🎅 LOCAL HOLIDAY EVENTS 🕎 

This one deserved its own send. Get off the couch this season and bring the cousins, nephews, and creepy uncles to these festive and (mostly) free events around town!

Point Loma and Ocean Beach:

Liberty Station Ice Rink
When: Now through January 7th
The Rady Children’s Ice Rink is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily through Sunday, Jan. 7.

PLNU “Cider Celebration” || $10
When: 6 and 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1-2
The Point Loma Nazarene University Choir and Chorale will present the 22nd annual Christmas show at 6p and 8p in the University’s Crill Performance Hall, 3900 Lomaland Drive. Hot cider is included with the $10 ticket (so we’re still considering this free).

All Souls’ Episcopal Church Christmas Marketplace and Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2
Holiday gift items, craft activities, live music, tacos, and holiday cookies and tea will be offered from 10a-2p at All Souls’ Episcopal Church, 1475 Catalina Blvd., Point Loma. Admission is free.

OB Holiday Parade 
When: Dec. 2, 2023
Do we really need to explain this one?

Photos with Santa
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, Dec. 2, 9, and 16
Santa Claus will be at the Ocean Beach holiday tree ready for his closeup!

Hanukkah Menorah Lighting
When: Thursday, Dec. 7
Liberty Station will host a celebration of the start of Hanukkah at sundown.

Ocean Beach Holiday Auction and Party
When: Thursday, Dec. 7
Live and silent auctions at The Holding Co.

Ocean Beach Town Council Food & Toy Drive
When: Now - Dec. 16
Donations are being sought through Saturday, Dec. 16. We know you’ve got COVID reparations left over that you’re not going to need.

Nutcracker Tea Party
When: 1 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17
A performance by the San Diego Ballet will be complemented by holiday treats, a visit from Santa Claus, and more at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, at the Liberty Station Conference Center.

Other Events Around SD:

Hotel del Coronado
When: All of December
Cross the Coronado Bay Bridge and make your way to the Hotel del Coronado to marvel at the illuminated hotel and the popular and beautifully decorated tree in the hotel lobby. She’s a real looker.

Balboa Park December Nights
When: Dec. 1-2, 2023
A two-day holiday celebration filled with carolers, live music, light displays, theater and dance performances, and delicious foods from around the world. Enjoy free organ concerts at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park beginning at 2:00 PM each Sunday.

Coronado Holiday Parade
When: Dec. 1, 2023
Join Coronado in holiday cheer from the Ferry Landing, down Orange Avenue, all the way to the Hotel del Coronado for live music, local business open houses, sing-alongs, a parade, and a grand tree lighting at Rotary Park.

Little Italy Tree Lighting and Christmas Village
When: Dec. 2, 2023
Celebrate the season during Little Italy's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and see the unique Christmas Tree - a 25-foot tower of 1,100 gorgeous Poinsettias. Enjoy the community's festive decorations, live music and entertainment, snacks, holiday beverages, and more!

Holiday in the Village: A La Mesa Tradition
When: Dec. 2, 2023
Walk the streets of La Mesa's historic downtown and enjoy live music and dance, cozy fires, craft vendors, food, and a kids' area with holiday movies and activities.

Encinitas Holiday Parade
When: Dec. 2, 2023
Floats, bands, and more rolling along Coast Highway 101.

Winter Wonderland Festival
When: Dec. 2 - 3, 2023
Join in on a weekend of winter magic at the Annual Winter Wonderland when the heart of Escondido comes alive the holiday spirit.

Chula Vista Starlight Parade & Festival
When: Dec. 3, 2023
Third Avenue turns into a mesmerizing wonderland.

SoNo Fest & Chili Cook-Off
When: Dec. 3, 2023
Bring the whole family to a unique neighborhood event featuring a chili cook-off between the restaurants of South and North Park. At the SoNo Fest & Chili Cook-Off, you can pick out your own hand-spun ceramic bowls and then sample chili from the local restaurants. You can also shop for holiday gifts from local artisans and enjoy free live music, kids' games, and activities, gourmet food trucks, a beer garden featuring local craft beers, and more.

La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival
When: Dec. 3, 2023
Spread some holiday cheer at the La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival in December in downtown La Jolla. The event includes marching bands, community groups, drill teams, vintage vehicles, horses, and yes ~ a camel. There is also a Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Liberty Station Hanukkah and Menorah Lighting
When: Dec. 7, 2023
Liberty Station in partnership with The Chabads of Downtown San Diego and Pacific Beach will host a public menorah lighting at Liberty Station's Central Promenade to commemorate the first night of Hanukkah.

Paradise Point Tree Lighting Ceremony
When: Dec. 7, 2023
Bring your family and friends over to Paradise Point for a festive tree lighting ceremony where you can roast s’mores over the bonfire, enjoy caroling, The Churro Addict food truck, holiday cocktails, and activities for kids of all ages. There will also be a special visit from Santa!

Las Posadas: An Old Town Celebration
When: Dec. 8, 2023
There will be six stations in Heritage County Park as we follow Joseph and Mary astride a donkey. Each station features a brief narration and call-and-response verses performed by volunteers from the Mormon Battalion Historic Site. After the finale, guests are invited back to the Mormon Battalion Historic Site for refreshments.

Poway's Christmas in the Park
When: Dec. 8-9, 2023
Celebrate holiday cheer with Poway's Christmas in the Park. The event features a tree lighting ceremony, visits from Santa, train rides, live music, theatre performances, food, treats, crafts, and more.

Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights
When: Dec. 9, 2023
Delight in the festive gatherings along the Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights. Dozens of brightly illuminated powerboats and sailboats parade along Mission Bay.

Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights
When: Dec. 9, 2023
Watch the season sail by at the Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights. The popular parade circles the harbor and features a wide variety of boats, brightly decorated for the holiday season.

Port of San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
When: Dec. 10 & 17, 2023
Enjoy the twinkling waters of San Diego Bay and more than 80 private boats decorated with holiday lights for the annual Port of San Diego Bay Parade of Lights over two weekends in December. Great views are available on dry land from Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, the pier at Cesar Chavez Park, and Coronado's Ferry Landing.

Snapdragon Bowl Bash
When: Dec. 26, 2023
The San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl is excited to host the second annual Snapdragon Bowl Bash in the Gaslamp Quarter of downtown San Diego! The Snapdragon Bowl Bash is a time for fans and locals to gather in the heart of San Diego for FREE family fun, great food, live music, giveaways, and more!

Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade
When: Dec 27, 2023
Gaze up at the massive balloons during the Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade, the country's largest balloon parade. Floats, balloons, and marching bands are just some of the offerings in this colorful holiday parade along San Diego Bay in downtown San Diego.