San Diego doesn't usually get a White Christmas or a cozy Hanukkah like our friends in the northeast, but that doesn't mean the holidays are any less merry on this side of the country. From holiday light shows to winter wonderlands, San Diego has a plethora of wintry events to get us in the spirit. Use this holiday events guide to find a celebration to fill you with cheer:
Xmas Bar San Diego
Nov. 9 - Jan. 1: Gaslamp
This all-new Christmas-themed bar is taking over the closed-down Tin Roof live music joint in downtown San Diego which a spectacular, maximum display of Christmas-everything! Baubles and sparkles hang above revelers below ordering Christmas-themed drink and food. Drinks like a cool jingle juice and a hot Comet's cocoa are sure to get you in the holiday spirit. If you're hungry, try their Xmas dinner empanada or an Xmas morning cinnamon roll. The bar opens on Wednesday-Friday from 4 p.m. to late and Saturday-Sunday from 12 p.m. to late.
Julian Farm and Orchard Ice Rink
Nov. 10 - Jan.1: Santa Ysabel
If a rink-side cabana, charcuterie and hot cocoa sounds like your way to join an ice rink, head up to Julian's first-ever ice rink, which opened this year. This rink boasts fire pits, hot holiday beverages, food vendors, petting zoos, hayrides, hay mazes and more. Both farm and ice rink are open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, but the farm is open from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. while the rink is open from 11:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.
Even more events in San Diego County
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Lightscape
Nov. 17 - Jan.1: Encinitas
The stunning landscapes and plants from the San Diego Botanic Garden have been adorned with lights, creating a brilliant experience known as Lightscape. The installation makes the grounds glow with more than one million holiday lights draped over the garden's tunnels, trees and more. Visitors who meander through the Lightscape walking trail can be dazzled by the displays and have many photo ops along their walk. The experience runs from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on select dates.
Liberty Station Holiday Tree Lighting
Nov. 24: Midway District
Liberty Station will light an 88-foot Norfolk pine tree in the North Promenade during its 2023 Salute the Season main event, the Liberty Station Tree Lighting & Holiday Festivities, on Nov. 24 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Watch the tree lighting as well as live entertainment, festival firetruck rides, free photos with Santa and a viewing of The Grinch! Plus, parking is free in any of the Liberty Station lots.
December Nights
Dec. 1-2: Balboa Park
The sprawling Balboa Park becomes the epicenter of holiday cheer for the annual tradition that is December Nights. Booths will take over the majority of the park with vendors, food stations, and performers bringing holiday cheer to thousands of San Diegans starting off their holiday season. Four main stages will also host dozens of musical performances over the holiday weekend, including mariachi performers, a tree lighting, Santa, family fun and more. This evening event, which runs from 3 to 11 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, gets packed and there are some rules that you should know before you go.
Tree Lighting & Christmas Village
Dec. 2: Little Italy
Deck the halls of Little Italy, which will be garnished with Christmas decor including 10-foot-tall nutcrackers, festive lights, Christmas trees, and even a traditional Italian tree lighting ceremony. While there is never a bad time to visit Little Italy, this event is from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. India Street will be jam-packed with artisan vendors, including some of your favorites from the Little Italy Mercato, who are sure to have great stocking stuffers. You can pick up locally designed crafts and delectable food that just tastes like holiday cheer.
Holiday in the Village
Dec 2: La Mesa
For this year's 7th annual holiday celebration visit La Mesa for their Holiday in the Village. For a day full of Christmas cheer, enjoy selfies with Santa, reminisce in the sounds of a crackling fire and indulge in holiday-themed food and drinks. Guests can even be serenaded by the “Holiday Carol Stoll” where different groups from schools, clubs or churches will perform holiday carols to attendees all along La Mesa Boulevard.
Starlight Nights
Dec. 3: Chula Vista
Chula Vista will ring in the holidays at this event along the historic Third Avenue from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The Holiday Market kicks off at 3 p.m., bringing unique treasures from local artisans. Enjoy live holiday tunes under the Third Avenue sign before gathering around the 25-foot Christmas tree in Memorial Park for the tree-lighting ceremony at 5:45 p.m. Choo Choo! All aboard the Chula Vista Express! At this year's Starlight Nights guests can hop on a trackless train and ride through the downtown winter wonderland, right over to Santa Clause for free Christmas card photos. Then finally, the big man of the hour, Santa, will make a grand entrance in a Chula Vista Fire Engine!
Here's where to go ice skating in San Diego for the 2023 holiday season
Holiday Festival
Dec. 6: Coronado
At The Del, guests can enjoy performances by Coronado schools as they share joyous holiday carols. You can also strap on your ice skates and take a spin on the rink for skating by the sea from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. This is a great way to take in the winter feel of a chilly ice skating rink while watching the sunset over the pacific waves on the shore.
While enjoying the holiday festival make sure to keep an eye out in the sky not for a bright red nose guiding the way, but instead for Santa himself! There will be a jolly man jumping from a plane in the sky and landing on the beach to celebrate the holiday festivities.
After Kris Kringle's grand sky diving entrance, attendees can take photos with him and soon after enjoy the Lightshow Spectacular. Christmas tree lights will coincide with holiday music accompanied by whimsical snow flurries. To close out the night, fireworks will shower the sky above the beach.
Hanukkah Celebration
Dec. 7: La Jolla
The Chabad of La Jolla is hosting its annual Hanukkah celebration. Guests can enjoy classic Hanukkah treats including latkes and donuts. Spin the dreidel, watch a menorah lighting and dance along to live music on Patio Sol at La Valencia Hotel from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Holiday Market
Dec. 7; Dec. 14; Dec. 21: Downtown
The Gaslamp Holiday Market takes over 5th and Island in the historic Gaslamp Quarter, offering visitors a unique way to holiday shop locally for gifts ranging from unique jewelry to one-of-a-kind home decor and much more. While shopping, guests will be serenaded by live musical performance from holiday mariachi to joyful jazz. And while you're there, enjoy holiday fare like hot chocolate and pies from Cali Ice Cream. Each Thursday for three weeks, markets run from 4 to 9 p.m.
Menorah Lighting
Dec. 7: Midway District
Head over to Liberty Station's Central Promenade at 5 p.m. to light the Menorah to kick off the eight-day Hanukkah celebration. Guests will be surrounded by twinkling lights decorating Liberty Station to commemorate the occasion.
Mission Bay Parade of Lights
Dec. 9: Mission Bay
For a spectacular seaside celebration head to Mission Bay for the Parade of Lights. The free event will be filled with festively-decorated boats and capped by a firework light show from SeaWorld. There will be six designated watching spots throughout the 2-hour route with festive foods, jubilant family activities, drinks, bonfires and more nearby. The parade starts at 5:30 p.m. but doors open from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
Dec. 10 & Dec. 17: San Diego Bay
This year's theme is "Christmas Traditions around the World" and guests should expect nothing less with around 80 extravagantly decorated boats for the 53rd annual Bay Parade of Lights. Since the event starts at 5:30 p.m., guests can expect to see the lights ornamenting the boats illuminated and reflected beautifully off the water in the bay. The parade is free to watch but you'll want to line up along the parade route early for your chance at a good viewing spot.
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights: When and where to watch the holiday boat procession
The Nutcracker
Dec. 15-24: Downtown
For a true holiday classic, head to the Civic Theatre in Downtown San Diego to view a graceful performance of The Nutcracker. Performed by the Golden State Ballet, the night is sure to be on point with elegant storytelling and a breathtaking Tchaikovsky score by the San Diego Symphony. Tickets start at $25.
Winter Wonder at Belmont Park
Until Dec. 31: Mission Beach
Belmont Park is coasting into the seasons with their winter wonderland-decorated amusement park. The park will be making holiday treats and cozy drinks like a Christmas-themed cocktail pop-up.
