San Diego Seasons — 2025 Holiday Events and more!
Holiday Events in San Diego: Your 2025 Guide
San Diego comes alive during the holiday season with festive pop-ups, tree lightings, markets, and coastal celebrations. Whether you’re exploring the city as a visitor or a local, here’s a curated roundup of holiday happenings across the region.
Explore All Events Below 🎄
Activities & Festivities
Jingle Terrace Nights at Moonlight Amphitheatre (12/5–21)
A walk-through light experience with music and holiday decor.
Coastal Christmas at the Del Mar Fairgrounds (12/12–26)
A seaside holiday celebration held on select dates throughout December.
Fireside Films at Rooftop Cinema (Nov–Dec)
Seasonal movie screenings atop the Manchester Grand Hyatt.
Peppermint Beach Club at Westfield UTC (11/14–12/24)
A festive pop-up with holiday-themed installations.
December Nights at One Paseo (11/29–12/20 — Fridays & Saturdays)
Outdoor decor, entertainment, and cozy evening experiences.
Snapdragon Bowl Bash (1/1/26)
A free New Year’s event with games, performers, and food specials.
A Holiday in Oz at The Del Coronado (starts 11/21)
A themed beachfront holiday experience with light shows and festive activities.
Old Town Trolley Holiday Lights Tour (11/29–1/3)
A guided ride through San Diego’s seasonal light displays.
Balboa Park December Nights (12/5–6)
A two-day celebration featuring free museum access and holiday festivities.
Fairmont Grand Del Mar (starts 11/27)
Ice skating, brunch with Santa, and seasonal tea service in a festive resort setting.
Parades & Tree Lightings
Mission Bay Parade of Lights — 12/13
Encinitas Parade — 12/6
Coronado Parade & Tree Lighting — 12/5
Little Italy Tree Lighting — 12/6
Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade — 1/2/26
Poway Christmas in the Park — 12/12–13
Ocean Beach Holiday Parade — 12/5
Starlight Parade & Festival — 12/6
La Mesa Holiday in the Village — 12/13
Liberty Station Hanukkah + Menorah Lighting — 12/14
Paradise Point Tree Lighting — 12/4
Liberty Station Tree Lighting — 11/28
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights — 12/14 & 12/21
Kensington Tree Lighting — 11/28
La Jolla Parade & Festival — 12/7
East Village Tree Lighting & Holiday Market — 11/30
Gaslamp Pet Parade — 12/14
Festive Food & Drink Pop-Ups
Adams Ave Spirit Stroll — 11/29
Great Dickens Pop-Up at Duck Dive — Opens 11/28
Winter Lodge at Outwater — Opens 11/22
Miracle Pop-Up at Botanica — Opens 11/18
Clicquot in the Clouds (Grand Hyatt) — Opens 11/29
Elf on the 12th at Mister A’s — Opens early December
Sippin’ Santa at Grass Skirt — Opens 11/18
Deck the Halls at Nason’s Beer Hall — Opens 11/27
Sono Fest & Chili Cook-Off — 12/7
Jolly Jolly Bar at Fox — Opens 11/14
Winter Wonderland at Draft (Belmont Park) — Opens 11/28
Christmas Bar at Goodnight Johnnyboy — Open now
Holiday Markets
Female Makers Market — 11/29
Holiday Artisan Market at Mission Bay Beach Club — 12/13
San Diego Made Market — 11/15–16
Makers Arcade Holiday Fair — 12/13–14
Petco Park Holiday Market — 12/5–7 & 12/10–23
Seasonal Shows
City Ballet of San Diego: The Nutcracker (12/20–23)
San Diego Symphony: Noel Noel (12/19–21)
Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big San Diego Christmas Show (11/21–12/28)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas — The Old Globe (11/5–12/31)
Jingle Bell Jog Guide
Port of San Diego 5K — Downtown — 1/2/26
New Year’s Run 5K/10K — Liberty Station — 12/27
O’side Turkey Trot — Oceanside —11/27
San Diego Resolution Run — Mission Bay — 1/10/26
Red Rose Run — Del Mar — 12/13
Fleet Feet San Diego — San Diego — 11/27
North County Turkey Trot — 4S Ranch — 11/27
Father Joe's Villages 24th Annual Thanksgiving Day 5K — Balboa Park — 11/27
San Diego Santa Run — Pacific Beach — 12/13
Jingle Bell Run — Liberty Station — 12/14
Holiday Half Marathon & 5K — Torrey Pines — 12/20
Turkey Gobble Trot — Liberty Station — 11/29
