be ringing as loved ones snuggle up in the bright, frosty air. ‘Tis the season to celebrate the continued rejuvenation and growth of North Park! Hang your stockings and then mark your calendar for this year’s 55th Annual North Park Toyland Parade & Festival. As this winter’s most beloved holiday event, adults and babes alike will never want to leave Toyland.

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.

Balboa Park December Nights

Friends, families and the community are invited to come together for festive fun, food and attractions throughout the park, including complimentary admission to Balboa Park museums from 5:00 to 9:00pm. The largest free community festival in San Diego, December Nights is expected to attract more than 375,000 visitors to the park over two days to revel and enjoy the season. Friday, December 6: 3:00pm – 11pm. Saturday, December 7: 12:00pm – 11:00pm.

December Nights

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: 3:00pm to 11:00pm. Saturday: Noon to 11:00pm.

5K Jingle Bell Run/Walk

Put on your holiday-themed costume and running shoes in this fun San Diego event to support the Arthritis Foundation.

Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village

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.

La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival

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.’

San Diego Bay Parade of Lights

With more than 80,000 spectators expected, the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights features boats decorated for the holiday season.

La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village

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, cozy fires, craft vendors, food, and a kids’ area with holiday movies and activities.

Mission Bay Christmas Parade of Lights

Free parade is followed by fantastic fireworks display at 9:00pm. More than 60,000 people are expected. The best viewing is from Riviera Shores, Crown Point, Santa Clara Point, the east side of Vacation Island the west side of Fiesta Island.

San Diego Santa Run

The event will consist of a series of runs that will take place on Garnet Ave. featuring a 5K fun run and 1-mile run waves that include run with your dog, kids run, and a competitive wave. Come out in your finest (or ugliest) Christmas attire as you take part in this one-of-a-kind holiday experience. Then stick around to watch the annual Pacific Beach Holiday Parade!

San Diego Bay Parade of Lights

With more than 80,000 spectators expected, the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights features boats decorated for the holiday season.

Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade

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.

Holiday Bowl 5K

Harbor Dr./Ash St. – Harbor Dr. – walkway – Embarcadero Marina Park North – Ruocco Park.
This nationally televised 5K run/walk is a kick-off event to the Weiner Nationals Dachshund Dog Race and the Big Bay Balloon Parade. Thousands of spectators will be lined up along Harbor Drive or peering from building windows cheering on the athletes in anticipation of the parade.

Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade

America’s largest balloon parade. The scenic, bayside streets of downtown San Diego will come alive with 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.

San Diego International Auto Show

The San Diego International Auto Show features an incredible variety of new vehicles under one roof, including over 400 vehicles from 30+ global manufacturers. Be among the first in the US to see more than 20 debuts of newly unveiled vehicles not yet in showrooms that are expected to be on display at the show. The wide selection of 2018 and 2019 model-year vehicles on display will feature the newest technology to enhance the driving experience, all packaged in luxurious interiors and wrapped in cutting edge designs.

Girls on the Run 5K

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! General Information: Kathryn Osborn (619) 962-4602.