A Holiday Season Guide to San Diego Christmas Activities 2025

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is one of the most famous holiday tales, and one of my family's personal favorites.

You can see the lively stage play adaptation that brings this classic to life at the Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park. The production, which will start well before Christmas Day in 2025 on Saturday, November 8th, will incorporate songs from the 1966 TV special, plus original music to provide a unique experience that's fun for the whole family.

We've got a full rundown of the details you'll need about the Grinch in 2025 including showtimes and what you can expect from this year's performances. You can bet I'll be in attendance! For show tickets, head to the theater's official website.

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

Going to see The Grinch is a holiday classic that everyone can enjoy! We go every year and I always look forward to it.

The performance is tons of holiday fun. The songs get stuck in my head for the rest of the season. The actors really put their hearts into the performance, and it shows! I also like attending this show every year in November, well before Thanksgiving, an added bonus for getting into the holiday spirit as early as possible!

There may not be much chance of snow in San Diego, but at the Rady Children's Ice Rink in Liberty Station, you'll still be able to take your family ice skating under the stars and glittering Christmas lights.

I love the fact that proceeds benefit the Rady Children's Hospital's Thriving After Cancer program, so you can have fun while also supporting a local charity. This is a great activity to enjoy on Christmas Eve with your whole family, and one of a handful that continue to run after Christmas if you're looking for things to do before winter break is over.

Tickets include skate and helmet rentals. You can also purchase admission through a 5- or 10-session punch card. Tickets are only available for purchase at the onsite ticket window or online at the Rady Children's Ice Rink website.

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

Southern California doesn't offer many chances for traditional outdoor winter activities thanks to its warmer weather, which makes it more likely to experience some seasonal fog than snow.

Hitting the ice rink is a rare exception where you'll get the best of both worlds. Because where else can you skate surrounded by palm trees done up in Christmas lights?

There's never a bad time to visit the world-famous San Diego Zoo, especially when you get in with discounted admission with a Go City San Diego pass purchased in advance with our exclusive discount code GVSD5OFF!

And if you'd like a truly unique way to celebrate Christmas that appeals to animal lovers, head to the zoo for their annual Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo event. From mid-December until early January, the zoo will become a magical winter wonderland each evening!

Attractions and events will include live music, an acrobatics elf show, Christmas stories, photo ops, and Reindeer Games, plus special dates for visiting Santa's Factory.

New for 2025, you'll find the Holiday Harmonies. They are an a cappella quartet with their own versions of your holiday favorites. And be sure to stick around until close for a little dusting of snow!

Remember that Jungle Bells is included at no additional charge with an admission ticket to the zoo!

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

My family and I are at the zoo all the time, and their holiday celebrations are always a blast.

From the delightful HalGLOWeen in the fall to Jungle Bells during the Christmas season, it's especially exciting to see the zoo decorations transform the park when you're a local who gets to see it year-round.

Winter Wonder, Belmont Park's holiday festival, has a little something for everyone.

I love this holiday event because if you're not feeling up for any rides, you can still walk around and see all of the holiday decorations and lights in the park for free! It's good to know that parking also happens to be free.

There will be music for everyone, face painting and holiday characters for your kids, and some delicious holiday cocktails for the adults. I've also seen some tasty holiday funnel cakes being advertised as well as other seasonal treats.

If you and your kids want to go on rides, you can also choose to get tickets or take them to the arcade.

The Ride and Play pass which includes unlimited rides is a fantastic option if you want to get the full experience. You can get the Ride and Play pass at a discount as part of the Go City San Diego pass. My daughter's favorite ride is the iconic and historic Big Dipper roller coaster, so I'm sure she would approve!

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

I love that I live just a couple of miles away from Belmont Park, which is one of the city's oldest and longest-operating theme parks. They do an incredible job with alI of their seasonal events, and Winter Wonder is no exception.

I also like that San Diego offers free holiday events like this one that allow for cost-conscious locals and travelers to enjoy time together while on a budget.

Of San Diego's many holiday activities listed as part of our Complete Guide to All the Holidays in San Diego, the San Diego Santa Run is among the most beloved of all the annual events!

A truly unique San Diego experience, watching the streets fill with runners in Santa Claus costumes as thousands of participants run a 5K marathon through the streets of Pacific Beach is absolutely hilarious.

If you're interested in running or walking in the event, you can register on the official website as much as a year in advance. Alternatively, you can bring your family to watch the race for free! Other great options are the shorter 1 mile runs for kids or dogs.

And don't forget to enjoy fun Christmas themed games at the post-race celebration. You'll find the festivities along Garnet Ave, between Mission Blvd and Inghram St.

Event Start Times for 2025 are listed below.

• 5K Run: two waves at 8:00am and 10:00am
• Kids 1 Mile: 11:30am
• Dog 1 Mile: 12:00pm
• PB Holiday Parade: 1:00pm

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

I live in Pacific Beach, so this is a major event that's practically in my backyard. I'm always looking for unique experiences when I travel and when it comes to San Diego holiday events, it doesn't get much more unique than this!

I also love that for the rest of the day, I'll see people in Santa costumes around the neighborhood, though there's nothing quite like that massive stampede of Santa Clauses right at the starting line.

As an extension to the San Diego Santa Run 5K, the 2025 Pacific Beach Holiday Parade will be held right after the conclusion of the runs, and serve as an afterparty for the event. It will start at the intersection of Garnet Ave and Haines St, and end down by Bayard St.

The parade is a yearly tradition that always draws crowds from all over the city. Floats will be Christmas themed and all parts of the event are family friendly. Attending the parade is completely free!

Many local businesses, community groups, and nonprofits will surely get in on the fun at the parade. The 2025 float theme is "Candy Coated Holiday", which means we should have some really sweet-looking floats!

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

As a bonus at the end of the Santa Run, popping over to the holiday parade is a given, but this event has expanded into such a lively time that it's worth attending on its own, too.

I love the float themes and this is also a great holiday activity for little kids who are sure to enjoy watching the parade.

The Nutcracker is among the most well-known holiday performances of all time. If you were ever taken to watch The Nutcracker as a kid, then you'll know that attending a stunning performance of this Christmas classic is an event you won't want to miss this holiday season!

Shows performed by the San Diego's Ballet are set to be held in Escondido on the Concert Hall stage at California Center for the Arts. There will be six showtimes in 2025.

If you're like me, you'll get swept away by a magical story of toys coming to life and small-scale battles with larger-than- life consequences. The performances will include music by the City Ballet Orchestra, skillful dancers, and a tale that will captivate viewers of all ages. It received the Tommy Award for the 'Best Nutcracker in San Diego', and the yearly shows have become a tradition for many local families, including my own!

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

I'll admit that I'm biased about this one because my daughter is a City Ballet dancer who has performed in the shows for many years now, so of course I think it's the best thing ever!

But even if you don't have a personal connection to the dancers, you can still be captivated by the story, and it's a great family-friendly introduction to ballet in San Diego.

Bonus Event Alert! Our team at Go Visit San Diego knows that this item is not Christmas related, but perhaps you're already thinking about what to do on New Year's Eve in San Diego. If you're like me, New Year's Eve always happens to sneak up on you every year.

If I plan ahead for New Year's Eve, right when I'm planning my Christmas season activities, then my family is happy! It's worth mentioning that many of the most popular ticketed events, like the Big Night San Diego at Hilton Bayfront, sell out well before New Year's Eve, so planning ahead is a must.

I also will admit that while my days of late-night parties may be a bit behind me, I have attended many and can recommend the Glitz & Glam New Year's Eve Party at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego which starts at 9:00pm on New Year's Eve and goes all the way until 2:00am.

But if you'd like to celebrate a bit earlier, San Diego also features some incredible New Year's Eve dinner opportunities like dinner at Fort Oak in Mission Hills. I can wholeheartedly recommend their pork chop.

You could also consider a dinner cruise on the San Diego Bay. They run from 3:00pm until 5:30pm, so a bit more of an afternoon cruise. They are the perfect activity for the entire family!

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

Celebrating New Year's with friends and family, whether that be at a holiday party, with a nice dinner on New Year's Eve, or with a San Diego Bay cruise are all activities that I remember from year's past. And as my kids grow, I want to make the most of each passing year.

As a bonus idea and local tip, we share in our Best New Year's Eve Parties in San Diego 2025 article, visit one of the more than 75 beautiful beaches on New Year's day for a very special San Diego experience.

Real or fake? If you opt for the real tree (I do) then this is a great family activity! I love a fat and full tree, while to my wife it seems it's more about if it's green and not too tall or big for our space. Which do you prefer?

San Diego features dozens of Christmas tree lots spread throughout the city, so no matter where you are, you shouldn't have to go far. You'll find pines and firs with the classics like the Douglas Fir, Noble Fir and Grand Fir being my personal favorites.

Beyond Christmas trees, it's been my experience that most of the tree lots in San Diego also sell a selection of holiday extras and tree stands. I would say that I especially like the festive wreaths and garland at Mr. Jingles Christmas Trees in Balboa Park, La Jolla and Clairemont.

For a personal recommendation, the North Pole Christmas Tree lot is a quality choice. They always have Christmas music playing and hot chocolate when I visit. I think these are really nice touches.

And lots like the Purdy Tree Farms locations in Del Mar and Carlsbad and Valley View Christmas Trees with their location in Clairemont are family owned. From my experience, the trees at these lots seem quite green and fresh and I just love supporting family run operations.

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

There is something special about taking my family right around Thanksgiving to select the perfect Christmas tree! I have memories of visiting local Christmas tree farms as a kid with my Mom and Dad. For me there is just something really nostalgic about the experience.

I think that the Christmas tree farms and tents smell like Christmas and this activity is one of the first of the season that gets me and my family into the holiday spirit!

This very San Diego remake of the classic Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" puts a comic local Diego twist on this holiday favorite. But know, you'll still get all of the traditional elements from Tiny Tim to the iconic ghosts of Christmases past, present, and future.

We've seen this performance, one of San Diego's best Christmas shows, in past years and I can say that if you want to laugh and get in the holiday spirit all at once, this performance is really funny and entertaining.

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

I always love when you can put a new twist on something that people are already familiar with. Seeing Bob Crochet in board shorts with a surfboard is incredible to say the least!

Thinking out of the box is entertaining for audiences who already know the story and something that takes this version of the classic tale up a few notches.

Santa Claus is once again coming to town!

You can grab your family photo with the big guy at The Westfield UTC Mall San Diego at the Peppermint Beach Club. You can also skip the line by making a reservation online. Santa is scheduled to be on Level 1 of the mall in the Palm Plaza.

Of course, you can also get your shopping done at the mall as well! San Diego has incredible shopping opportunities throughout town that are perfect for picking up gifts, and maybe a little something for yourself as well. Check out our complete guide to the best malls in San Diego for even more options for shopping during the holiday season!

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

While I'm not a huge shopper, I do like going to the mall for activities like these. I like to be able to walk around, take in the sites, and get in the holiday spirit.

Included as part of our Complete Guide to All the Holidays in San Diego, I can't stress to you enough how this won't be your average Santa mall visit. The Peppermint Beach Club is exceptional with larger than life holiday characters, elves in snow globes, holiday entertainment, festive treats, and much more!

Head out along the water to watch the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights from the harborside as decorated boats sail through the San Diego Bay.

This is a free event that will start at Shelter Island and continue all the way to Ferry Landing Coronado. More than 80 boats will be part of the procession, which will take a detour toward the pier of Cesar Chavez Park for another waterfront viewing opportunity.

Each year has its own theme for participating boaters. The theme of 2025's San Diego Bay parade is 'An Out of This World Christmas'. The decorations on the boats are going to be amazing; I just know it!

I suggest that you arrive early to get one of the best viewing locations, near Seaport Village being my personal favorite place to watch. If we get lucky, we'll also get an array of bold colors in the sky at one of the best places to watch the sunset in San Diego.

Approximate Parade Arrival Times:

• Shelter Island (start of parade) - 5:30pm
• Harbor Island – 5:45-6:15pm
• Seaport Village -6:20-6:45pm
• The Embarcadero - 6:50pm-7:15pm
• The Pier at Cesar Chavez Park - 7:20-7:30pm
• Ferry Landing on Coronado - 7:40pm

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights is a tradition that's been going on for more than 50 years.

I love that the event is free, and short, making it a quality holiday event for families with young kids. It can also be quite a nice couples' activity thanks to the glittering lights off the water.

If you're a fan of the San Diego Symphony like I am, then attending their annual holiday concert, Noel Noel at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, is a must in 2025!

This year the San Diego Symphony Orchestra will team up with the San Diego Master Chorale, and the San Diego Children's Choir to make sure you leave completely in the holiday spirit.

Let me set the scene for the 2025 performance…It seems Santa's letters have disappeared. With Christmas fast approaching, the children haven't heard from the North Pole. So, Noel, the North Pole Postal Division's supervisor elf, gets put in the case to solve the mystery. The big question is, will she save Christmas in time?

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

I'm a big music lover myself with the San Diego Symphony being one of my favorites the city has to offer.

Honestly, I enjoy any of the San Diego Christmas shows as they're all entertaining and magical. Plus, this one is outside, a bonus for enjoying San Diego's December weather.

SeaWorld San Diego's Christmas Celebration, the park's annual holiday event, adds a level of holiday cheer, and a lot of Christmas lights, to an already awesome theme park.

One of San Diego's featured holiday events for kids, visiting Santa's Village, seeing his reindeer, and just taking in the lit-up park, which is especially pretty around the Skytower Tree of Lights and Coca-Cola Lane, is a real treat for kids (and adults) of all ages.

In 2025, Mrs. Claus and Santa's elves are all set for a brand-new parade and the Jingle Squad is ready to entertain as well. Returning favorites include Toymaker Trouble with Mrs. Claus & the Elves and the fireworks show.

The park's holiday events are all included with a regular SeaWorld San Diego ticket, so I suggest that you pick up a Go City San Diego pass using our discount code GVSD5OFF to save on admission before you go!

The pass will also get you into many other attractions, including the San Diego Zoo, where you can check out Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo and LEGOLAND California.

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

From the 30-foot Christmas tree to the nightly Donner and Blitzen's Laser Light Show and Christmas Wish Fireworks Show, SeaWorld San Diego pulls out all the stops during their Christmas Celebration. And with goodies like holiday cocktails and craft beer at restaurants in the park for adults, the whole family can get in on the fun.

They also have a very special Hanukkah Celebration from December 14th to the 22nd, 2025 which means eight exciting days of menorah lighting!

San Diego's Little Italy will be alive with the holiday spirit in 2025 with a variety of festivities as it once again hosts its cherished annual Tree Lighting and Christmas Village event.

This vibrant urban neighborhood, a cornerstone of San Diego's cultural scene, will transform into a winter wonderland adorned with striking 10-foot nutcrackers, shimmering lights, and an undeniable spirit of holiday cheer.

The Little Italy Tree Lighting Ceremony is one of my favorite things to do in the neighborhood if you happen to be in town in early December. Complete with holiday music, visitors will be treated to not just one, but two, beautifully decorated Christmas trees.

There will be an array of scrumptious treats to savor plus the event promises the magical presence of Santa Claus himself, eager to grant wishes to those who've been good this year. And for those seeking unique holiday gifts, the Christmas Village is the perfect destination!

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

The evening's pièce de résistance, the tree lighting ceremony, will be a charming event in the heart of Piazza della Famiglia.

It's an event that encapsulates the essence of the holiday spirit - there's nothing quite like standing shoulder to shoulder with your neighbors while watching those lights switch on for the first time!

Does it get much better than skating by the sea?

The Hotel Del Coronado in Coronado Island is one of the city's oldest hotels and a fantastic example of living San Diego history.

The property will get a full winter makeover in the months leading up to Christmas, during its Frosted by the Sea event. You'll get to see twinkling holiday lights strung up on palm trees and look out over the Pacific Ocean as you ice skate on the beautiful property.

I think that the Skating by the Sea event is the perfect blend of winter skating and that beachside vibe that San Diego is known for. Hours for Skating by the Sea vary throughout the season, so check the official website for the most up to date information.

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

We get a lot of inquiries from users looking for the best things to do in San Diego for couples. If you're looking for a Christmas event that's perfect for you and your partner, you can't beat going ice skating!

What really separates this from the other ice-skating activity on our list at Liberty Station is the backdrop of both the iconic Hotel Del and the shoreline - two things you can only experience when you spend Christmas in San Diego County!

Like the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Safari Park in Escondido will host its own holiday festival known as Wild Holidays that will once again turn the grounds into a work of winter wonder. Complete with lights strung up along trails throughout the park, a safari themed Christmas tree, and carolers performing live music, the Safari Park will be done up in its holiday finest.

Parents of young kids can also bring the little ones to visit Santa in the lead-up to Christmas, including on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Another cool thing about Wild Holidays is that the park, which usually closes at 5:00pm, remains open until 8:00pm. It's been my experience that this alone can feel extra special getting to see the park lit up at night.

If you need some help deciding whether to spend your holidays at the San Diego Zoo or Safari Park, use our comparison guide - or grab a Go City San Diego pass and visit them both!

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido is as cool as the San Diego Zoo itself, and just as ideal a way to spend the holidays for animal lovers.

The festivities here are designed for all ages with entertainers, live festive music, and seasonal treats offered at concession stands like craft cocktails and gourmet hot chocolates that you won't want to miss!

Where else can you see life-sized gingerbread men, dazzling lights, private igloos, and even go ice skating with your family? Coastal Christmas at the Del Mar Fairgrounds packs all of this in and more.

You'll have the opportunity to walk through a holiday light trail, get pictures taken with Santa, and take a stroll through Frosty's Fun House for bounce houses for your kids.

Don't worry grown-ups, there are things for you to do for you as well. You can enjoy holiday cocktails at the Mistletoe Lounge & Tipsy Elf Bar as well as check out the food trucks and vendors that will be serving up some amazing treats. I don't know about you, but I love trying different types of foods at these types of holiday events.

And if you're looking for a unique winter date night idea, this is the one because you can rent a private, cozy igloo, complete with your own fire put for roasting s'mores.

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

Coastal Christmas at the Del Mar Fairgrounds has been on our radar for a while now as it offers a variety of activities, like glice skating and a Holiday Wine Walk, plus enough holiday lights to really get you in the spirit.

You'll be happy to know that there are activities for kids like Frosty's Fun Zone, and plenty of food and drink for all.

It's holiday tea time at the Westgate Hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter!

Guests and visitors alike will be able to enjoy a holiday story, plus tea and small bites in the cozy and historic hotel lounge at Santa's Teddy Bear Tea. Scones and sweets with a holiday twist are all on the menu!

As an added bonus, adults 21 and over will also get to enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne. But the kids will be taken care of as well as each child will receive their own keepsake teddy bear from the North Pole.

If you have elementary school kids, I think this could be a more high-end feeling experience as the Westgate Hotel is a very nice property. Santa Claus himself will do the reading and after the stories he'll stick around for pictures.

This event fills up fast, so be sure to make a reservation in advance. If you miss Santa's Teddy Bear Tea, don't worry because the hotel will also offer Grinch's Tea and Winter Wonderland Tea events all the way up until January 4th, 2026!

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

If you're looking for something a little upscale this holiday season, tea at the Westgate Hotel is the way to go!

It's a beautiful property. Pair your tea time with a stay in one of their luxurious rooms, maybe on Christmas Eve, to create the perfect getaway or even a holiday date!

If you're in the mood for a holiday performance this season, I suggest you consider this one for your 2025 list. The Cygnet Theatre will be celebrating 10 years of "A Christmas Carol", now at its new home at The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center in Liberty Station.

The performance will be a reimagined production of Charles Dickens' timeless classic, which is one of my favorite Christmas tales. It will include everything you would expect from this story, but with a fresh twist to honor the theatre's new home at The Joan. What is it? You'll have to go watch the show to find out!

If you're planning on seeing the show with your family, just be aware that children must be at least 5 years' old to attend. The recommended age is 8 and up because there are some loud noises and images that may scare younger children.

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

If you're anything like me, you have a soft spot for the classics. That's why this one hits home.

After 17 years at their theater in Old Town San Diego, I also think seeing this show in 2025 will be extra special as the production is performed at its brand new home.

Given San Diego's dominant surfing culture, it should come as no surprise that even Santa likes to hang ten every now and then! And as a big surfer myself, I love that we have our own Surfin' Santa.

This could be the year that you bring your kids to meet Surfin' Santa in Seaport Village and snap some photos perfect for your Christmas cards. While you're there, you can enjoy fun holiday activities like a parade down the boardwalk, live music, a magic show, and other entertainment.

Surfin' Santa will visit the south end of Tuna Harbor Pier along the Embarcadero boardwalk. And if you want to keep the surfing theme going, celebrate the occasion with a Go City San Diego pass which offers discounts on surfboard rentals and surfing lessons for a full day of seaside fun!

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

This is one Christmas activity that's entirely San Diego, which I totally love. And have I mentioned unique things to do in San Diego yet, because this more than qualifies!

If you know anything about surfing culture here, you know that there are still plenty of people riding the waves well into the fall and winter months - in fact, I think fall is among the best times to surf - so a Surfin' Santa fits right in!

As a beach-centric city, a lot of San Diego attractions and activities only run earlier in the day. If you're looking for something to do at night in San Diego, especially with kids, head over to Ocean Beach on the first Saturday in December to watch the Nighttime OB Holiday Parade.

This event has been running for over 40 years now, and it's always well attended. The streets will be lined with parade attendees a little before sunset, so you'll want to show up about a half hour before the start time to make sure you get a good spot, especially if you're coming with your family. Then again, it's the beachgoing way to arrive at your own pace!

The parade will run for about two hours and continue all the way down Newport Ave to the Pacific Ocean.

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

I love the unique OB-isms that make this parade a true Ocean Beach community affair.

Touches like the tradition of featuring a crooked Christmas tree and starting the parade a few minutes past the hour on "OB time" turn this into a one-of-a-kind event.

Huge Christmas light displays can be found all around San Diego during November and December. You can simply drive through neighborhoods at night to see how residents spread the holiday cheer, or check out dozens of professional Christmas light shows found at San Diego's biggest attractions.

Some of the most dedicated houses - and some of my favorites to drive past - can be found in Carlsbad. The Carlsbad Christmas House at 7607 Romeria St. goes all out every year. It's not uncommon to find big holiday bashes that invite the whole community to come out and celebrate.

Notable stops in Chula Vista include Jackie & Jose's Christmas House and A Christmas in CandyLand, as well as the decorated homes around Chula Vista's Christmas Circle on Whitney St.!

Some San Diegans have made a yearly tradition of putting up huge light displays including giant LED Christmas trees. They include the Spence Family Light House at 1835 Sunny Slope Terrace in Escondido, The Clairemont Christmas Park at Jamar Dr. and Lana Dr., and Fairway Village in Carmel Mountain Ranch.

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

Lots of great holiday celebrations are held at big-name San Diego attractions, but driving through neighborhoods done up in Christmas lights always makes me grateful to live in a community with so many people dedicated to spreading holiday cheer for their neighbors.

I also love the fact that these holiday displays are free to enjoy!

Every year, Knott's Berry Farm gets transformed into a holiday wonderland, full of lights, decorations, festive food, and so much more at the park's Knott's Merry Farm event.

There will be live shows for the family like "Snoopy on Ice" and "Home for the Holidays". There will also be the Christmas Crafts Village in Ghost Town and the "Snowfall & Glow", where fake snow will fall nightly. This is one of the best parts of the event since we don't really see snow around here!

Santa's Christmas Cabin is also always a favorite part of this attraction with so many different Christmas sights and smells. You can sample some sweet holiday treats and the over 21 crowd can also sample some wine. As you're walking through the park, just make sure to stop and listen to the Calico Carolers. They'll be spreading Christmas cheer with their voices and bells.

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

Knott's Merry Farm never disappoints during the holidays, always bringing a magical, nostalgic holiday experience to Southern California.

If you can make the drive about an hour or so north of Oceanside, I highly recommend taking the family to see the shows and all of the effort that goes into this holiday transformation.

Balboa Park's December Nights will be one of the biggest events of the season in San Diego! The annual spectacle always features a huge holiday themed light show you can walk through and dozens of vendors selling gifts, themed items, food and drinks, decorations, and more.

Attending December Nights truly feels like being in a winter wonderland, all without leaving San Diego. I'd recommend the International Houses during the event to try out traditional food and drinks from more than 30 different represented countries!

To me, this is a can't-miss, early season activity if you're in the area, especially if you're also interested in Balboa Park's many museums like the Natural History Museum (theNat) and The Fleet Science Center.

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

Even though December Nights is San Diego's biggest holiday festival, it's completely free to attend. Touring around the International Houses and trying the different foods is my favorite part, with the German food being my absolute favorite.

Bonus Event Alert! While our next choice is not 'officially' a Christmas event, it's a huge one in San Diego that I had to mention!

The 46th Annual Trust & Will Holiday Bowl is set to kick-off at 5:00pm on January 2nd, 2026. The last game of the season that's not part of the College Football Playoff, you can catch a high-intensity game of college football live at SnapDragon Stadium in Mission Valley. I actually took my whole family last year for the first time, and it was a lot of fun!

Usually held in December right after Christmas, this year's Holiday Bowl is set to pit the 18th ranked Arizona Wildcats from the Big 12 Conference against the SMU Mustangs from the ACC.

And the event isn't 'just' a football game - it will kick off with the Snapdragon Bowl Bash, a big street party and parade in the lead-up to the Holiday Bowl. After the game, you can stick around to watch the 101.5 KGB Sky Show, a fireworks display that's synced up with classic rock tunes.

And know that while the game itself is a ticketed event, many of the festivities in the lead up, such as the parade, are free to attend!

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

If you're a college football fan who's planning to be in San Diego around Christmas and over New Years, I can't overstate how fun it was last year to watch the Holiday Bowl in person rather than on TV.

Living a few San Diego Trolley stops from Petco Park, I've been lucky to attend enough Padres games to know that the atmosphere of a big game like this is always truly electric and something you just have to try.

The La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival is what I like to call a 'two-fer' event, which I love. You can attend the holiday festival throughout the day and see the parade as well.

The Holiday Festival will feature Santa's Workshop and Santa's Village. The workshop will have arts & crafts for the kids and some educational exhibits. When my kids were younger, I used to love to see all of the holiday crafts they would come home with. The village is also full of holiday cheer with pony rides, face painting, and pictures with Santa, of course!

The parade is perfect for families who love to take part in the activities and watch the procession through the La Jolla neighborhood, beginning at Kline Street and Girard Avenue.

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

I love how all of the events at the La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival are organized together to create a full day of festive family fun.

La Jolla is one of San Diego's most popular neighborhoods for its beaches and shopping so when you add in seasonal activities and a holiday parade, you've got a recipe for a lot of memories with friends and family.

Tree lightings are the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit early in the season. The tree lighting at the North Promenade of Liberty Station is an annual tradition that takes place on the day after Thanksgiving every year, also known as Black Friday, rain or shine.

Other holiday festivities in Liberty Station always include live entertainment, themed music such as Christmas carols, and other holiday songs, photos with Santa, rides on a firetruck, and a showing of a children's Christmas film. This is a free event that's open to everyone.

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

Whether you plan to bring your kids to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus or you're looking for a romantic spot for a holiday outing, the Liberty Station tree lighting is a great community-driven event, and the massive 88-foot Norfolk pine at the center of it all is a sight to behold.

As a parent myself, I also know that the holidays can be a more expensive time for the year so I wanted to make sure to offer plenty of festive holiday options, like this one, that are free to attend!

The Lamb's Festival of Christmas is a long-standing event that never disappoints. Each year welcomes a fresh show, packed with Christmas songs, carols, dances, and more. In its 47th year, this year's theme is "Let It Be Christmas".

Professional performers will put their hearts and souls into these performances to lift you up during the holiday season. Many of the songs were written specifically for this show, so you're in for a real treat. If you're able to go in 2025, you'll also be able to enjoy some traditional favorites.

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

The Lamb's Festival of Christmas is an annual holiday classic in the Coronado area that I think everyone should attend at least once. There's a reason why it's been around for so long!

The locals love the show, and the performers love entertaining the crowds.

The San Marcos Holiday Market is the perfect spot to buy gifts you wouldn't find in the big box stores. With many small businesses offering unique items, I love any event that supports local San Diego based vendors.

You can expect to find handcrafted goods, clothing, decorative items, farm fresh produce, natural beauty products, toys, gift items and more. There will be live music and Rescue Row, where animal shelters run adoption and awareness events. The San Marcos Holiday Market also always has food and drink stalls where you'll be able to buy holiday favorites like shortbread and hot chocolate.

This market will span multiple blocks down North City Drive and Campus Way in San Marcos.

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

I like this event because it kicks off the season letting you get a jumpstart on your holiday shopping list. The variety of goods is quite impressive with the tasty treats being some of my absolute go-to favorites!

San Diego's sunny weather throughout the year means it's pretty rare to see snow along the coast. However, what Southern California does have in spades is sand - and it's just as easy and fun to make a sand snowman as it is to make one with snow! Be sure to bring along buckets, shovels, and plenty of decorating materials.

You can make a sandy snowman on just about any beach in San Diego aside from the rockiest ones, as all you'll need is sand and water.

Many of the shores in Mission Bay are perfect for it, including wide and sandy sections of the coast like Mission Beach. This activity is a great opportunity to spend time outdoors with your kids, and it's totally free!

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

If you've never built a sandy snowman with your kids before, there's no better opportunity than if you find yourself on Southern California's beaches this holiday season.

It's all the fun of a snowman with none of the grumpiness that comes from frozen fingers - and you can still have hot chocolate after if you like, I won't tell.

If you're looking for something unique to do this holiday season, this could be it!

Lightscape returns to the San Diego Botanic Garden for its fourth year, and this year will not disappoint as you'll be treated to one mile of enchanted illumination. There will be some returning favorites as well as some new eye-catching additions including a field of fireflies, a laser garden, and more.

As you walk to see the lights, you can also enjoy the festive music playing in the air while you snack on some seasonal favorites and sip holiday drinks.

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

There is just something peaceful about the San Diego Botanic Gardens any time of the year and their winter event takes it to a whole new level.

When they add in all of the lights to the already beautiful gardens, you'll get a magical and unforgettable holiday experience.

If you've made it this far, congratulations! Our last but surely not least holiday activitiy for our 2025 edition of Christmas activities you won't want to miss is walking in the Gaslamp Pet Parade & attending the Pups in the Pub Party 2025.

A very festive event complete with dogs and humans in winter costumes, if you'd like to walk in the parade with your own furry friend, make sure to register in advance and pay the $25 registration fee. If you'd simply like to attend, watching the parade is free!

Adults are invited to attend the Pups at the Pub Paw-ty after the parade, which has a holiday costume contest and live music plus beer tasting. You can even purchase a ticket for 6 different samples of locally brewed craft beer.

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

Dog owners and dog lovers alike attend this event each year, and it's a lot of fun to see owners and their pets decked out in their best (and sometimes matching) holiday costumes!