Christmas in San Diego 2022: Final Information to Vacation Occasions

San Diego vacation and Christmas occasions in 2022 function the return of well-liked annual actions and a few new festive enjoyable. They embody alternatives to see Santa Claus, festive lights, Christmas tree lighting, and vacation performances like The Nutcracker and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
I’ve listed almost 30 festive occasions to have fun Christmas in San Diego, from San Diego accommodations, theme parks, neighborhoods, and different San Diego points of interest across the county to assist get your vacation spirit on.
Select from San Diego Christmas occasions like Balboa Park December nights, Jungle Bells on the San Diego Zoo, Christmas actions on the timeless Resort del Coronado, Surfin Santa at Seaport Village, or the restricted engagement Lightscape present on the San Diego Botanic Backyard.
It can save you on tickets, excursions, and accommodations via my affiliations. If you happen to make purchases via the hyperlinks on this publish, I could also be compensated.
Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas!
Come to The Previous Globe for the beloved annual efficiency of Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The whimsical musical is again for its twenty second season, that includes favourite songs like “You’re a Imply One, Mr. Grinch,” and extra. Buy tickets in advance. November 9 –December 31.
Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village

The Little Italy Affiliation will shut down India Road from W. Cedar to Hawthorn for a Christmas celebration that includes horse-drawn carriage rides, vacation decorations, a pop-up vacation market, dwell music, children’ arts and crafts, and visits with Santa Claus.
At 4 p.m., take the youngsters to “Santa’s Residing Room” to take images and chat with Santa.
At 6:30 p.m., a Christmas tree lighting will happen on the Piazza Della Famiglia on W. Date and India Streets.
India Road shall be decked out in glowing white lights all through the season, along with 10-foot nutcrackers on avenue corners. Saturday, December 3, from 4–8 p.m.
The Nutcracker Ballet at Spreckels Theater
Metropolis Ballet dancers take company on a rare journey to the magical Land of the Sweets with Clara and her Nutcracker Prince this Christmas season. Performances happen on the Spreckels Theatre.
- December Sept. 11, 2022, varied present instances at 1 p.m., 6:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Browsing Santa at Seaport Village
It’s not Christmas in San Diego with out Surfin’ Santa, who returns to Seaport Village on Saturday, November 26, for a day of vacation cheer and merriment at Tuna Harbor Pier!
The meet-and-greet with Surfin’ Santa begins along with his arrival by way of watercraft, a festive parade alongside the boardwalk adopted by images, dwell music, and leisure. Saturday, November 26, from 1–5 p.m.
You too can cease by Santa’s Workshop within the Lighthouse District subsequent to Ben and Jerry’s east to take images with Santa. The associated fee is $42 for a flash drive with captured images. Check Santa’s schedule earlier than you go. No appointments are vital. November 25 – December 30.
San Diego Symphony Noel Noel Household Live performance
Be a part of the San Diego Symphony in an ideal vacation occasion as they carry out their annual Noel Noel family-friendly live performance on the Rady’s Shell, decked out with boughs of holly and glowing lights.
- December 9, 2022, 7 p.m.
- December 10, 2022, 7 p.m.
- December 11, 2022, 5 p.m.
Holidays at Resort del Coronado

We love the vacation season on the Resort del Coronado because it bustles with vacation occasions and Christmas actions for everybody.
Happenings on the Resort del Coronado embody a energetic mixture of actions similar to Skating by the Sea (beginning November 17 ), a chic Victorian Tea, Vacation Decoration and Paintings, Sunday Brunch with Santa, or collect your family and friends for the brand new beachside Jingle Roast of s’mores with Santa hats. November 17 –January 1.
See additionally: Issues to Do on the Resort del Coronado Through the Holidays
Holidays at The Grand
Come to Fairmont Grand Del Mar for Holidays at The Grande, a festive San Diego Christmas occasion with memorable eating experiences full with seasonal meals, a 30′Christmas tree, tea with Santa, s’mores, and far more for residents and resort company. November 25–January 1.
See additionally: The place to Have Christmas Dinner in San Diego
Vacation by the Bay
Hilton San Diego Bayfront hosts Holidays by the Bay with occasions that embody an outsized Christmas tree with nightly mild reveals on the Bayfront Pier, vacation film nights on Fridays and Saturdays, Sunday breakfasts with Santa, and extra from November 25–January 1.
Tree Lighting at La Valencia in La Jolla
A tree lighting ceremony shall be held at La Valencia San Diego of their La Sala Lounge with heat vacation drinks, a Christmas carol or two, home made cookies, and crafts for teenagers. Thursday, December 1 at 4:30 p.m.
Digital Santa Go to at Neiman Marcus
Even Santa Claus can’t resist an excellent breakfast, so meet him at Vogue Valley Mall for a breakfast feast within the final vacation occasions! Take pleasure in mimosas, sizzling chocolate, brioche french toast, scrambled eggs with creme fraiche, and extra at Neiman Marcus. We’ve got been to the occasion previously.
Jungle Bells on the San Diego Zoo
Spend your December nights on the wild aspect on the annual Jungle Bells at San Diego Zoo. This San Diego Christmas celebration consists of a chance to go to Santa, colourful mild shows, 4-D vacation experiences, together with a Polar Specific practice experience, and extra within the evenings. December 9–January 1.
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See additionally: Tips on how to Purchase Discounted Tickets to the San Diego Zoo
SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas Celebration

Be a part of SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas Celebration to finish your San Diego vacation and meet Santa and Rudolph, catch Donner and Blitzen’s Lazer lights present, or benefit from the sounds of the Vacation Brass band. Admission is included with common park admission.
Along with the particular holiday-themed animal reveals and a sea-themed Christmas tree, the park shall be brimming with yuletide cheer, and you’ll even take images with Santa Claus.
All of the festivities may be loved amongst a couple of million low-energy Christmas lights all through the park. Now–January 8 throughout park opening hours.
See additionally: Tips on how to Purchase Discounted Tickets to SeaWorld San Diego
Holidays at LEGOLAND California

Christmas in San Diego is tremendous particular at LEGOLAND California, the place you’ll discover the world’s largest LEGO Christmas tree. Standing at 30 ft tall, it’s constructed out of greater than 245,000 forest inexperienced DUPLO® bricks and has 400 LEGO ornaments.
All the resort shall be decked out in vacation décor and extra throughout Holidays at LEGOLAND California.
Enjoyable City transforms right into a winter wonderland filled with vacation spirit with LEGO Christmas characters like life-size LEGO fashions of Santa and his reindeer. Occasions will embody dwell leisure and “snowfall.”
Additionally, don’t overlook about Children’ New 12 months’s Eve, the place the LEGO ball drops at 6 p.m. November 19-27, December 3-4, 10-11, 17-30, and January 1, 7-8.
Tip: You should purchase discounted, straight-to-the-gate LEGOLAND tickets.
Balboa Park’s Style of December Nights

The crown jewel of San Diego Christmas occasions is Balboa Park December Nights. The biggest San Diego vacation celebration is stuffed with meals, leisure, and enjoyable. The quite a few museums and cultural establishments in Balboa Park, the nation’s largest city cultural park, open their doorways freed from cost.
December Nights festivities within the park embody carolers, dwell music, vacation mild shows, theater, and dance performances, and scrumptious meals from all over the world for a real Christmas in San Diego celebration.
December 2, 3–11 p.m. & December 3, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Admission is free.
Lightscape — San Diego Botanic Backyard

Of all of the San Diego Christmas occasions, we’re most enthusiastic about this one! This 12 months, the internationally acclaimed present, Lightscape, shall be coming to the San Diego Botanic Backyard.
A one-mile strolling path will weave all through the backyard with attractive illuminated artwork sculptures, a vacation music-activated tunnel, fireplace, and inventive installations.
This restricted engagement offered out solely in London, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, so don’t miss out! November 18-20, 23, 25-27; December 1–4, 8-11, 14-23, 26–31; January 1.
Liberty Station’s Salute the Season

The annual Salute, the Season at Liberty Station, options a number of San Diego occasions all through the vacation season.
Salute the Season occasions embody The Nutcracker Tea Celebration and Rady Youngsters’s Ice Rink at Liberty Station. Ice skating internet proceeds profit the Thriving After Most cancers program within the Rady Youngsters’s Hospital’s Peckham Heart for Most cancers and Blood Issues.
Outside Ice Skating Rinks in San Diego
Resort Del Coronado’s Skating by the Sea
Go ice skating simply steps from the seaside within the quintessential Christmas in San Diego expertise on the Resort Del Coronado. Skating by the Sea partially advantages Make-A-Want San Diego.
- Date: November 17, 2022 –January 1, 2023
- Instances: Verify the web site, as they fluctuate by the day.
- Value: $40 per individual with free skate leases on-line
Viejas Ice Rink
The biggest outside rink in Southern California is right here in San Diego on the Viejas Outlets’ outdoor rink — it’s even larger than the one at Rockefeller Heart in New York Metropolis.
- Date: By means of January 8, 2023
- Instances: Dates and instances fluctuate. Please examine calendars on the hyperlink above.
- Value: $18–$20
Rady Youngsters’s Ice Rink
The Rady Children’s Ice Rink is located at Liberty Station. All proceeds from this occasion profit the Peckham Heart for Most cancers and Blood Issues at Rady Youngsters’s Hospital of San Diego.
- Dates: Saturday, November 17 –January 8, 2023 (closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day)
- Instances: 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
- Value: $15–$17
Coronado Vacation Parade and Open Home + Santa
Kick off Christmas in San Diego with the forty seventh annual Coronado Holiday Parade and Open House. Begin at Ferry Touchdown, down Orange Ave to Resort del Coronado, then watch the Vacation Parade, take part vacation sing-a-longs and watch the normal lighting of a Christmas tree in Rotary Park. Admission is free. Friday, December 2.
North Pole by the Sea — Del Mar Village And Tree Lighting
This annual Del Mar Village Affiliation occasion, North Pole by the Sea, delights San Diego households with a blinding tree lighting ceremony, footage with Santa, carolers, and humanities and vacation crafts. Complimentary admission. Sunday, December 5, from 1 – 3 p.m.; tree lightingat 5 p.m.
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
The 52nd annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights options greater than 80 non-public boats adorned with vacation lights and crusing alongside the waters of San Diego Bay. This 12 months’s theme is FantaSea on the Bay.
The Coronado Island Marriott Resort and Coronado Ferry Touchdown (an enthralling assortment of reward retailers, artwork galleries, and eating places) provide glorious shore viewing. Irrespective of the place you view, don’t miss the San Diego Bay Parade of lights Sundays, December 11 and 18, from 5:30–9 p.m.
The approximate parade route and time of arrival are as follows:
- Shelter Island (begin of parade): 5:30 p.m.
- Harbor Island: 6:00 p.m.
- The Embarcadero: 6:30 p.m.
- Seaport Village: 7:00 p.m.
- The Pier at Cesar Chavez Park: 7:15 p.m.
- Ferry Touchdown on Coronado: 7:30 p.m.
Oceanside San Diego Parade of Lights
Fishing boats, sailboats, yachts, kayaks, and dingys will costume up for the vacations for an genuine Christmas in San Diego whereas circling
the Oceanside Harbor on the Oceanside Parade of Lights. The very best viewing level is alongside Oceanside Harbor, close to the fishing dock and police station. Saturday, December 10, from 7–9 p.m.
Ocean Seashore Vacation Parade
Attendees on the annual Ocean Beach Holiday Parade will see marching San Diego bands, bikes, attractive floats, the VW Beetle membership, traditional Woodies, and extra cruise down Newport Avenue. Saturday, December 3, from 5:05–9 p.m.
La Jolla Christmas Parade & Vacation Pageant
The La Jolla Christmas Parade marches down Girard Avenue to Prospect Road and ends on the La Jolla Recreation Heart. This 12 months’s theme is “Grand Ole Christmas.”
The Vacation Pageant with leisure and images with Santa happens earlier than the parade on the Christmas village in entrance of the Athenaeum from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. The parade begins at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, December 4.
La Mesa’s Vacation within the Village
The pleasant downtown of La Mesa is remodeled right into a Victorian wonderland throughout its old school Holiday in the Village.
The family-friendly occasion options horse-drawn carriages, strolling minstrels, carolers, and avenue entertainers alongside La Mesa Boulevard. Carnival rides and video games, craft distributors, fireplace pits, dwell music levels, and an outside market usually spherical out the San Diego Christmas enjoyable. Saturday, December 3, from 12–9 p.m.
Port of San Diego Vacation Bowl Bash + Parade

If you happen to love bands, you’ll wish to take a look at the Snapdragon Holiday Bowl Bash, the place two college bands face off within the streets of downtown San Diego within the final battle of bands. Along with unbelievable dwell music, there shall be meals, giveaways, video games, and enjoyable for your entire household. Insider tip: Bounce on one of many Previous City Trolley Excursions when you’re there! Tuesday, December 27, 5-8 p.m.
America’s largest balloon parade is again on the Vacation Bowl parade! Floats, balloons, and marching bands are simply a few of the choices on this colourful holiday parade alongside San Diego Bay in downtown San Diego. Grandstand tickets are $25. Wednesday, December 28 at 10 a.m.
Poway’s Christmas within the Park
Poway’s Christmas within the Park contains a tree lighting ceremony, a go to from Santa, practice rides, dwell music, theater performances, meals, treats, crafts, and extra.
A free shuttle can be out there to and from the occasion from the Poway Metropolis Corridor car parking zone and the Poway Grownup Faculty car parking zone. Saturday, December 9, from 5:30–8:30 p.m. Admission is free.
Take Footage with Santa
If headed to one in every of many procuring malls in San Diego, Santa shall be there till Christmas Eve throughout mall hours.
Neighborhood Christmas Lights in San Diego County
Take a drive via these San Diego neighborhoods to see homes decked out in lights past perception. It is a quick listing of many.
Sweet Cane Lane (Poway)
It’s a cul-de-sac themed just like the North Pole, besides proper right here in San Diego. Every home right here is estimated to have over 50,000 lights. Location: Hickory Courtroom, Hickory Road, off Twin Peaks Street and Silverset St. Additionally Contains Butterwood Ct. and Rockrose Ct.
Christmas card Lane (Rancho Penasquitos)
This San Diego neighborhood show is understood for larger-than-life illuminated Christmas playing cards and different lights adorning the houses. Location: Ellingham Road and Oviedo Road, simply off Black Mountain Street
Belardo Lights (Tierrasanta)
It’s only one home, nevertheless it’s properly value seeing. The concept began in 2006 as a method for the Schmika household to offer a light-weight present for his or her two autistic sons. Whether it is raining, check the website to see if the lights shall be off. Location: 5306 North Belardo Drive
Garrison Road (Level Loma)
These high-end San Diego houses are dense with brightly-colored Christmas lights. Drive via or stroll round … it’s your alternative. Location: Garrison Road close to Chatsworth
See additionally:
What’s your favourite factor to do in San Diego in the course of the holidays? Please go away a remark with something lacking from this listing! And don’t overlook that we’ve got Lunar New 12 months San Diego occasions to sit up for shortly after the winter holidays.