December is here and that means this weekend’s list of top things to do in San Diego is packed with at ton festive fun!
> Holiday Happenings in San Diego
LEGOLAND Holiday Snow Days and Winter Nights
Build a snowman with LEGO® accessories and throw real snowballs at colorful targets. Ride snow tubes down a hill. And brand new this year, Ice Skating! Experience the magic of Winter Nights with shows, music, and twinkling lights. There’s even a food truck with yummy treats served by Santa’s Elves. Stay for the nightly fireworks over Miniland USA, December 26 – 30. Witness the lighting of a 30-foot tall LEGO Christmas Tree and enjoy live entertainment with LEGO Friends Live. A life-sized LEGO Brick Santa and Reindeer make the perfect family photo.
Where: LEGOLAND California – One LEGOLAND Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008
When: December 1-31, 2014
Time: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Cost: Included with admission
> Find out more about LEGOLAND Holiday Snow Days and Winter Nights
Hotel del Coronado’s Holiday Festival – A Family Celebration
The Del will feature a special event for the whole family – “Holiday Festival…A Family Celebration.” In addition to the outdoor ice rink, there will be Santa’s Village with games and prizes, photos with St. Nick and his elves, performances by Coronado school children, complimentary s’mores roasts, and carols from Coronado School of the Arts students.
Where: Hotel del Coronado – 1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118
When: December 3, 2014
Time: 4:00 to 9:00 PM
Cost: Free
> Find out more about the Hotel del Coronado’s Holiday Festival – A Family Celebration
Holiday Wonderland at Petco Park
Holiday Wonderland at Petco Park provides a spectacular holiday destination for all. Open for 12 nights in December, there will be fun for people of all ages. Get in the spirit and walk through the magical lighting displays, ride Polar Express trains, explore Candyland, feed live reindeer, take a photo with Santa near a 40′-tall Christmas Tree, enjoy the festive fare and so much more!
Where: Petco Park – 1 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92101
When: December 5-24, 2014
Time: 5:00 to 10:00 PM
Cost: $10-$15
> Find out more about Holiday Wonderland at Petco Park
Balboa Park December Nights
Get into the holiday spirit with two magical nights of lights, free live entertainment, free entrance to many museums, foods from around the world, shopping and more.
Please Note: Getting to and from the park will require patience and time. Please consider carpooling and/or alternative forms of transportation.
> Read the transportation information for getting to December Nights
Where: Balboa Park – El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
When: December 5-6, 2014
Times: Friday: 3:00 to 11:00 PM. Saturday: 12:00 to 11:00 PM
Cost: Free
> Find out more about Balboa Park December Nights
Holiday Parades & Festivals
Get into the holiday spirit at these parades and festivals throughout San Diego County:
- Coronado Christmas Parade & Open House
When: December 5, 2014 - Alpine Village Christmas Parade and Snow Festival
When: December 5, 2014 - Chula Vista Holiday in the Village & Starlight Parade
When: December 6, 2014 - 51st Annual North Park Toyland Parade & Festival
When: December 6, 2014 - 35th Annual Ocean Beach Holiday Parade
When: December 6, 2014 - 33rd Annual Fallbrook Christmas Parade
When: December 6, 2014 - Encinitas Holiday Parade
When: December 6, 2014 - 2014 La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival
When: December 7, 2014
2014 SoNo Fest & Chili Cook-Off
The neighborhoods of South and North Park come together in a friendly chili competition among 40 top local restaurants competing as guests try out their chili in hand-spun ceramic bowls. The event offers two free live music stages, great holiday gifts and crafts from local artisans, five food trucks, a game truck and a kids’ activity zone with free cookie decorating, and craft beer and wine garden featuring 10 local breweries.
Where: 3216 Thorn Street, San Diego, CA 92104
When: December 7, 2014
Time: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Cost: Festival is free; handmade ceramic bowls with chili tastings: $20
> Find out more about the 2014 SoNo Fest & Chili Cook-Off
More Top Things to Do in San Diego
- Bobby Lee at the American Comedy Club – December 4-6, 2014
- A Charlie Brown Christmas – December 5-14, 2014
- High Tide Breakfast – Dine on the Surf – December 6-7, 2014
- Holiday at the Rancho – December 6, 2014
- Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village – December 6, 2014
- California Center for the Arts Holiday Tree Lighting and Winter Wonderland Festival – December 6, 2014
- South Park Holiday Walkabout – December 6, 2014
- San Diego STEAM Maker Fest – December 6, 2014
- Santa at the Lakes – December 7, 2014
- San Diego Chargers versus New England Patriots – December 7, 2014
- La Jolla Symphony & Chorus’ Messiah Sing – December 7, 2014
- Judy Collins: Holiday + Hits – December 7, 2014