Feel festive all weekend long in San Diego with these top things to do including parades, festivals, Santa, live theater, chili, basketball, football and snow!
LEGOLAND Holiday Snow Days and Winter Nights
Take a photo with a life-size Santa made of LEGOs!
Come build Holiday memories during the month of December at LEGOLAND California Resort. Play in real snow, build snowmen and throw snowballs at LEGO targets. See the world’s largest LEGO Christmas tree and watch the nightly tree lighting ceremony.
Where: One LEGOLAND Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008
When: December 1-31, 2015
Cost: Free with admission
> Find out more about LEGOLAND Holiday Snow Days and Winter Nights
Festival of Christmas
This year’s script is set in San Diego’s “Little Italy” district. The year is 1949 and the sleepy little town is going through big changes. It’s a memorable holiday show filled with song, dance, laughter and love…and great music of the season. A perfect show for the entire family!
Where: 1142 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118
When: December 2-27, 2015
Cost: $24-$78
> Find out more about the Festival of Christmas
Coronado Christmas Parade & Open House
Santa Claus’ festive arrival at the Coronado Ferry Landing!
Santa arrives via the Ferry at the Coronado Ferry Landing, a festive parade follows down Orange Avenue and Santa lights the Christmas Tree in Rotary Plaza.
Where: 1201 1st Street, Coronado, CA 92118
When: December 4, 2015
Time: 3:00 to 9:00 PM
Cost: Free
> Find out more about the Coronado Christmas Parade & Open House
Balboa Park December Nights
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_PP_E7Ct-Y&w=584&h=359]
Balboa Park December Nights, the nation’s premier holiday festival, will take place for the 38th consecutive year. As always, the event brings families and friends together to spread holiday joy, learn more about the cultural value of Balboa Park and kick-off the “most wonderful time of the year.” Participating Balboa Park museums open their doors free of charge from 5:00 to 9:00 PM both evenings.
When: December 4-5, 2015
Cost: Free
> Find out more about Balboa Park December Nights
Holiday Wonderland at Petco Park
Photo by Andy Hayt
Holiday Wonderland is back at Petco Park for the second year and it’s bigger and better than ever. Be transported through a spectacular holiday wonderland full of fun for the entire family for 12 nights in December. There’s no better way to get in the holiday spirit than to walk through magical lighting displays themed around some of the holiday’s most iconic scenes, ride the polar express, take a picture with Santa or gather around a 40′ tree.
Where: 100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
When: Friday-Sunday – December 4-23, 2015. Special Nights – December 21-23, 2015
Time: 4:30 to 9:30
Cost: $10-$15
> Find out more about Holiday Wonderland at Petco Park
Holiday Parades
Get swept up in the holiday spirit during the North Park Toyland Parade and Festival
Get into the holiday spirit at these parades throughout San Diego County:
- Alpine Village Christmas Parade and Snow Festival
When: December 4, 2015 - Chula Vista Starlight Parade & Holiday in the Village
When: December 5, 2015 - North Park Toyland Parade & Festival
When: December 5, 2015 - Ocean Beach Holiday Parade
When: December 5, 2015 - Fallbrook Christmas Parade
When: December 5, 2015 - Encinitas Holiday Parade
When: December 5, 2015 - La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival
When: December 6, 2015
Holiday Tree Lighting & Winter Wonderland Festival
Our Holiday Tree Lighting and Winter Wonderland Festival is an annual community event where we bring the North Pole to the heart of Escondido. Children will have the chance to frolic in real snow, decorate their very own Christmas cookies, and create fun, hand-made gifts for their loved ones. At dusk, our Winter Wonderland Forest will come alive with twinkling lights, and no one will be able to resist the holiday spirit!
Where: 340 N Escondido Blvd, Escondido, CA 92025
When: December 5, 2015
Time: 3:00 to 8:00 PM
Cost: Free
> Find out more about the Holiday Tree Lighting & Winter Wonderland Festival
2015 SoNo Fest & Chili Cook-Off
Photo by Andy McRory.
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: 32nd St & Thorn St, San Diego, CA 92104
When: December 6, 2015
Time: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Cost: Festival is free; handmade ceramic bowls with chili tastings: $20
> Find out more about the 2015 SoNo Fest & Chili Cook-Off
San Diego Chargers VS. Denver Broncos
Qualcomm Stadium – Home to the San Diego Chargers!
This week the Bolts host their division rival, the Denver Broncos. Don’t forget to get to the stadium early to check out all the pre-game festivities. The parking lot will open 5 hours before kick-off and Qualcomm Stadium will open its gates approximately 90 minutes before kick-off. We hope to see you there!
Where: Qualcomm Stadium – 9449 Friars Rd, San Diego, CA 92108
When: December 6, 2015
Kick Off: 1:05 PM
> Find out more about the San Diego Chargers VS. Denver Broncos
Bill Walton Basketball Festival – SDSU vs. USD
The Bill Walton Basketball Festival at Petco Park presents the first college basketball game in Petco Park history between the San Diego State Aztecs and University of San Diego Toreros on the outdoor basketball court built on Petco Park’s infield.
Where: Petco Park – 100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
When: December 6, 2015
Tip Off: 2:00 PM
Cost: $10-$525
> Find out more about the Bill Walton Basketball Festival – SDSU vs. USD
More Top Things to Do in San Diego
- Snow Fall at Village Walk – December 1-24, 2015
- Hornblower’s December Nights Dinner Cruise – December 1-30, 2015
- Carly Aquilino – December 3-5, 2015
- The TEN Tenors: Home for the Holidays – December 3, 2015
-
Christmas Teas at The Westgate Hotel – December 4-27, 2015
-
Fall Flavors: Holidays Around the World – December 4, 2015
-
Brew School’d Improv Comedy at Cellar 3 – December 4, 2015
- Breakfast with Santa at The San Diego KOA Resort – December 5-6, 2015
-
Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village – December 5, 2015
- San Diego Steam Maker Festival – December 5, 2015
> Find more Top Things to Do on the San Diego Event Calendar
