Last Updated on November 6, 2025
America’s Finest City is an amazing place to visit any time of year, but the winter holidays bring a different kind of magic to this Southern California destination — without the freezing temps. It’s one of my favorite times of year with so many unique activities and celebrations.
This year’s attractions range from beachside ice-skating rinks, glittery boat parades, tree lighting, jingle bells with pandas and symphony carols under the stars. Here are some top highlights.
San Diego Holiday Attractions
Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo
Familiar holiday traditions take on a wild twist at the Zoo’s Jungle Bells celebration from December 19, 2025, through January 4, 2026. The Zoo will be aglow with holiday cheer and decorations, with music filling the air, joyful roaming entertainers, and special food items and sweets.
During Jungle Bells festivities, the Zoo will close at 8 p.m.
Holidays at LEGOLAND
It’s time for Holidays at LEGOLAND, where the park is bursting with holiday cheer and festive décor and holiday characters Santa, the Toy Solider and Gingerbread Man return from November 22 to January 4. Head over to Fun Town to find a 30-foot, fully decorated LEGO Christmas tree with over 400 LEGO ornaments.
As the day winds down, the tree gets a-twinklin’ to holiday tunes at the Holiday Light Show.
December Nights at Balboa Park
The City of San Diego’s largest free holiday festival in Balboa Park, December Nights, will take place this year on December 5-6. The family friendly event brings San Diegans together to enjoy the lights, the sounds, the attractions and of course, the amazing food.
San Diego Hotels
Skating by the Sea at the Hotel Del Coronado
One of California’s most recognizable and scenic ice rinks welcomes skaters of all ages from November 21 to January 4, as Windsor Lawn is transformed into a spectacular outdoor ice rink providing an unforgettable “skating by the sea” experience with an incomparable backdrop of the stunning Pacific Ocean and The Del’s iconic red turret on the hotel’s Windsor Lawn.
This is truly a magical experience.
Winter Wonderland at the Lafayette Hotel & Club
For an over-the-top California Christmas, check into the historic Lafayette Hotel & Club in December. With a lobby doused floor to ceiling in holiday decorations and unique offerings through the new year, The Lafayette Hotel is a maximalist winter wonderland with festive cocktails and fun events, including Holiday Tea Service and Night Moves with San Diego.
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at San Diego Mission Bay Resort
On December 11, San Diego Mission Bay Resort kicks off the holiday season with the grand lighting of its iconic Christmas tree. The evening includes visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, holiday games, hot chocolate, letter-writing to Santa, and more.
Restaurants and Bars
Step into “Lala-Land” at Lala at Lala in Little Italy
This neighborhood hot spot is bringing back its signature holiday pop-up, Lala-Land, transforming the bar into a whimsical, over-the-top Christmas wonderland throughout the month of December.
Miracle at Draft
Through January 5, the waterfront Christmas-themed cocktail pop-up is back at Draft! Decked out with over-the-top holiday decor and collectible mugs, Miracle at Draft is a great spot to sip on exclusive, handcrafted cocktails that celebrate the flavors of the season after a day of fun at the Winter Wonder Beachside at Belmont Park.
Yo Ho Ho-liday Tavern at Margaritaville Hotel San Diego
Set sail for the holiday season with a spirited twist at Margaritaville Hotel San Diego’s “Yo Ho Ho-liday Tavern” pop-up, taking over LandShark Bar & Grill from November 22 through December 31. This limited-time immersive holiday experience will showcase festive cocktails, pirate-themed décor accented with nautical holiday details, live pirate appearances, and a specially curated selection of seasonal food and drink offerings.
The “Golden Girls” Christmas Experience at Bayside Kitchen
Get ready to make like TV’s beloved sitcom icons Blanche, Dorothy, Rose, and Sophia at this pop-up experience inspired by The Golden Girls Kitchen from November 19 through January 11. The event includes fun touches as “Golden Girls”-themed sweets, seasonal cocktails and a chance to pose for photos in Blanche’s Boudoir (complete with shag carpet and a palm-print bedspread).
Arts and Culture
“Noel Noel” at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
From December 19-21, the San Diego Symphony’s holiday tradition, “Noel Noel,” returns to the stunning Rady Shell at Jacobs Park on the Embarcadero. Featuring such musical favorites as “I’ll be Home for Christmas, “Silent Night” and “Slight Ride,” the evening will be full of Christmas classics, singalongs, holiday cheer and jolly spirit, featuring Mrs. Claus.
Dr. Seuss’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”
This is one local tradition that can’t be missed. Celebrate the holidays as the Tony Award-winning Old Globe Theatre is once again transformed into snow-covered Whoville, right down to the last can of Who-hash from November 5-December 31.
“A Christmas Carol”
Cygnet Theatre continues its beloved, long-running tradition of staging the timeless holiday classic about Ebenezer Scrooge and the meaning of Christmas, with sumptuous visuals and plenty of music of the season. This is a great way to experience Cygnet Theatre’s new state-of-the-art home, The Joan, in Liberty Station from November 26-December 28.
Twinkling Lights & More
Port of San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
One of my favorite holiday events will take place this season December 14 and 31 on the sparkling waters of San Diego Bay where more than 80 private boats decorated with holiday sparkle at the annual Port of San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. Great views are available from Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, the pier at Cesar Chavez Park and Coronado’s Ferry Landing.
Holiday Tree Lighting at Liberty Station
Kickstart the holiday season with Liberty Station’s annual lighting of the iconic 88-foot Norfolk pine tree on November 28 paired with live entertainment, firetruck rides and photos with Santa. Cozy up under the twinkling lights for an outdoor showing of “the Grinch.”
Hanukkah Celebration & Menorah Lighting at Liberty Station
In partnership with The Chabads of Downtown San Diego and Pacific Beach, Liberty Station will host a public menorah lighting in its Central Promenade to celebrate Hanukkah on December 14. The free family-friendly festivity will be complete with music, live entertainment and the traditional lighting of the menorah.
Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village
On December 6, Little Italy transforms into a winter wonderland with Christmas twinkle lights down all the streets adorned with 10-foot-tall nutcrackers and kinetic tree holiday displays on street corners, Christmas songs and more.
