A Complete Guide to All the Holidays in San Diego

Our complete guide to celebrating the holidays highlights the best attractions, parties, & other seasonal events that are sure to put you in the holiday spirit!

Key Takeaways

  • For 2024, Old Town San Diego’s Día de los Muertos events start to take form in early October with the peak between Oct 28th & Nov 2nd.
  • Old Town holds the most robust, and my personal favorite, Día de los Muertos celebration in San Diego.
  • The cultural activities I love include the procession to the El Campo Santo Cemetery, searching for Ofrendas, and getting my face painted as a Catrina with my family.
Todd Sarouhan
Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means if you make purchases through them, I may be compensated at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
A Complete Guide to All the Holidays
Ring in the Holidays
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Ring in the Holidays in San Diego

Santa's Sleigh at December Nights in Balboa ParkEl Campo Santo Cemetery in Old Town San Diego

No matter the season, there’s always something fun to do in San Diego, especially around the many holidays celebrated in and around the city!

Watch the area transform into a winter wonderland during the lead-up to Christmas, or experience a Día de Los Muertos makeover around Old Town San Diego in the fall. See the skies light up during the Fourth of July festivities, and ring in the New Year along one of San Diego’s picturesque beaches.

San Diego’s Best of the Best Holiday Events

If you’re in search of the best of the best ways to celebrate each major holiday in San Diego, you’ve come to the right place! From limited-time themed events to seasonal celebrations, our team took a poll to select only our favorite pair of events for each holiday.

Read on to explore San Diego’s most popular seasonal activities and hidden secrets alike with our guide to the holidays in San Diego!

San Diego’s Top Holiday Festivities

The 2024/2025 holiday season is upon us and our team is excited to be part of the festivities!

We’ve compiled dates, time, details and so much more. We’ve done the research for you so you can make sure you’re ready for all of San Diego’s year-round holiday festivities. We’ve also attended many of these events in years past ourselves so we can make sure that you get the inside scoop from a local.

Rest assured, only the very best experiences make our list!

A Holiday Season Guide to San Diego Christmas Activities

Snow may be a rarity, but the Christmas spirit remains strong in San Diego. Prepare for the winter holidays and create new traditions with your family when you visit in December.

Whether you’re a local or you’re vacationing in San Diego around Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, check out our picks for the best things to do in our Holiday Season Guide to San Diego’s Christmas Activities.

Posing in Front of the Christmas Tree at How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Old Globe
Posing in Front of the Christmas Tree at How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Old Globe

1) See Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! at the Old Globe Theater in Balboa Park

San Diego Theaters & Venues: Old Globe Theatre San Diego

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is one of the most famous Christmas tales. See this classic storybook live on stage at the Old Globe Theater in Balboa Park with a yearly performance based on the 1966 movie adaptation.

Sing along to all your favorite songs and a few new ones as you and the family watch a charming tale sure to make your heart grow three sizes. This is an excellent way to get in the spirit, and it also makes for a charming new tradition your family can share for generations to come.

Buy Grinch Tickets
The Start of the Santa Run in Pacific Beach
The Start of the Santa Run in Pacific Beach

2) Watch or Race in San Diego Santa Run

Neighborhood: Pacific Beach
Holidays in San Diego: A Holiday Season Guide to San Diego Christmas Activities 2023

If you’re looking for a unique San Diego holiday experience, the San Diego Santa Run is the perfect event for you!

Each year thousands of people clad in Santa costumes fill the streets of Pacific Beach during the annual Santa Run. This run is a 5k marathon that takes place on December 9 this year.

All are invited to watch the Santa Run, and if you register ahead of time, you can join in! Be sure to wear a costume if you plan on participating.

The Santa Run holds an afterparty with fun themed events and the Pacific Beach Holiday Parade following the conclusion of the run.

Register for the Santa Run

Best New Years Eve Parties in San Diego

Just because the year is ending doesn’t mean the party’s over! On New Year’s Eve, San Diego’s liveliest gatherings and hottest events can be found all over the city.

Attend a huge party with an energetic atmosphere, enjoy live music and DJs, and party long after the sun goes down as you wait for midnight. There’s nothing quite like watching the ball drop surrounded by a crowd of people, all in high spirits.

Big Night San Diego New Years Eve Party
Big Night San Diego New Years Eve Party

3) Big Night San Diego at Hilton Bayfront

Holidays in San Diego: Best New Years Eve Parties in San Diego 2024
Date: Dec 31, 2023

The Hilton Bayfront San Diego hosts one of the biggest bashes of the year on Big Night San Diego. This massive party begins in the evening on New Year’s Eve and continues straight on until midnight. Dance all night, sing your heart out to the year’s hottest songs, and enjoy the rush of being part of the crowd during this pulse-pounding celebration.

Perks of attending include an open bar, experienced DJs, multiple dance floors, and VIP options with upgrades including private rooms and access to a buffet. Big Night is the ultimate in New Year’s Eve parties and can’t be missed.

Buy Tickets to Big Night San Diego
Sunset on a Harbor Cruise in San Diego Bay
Sunset on a Harbor Cruise in San Diego Bay

4) New Year's Eve Dinner Cruise

San Diego Tours: 13 Best San Diego Harbor Cruises & Boat Tours
Date: Dec 31, 2023

If loud parties aren’t your scene, a cruise around the bay might be more your style. Relax to the soothing sounds of live music and stunning views of the bay’s landmarks on a New Year’s Eve Brunch or Dinner Cruise. All meals are freshly prepared with many options to choose from.

Guests on the cruise will enjoy a multi-course meal as they tour the San Diego Bay, plus a complimentary champagne toast for those 21 and older. We love this cruise as a more family-friendly way to celebrate New Year’s Eve, as all ages are invited, with free admission for kids under three.

Buy Tickets to the New Year’s Eve Dinner Cruise

Celebrating Thanksgiving in San Diego with the Best Things to Do

Are you planning on spending Thanksgiving in San Diego this year with family or friends? The area offers options above and beyond the traditional meal at home. This Thanksgiving, we guarantee that you’ll be thankful for the restaurants, local organizations, hotels, and stores all getting in on the fun.

Explore our list of Things to Do in San Diego this Thanksgiving for a sneak peek at all the best ways to celebrate Turkey Day, including fun runs, delicious buffets, and exciting holiday cruises around the bay.

Street Entrance to the Oceanside Pier
Street Entrance to the Oceanside Pier

5) Run in the O’side Turkey Trot

Neighborhood: Oceanside

Start a tradition of incorporating healthy habits into the holiday season when you sign up for the O’Side Turkey Trot. This annual event held in Oceanside is a great way to get your family active before sitting down for a big Thanksgiving meal, and since the proceeds go toward charity, you’ll get to give back too!

The O’Side Turkey Trot has four unique races, with two options for adults and two for kids, letting the whole family get in on the fun. Live entertainment and a costume contest round out the experience as a rapidly-growing new Thanksgiving tradition.

Register for the O’side Turkey Trot

6) Have Dinner in Little Italy at Herb & Wood

Neighborhood: Little Italy San Diego
Address:
2210 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood is best known for its Italian fare, but restaurants like Herb & Wood serve up Thanksgiving dinner in style too. Enjoy all the classic desserts and sides - plus turkey, of course - infused with a subtle Mediterranean flare for a truly unbeatable menu.

Herb & Wood is one of my personal favorite restaurants in all of San Diego. Eating Thanksgiving dinner there comes with the added benefit of getting to skip out on all the tidying and washing-up of eating at home. I say save yourself the hassle and spend the extra time with your family instead. Your stomach will also thank you!

Experience the Día de Los Muertos Celebration in Old Town San Diego

The neighborhood of Old Town San Diego is a hub for history and culture, especially when it comes to San Diego’s Mexican heritage. Never is this more true than around the traditional Mexican holiday of Día de Los Muertos.

While San Diego offers Día de Los Muertos celebrations in neighborhoods throughout the city, my personal favorite is the largest of them all. While I think each festival has something to offer, if I could only choose one, I’d suggest you bring your whole family along at the end of October and start of November for the Día de Los Muertos Celebration in Old Town San Diego.

From the decorations and Ofrendas, to the food, music and shopping, the event offers a unique perspective and cultural education while also being tons of fun for the entire family.

With many ways to get involved in the festivities, below are two of my personal favorite ways to get into the Día de los Muertos spirit!

Family with Face Painting As Catrinas at the El Campo Santo Cemetary
Family with Face Painting As Catrinas at the El Campo Santo Cemetary

7) Participate In (or Watch) the Procession to the El Santos Campo Cemetery

Holidays in San Diego: Día de los Muertos in Old Town San Diego 2024

I look forward to the Día de los Muertos activities and events that spice up Old Town San Diego each year. One of my family’s favorite things to do while visiting is to join in the procession to the El Santos Campo Cemetery which will take place this year on the evening of Día de Los Muertos, November 2nd, 2024.

The candlelight procession will start right after sunset at the Immaculate Church on San Diego Ave. The parade will feature dancers in full regalia, a live Mariachi band, and a large public altar located inside the cemetery.

Both watching the parade and participating are completely free, as well as suitable for all ages. For my family, we choose to participate each year. It’s an exciting cultural event that I can say from personal experience is well worth the time!

To learn more about the 2024 festivities before and during the celebration, including this year’s specific times, performers and more, check out our Complete Guide to the Día de Los Muertos Celebration in Old Town San Diego.

Dancers at the Dia De Los Muertos Procession in Old Town San Diego
Dancers at the Dia De Los Muertos Procession in Old Town San Diego

8) Watch Live Music at Fiesta de Reyes Main Stage

Holidays in San Diego: Día de los Muertos Celebrations in San Diego 2024

Also making a spot on our Best Things to Do in Old Town San Diego list, the Fiesta de Reyes stage hosts musical acts and dance performances all through the year on weekends. But during Día de los Muertos, the festivities truly take off!

In addition to seeing shows by Mexican bands and performers, you can also shop at vendor stalls threaded through the pavilion, where you’ll find handmade goods and specialty items.

Watching the live entertainment is free, but if you choose to dine at the Casa De Reyes restaurant, know that you’ll have a great view of the main stage from your seat!

Explore the Array of Día de los Muertos Celebrations Throughout San Diego

Old Town San Diego holds the most well-known, and my personal favorite, Día de Los Muertos celebrations in San Diego, but it’s far from the only area neighborhood to hold themed gatherings for the traditional annual Mexican holiday.

Decorations begin to appear as early as mid-October. Some of the festivities start in late October, while the majority of the events fall on the holiday of November 2nd itself.

Whether you’re bringing kids to learn about the holiday for the first time, or you’re looking to get in touch with your own heritage, these community-centric celebrations are a cultural delight.

Barrio Logan Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Barrio Logan Dia de los Muertos Celebration

9) 4th Annual Día de Los Muertos Celebration in Downtown Chula Vista

Neighborhood: Chula Vista
Holidays in San Diego: Día de los Muertos Celebrations in San Diego 2024

While many San Diego celebrations have all the trappings of Día de Los Muertos - complete with face painting, sugar skulls, and Catrinas costumes - few bring the soul of the holiday to the forefront quite like the festivities in Chula Vista.

Last year, my family really liked the community ofrendas and live performances by musicians and dancers. We enjoyed walking the rows of vendor stalls and noticed that there was a family-friendly movie for kids in the evening.

Chula Vista’s Día de Los Muertos event isn’t the biggest in the city, but its wide range of activities and shows that more than make up for it!

The 2024 festivities will be held November 2nd from 3pm to 8pm in Downtown Chula Vista. Attending is completely FREE!

Posing for An Old Time Photo in Fiesta De Reyes
Posing for An Old Time Photo in Fiesta De Reyes

10) Barrio Logan Día de Los Muertos - Espíritu de Xochimilco

Neighborhood: Barrio Logan
Holidays in San Diego: Día de los Muertos Celebrations in San Diego 2024

The Día de los Muertos celebration in Barrio Logan is an annual event that centers around Mexican culture and tradition.

For a few weeks each year, the area transforms into a depiction of the Day of the Dead that’s right out of the history books. Altars, or ofrendas, decorated with marigolds and themed painted skull decorations line the streets of the Cultural District of Barrio Logan.

Barrio Logan’s annual festivities are dubbed Espíritu de Xochimilco, or “Spirit of Xochimilco,” a name that calls back to the holiday’s roots and celebrates its Mexican origins. With two blocks of vendors, food trucks, and décor, I especially like the food selection, live musical performances and cultural art displays at this event.

I can also say that if you like tacos, Barrio Logan has the best tacos in San Diego and you can try them out when you visit this event!

Find the Best Pumpkin Patches in San Diego

The fall season still offers some of the warmest ocean waters of the year in San Diego, on average in the 66-68° Fahrenheit range, with sunny blue skies and slightly cooler autumn air temperatures. These cool ocean breezes get locals and visitors alike thinking about holiday meals, decorations and of course beautifully carved and decorated pumpkins!

My family personally loves to get into the early season holiday spirit by visiting a pumpkin patch or two!

Beyond incredible assortments, varieties and sizes of pumpkins, many of the San Diego area’s best family-friendly pumpkin patches include corn mazes, fruit and vegetable stands, hayride, Ferris wheels, games and so much more! They truly are an event!

And it’s for this reason that our team decided to include a visit to two of our favorite pumpkin patches as part of our complete guide to the holidays in San Diego article!

Pumpkin Patch at the Carlsbad Strawberry Company
Pumpkin Patch at the Carlsbad Strawberry Company

11) Pumpkin Patch at Carlsbad Strawberry Company

Holidays in San Diego: Best Pumpkin Patches in San Diego 2024

The Carlsbad Strawberry Company’s Pumpkin Patch is the first to make our best of the best 2024 season pumpkin patches and that is in part due to the abundance of fall-themed activities.

Alongside being able to pick out and decorate pumpkins, there are lots of activities, from the kid-friendly petting zoo and corn maze to a spookier haunted corn maze for older kids and teens in the evenings. You’ll also find fields of marigolds and other idyllic photo spots around the farm, or you can take a tractor ride out to the pumpkin patch.

For even more fun, visit on a weekend, when the Carlsbad Strawberry Company hosts food vendors and market stalls selling locally-made goods. The pumpkin patch is pet-friendly, so you can bring the whole family! Just know that there is an entrance fee to this patch but we think that the plethora of picture spots and things to do make it worth the price.

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Classic Pickup Truck with Pumpkins at Goff Family Pumpkin Patch
Classic Pickup Truck with Pumpkins at Goff Family Pumpkin Patch

12) Goff Family Pumpkin Patch

Neighborhood: Liberty Station
Holidays in San Diego: Best Pumpkin Patches in San Diego 2024

There are lots of places to pick a pumpkin in San Diego, from farm stands to stores, but one of our favorites is the Goff Family Pumpkin Patch. No matter what kind of gourd you’re hoping to take home, the patch has a lot of variety, so you’re sure to find the perfect pumpkin to decorate or carve into a jack-o’-lantern.

Plus, with its location in Liberty Station, you’ll be right by the ARTS DISTRICT. Take some time to walk around and see the sculptures and other artwork on display - just make sure to do it before hitting the pumpkin patch if you’re planning on picking a heavy one!

There are also photograph stations with hay bales and tractors, plus a Tap Truck that serves beer and wine on the weekends for the adults!

Family Celebrations for Halloween in San Diego

As a parent myself, I know how important it is to find age-appropriate fall festivities as Halloween approaches. Whether you’re looking for something that’s fun for little kids without being too frightening or you have older teens who might like a bit of a scare, there are excellent options in San Diego.

We’ve collected some of the Best Halloween Events & Haunted Houses for Kids and Teens so parents can find the right fit for their families. Our list comes complete with age recommendations plus a look at some of the biggest events that will put you in the fall mood!

13) Howl-O-Scream 2024 at SeaWorld San Diego

Neighborhood: Mission Bay Park

SeaWorld San Diego may be best known for its animal shows and aquarium enclosures, but that doesn’t stop this theme park from having a thrilling Halloween celebration that kicks off in mid-September and continues all the way through early November.

SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream event is geared toward older kids and adults with scares that may be too intense for younger children. But if you’ve got a teenager who’s learning to appreciate all things spooky and doesn’t mind a fright or two, this is one event that’s just as fun for parents as it is for their kids.

Held Thursdays through Sundays from 7:00pm – 12:00am at an admission cost starting at $92, the event features haunted houses, live scare actors roaming around, chilling decorations, special effects, shows and musical performances. Of course, the thrill rides that SeaWorld San Diego is known for are open too!

I personally can’t wait to attend in 2024 with my teenagers to experience Howl-O-Scream’s commitment to immersive storytelling throughout the park.

Nighttime Zoo at the San Diego Zoo
Nighttime Zoo at the San Diego Zoo

14) HalGLOWeen 2024 at the San Diego Zoo

Neighborhood: Balboa Park

Parents of younger kids who are looking for a more laid-back Halloween event can find it at the San Diego Zoo during their annual HalGLOWeen event.

Held from 5:00pm - 9:00pm on Fridays through Sundays from October 4th until October 29th in 2024, this Halloween festivity is included at no additional charge with park admission. Even better, as part of the Kids Free San Diego program held in October, kids get in free to the zoo and the HalGLOWeen event. I’d say it doesn’t get much better than that!

That said, like any day at the zoo, animal lovers of all ages are sure to find lots to enjoy here. You won’t just be chaperoning the kids, but also enjoying the festivities yourself!

You’ll notice the difference as soon as you enter the zoo in the evenings, with glow-in-the-dark decorations. True to the event’s name, the highlight to me is the new Enchanted HalGLOWeen Forest which lights up the walkways with scenes right out of nature.

It wouldn’t be a zoo event without animals, and HalGLOWeen has plenty of wildlife with its Featured Creatures show and Python Path in the reptile house. Pair that with family-friendly performances lining Front Street and all the way up to the Northern Frontier, and you get a Halloween-themed night to remember for kids of all ages!

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Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Old Town / SeaWorld Area
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More Holidays in San Diego