Hop in your sleigh and jingle all the way to the sands of San Diego for plenty of laid-back festive fun, spectacular sunsets and these top things to do.
Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo
Twinkling lights, festive foods, and merry performances transform the Zoo into a wild, glowing wonderland. Ride the Twinkle Lights Trolley to tour an array of animal light sculptures, enjoy jingly, jazzy carols, acrobatic trampoline elves, and more. Jungle Bells holds holiday cheer for all!
Where: 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101
When: December 12, 2015 – January 3, 2016
Time: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Cost: Included with admission
> Find out more about Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo
SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration
SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration includes Shamu Christmas Miracles presentation with special lighting, music, fountains and Christmas scenes; Dolphin Island Christmas; Clyde & Seamore’s Christmas Special; and The Pets Rule Christmas. Guests can also enjoy festive décor throughout the park including Santa’s Christmas Village and a nightly lighting of SeaWorld’s 320-ft. Skytower Christmas Tree of Lights.
Where: 500 SeaWorld Dr, San Diego, CA 92109
When: Through January 3, 2016
Cost: Included with admission
> Find out more about SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration
La Mesa’s Christmas in the Village
Don’t miss the strolling minstrels, carolers and street entertainers, food and commercial vendors. Live Music is featured in a number of stage areas and Bonfires fill the Boulevard. The kids will love Santa, the Carnival Rides, Ponies and the Puppet Shows. All Specialty Shops, Boutiques and Restaurants open late during event. Thousands of unique gifts all season long!
Where: La Mesa Blvd & Spring St, La Mesa, CA 91941
When: December 11-12, 2015
Time: 5:00 to 10:00 PM
Cost: Free
> Find out more about La Mesa’s Christmas in the Village
Jingle
Make your spirits even brighter as our 180 singers put on a holiday show of shows at the festive Balboa Theatre. From lushly beautiful renditions of “Silent Night,” “Deck the Hall” and “The Holly and the Ivy” to our own whimsical takes on “Jingle Bell Rock” and “The Christmas Song” to our twinkle-in-the-eye comedic turns on “12 Days After Christmas,” “Chanukah in La Jolla” and Elf’s “SparkleJollyTwinkleJingley.”
Where: Balboa Theatre – 868 Fourth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
When: December 12-13, 2015
Time: Saturday at 8:00 PM. Sunday at 3:00 PM
Cost: $35-$70
> Find out more about Jingle
Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights
Dozens of vessels will take to the waters of Mission Bay with decorations and lights aboard. Arrive early to secure a good viewing spot on Crown Point, the east side of Vacation Island or the west side of Fiesta Island.
Date: December 12, 2015
Time: 6:00 to 9:00 PM
Cost: Free
> Find out more about Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights
Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights
Fishing boats, sailboats, yachts, kayaks and dingys dressed up in holiday swag and circle the Oceanside Harbor to enchant onlookers at the harbor, restaurants and beach. Many of the boats feature people dressed up like Santa waving to the crowd. One of the best viewing spots is along the side of the Oceanside Harbor near the fishing dock and police station. From this vantage point, you can see the parade twice!
Where: Oceanside Harbor, Oceanside, CA 92054
When: December 12, 2015
Time: 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Cost: Free
> Find out more about the Oceanside Parade of Lights
Poway’s Christmas in the Park
Are you looking for a great way to get into the holiday spirit and create family memories that will last a lifetime? Witness Christmas traditions come to life including Christmas tree lighting followed by the arrival of Santa & Mrs. Claus; horse-drawn hay and pony rides, petting zoo, and face painting; steam locomotive, model trains, and live entertainment; and holiday sweets and warm dinner foods.
Where: Old Poway Park – 14134 Midland Rd, Poway, CA 92064
When: December 13, 2014
Time: 3:30 to 8:30 PM
Cost: Free. Nominal fee for some activities
> Find out more about Poway’s Christmas in the Park
Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade
San Diego’s furriest festive parade returns to Downtown as the Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade. All pet owners and their furry, feathered and scaled companions are invited to don their favorite costumes and put their best paw, wing and fin forward for this jolly promenade and pet expo.
Where: Gaslamp Hilton Park – 401 K Street, San Diego, CA 92101
When: December 13, 2015
Time: 1:00 to 5:00 PM
Cost: Free to view. $15-$20 to participate in the parade
> Find out more about the Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
More than 80 lavishly decorated boats will sail over the calm waters of the Big Bay during the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. The parade starts at Shelter Island and makes it way down to the Ferry Landing on Coronado. Make sure to arrive early at one of the viewing spots that include: Harbor Island, Shelter Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village and along the pathway on Coronado.
Dates: Sundays, December 13 and 20, 2015
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 PM
Cost: Free
> Find out more about San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
The Nutcracker
- City Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Where: Spreckels Theatre – 121 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101
When: December 11-23, 2015
Cost: $29-$79 - San Diego Civic Youth Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Where: Casa del Prado Theater – 1800 Village Place, San Diego, CA 92101
When: December 11-20, 2015
Cost: $12-$18 - California Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Where: San Diego Civic Theater – 1100 3rd Ave., San Diego, CA 92101
When: December 12-20, 2015
Cost: $105-$250 - Southern California Ballet Presents The Nutcracker
Where: 15498 Espola Rd., Poway, CA 92064
When: December 12-13, 2015
Cost: $16-$38
More Top Things to Do in San Diego
- This Wonderful Life at North Coast Repertory Theater – December 8-27, 2015
- Broken Lizard at the American Comedy Company – December 10-13, 2015
- Mingei Holiday Market – December 10, 2015
- Hillcrest’s Taste ‘n’ Tinis – December 10, 2015
- Red Nose Run – December 11, 2015
- San Diego Santa Run 5K and 1 Mile Race – December 12, 2015
- Dirty December Poker Fun Run Half Marathon & 10K – December 12, 2015
- Breakfast with Santa at the SDZ Safari Park – December 12, 2015
- Grand Holiday Marketplace at Green Flash’s Cellar 3 – December 12, 2015
- Toast of Downtown – December 12, 2015
- Spirits & Shop Under the Stars – December 12, 2015
- Poway’s Christmas in the Park – December 12, 2015
> Find more Top Things to Do on the San Diego Event Calendar
