Winter Wonder at Belmont Park 2025 Guide

Belmont Park is well known for its seasonal events!

Each festival offers a fresh set of colorful decorations (and an incredible variation and volume of Christmas lights during Winter Wonder) for the park for the season, offering plenty of picture opportunities. Honestly, I think the best part is that it really makes it easy to get into the holiday spirit!

In terms of special wintertime events, you'll find ornament decorating at Draft on select nights from 4:00pm to 9:00pm for just $10 and Classic Holiday Movie Trivia on December 17th this year…but that's just the start!

Here are some of the additional featured events for Winter Wonder I think you should consider!

Jingle Jams

You can't have a holiday festival without music, right? Well live weekend entertainment is a sure thing during Winter Wonder.

Every Saturday and Sunday from 2:00pm to 5:00pm, you'll be able to enjoy DJ-spun holiday tunes at Jingle Jams. The classics and more will surely set the mood and have you dancing and singing along to all of your favorite holiday songs in no time!

Holiday Face Painting

My kids love getting their faces painted, whether that be at the Día de los Muertos celebrations each year in Old Town San Diego or during Winter Wonder at Belmont Park. I will admit that there just might even be a picture or two of me getting my face painted as well. I know my kids appreciate me joining them in the fun!

Face painting will be available from 3:00pm to 5:00pm every Saturday and Sunday during the event. I say let your kid's imagination run wild as they choose a design for their faces, and maybe you can join them as well.

Characters in the Park

If you're lucky, you just might catch a few holiday characters like Buddy the Elf and even Santa Claus walking through the park on weekends from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. Have your phone ready for some fun holiday photo ops that are completely free!

Also, it can be a lot of fun to just enjoy the lights and holiday decorations while you're exploring, and remember, that part is free as well. I especially enjoy the holiday-themed tikis so don't miss those.

I find that no matter what holiday event I visit, whether it be December Nights in Balboa Park or the Wild Holidays at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, a big part of it is always the seasonal food and drink.

While you're walking around with your family, you're bound to get a little hungry and thirsty. If you're a foodie like me, you'll love the special holiday treats featured at the 2025 event!

Winter Wonderland at Draft

Draft offers year-round beachside food and craft beers that always seem to hit the spot.

When Winter Wonder comes around, Draft hosts a Christmas-themed cocktail pop-up offering seasonal food and drinks you won't want to miss. The decorations alone are worth checking out as they provide the perfect backdrop to enjoy handcrafted cocktails with a twist. The food is also delicious and approachable, with generous portions and many family favorites on offer.

I'm hoping to make it in 2025 (or the first few days of the new year) before the Christmas-themed parts close for the season on January 4th, 2026!

Draft Belmont Park - Daily Deals

You won't go hungry (or be thirsty) with the daily deals from Draft.

Mondays feature $5 Smash Burgers. Wednesdays are for wings with $.50 wing specials. You can bring your kids on Friday because they can eat free with one entrée purchase from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. And if you visit on a weekend, there will be bottomless brunch mimosas for $20 with an entrée purchase.

December Specials at Cannonball

If you like Asian flavors, sushi or noodle bowls, then you should check out Cannonball. They will be having some great specials for all of you sushi fans out there and their Udon veggie bowl is also delicious.

My tip here is to catch a spot on the rooftop for their happy hour from 2:00pm to 5:00pm Monday through Thursday, so you can take in the amazing views while you take advantage of the deals.

What Other Seasonal Foods Will Be Available?

As you walk through the park, you'll see many holiday treats at some of the quick bite locations around the park. I hear seasonal treats include some phenomenal holiday funnel cakes, so bring your appetite!