With all of the perfect and sunny weather we get here in San Diego, even during the winter, there’s plenty of places that offer fun and festive events for residents and visitors to enjoy the holidays while still enjoying the sun! Here’s a list of places where you, family, friends, and out of town visitors can go and for free or for a small entrance fee:
- Balboa Park December Nights
Where: Balboa Park, 92101
When: December 4, 2015 at 3 PM to 11 PM & December 5, 2015 at 12 PM to 11 PM
Price: Free
Balboa Park’s December Nights will take place for the 38th consecutive year on Friday, December 4 and Saturday, December 5. December Nights is the the nation’s premier holiday festival and without fail every year, this event brings families and friends together to spread holiday joy, learn more about the cultural value of Balboa Park has to offer and an opportunity to enjoy the start of the “most wonderful time of the year.”
From 5 PM to 9 PM on both Friday and Saturday, participating museums in Balboa Park will be opening their doors for free. Keep in mind that more than 350,000 people are expected to visit to soak in the experience and joy of San Diego’s largest free community festival, so be sure to arrive early to find good parking. Shuttles are available as well. Those who attend will participate in a truly multicultural experience, enjoying food, music and entertainment from around the world.
Revelers can watch top-notch musical and dance performances, enjoy delicious and diverse food choices and help spread a heavy dose of holiday cheer. Some of the more well-known traditions include food from around the globe at the International Christmas Festival at the House of Pacific Relations Cottages; the annual Santa Lucia Procession at the Plaza de California; unique gift shopping at the museum stores and with the artisans of Spanish Village; and musical and dance presentations from the San Diego Junior Theatre, San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, Del Cerro Baptist’s Christmas Story Tree, and more.
- Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Where: The Old Globe Theatre at 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego, CA 92101
When: November 7, 2015 to December 26, 2015
Price: Tickets start at $24
For the 18th year in a row, America’s favorite holiday fable, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas returns to San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre! The family favorite features songs such as, “This Time of Year,” “Santa for a Day” and “Fah Who Doraze,” the delightful carol from the popular animated version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Celebrate the holidays as the Old Globe Theatre is once again transformed into the snow-covered Whoville, right down to the last can of Who-hash. The Old Globe also has a sensory friendly showing on Saturday, December 12 at 10:30 AM.
In addition to the showing, the 10th annual Globe Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on Sunday, November 15 at 6 PM on the Globe’s Copley Plaza. The ceremony will kick off the holiday season in conjunction with the presentation of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Designed by Grinch scenic designer John Lee Beatty, the unique tree will be located in the center of the Plaza and will remain for the run of the show. This fun family event will feature a special live performance by members of the Grinch cast and a delightful holiday snowfall on the Globe Plaza. Although the event is free, reservations are required. Reservations can be made by contacting the Box Office at (619) 23-GLOBE.
- Whale watching from the cliffs of Point Loma
When: December to April
Price: Free
Even with the temperatures winding down, San Diego still has a warm climate where everyone can still enjoy outdoor activities. From December to March, head over to the cliffs of Point Loma and enjoy the view of watching California gray whales migrate from Alaska down south down to Baja California for the warm water breeding grounds. This time frame provides an enjoyable and wonderful show to admire these majestic mammals as they travel close to the waters off of San Diego’s own coastline. Most whale sightings will usually be seen in pods of two or three, but during peak migration season, pods of bigger numbers are common as well. The shores of Point Loma offer a wonderful spot for everyone to whale watch while offering the convenience of the beach as well. One spot in particular where you can see whales from is the Cabrillo National Monument.
- Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights
Where: Oceanside Harbor, Oceanside, CA 92054
When: December 12, 2015 at 7 PM to 9 PM
Price: Free
Take a visit up to Oceanside Harbor to view the Parade of lights! Fishing boats, sail boats, yachts, kayaks and dingys are all decked out in holiday swag and circle around Oceanside Harbor to entertain onlookers at the harbor, restaurants, and beach. In addition to all of the boats, a lot of the people dress up as Santa and wave to the crowd. Two of the best places to view the parade is on the side of the Oceanside Harbor over by the fishing dock and police station. By standing at this spot, you’ll be able to enjoy the parade twice. You can even enjoy some shopping and eating at Harbor Village at North Harbor before the parade.
- Julian’s Country Christmas Tree Lighting
Where: Julian, CA 92036
When: November 28, 2015
Price: Free
Take a drive up to the mountain town of Julian and enjoy a nice, festive day! This year, on Saturday, November 28, drive up to Julian and to see the annual lighting of the town’s huge living Christmas tree to kick off the holiday season! While you’re up there,grab a slice of their legendary apple pie and add some ice cream on top and enjoy it à la mode! If it’s too chilly up there, warm mugs of hot apple cider are easy to find as well. In the town of Julian, there’s an endless amount of activities without the crowds of a city.Take a stroll through the neighborhood streets and you’ll be able to hear Christmas carolers and witness a living nativity scene as well. If you don’t feel like walking through the streets, enjoy a stay at one of the bed and breakfasts or cozy up under a blanket while riding down Main Street in a carriage. Stop by the boutique shops and craft shows to buy your loved ones a unique gift that they can’t find anywhere else. The town of Julian also has a schedule of holiday events to add even more joy to your visit as well!
- Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade & Expo
Where: 410 K Street, San Diego, CA 92101
When: December 13, 2015
Spectator Price: Free
Registration Price: Advanced Registration $15; Day of Registration: $20
Head on down to the Gaslamp Quarter to watch some furry friends put on some holiday costumes and walk in this year’s Holiday Pet Parade at the MLK Promenade Park, adjacent to the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter. All well-behaved and friendly pets (that aren’t livestock) are more than welcome to participate in the parade as well! In addition to the parade, there’s also 9 different costume contests for our furry pets, including the Best Ugly Holiday Sweater. Check out the full list of costume contests and feel free to participate in them as well!
- Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo
Where: The San Diego Zoo at 2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
When: December 12, 2015 to January 3, 2016 from 9 AM to 8 PM
Price: Free with admission
The San Diego Zoo was voted as TripAdvisor’s number one zoo in the world, so head on over and celebrate the holidays with the Zoo’s annual Jungle Bells celebration. The San Diego Zoo will be transformed into a magical winter wonderland in order to celebrate the holidays. The three week winter celebration of Jungle Bells is also going to be filled with loads of activities for the guests. For an extra $3 for adults and $2 for children, lighted animal structures can be seen throughout the Zoo when guests take the Twinkle Light Trolley. The lighted animal structures are best seen in the late afternoon or evening. Guests can also take a souvenir picture with Santa during the Jungle Bells celebration or watch various types of entertainment around the Zoo such as Doctor Zoolittle’s “Night Before Christmas,” carolers, and the Toy Shop Hop trampoline acrobats. In case guests get hungry, participating Zoo restaurants will be offering seasonal holiday treats such as holiday cookies, hot chocolate, s’mores, fried apple and cherry pies, coffee with liqueur, and specialty soups. Even better is that a little bit of every purchase, whether it’s food or souvenirs, goes to helping the San Diego Zoo’s efforts for conservation and research!
- Concerts at Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Where: Spreckels Organ Pavilion at 1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
When: Ever Sunday at 2 PM to 3 PM
Price: Free
Every Sunday, year round, rain or shain, at 2 PM at Spreckels Organ Pavilion offers a free concert. Up to 2,400 seats are available at the pavilion and during summer time, there’s even umbrellas for rent. After the concert, the Spreckels Organ Society welcomes you to step inside to learn more and see the pipes. The Spreckels Organ Pavilion also boasts the world’s largest outdoor pipe organ, which has been a San Diego landmark for more than 90 years. During the holidays, organists fill the air with music of holiday favorites, waltzes, and show tunes from the organ’s 32 foot lead alloy pipes.
- Surfin’ Santa Arrival
Where: Seaport Village at 849 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
When: November 28, 2015 from 1 PM to 5 PM
Price: Free
San Diego’s Surfin’ Santa Arrival has been ranked in the top ten best Santa sightings by USA Today and it’s easy to see why. On Saturday, November 28, 2015, everyone in San Diego will have the option to see Santa cruise in via Seaplane for the 10th year in a row at Seaport Village’s annual Surfin’ Santa celebration. From 1 PM to 5 PM, Santa will be greeted with a parade down the boardwalk and the opportunity to take pictures with children and adults. The boardwalk is also going to have kid crafting activities, live street performers, and a wide variety of unique and local shops to provide something to visitors of all ages during the event.