Looking for the very best things to do at Christmas in San Diego for a magical holiday experience? We’ve got a complete guide right here!
San Diego is an amazing city any time of year, but the holidays bring a special kind of magic.
There aren’t many places where you can sip eggnog under a palm tree or go ice skating at the beach. But San Diego embraces its warm winter climate and offers many fun ways to enjoy the holiday season.
Visiting the city’s attractions during the holiday season has become a tradition for my family. Sometimes it’s fun just to walk around and see the lights and Christmas trees. Other times we like to hit a theme park and experience one of their many awesome holiday events. To help you plan an amazing experience, I’ve rounded up the most comprehensive list of holiday attractions in San Diego.
Christmas in San Diego: Theme Parks & Attractions
Here are 27 amazing options for fun and family-friendly things to do during Christmas in San Diego. Note: Some of these attractions and events include information that was current for 2023, and will be updated as new details are announced.
1. SeaWorld San Diego Christmas Celebration
You’ll find plenty of holiday cheer at San Diego attractions this holiday season! Don’t miss SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration, taking place from November 8 through January 2, 2025, and featuring new shows and attractions.
Sip hot cocoa with candy toppings while checking out sea otters, flamingos, sea lions, turtles, and bat rays at this lavishly decorated 100-acre park, including a sea-themed Christmas tree and a holiday music-activated tunnel of lights.
You can even say hi to two of Santa’s reindeer! They will be hanging out inside Santa’s Village located at SkyTower Lawn.
We always love to visit SeaWorld San Diego at Christmas and actually just got back from another great trip! For Christmas 2023 they had a great new show at the Nautilus Amphitheater featuring “America’s Got Talent” star Bryan Cheatham and a cast of singers and dancers. We really enjoyed this one – it is a great holiday production that will definitely get you in the spirit!
- 500 Sea World Drive, San Diego
- seaworld.com/san-diego
2. Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo
Kids and adults alike will love visiting the world-famous San Diego Zoo during Christmastime. The Zoo stays open well past dark during the holidays season, filled with lights, decorations, music, roaming entertainers, and special food items and sweet treats.
Have your picture taken with Santa or ride the Twinkle Light Trolley. Our personal favorite is Jungle Brass, a musical ensemble that plays popular seasonal tunes with their own unique flair. This is truly one of the best family-friendly San Diego events during the holidays!
- 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego
- zoo.sandiegozoo.org
► Click here for discount ticket offers to the San Diego Zoo
3. LEGOLAND Christmas 2024
If you have little kids, they’re going to love Holidays at LEGOLAND California Resort!
On select dates in November and December, Holidays at LEGOLAND features holiday characters, a LEGO® Christmas tree with over 400 LEGO ornaments, and a life-size model of LEGO Santa and his reindeer. Check out dazzling holiday shows throughout the park all season long, and lots of holiday treats, too.
- 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad
- legoland.com/california
► Click here for discount ticket offers to the LEGOLAND California Resort
4. December Nights at Balboa Park
Families and foodies can make their way to Taste of December Nights in Balboa Park on December 6 and 7, 2024 to enjoy the lights, the sounds, the attractions and of course, amazing food.
December Nights is the City of San Diego’s largest free holiday festival!
- 1549 El Prado, San Diego
- balboapark.org
5. Jingle Jets
One of the newest holiday events in San Diego, Jingle Jets at the USS Midway Museum just debuted in 2023.
Already one of the most popular attractions in San Diego, during the holiday season the museum is decked out from bow to stern with hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights, adding a festive twist to the planes on exhibit. In addition, families can enjoy live music, fun activities, and a chance to write letters to service members.
Jingle Jets encompasses the Midway’s flight deck and hangar deck, as well as a portion of its lower deck, so there is plenty to see.
- 910 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego
- midway.org
6. The Holiday Market and Trail at Petco Park
Running throughout December, the Holiday Market in Gallagher Square is a fun night for the whole family and will feature local and European artisan shops, magical lighting displays, seasonal food and beverage, Santa and other holiday characters! The event kicks off this year on December 3, 2024.
- 100 Park Blvd., San Diego
- petcoparkinsider.com/holiday-market
7. Lights & Sights Trolley Tour
Old Town Trolley transforms into the Holiday Trolley for their San Diego Holiday Lights & Sights Trolley Tour. See San Diego with a holiday twist! The trolley’s Elf conductors share fun holiday facts and traditions. You’ll get to see the festive San Diego Christmas lights of Old Town, Embarcadero, Seaport Village, Balboa Park and more!
The tour departs from Old Town San Diego and includes a stop for a 15-minute holiday stroll through Seaport Village. I highly recommend the Old Town Trolley Tour any time of year as part of your San Diego travel plans. It is a great way to take in the city!
- 4002 Wallace Street, San Diego
- oldtownsandiego.org
► Click here for discount ticket offers for Old Town Trolley Tours of San Diego
8. Old Town San Diego
Old Town San Diego is the city’s birthplace, now a state park featuring historical sites, shops, restaurants, a theater, and museums – all deeply seeped in the area’s Mexican heritage.
Kicking off the holiday season with a Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Whaley House and continuing throughout December, Old Town San Diego at Christmas is a great place to visit. Each year Old Town presents Las Posadas, a time-honored Christmas celebration that echoes with centuries-old Mexican traditions.
Even if you don’t attend one of the park’s special events, you’ll find wonderful decorations and activities throughout Old Town all season long, including a giant Christmas tree and traditional music and dancing. Best of all, Old Town San Diego is always free to enter!
- 4002 Wallace Street, San Diego
- oldtownsandiego.org
9. A Very Furry Christmas Celebration at Sesame Place
A Very Furry Christmas is a festive, family-friendly celebration featuring characters from Sesame Street.
Sesame Place is transformed into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. There is a 24-foot tall Christmas tree, holiday lights and decorations, photos with Santa and Sesame Street friends, a parade, dance party, Christmas tree maze, special food and beverages, and of course plenty of family-friendly rides.
This is the perfect place to celebrate the holidays in San Diego if you have small children!
- 2052 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista
- sesameplace.com/san-diego/events/a-very-furry-christmas
10. Ice Skating by the Sea at the Hotel del Coronado
From November 21, 2024 through January 5, 2025, you can glide on ice while watching the surf break at the Hotel del Coronado’s Skating by the Sea. This spectacular beachfront ice rink features stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and benefits Make-A-Wish® San Diego. Tickets include ice skate rental and up to 90 minutes of skating.
You can also reserve a rink side lounge at Frostbite – A Place to Chill, which features plush seating around a roaring fire pit with full food and beverage service. Enjoy views of the ice rink and ocean from many of The Del’s other beachside restaurants, too!
The most iconic of all San Diego oceanfront beach resorts, the Hotel del Coronado is arguably one of the most famous hotels in Southern California. In fact, even if you’re not staying there, visiting the Del is one of the most popular things to do in Coronado! This sprawling Victorian hotel has been luring visitors to the beach for more than a century.
- Hotel del Coronado, 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado
- hoteldel.com/experience/holidays
11. Holidays at the Del
Beyond Skating by the Sea, there are many holiday activities at the Hotel del Coronado.
For 2024, the theme for holidays at the Del is “Lights, Camera, Holiday!” Step back in time to the glittering splendor of Old Hollywood celebrating Hotel del Coronado’s rich legacy of filmmaking. The Del’s Christmas trees and garlands will dazzle with Hollywood glamour, reflecting the timeless elegance of Marilyn Monroe and featuring hues of ruby and cherry, soft black, shimmering gold and silver, and adorned with diamonds and pearls.
They will also offer special holiday dining, redesigned “All That Jazz” Dynamic Light Show. “All that Jazz” is a free event taking place nightly between November 21 and January 5. The grove of towering pines on the Del’s Founders Lawn comes to life with a dynamic light show orchestrated to music, with a finale of snow flurries. This 11-minute show takes place every 30 minutes from 5 to 9 pm.
Other holiday offerings at the Hotel del Coronado include beachside igloos, Victorian tea, gingerbread houses, menorah lighting, photos with Santa, and special events for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve.
- Hotel del Coronado, 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado
- hoteldel.com/experience/holidays
12. Meet Surfin’ Santa in Seaport Village
It’s a season of celebration at Seaport Village, with live music, crafts, holiday décor, a menorah lighting, and festive events throughout the holidays! This holiday season, Surfin’ Santa will will ditch his red suit and reindeer to spread holiday cheer in true Southern California fashion as he makes his annual arrival.
Visit Seaport Village to meet Santa in San Diego and take photos on select dates in November and December 2024.
13. Salute the Season at Liberty Station
Salute the Seasonat Liberty Station is an annual event featuring a number of fun holiday events in San Diego.
Visit Rady Children’s Ice Rink at Liberty Station, where proceeds benefit the Thriving After Cancer program in the Rady Children’s Hospital’s Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. There is also a Hanukkah Celebration and a Nutcracker Tea Party.
14. How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Old Globe Theatre
For a uniquely San Diego holiday tradition, head to the Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park for its storied production of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! From November 6 through December 31, 2024, snow-covered Who-ville comes alive to usher in holiday cheer.
Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a wonderful, whimsical musical based on the classic Dr. Seuss book. Back for its 23rd year, the family favorite features the songs “This Time of Year,” “Santa for a Day,” and “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.”
- 1549 El Prado, San Diego
- theoldglobe.org
15. Holiday Train Rides
The North Pole is just a train ride away. On Fridays and Saturdays between November 24 and December 16, 2023, hop aboard the Santa Train North Pole Limited.
Leaving from the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo and then chugging through San Diego’s backcountry, the Santa Train North Pole Limited includes Santa’s elves singing Christmas carols, reading popular Christmas stories and passing out cookies and hot chocolate. The North Pole Limited will also stop at Santa’s Workshop to pick up Santa and Mrs. Claus so they can visit with passengers on the return trip to Campo Depot.
- 750 Depot Street, Campo
- psrm.org/npl
16. Country Christmas in Julian
If you are looking for a rustic San Diego Christmas experience, head to the historic mountain village of Julian in East County. This old-fashioned town kicks off the holiday season November 26 with the Julian Country Christmas Tree Lighting. This year Country Christmas Tree Lighting will be at the new “Town Square” location on the corner of Main Street and Washington.
After the tree lighting ceremony, enjoy Julian’s legendary apple pie and hot apple cider while admiring holiday decorations and lights along Main Street.
- Main Street, Julian
- visitjulian.com/to-see-do/special-events/country-christmas
San Diego Christmas Parades
San Diego has a dizzying number of holiday parades, both on and off the water! The mild December weather in Southern California makes it ideal for being outside and watching the festivities.
17. San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
Nothing says Christmas in San Diego like boats adorned with colorful twinkling lights. On December 8 and December 15, the iconic and always free annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights returns, with over 80 lavishly decorated boats. The theme for 2024 is “Peace on Earth.”
The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights is a time-honored holiday tradition brought to San Diego by the boating community. Continuing its long-standing San Diego tradition, the 54th annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights promises to dazzle and entertain bay front crowds for two nights, making this one of the most popular Christmas San Diego events! Participants in the holiday boat parade will decorate their boats to fit this year’s theme.
The parade will proceed from Shelter Island to the pier at Cesar Chavez Park before making the turn to Coronado, giving spectators plenty places to view the parade.
18. Mission Bay Parade of Lights
Mission Bay will kick off their holiday season with the Mission Bay Parade of Lights, on Saturday, December 14 at 5:30 pm. Don’t miss this parade of elaborate, decorated boats from local organizations like Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego Loyal, and SeaWorld.
Free for all to enjoy, designated viewing areas will be set up at and near hotels on Mission Bay – Bahia Resort Hotel, Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa, The Dana on Mission Bay, Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina, Paradise Point Resort, and San Diego Mission Bay Resort.
The parade will start at SeaWorld with a fireworks kickoff. Each designated viewing area will offer special festive food and beverage menus and family-friendly activities to get into the holiday spirit, such as bonfires and s’mores, live musical performances, holiday games, an appearance from Santa Claus and more!
19. More 2024 San Diego Christmas Parades
Here are a few more parades to check out this holiday season, according to the San Diego Tourism Authority.
► Coronado Holiday Parade & Open House
Join Coronado in holiday cheer from the Ferry Landing, down Orange Avenue, all the way to the Hotel del Coronado for live music, local business open houses, sing-alongs, a parade and a grand tree lighting at Rotary Park.
Thousands of people will be on floats and in bands with tens of thousands more cheering them on as the Encinitas Holiday Parade rolls along Coast Highway 101.
► La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival
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, and yes ~ a camel. Church bells peal with a fly-over. There is also a Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting Ceremony.
► Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights
Watch the season sail by at the Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights in December. The popular parade circles the harbor and features a wide variety of boats, brightly decorated for the holiday season.
This holiday parade presents cute dogs and their amazing owners parading in colorful fashion as they proudly promenade through the heart and soul of the Gaslamp for all the onlookers to see!
► Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade
Gaze up at the 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.
San Diego Christmas Lights
Want to check out some amazing Christmas lights in San Diego? Don’t miss these dazzling holiday light displays.
20. Botanic Wonderland
Located in Encinitas, 30 minutes north of downtown San Diego, the San Diego Botanic Garden decorates and illuminates its 8,000 square foot glass conservatory and large sections of its 37-acre campus.
Along with festive lights, the event features live music, food, kids’ activities, holiday crafts, Santa Claus and more!
21. Lights at the Lakes
Lights at the Lakes in Santee is a dazzling drive-thru light display for every age! This San Diego Christmas event runs on select dates from November 30 to December 28, 2024!
Lights at the Lakes is a one mile drive-thru event featuring colorful twinkling light displays set to music through your car radio. The show will feature unique winter scenes that blink, swirl, and dance to holiday tunes. Best of all, the combination of lights and music change, creating a unique experience each visit.
22. Jingle Terrace Live
Each evening through December 23, the Moonlight Amphitheatre in Vista will be adorned in a spectacular holiday light show that you will be able to walk through for Jingle Terrace Live. Bring your whole family to enjoy holiday refreshments, festive displays, live entertainment, holiday activities, photo opportunities, and other special surprises. Admission and all activities are free!
23. Enchanted Village
From December 15-22, walk through acres of brilliantly lit trees, magical cottages, light tunnels, live entertainers, hundreds of giant candy canes, over a million lights, interactive displays and other festive decorations at the Enchanted Village in Spring Valley.
All proceeds benefit Noah Homes, a nonprofit that provides housing and care to people with developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome and autism.
More Holiday Fun & Food
24. Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet Cruise
If you’re looking for a non-traditional and truly extraordinary way to celebrate Christmas Eve, consider treating your family to a Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet Cruise with City Cruises. The boat departs from Hornblower Landing along San Diego’s waterfront. This semi-formal holiday event lasts two and a half hours and includes a full dinner, festive décor, and DJ for dancing.
25. San Diego Christmas Day Brunch Buffet Cruise
Celebrate Christmas Day on the water with a Premier Brunch Cruise in San Diego, a truly spectacular and hassle-free way to spend the holiday.
Enjoy a holiday brunch buffet prepared by a chef, unlimited champagne, and exceptional views of San Diego’s iconic skyline as you cruise around the bay. There will also be entertainment and festive décor onboard.
26. Christmas at Harrah’s Resort Southern California
If a resort experience sounds like an appealing way to spend the holidays, look no further than Harrah’s Resort Southern California. On December 2 and 3, you can catch a performance of Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland at the Events Center. This show combines acrobats, aerialists and music.
The many restaurants and bars at Harrah’s will be serving up some special holiday meals and cocktails (like the White Christmas Martini) all through the month, so be sure to add this stop to your itinerary.
27. Holiday Cocktail Pop-Ups
For the grown-ups, San Diego’s vibrant cocktail scene offers more than spiked hot chocolate and eggnog. This year, annual holiday cocktail pop-ups Miracle and Sippin’ Santa are returning to town with inventive holiday-themed drinks from November 22 through December 31.
Must-try options include “the gingerbread-y snowball old fashioned” and the “spiked jingle balls nog,” as well as new concoctions like “elfing around.”
How to Save on Your San Diego Vacation
There are a variety of ways to save money on hotels and tickets to San Diego’s many theme parks and attractions – including AAA discounts, military or student discounts, and bundling tickets through CityPASS San Diego. I recommend booking tickets and hotel packages through authorized seller and our trusted partner, Get Away Today. Get Away Today has discount tickets to many area attractions, and they offer a variety of ticket types to suit any budget.
Use discount code CFT10 to get an additional $10 off any vacation package when you book your hotel and two or more tickets through Get Away Today.
Final Thoughts: Christmas in San Diego
Though there may not be snowy weather, San Diego is truly magical during the holiday season. There are endless options of fun and festive things to do, plus lots of Christmas decorations and light displays all across the city. Throw in the fact that San Diego already has some of the best attractions for families that go all-out for the holidays, and you’ve got an ideal destination to visit during the holiday season.
Wishing you happy holidays and a very Merry Christmas in San Diego or wherever you are celebrating this year!
Save These San Diego Christmas Events for Later!
Planning a visit to America’s Finest City during the holiday season? Pin the image below for future reference!