Spend the upcoming weekend in San Diego enjoying everything California’s Beach City has to offer including these top things to do.
Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo
During Jungle Bells Presented by California Coast Credit Union, the San Diego Zoo is transformed into a wild wonderland of twinkling lights, merry-making performances, and festive foods. Special displays and scheduled events fill the Zoo – and guests – with holiday cheer.
Where: 2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
When: December 8, 2017 – January 1, 2018
Time: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Cost: Included with Admission
> Find out more about Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo
Winter Gray Whale Watching
Each year, more than 20,000 gray whales make a 10,000-mile round-trip journey from Alaska to the lagoons of Baja California, where the females give birth to their calves. With 70 miles of coastline directly in the migration path, San Diego is an ideal destination to see this impressive parade of gentle giants.
When: Starts December 9, 2017
> Find out more about Winter Gray Whale Watching
The Nutcracker
California Ballet’s glittering production of The Nutcracker leaps onto the stage of the San Diego Civic Theatre in America’s favorite holiday tradition.
Where: San Diego Civic Theatre – 1100 Third Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
When: December 9-23, 2017
Cost: Starting at $22.50
> Find out more about The Nutcracker
Winter Daydreams
Don’t be fooled! Though Piotr Tchaikovsky’s very first symphony carries a wintry nickname, the music has enough youthful energy, rhythm, and fire to dispel any chill that December brings to San Diego. Opening the concert, conducted by a returning Johannes Debus, is the charming, innocent prelude from Engelbert Humperdinck’s famous children’s opera, Hänsel und Gretel. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s elegant, lyrical Concerto for Flute and Harp, originally written for a father and daughter who were Mozart’s patrons, features our two principals, respectively, of those instruments.
Where: San Diego Symphony – 1245 Seventh Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
When: December 9-10, 2018
Cost: $20-$72
> Find out more about Winter Daydreams
Makers Arcade Holiday Fair
Arts and Crafts Fair Features More Than 100 Local Makers plus Craft Cocktails and Beer, Gourmet Food Trucks, Live Music, Camera Camper, Craft Making, Swag Bags and More.
Where: Port Pavilion at Broadway Pier, San Diego, CA 92101
When: December 9, 2017
Time: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Cost: $5
> Find out more about Makers Arcade Holiday Fair
Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights
The Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights, a distinctly California celebration, features boats decorated for the holidays that will sail around the Bay.
Where: 1215 El Carmel Place, San Diego, CA 92109
When: December 9, 2017
Time: 6:00 to 9:00 PM
Cost: Free
> Find out more about the Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights is a time-honored holiday tradition with more than 80 boats lavishly decorated sailing by the shores for all to see.
Where: San Diego Bay, San Diego, CA
When: December 10 & 17, 2017
Time: 5:00 to 7:00 PM
Cost: Free
> Find out more about the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
Winter Wonderland
For two special nights, we are transforming the parking lot in front of the Maritime Museum into a Winter Wonderland. The area is open to all, no museum admission is required to visit Winter Wonderland. Items can be purchased individually.
Where: Maritime Museum of San Diego – 1492 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
When: December 10 & 17, 2017
Time: 4:00 to 8:00 PM
Cost: Free
> Find out more about Winter Wonderland
The SD Union-Tribune Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade
San Diego’s furriest festive family-friendly parade returns to Downtown as The San Diego Union-Tribune Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade presented by Blue Buffalo takes over the streets of the Gaslamp Quarter.
Where: Gaslamp Hilton Park – 401 K Street, San Diego, CA 92101
When: December 10, 2017
Time: 1:00 to 5:00 PM
Cost: Free to view
> Find out more about The SD Union-Tribune Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade
More Top Things to Do in San Diego
- Viejas Outlet Center Ice Rink – Thru January 28, 2017
- Global Winter Wonderland – Thru January 8, 2018
- Rady Children’s Ice Rink at Liberty Station – Thru January 7, 2018
- SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration – Thru January 6, 2018
- Skate by the Bay – Thru January 1, 2018
- Skating by the Sea – Thru January 1, 2018
- Holidays at LEGOLAND – Thru December 31, 2017
- Seas ‘N’ Greetings – Thru December 31, 2017
- Garden of Lights – Thru December 30, 2017
- 25 Days of Jsix-Mas – Thru December 28, 2017
- Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! – Thru December 24, 2017
- Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play – Thry December 24, 2017
- Santa Train North Pole Limited – Thru December 23, 2017
- Naughty or Nice Mixology Class – Thru December 23, 2017
- Summer: The Donna Summer Musical – Thru December 17, 2017
- Socal Etsy Holiday Market – December 6-20, 2017
- Holiday Celebration with Laser Light Show & Santa – December 6, 2017
- Peppa Pig Live! Peppa Pig’s Surprise – December 7, 2017
- Sip & Savasana – December 7, 2017
- Atomic Groove Xmas Show at the Belly Up! – December 7, 2017
- Tommy Davidson – December 8-10, 2017
- Shady Ladies and Hop Heads Tour – December 8, 2017
- Abbey Road Christmas at the Belly Up! – December 8, 2017
- La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village – December 9-10, 2017
- San Diego Santa Run 5K and 1 Mile Race – December 9, 2017
- Boat Rides with Santa – Oceanside Harbor – December 9, 2017
- Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights – December 9, 2017
- Poway’s Christmas in the Park – December 9, 2017
- Toast of the Gaslamp – December 9, 2017
- Living’ on a Prayer vs Springsteen Experience – December 9, 2017
- A Very Carnitas’ Christmas – December 10-17, 2017
- History for the Holidays – December 10, 2017
- Santa at the Lakes – December 10, 2017
> Find more Top Things to Do on the San Diego Event Calendar
