All of the events, parades, activities, festivals, performances and more taking place throughout San Diego County throughout the 2021 holiday season.
Here are all of the places you can see Christmas lights in San Diego!
EVENTS
- San Diego Vintage Flea Market - For the Holidays | December 18 from 10 am - 4 pm
Our “For The Holidays” market is geared towards gift giving for our holiday shoppers. San Diego Vintage Flea Market is a monthly vintage pop up market falling on the 1st Saturday of every month. We are located in the outdoor parking lot at the Normal Heights Masonic Lodge located at 3366 Adams Ave in San Diego. Details HERE >>
- Winter Wonderland at California Center for the Arts Escondido | December 18 at 3 pm
The Center's 8th Annual Winter Wonderland lets where you can play in real snow, enjoy holiday-themed drinks and treats at Santa’s Corner Café, holiday crafting activities led by professional teaching artists and browse for gifts from local artisans. Be sure to also enjoy the self-guided tour of Northern Lights on our campus with tunnels of twinkling lights, LED Christmas trees, light shows, and Platform 9¾ – themed light extravaganza at the historical train depot. Details HERE >>
- Julian’s Country Christmas Light Parade | December 18 starting at 5:45pm
The mountain town of Julian started a new tradition in 2020, a light parade on Main Street. "What brought the community together turned into a wonderful, fun experience for all in attendance. So much so that we had to plan it again in 2021 and we hope for years and years to come.” Join us on Main Street Julian for a small town celebration of holiday lights on cars, trucks and any other street legal vehicle you can imagine. NOTE Main Street will not be closed for this parade. Details HERE >>
- San Diego Bay Parade of Lights | December 19 starting at 5:30pm
The 50th Annual Parade of Lights returns to the San Diego Bay with “The Twelve Days of Christmas” theme. The parade route starts at Shelter Island and travels west past Harbor Island, then south along the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, and Cesar Chavez Park before turning parallel with the Coronado Bridge to the west side of the bay. The parade then proceeds past the Coronado Ferry Landing to the finish line. It takes about two hours to complete the procession and there are many comfortable waterfront viewpoints along the route. Details HERE >>
- Gaslamp Pet Parade & Pups in the Pub | December 19 at 1 pm
Bring your favorite 4-legged friend and the whole family to the beloved Pet Parade on Sunday December 19. Festive costumes encouraged. After you parade down 5th Avenue, enjoy some craft beer at our Pups in the Pub Paw-ty. Details HERE >>
- Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade | December 28 at 10am
The scenic, bayside streets of downtown San Diego will come alive at America's largest balloon parade returns. This exciting family event brings together world-class marching bands, magnificent floats, entertaining drill teams, and a procession of enormous balloons – more than any other parade! Over 100,000 street-side spectators will enjoy the parade along with a nationwide television audience. Street side viewing of the parade is free! Details HERE >>
- Holiday Bowl at Petco Park | December 28
Join us for the first-ever SDCCU Holiday Bowl at Petco Park! Tickets are on-sale now to watch the best of college football with an incredible match-up between the Pac-12 and the ACC in downtown San Diego. Seats are selling fast so be sure to reserve yours now! Tickets HERE >>
ONGOING ATTRACTIONS
- Bonfire In The Park at Fiesta de Reyes | Saturdays from 4 - 8 pm
Every Saturday in December join us for free hot chocolate, S’mores, caroling and story telling around the bonfire. Fiesta de Reyes is comprised of 19 locally owned specialty shops, three distinct restaurants and a 10-room boutique hotel located in San Diego's historical Old Town State Park. Details HERE >>
- Holidays at the Helen Woodward Animal Center | Now – December 18 (select days)
-St Nick at Night is the more intimate, prelude event of the weekend Wild Winter holiday family event! It includes hands-on animal encounters, a cute craft, group story time with Santa, a sweet treat for the little ones, and a safe setting to play!
-Wild Winter includes hands-on animal encounters, cute crafts, a visit with Santa, a gift for the little ones, and a safe setting to play! Details HERE >>
- Carlsbad – Santa’s Secret Garden | Now – December 19 (select days)
Bring the children for Visits with Santa in his Secret Garden located behind the Christmas Tree next to Paper Source. Santa will be available every Saturday and Sunday, December 4 through December 19 from 1pm to 4pm. The Winter Fairy will be on hand to welcome guests. Be sure to bring your cameras. There is no cost to Visit Santa at The Forum Carlsbad. Book your visit HERE >>
- Encinitas - Botanic Garden Holiday Wonderland | Now - December 30 (select days)
The annual winter event, Botanic Wonderland at San Diego Botanic Garden, has become a local favorite tradition. The nighttime festivities provide families and friends the opportunity to stroll through the garden to enjoy outdoor holiday lighting and activities in a safe and carefully organized setting.
Botanic Wonderland transforms the garden into a unique, winter experience and we are excited to welcome you and your group to enjoy it during an exclusive evening! Details HERE >>
- Rady Children's Ice Rink at Liberty Station | Now - January 9 from 10am - 10pm
This annual outdoor ice rink is helps raise funds for the Thriving After Cancer program at the Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. Prices range $13–$15; includes skate rental and helmet. Closed December 25. Details HERE >>
- Wild Holidays at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park | Now – January 2 (select days)
See the Safari Park in a whole new light! Take a holiday expedition of light and travel through places that glow and twinkle with holiday cheer. Holiday tunes set the mood, and seasonal food treats tempt you throughout your journey. Details HERE >>
- Sea World Christmas Celebration | Now – January 2
Bring your family together for the eye-catching spectacle, priceless traditions, and fun-filled surprises of SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas Celebration. The holidays are meant to be merry and bright, and that’s exactly what you’ll find as this beloved event returns with more wondrous moments than ever.
See a dazzling new Christmas cirque show or meet Santa, Rudolph and your favorite Sesame Street friends. Feel the snow falling and watch the sky light up with holiday fireworks. Find photo-perfect moments across acres of beautiful decorations, including a towering 30 foot, twinkling Christmas tree and a music-activated tunnel of lights. All the while, savor delicious candy-topped hot chocolate and other treats for all ages. Details HERE >>
- Holidays at LEGOLAND | Now - January 2
Enjoy live entertainment, twinkling lights twinkling lights and nightly tree lightings of the LEGO Christmas tree decked out with LEGO ornaments. Activities are included with admission. Details HERE >>
- Beachside Winter Wonder at Belmont Park | Now - January 2
On weekends in December, this 96-year-old beachside park will offer a day-and-night experience, featuring 15-foot-tall holiday-themed sculptures, Christmas Tree Farm, Seasonal Character appearances, Holiday Movie Nights, face painting and balloon art; plus, Illuminated Winter Nights when the sun goes down. Take a walk-through Winter Wonder with our new interactive Holiday Map filled with festive fun at every stop! Details HERE >>
- Holiday Market at Petco Park | Now – December 24
In its second year at Petco Park, the popular market will be bigger and better this year with even more food, beverage and artisan vendors. The Holiday Market in Gallagher Square is a fun and festive night for the whole family. This year’s market will feature local and European artisan shops, magical lighting displays, seasonal food and beverage, Santa and other holiday characters! Holiday festivities will run from November 29 - December 24, 2021. Details HERE >>
- Seas ‘n’ Greetings at the Birch Aquarium | Now – December 31 (closed 12/25)
Experience the magic of the holidays in the underwater world at Birch Aquarium during our month-long holiday celebration featuring SEAsonal decor, music, and activities for the whole family, daily from 9am – 5pm. Enjoy fun, festive photo opportunities throughout the aquarium, an interactive scavenger hunt, complete with prizes for the littlest guests— and holiday card worthy ocean views! Details HERE >>
- North Pole Limited Train Rides | Now – December 22 (select days)
The famous North Pole Limited returns to celebrate the holiday season. This special holiday production is offered with the help of the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Association’s volunteers in cooperation with Mountain Empire and Bonita Vista Valley High Schools. Once onboard the North Pole Limited, enjoy your favorite Christmas carols and listen to a popular Christmas story. The North Pole Limited will stop at Santa’s Workshop to pick up Santa and Mrs. Claus who will visit with all passengers on the train on our way back to the Campo Depot. Details HERE >>
- Holidays at Hotel Del Coronado |Now – January 2
Celebrate coming Home for the Holidays as America’s beachfront legend transforms into a classic winter wonderland. The iconic resort shimmers and shines as its signature red turrets are draped in thousands of sparkling lights with towering Christmas trees, snowy surprises and garlands galore filling the property with holiday cheer. This year will include the return of a spectacular two-story lobby tree and beachfront ice rink at Skating by the Sea®, as well as the debut of a new holiday light show on the Founders Lawn. Details HERE >>
- Holiday Nights at Viejas Outlets | Now – January 2
Lace up those skates and glide across Southern California’s Largest Outdoor Ice Rink. Visit Santa to learn who’s been naughty and nice (11/26 -12/19). Soar gleefully over the Viejas Outlets as you enjoy a birds-eye view of Holiday Nights on the tallest Ferris wheel in the region. Experience the sights, sounds and snow, during the magical fountain shows. Wander the pathways featuring thousands of lights for that perfect family photo. Details HERE >>
- Magical Snowfall and Holiday Photo Wonderland | Now – December 24 (select days)
Village Walk at Eastlake is hosting free activities Thursday – Sundays, including enchanted snow flurries, choreographed lights and seasonal music and life-size photo props of Santa, Elsa and Olaf. Details HERE >>
- Snow N Glow Holiday Festival & Holidays In Your Car at Del Mar Fairgrounds | Now – January 2 (select dates)
Three attractions designed to make your Holiday Spirit Bright! Snow tube down the snow hill on a path of real snow, walk through a million festive lights, or experience a separate holiday light display from the comfort and safety of your vehicle. Details HERE >>
- Jungle Bells and ‘Aurora’ Light Show at the San Diego Zoo | December 10 – January 2 (select days)
This year's Jungle Bells brings the return of Aurora—a magical and spectacular experience with lights, 3D projections, and music. Also enjoy traditional lighting displays, musical performances and entertainment, visits with Santa (through December 25), tasty holiday treats, and much more. 'Tis the season to celebrate—join us for holiday cheer! Details HERE >>
HOLIDAY MUSIC
Just open the iHeartRadio App on your mobile device and choose from: Christmas Classics, R&B Christmas, Christmas Rock, Country Christmas, iHeartChristmas and just for kids, North Pole Radio! They are free & available 7/24 on the iHeartRadio App!
Direct links below.