A Holiday Season Guide to San Diego Christmas Activities 2024

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 starts well before Christmas Day in 2024 on November 6th, incorporates 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 2024 including showtimes and what you can expect from this year’s performances, and you can bet I’ll be in attendance! For tickets, head to the theater’s official website.

Catch this play early in the season to usher in the holiday mood, or make it an annual tradition for your whole family when you enjoy a performance closer to Christmas Day!

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

Of all my family’s holiday traditions, this is one of my favorites!

We go every year and I always look forward to it. The performance is tons of fun and the songs get stuck in my head for the rest of the season.

There may not be much chance of snow in San Diego, but at the Rady Children’s Ice Rink in Liberty Station, you can 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 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, and 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 when you have an all-inclusive 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 event. From mid-December to early January, the zoo becomes a magical winter wonderland in the evenings!

Attractions and events include live music, an acrobatics elf show, Christmas stories, photo ops, and Reindeer Games, plus special dates for visiting Santa’s Factory. In 2024, the zoo’s adding three Holiday Light Treks where you can walk through light-up Christmas shows that line the paths between exhibits.

Remember that Jungle Bells is included at no additional charge with admission tickets 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 when you’re a local who gets to see it year round.

Of San Diego’s many holiday activities listed in our Complete Guide to All the Holidays in San Diego, the San Diego Santa Run is among the most beloved annual events! A truly unique San Diego experience, watch the streets fill with runners in Santa Claus costumes as thousands of participants run a 5K marathon through the streets of Pacific Beach.

If you’re interested in running or walking in the event, you must register on the official website in advance, and make sure to arrive in a festive costume!

Alternatively, you can bring the 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 2024 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 right 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.

The 2024 Pacific Beach Holiday Parade is held right after the conclusion of the San Diego Santa Run, and serves as an afterparty for the event. It starts at the intersection of Garnet Ave and Haines St, and ends down by Bayard St.

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

Many local businesses, community groups, and nonprofits get in on the fun at the parade. Come see floats decorated for 2024’s theme, “A Holiday Movie Spectacular,” and see how many different classic films you can identify.

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

Shows are held in Escondido on the Concert Hall stage at California Center for the Arts Escondido. There are six showtimes set for this season.

Get swept away by a magical story of toys coming to life and small-scale battles with larger than life consequences. The performance includes music by the City Ballet Orchestra, skillful dancers, and a tale that captivates 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 will be in this year’s Nutcracker show, 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.

Picking out the perfect Christmas tree is not a uniquely San Diego activity, but it is a holiday tradition that me and my family really enjoy! 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.

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!

Check out SeaWorld San Diego for their Christmas Celebration, an annual event held right in the park. Enjoy all of the rides and animal exhibits of the park, now with a holiday twist!

I think that this is one of the best events for young kids visiting Santa’s Village to meet the man of the hour himself and to take a photo. You can also say hi to Santa’s reindeer and experience the atmosphere of the lit-up park, which is especially pretty around the Skytower Tree of Lights and Coca-Cola Lane. Don’t miss the Christmas tree lighting either!

2024’s Christmas Celebration introduces new events including the Happy Harbor Holiday mascot show and Stocking Full of Soul musical performance. The biggest addition this year is Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Parade which tours the streets of the park.

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

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.

San Diego's Little Italy will come alive in 2024 with festive joy as it hosts its cherished annual Tree Lighting and Christmas Village event, scheduled from 4:00pm to 8:00pm.

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. Visitors will be treated to not just one, but two beautifully decorated Christmas trees, while being serenaded with delightful holiday music.

There will be an array of scrumptious treats to savor, and 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, is set to captivate all at 6:30pm 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!

The Hotel Del Coronado in Coronado Island is one of the city’s oldest hotels and a great example of living San Diego history. The property gets 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 couples, you can’t beat going ice skating!

What really separates this from the other ice skating activity on our list at Skating by the Sea 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 puts on its own holiday festival that turns the grounds into a work of winter wonder. Complete with lights strung up along trails throughout the park, a Christmas tree, and carolers performing live music, the Safari Park is 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. It’s one of many family-friendly activities in our Complete Guide to All the Holidays in San Diego article.

One cool thing about Wild Holidays is that the park, which usually closes at 5:00pm, remains open until 8:00pm. It feels extra special getting to see the park at night when it’s all lit up!

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

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is just as beloved as the San Diego Zoo itself, and just as ideal a way to spend the holidays for animal lovers. The festivities here are great for all ages, and the seasonal treats offered at concession stands like craft cocktails and gourmet hot chocolates are excellent as well.

I know this article is centered around Christmas activities and attending a New Year’s Eve event is not a Christmas activity, but it is something that sneaks up on me each year right after Christmas. 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 too 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.

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 whole heartedly recommend their pork chop.

You could also consider a dinner cruise on the San Diego Bay. They run from 3:00pm - 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 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.

You can listen to a holiday story and enjoy tea and small bites in a cozy and historic hotel lounge this holiday season.

The Westgate Hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter, located at 1055 2nd Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, offers guests and visitors alike plenty of ways to celebrate the holidays. At Santa Story Time Tea, kids can listen to a storybook read aloud by Santa Claus while also sampling warm drinks and finger foods.

This event fills up fast, so be sure to make a reservation well in advance. Be aware that you must buy 4 or more tickets. But that also makes this event a great fit for families!

The dates are December 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd & 23rd. They all start at 11am and go until 1:30pm. Booking will be available on the Westgate’s website starting after Thanksgiving.

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!

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.

Bring the kids to meet Surfin’ Santa in Seaport Village and snap some photos perfect for your Christmas cards. While you’re there, 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. Celebrate the occasion with a Go City San Diego pass and take advantage of its 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 here - 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, and it’s always well attended. The streets become 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 the family. Then again, it’s the beachgoing way to arrive at your own pace!

The parade runs for about two hours and continues 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. Drive through neighborhoods at night to see how residents spread the holiday cheer, or check out dozens of professional Christmas light shows.

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, and 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.

Balboa Park's December Nights is one of the biggest events of the season in San Diego! It 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. Don’t forget to stop by the International Houses during the event to try out traditional food and drinks from more than 30 different represented countries!

This is a can’t-miss activity if you’re in the area, especially if you’re also interested in Balboa Park’s many museums. And make sure to not pay full price to the kid-friendly museums in the park like the Natural History Museum (theNat) and The Fleet Science Center with the Go City San Diego pass.

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 a standout.

You can catch a high-intensity game of college football live at SnapDragon Stadium in Mission Valley this December when you attend the DirecTV Holiday Bowl.

The 2024 Holiday Bowl pits the ACC against the Pac-12. It will be the 45th annual Holiday Bowl.

This isn’t just an event for football fans - it kicks off with the Snapdragon Bowl Bash, a big street party and parade in the lead-up to the Holiday Bowl. After the game, 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. I suggest attending the game if you can and make sure to get your tickets early, you can purchase them on the Holiday Bowl website.

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

If you’re a college football fan who’s planning to be in San Diego around Christmas, I can’t overstate how fun it is to watch a game in person versus on TV. I’ve attended enough San Diego Waves games to know that Snapdragon Stadium is a great venue! The atmosphere is truly electric as you cheer for your team, or one of the teams, from the stands.

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. In 2024, the tree lighting celebration will be on Friday Nov. 29th from 5 pm to 9 pm. The event will take place rain or shine.

Other holiday festivities in Liberty Station 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 in San Diego!

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

Whether you’re bringing the 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!

Is your love of the holidays only rivaled by your love of dogs? If so, the winter-themed Pet Parade in the Gaslamp Quarter is the place to be!

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 at the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter, which has a holiday costume contest and live music plus beer tasting. Purchase a $25 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!

Pick up some early Christmas presents for friends and family, or buy festive handcrafted ornaments and decorations, at the San Marcos Holiday Market. This market spans multiple blocks down North City Drive and Campus Way in San Marcos.

Vendors sell gifts, handcrafted goods, clothing, decorative items, farm fresh produce, natural beauty products, toys, and more. There’s live music and Rescue Row, where animal shelters run adoption and awareness events. The San Marcos Holiday Market also has food and drink stalls where you can pick up holiday favorites like shortbread and hot chocolate.

Why We Love this Holiday Activity

Since the market runs early in December, it’s a great way to get a jumpstart on your holiday shopping list. And I suggest you treat yourself to a seasonal snack while you’re there!

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 need is sand and water. Many of the shores in Mission Bay are perfect for it, including wide and sandy sections of 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.

Sitting on Santa’s lap is a time-honored tradition for young kids, and parents will love the festive photos that go great on a holiday greeting card. The Westfield UTC Mall in University City is one of Santa’s favorite stops on his pre-Christmas tour of Southern California. The large tree decorated with lights and ornaments inside the mall also makes for the perfect backdrop.

In 2024, Santa will be at the UTC Mall on level 1 in Palm Plaza. If you want to skip the line, be sure to make a reservation on the mall’s website, especially if you’re planning on visiting during the weekend or close to Christmas.

San Diego has incredible shopping opportunities throughout town that are perfect for picking up gifts and getting into the holiday spirit. 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

Parents will love that this mall Santa isn’t a one-trick pony: the Westfield UTC goes all out on its Signature Santa 1 on 1 Experience, which will run from Nov 15 to Dec 6th.

Alongside extra photo package goodies, kids can also listen to storytime with Santa as he reads The Night Before Christmas, a special experience they won’t forget even long after they’ve grown up.

You can watch the San Diego Parade of Lights from the harborside as decorated boats sail through the San Diego Bay.

This is a free event that starts at Shelter Island and continues all the way to Ferry Landing Coronado. More than 80 boats are included in the procession, which also takes 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 2024’s San Diego Bay parade is Peace on Earth, emphasizing the core values of the season and promoting a sense of community.

Arrive early to get one of the best viewing locations and watch the sky turn an array of bold colors 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 - 6:15pm
• The Embarcadero - 6:45pm
• Seaport Village - 7:15pm
• The Pier at Cesar Chavez Park - 7:30pm
• Ferry Landing on Coronado - 7:45pm

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 think it’s an excellent event for families with captivating displays, and it can also double as a romantic couples’ activity thanks to the “glittering lights under the stars” feel of the parade.