San Diego Christmas Shows in 2025

We're going to start our list off strong here with one of my family's favorite early season traditions, going to see Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! at the Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park.

Part of our Complete Guide to the All the Holidays in San Diego, the annual production, now in its 28th year, will run from November 8th through December 31st, 2025. Andrew Polec will return in the starring role for the 5th consecutive year, alongside a highly talented group of actors.

My family gets immersed in this play every year as the theater transforms into a Who-ville winter holiday wonderland. The Grinch meets Dickens' tale never seems to get old. I admit to shedding a few tears when the green man meets Cindy Lou each year, and 2025 will be no different!

The 1 hour and 20 minute show (no intermission) is great for families as honestly, it's quite short, or a perfect length for kids I'd say. Just know that kids under 3 are only permitted to attend the 10:30am performances.

Showtimes vary depending on what day you want to attend with everything from those 10:30am all-age performances to matinees at 2:00pm and evening shows starting at 7 or 7:30pm. Tickets range from $80 to $127 per person.

Why We Love this Holiday Performance

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is hands-down one of my favorite holiday performances every single year. The Old Globe just nails it - the pacing, the humor, the costumes, the sets, and the energy are right on point. The actors clearly put their hearts into the performance.

It's a show that will instantly put you in the Christmas spirit. And it seems to work just as well for kids as it does for adults.

Also taking place at the Old Globe, Ebeneezer Scrooge's BIG San Diego Christmas Show, a holiday classic, never fails to disappoint!

The show reimagines Dickens' Scrooge story with a hilarious twist and a San Diego setting. Our main character discovers the joys of Christmas through madcap adventures, music, and some touching moments.

Running from November 21st to December 28th, 2025, the show, now in its fifth year, is quickly becoming an annual tradition for my family and other San Diego residents. It stars a versatile cast of actors with Josh Breckenridge taking the miserly lead as Bob Cratchit. The 1 hour and 15 minute run-time (no intermission) makes it ideal for keeping young kids entertained - although I can assure you that it's a real winner for all ages.

Showtimes vary once again with tickets running between $70 and $119 per seat depending on when you go and where you want to sit. Kids must be at least 5 years old to attend.

Why We Love this Holiday Performance

We saw this show for the first time last year and were completely blown away! It's performed in one of the Old Globe's smaller theaters, with just a handful of actors playing multiple roles, making for an incredibly intimate and impressive feel. The San Diego spin on the classic story is clever, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt.

This is a performance that I would personally recommend to my friends and family!

The City Ballet of San Diego's annual performance of The Nutcracker is a can't-miss holiday event for ballet lovers and Christmas enthusiasts alike.

I personally attend this one annually as my daughter has been part of the cast for quite a few years now. I watch in awe as dancers float across the stage, telling the tale of Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, the Mouse King, the Sugarplum Fairy, and all the other iconic characters. The performance was voted 'San Diego's Best Nutcracker' I think in part due to Elizabeth Wistrich's skilled choreography.

You can catch this magical Christmas ballet at the Concert Hall at California Center for the Arts, Escondido, an ideal place to see a ballet, thanks to the superb acoustics and family-friendly seating. It will be performed to live music, courtesy of the City Ballet Orchestra and conductor John Nettles. It will run for just a few days this year, from December 20th until December 23rd, 2025, with seven magical performances to choose from.

Included as part of our Complete Guide to All the Holidays in San Diego, tickets are still available as of the writing of this article, but I suggest you secure yours now before they sell out. Tickets range from $39 to $119 per ticket depending on where you want to sit. Service charges will add on about $10 to $24 per ticket.

Why We Love this Holiday Performance

Seeing The Nutcracker each year is especially meaningful to me. My family has been attending for years to see the show and of course my daughter performing in the production gives it a special place in my heart. But don't be fooled by the kids on stage, the professional dancers are outstanding and bring the entire cast up to an incredibly high level.

For me, it simply doesn't feel like Christmas without seeing The Nutcracker!

The San Diego Symphony will proudly present Noel Noel the weekend before Christmas with shows set for Thursday, December 19th, Friday, December 20th, and Saturday December 21st, 2025. The musical masterpiece is an event that always gets me in the holiday spirit! The program will feature Christmas classics, carols, popular holiday songs, and audience sing-alongs.

Although mostly musical, the songs revolve around a central plot. In 2025, it's the story of Noel the Elf, supervisor of the North Pole Postal Division, who is tasked with getting missing letters to Santa before time runs out.

The show will take place along the beautiful San Diego Bay at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, an outdoor waterfront venue in the Embarcadero neighborhood of Downtown San Diego. The shows will be led by guest conductor Christopher Dragon and director Jonathan Gilmer, and also feature the incredible voices of the San Diego Master Chorale and the San Diego Children's Choir.

With just three performances in late December, just before Christmas Eve, I suggest that you grab tickets sooner rather than later. Ticket prices range from $55 to $125 based on seating.

Oh and remember to dress warmly - it can get chilly in December along the San Diego Bay.

Why We Love this Holiday Performance

As a music lover myself, I can say that enjoying some holiday favorites performed by polished professionals with a waterfront backdrop is a real treat that makes for a fun night out. Modern, local, and upbeat, the San Diego Symphony Orchestra with the Chorale voices is something very holiday and very special.

Plus I really love going to any performance at the Rady Shell. It just feels uniquely San Diego - a great way to enjoy the season by the Bay!

Those who prefer a classic holiday event may want to head over to the Cygnet Theater at their new state-of-the-art-home in the Arts District Liberty Station at The Joan for a traditional telling of the Christmas Carol.

Led by Bryan Banville as Cratchit and Eileen Bowman as Mrs. Crochet, I love the Victorian costumes, atmospheric sounds and lighting, live Christmas carols, and ghost-like effects. While the Cygnets' home from 2008 until earlier this year in Old Town San Diego was quant with just 246-seats, I'm excited to take my family to this performance at the new theater for our first of what will surely be many visits to come!

The 2 hour and 30 minute show (one intermission) is recommended for kids 8 and older due to its longer run time and scary effects. It will run from November 26th until December 28th, 2025. A holiday favorite, now in its tenth year, I'm really looking forward to seeing this one this Christmas season!

Why We Love this Holiday Performance

I'm especially excited for this performance in 2025 because it's being performed at Cygnet's new theater in Liberty Station.

The classic story in a fresh setting along with the holiday energy in Liberty Station is something my family is really looking forward to!

With a brand new script by Kerry Meads, this holiday production always offers something unique that brings me an abundance of holiday cheer.

Filled with incredible holiday music and talented voices, the show will provide a revue-style format rather than a single-plotted play offering humor, storytelling, and live music in every production. This year, the skits will revolve around a theme of building community through holiday cheer.

The show will once again take place at the Lamb's Player Theatre (Coronado Resident Theatre), a boutique theatre located in the historic Spreckel's Building in Coronado. This non-profit venue is known for its high-quality small-house productions. The Festival of Christmas performances are set to run from December 3rd until December 28th, offering various chances to attend.

Matinees always start at 2:00pm and evening performances start at 7:00pm. Tickets will cost between $48 and $118. There's an $8 discount offered to Seniors (66+) & Veterans and a very generous half-off discount for Active Duty Military, Kids (5 - 17) & even Young Adults (18 -34) who join the free <35 Club.

Why We Love this Holiday Performance

Now in its 48th year, the Festival of Christmas has become a long-standing San Diego holiday tradition. There's something special about seeing a show around the holidays at Lamb's Players in Coronado which consistently delivers warm, feel-good performances.

I'd describe the show as cozy, classic, heartfelt, festive, and very much in the spirit of the season!